Hydrogen-Powered Charging for Battery Electric Vehicles
Connor Dolan
By Nova Thayer
As the United States looks to undergo a widespread energy transition, hydrogen continues to grow as a viable energy source for many different industries, as highlighted in recent “In Transition” posts. Today we’re focusing on a relatively new energy use for hydrogen and fuel cells, expanding access to clean power for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in-hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). We all need to work together to decarbonize our society and fuel cells and hydrogen have many different roles to play, both on and off the road.
There has been a large push in recent years to decarbonize the United States’ energy supply and economy, resulting in greater interest for zero-emission transportation, both by means of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and BEVs. However, getting reliable access to clean energy to power BEV charging stations can be difficult at times, especially in more rural areas of the country. Emergency situations also create the need for reliable clean power, such as in extreme weather events where stationary BEV charging stations could be damaged or inaccessible. And somewhat paradoxically, expanding BEV charging stations without proper infrastructure support will do little to mitigate emissions, due to some areas’ reliance on natural gas, coal, or oil for power generation. Hydrogen provides an elegant solution to these logistical problems.
Using hydrogen to fuel BEV charging stations ensures access to clean, reliable power for EVs in remote areas instead of having to rely on traditional energy resources or diesel generators. This also has several positive side effects, such as insulating charging stations from fluctuations in the power grid, as well as expanding access to hydrogen-powered FCEVs to refuel also. The hydrogen can be generated on site or delivered on a regular basis. Here are several new projects in the works that have been announced from FCHEA members.
Renewable Innovations and General Motors
Utah-based Renewable Innovations and automaker General Motors (GM) are collaborating on a wide range of portable hydrogen-fueled generators to help expand BEV charging operations. The two companies will sell products such as a mobile power generator, which is specifically designed to provide fast-charging capabilities for BEVs in places where there’s only a temporary need for power.
Renewable Innovations and GM have also begun to produce mobile BEV chargers, which can be installed at remote gas or fuel stations. Renewable Innovations is planning on deploying 500 of these chargers across the country by the end of 2025.
Kaizen Clean Energy
Kaizen Clean Energy recently announced that it is working with PowerCell and ZincFive to create a hydrogen production and distribution generator for use in areas where both power and hydrogen is needed. Kaizen’s generators are specifically designed to power BEV charging, FCEV charging, or provide standby power generation. Kaizen’s generators reform methanol on site and produce up to 2,300 kg of hydrogen per day. Pre-orders have already begun, and the first pilot program is expected to be completed in Q4 of 2022.
BayoTech and Loop Energy
BayoTech and Loop Energy have announced that they are both working with GreenCore in order to build and supply remote BEV charging stations with hydrogen. The three companies plan to use hydrogen in over 1500 EV charging station by the end of 2026. The stations will also offer the ability to dispense hydrogen directly for fuel cell vehicles in addition to powering the BEV chargers. The three companies expect the service to expand significantly over the next couple of years, due to the high cost and long time necessary to upgrade the electrical grid. As GreenCore CEO Frank Baumann notes, “As the demand for BEV charging grows, serious issues in peak energy pricing and remote energy access are emerging”. Hydrogen seems to be the answer.
GenCell
GenCell recently announced that it has begun to work with several BEV manufacturers to integrate its hydrogen fuel cells with BEV charging stations to reduce the use of fossil fuel backup generators. With the first charging system expected to be deployed in 2022, the company expects high demand, both in Israel and abroad.
Conclusion
Experts predict the global demand for BEV charging could reach $207 billion by 2030. By using hydrogen to fuel BEV charging stations, it can ease load capacities on the power grid and expand access to charging nationwide. It’s clear that hydrogen will play an essential role in the overall energy transition, including its potential as a mechanism to power BEV charging stations.