Quantitative analysis of a successful public hydrogen station

Reliable hydrogen fueling stations will be required for the successful commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. An evolving hydrogen fueling station has been in operation in Irvine, California since 2003, with nearly five years of operation in its current form. The usage of the station has increased from just 1000 kg dispensed in 2007 to over 8000 kg dispensed in 2011 due to greater numbers of fuel cell vehicles in the area. The station regularly operates beyond its design capacity of 25 kg/day and enables fuel cell vehicles to exceed future carbon reduction goals today. Current limitations include a cost of hydrogen of $15 per kg, net electrical consumption of 5 kWh per kg dispensed, and a need for faster back-to-back vehicle refueling.

► The UC Irvine Hydrogen Station has robustly and safely dispensed 25,000 kg of fuel over the course of 5 years.
► Usage has increased each year as automakers place more hydrogen powered vehicles on southern California roads.
► Average consumption is 0.7 kg/car/day.
► Net station electric use is 5.18 kWh/kg.
► Net cost is $14.95 per kg of hydrogen.