Abstract:
    The Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) has designed and is currently constructing a hydrogen fueling station at Humboldt State University (HSU) in Arcata, California.  Project partners for the station include Humboldt State University, Chevron Technology Ventures, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), and the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District.  
    The first vehicle to utilize the station will be a hydrogen powered Toyota Prius provided by CARB as part of the California Hydrogen Highway Program.  During this two-year vehicle demonstration program, SERC will help demonstrate the potential benefits associated with hydrogen fueled vehicles, as well as provide a testing ground for learning about the attributes and challenges of this new technology.  HSU President, Rollin Richmond, and CalTrans District 1 Director, Charlie Fielder, will share driving of the Prius.  SERC will refuel and perform routine maintenance on the vehicle and conduct education and outreach activities.  Once commissioned in March 2008, the station will be the northernmost on California's Hydrogen Highway.
    Code compliance in California has historically been based on the Uniform Fire Code (UFC); however, the State is currently in the process of adopting the International Fire Code (IFC).  For this reason, it was agreed that the HSU Hydrogen Fueling Station would be constructed in compliance with both the current CA State Fire Code (based on the UFC), as well as the IFC.  The primary code sections that were addressed include CFC Article 80, Hazardous Materials, and IFC Section 2209, Hydrogen Motor Fuel-Dispensing and Generation Facilities.
    The major station components include a Proton Energy Systems HOGEN S-40 electrolyzer that produces hydrogen at 200 psig, a PDC Machines single-stage diaphragm compressor that will boost the pressure to 6000 psig, high pressure storage cylinders from CP Industries, and an FTI International hydrogen dispenser that will deliver gas to the vehicles at 5000 psig.  The equipment will be instrumented to collect real-time operational data, which will be used to calculate hydrogen generator and compressor efficiencies.  
    Our unique situation as the station designer, installer, operator, and equipment performance evaluator will allow SERC to present a realistic assessment of the station.  In this paper we will detail construction and equipment costs, project timeline, and safety code issues.  We will describe our instrumentation and the information that will be forthcoming once the station is operating.  This valuable information can be used as a template to assist others in the design and economic analysis of future stations.