Fueling with Hydrogen: Moving from Research to Retail

Nico Bouwkamp, Technology Analyst, California Fuel Cell Partnership, 3300 Industrial Blvd., Suite 1000, West Sacramento, CA 95620, (916) 376-8050

Russell Vare, Southern California Regional Coordinator, California Fuel Cell Partnership, 3300 Industrial Blvd., Suite 1000, West Sacramento, CA 95620, (909) 396-3388

Abstract

Easy access to fuel is a crucial element for commercializing alternative fuel vehicles. Users want access to alternative fuels to be as convenient, safe and reliable as gasoline stations are today.

California leads the world with the number of hydrogen stations and fuel cell vehicles on the road. Real-world drivers operate more than 100 FCVs in California every day, including passenger cars used for work and personal travel, and fuel cell buses that carry thousands of passengers in regular transit service. To continue progress toward a commercial market, these early customers must have a very positive experience with the vehicles, including hydrogen fueling. California is uniquely positioned to implement access solutions that improve the customer's fueling experience.

Moving from controlled research stations to retail-style hydrogen stations involves addressing both technical and non-technical topics. Examples include liability; training and user verification; information availability; customer technical requirements; interface technology improvement and ergonomics; and fuel payment.

The CaFCP, with members including station providers, vehicle manufactures, fuel cell technology companies and government agencies, is working collaboratively to address the factors vital to improving access to hydrogen fuel stations. CaFCP members take a pragmatic approach, working to identify, evaluate and implement solutions through real-world experience with FCVs and hydrogen stations. This paper looks at two of the solutions developed by CaFCP to improve station access: a common customer training program that simplifies the current training requirements for hydrogen fueling; and a real-time web-based system that informs FCV users on the operational status of hydrogen stations.

Keywords: “Commercialization”, “Fuel cell vehicle”, “Fueling access”, “Hydrogen”, “Infrastructure”

Biographies:

Nico Bouwkamp

As the Technology Analyst of the CaFCP, Nico focuses on leading and facilitating member project teams intending to solve technical challenges with the hydrogen fueling infrastructure. In the last few years, he compiled all available information on hydrogen stations in California, and keeps this up-to-date. As the lead of the CaFCP Bus Team, he brings together all the members involved with fuel cell bus programs in the State and leads project teams on hydrogen bus fueling and an awareness survey. Nico received a Master's in Business Administration from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, specializing in Management of Innovation.

Russell Vare

As the California Fuel Cell Partnership's Regional Coordinator, Russell Vare focuses on hydrogen infrastructure development in Southern California. He is the lead on several projects to increase access and use of the increasing network of stations. He also coordinates outreach events to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell technology. He received a BA in Economics at UC Santa Barbara and a Master's in Public Policy at UCLA. He is a California native and currently resides in Los Angeles.