Northern Ireland operator Translink is to install what supplier Logan Energy describes as “one of the largest capacity hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe” at its Newtownabbey depot in Belfast as part of the rollout of a further 20 Wrightbus StreetDeck Hydroliner double-deckers.
Logan Energy has been awarded a contract worth £1.6m for the design and supply of the station. The Edinburgh-based company will maintain it for up to 15 years and support an ambition to increase the number of vehicles using it by 25% over coming years. The fuelling station will be able to dispense a minimum of 2,500kg of green hydrogen per day, which will allow Translink to increase its hydrogen fuel cell-electric bus fleet without a need to modify the installation.
Says Logan Energy CEO Bill Ireland: “We are very proud to supply what is set to be one of the largest capacity hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe. It is a significant project in the upscaling of refuelling deployment in general and, specifically, Logan Energy’s unique refuelling system for the large volume economic fuelling of [hydrogen] vehicles.
“First deployed in Germany last year, our system allows us to provider lower cost refuelling options for large scale hydrogen stations.” The installation will be capable of monitoring bus storage tank pressure and temperature, using infrared communication with vehicles to optimise the fill rate.
Adds Translink Director of Service Operations Ian Campbell: “The development of this hydrogen infrastructure is a further milestone in this exciting new era for Translink as we work towards the decarbonisation and development of the green economy in Northern Ireland. This refuelling station, supporting our new fleet, is a further important step in our net zero journey.”
