Toyota installs hydrogen refuelling station in Melbourne
Last week ActewAGL also opened a hydrogen fuelling station for 20 Hyundai Nexo.
Toyota has today (29th March) opened its first commercial hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facility at its former manufacturing site at Altona in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Similar to the Hyundai Nexo, Toyota Mirai will also be leased to government and private fleets.
Toyota is starting a fleet of 20 Mirai hydrogen fuel cell cars in April in Australia to get feedback on how they run. The hydrogen at the refuelling station is produced on-site by a 200 kW electrolyser with the capacity to make around 80 kg/day hydrogen. The electrolyser is fed by an 87 kW solar array supported by a 100 kW battery storage as well as the main grid, depending on the requirement. Hydrogen will be stored at medium and high pressure for refuelling fuel-cell forklifts that Toyota uses and hydrogen FCEVs.
Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor said the Toyota Hydrogen Centre aims to showcase the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology for future mobility and energy needs.
Dr Patrick Hartley, Csiro Hydrogen Industry Mission, said that the infrastructure which is being commissioned at this new Toyota facility would progress the deployment of hydrogen vehicles.
Fuel cells powered vehicles have been sold in a few countries, but the major hurdle for making it a mainstream vehicle in Australia and elsewhere is the lack of refuelling infrastructure. The facility will be a step towards addressing this challenge. The facility will also help promote the technology and will educate people on how hydrogen fuel cells work by highlighting their benefits to society and removing any misconception around the safety and use of hydrogen applications.
It is the second hydrogen fuel station in Australia after ActewAGL last week started selling hydrogen produced by France’s Neoen in a trial for 20 Hyundai Nexo sport utility vehicles owned which is owned by the Australian Capital Territory government. The green hydrogen available at the station will be produced using the ACT’s 100% renewable electricity supply.
