A year after it was announced, the government’s journey into hydrogen mobility in the Peninsular has finally begun with the launch of its mobile hydrogen refuelling station (MHRS) pilot project in Putrajaya. The launch, held earlier today, was officiated by ministry of science, technology and innovation (MOSTI) minister Chang Lih Kang
Chang said the project was developed to proactively stimulate market demand for hydrogen through collaboration with fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) owners and suppliers. He added that Sime UMW and UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has contributed three Toyota Mirai hydrogen FCEV vehicles and will provide the operation and maintenance services for these vehicles for this phase of the project.
Located at Parking Lot 2M8 in Precinct 2, the MHRS has two containers, the first housing a 90 megapascal (MPa) compressor and two chillers for the compressor and dispenser, and the second holding two storage containers (50 and 90 MPa). The dispenser features two nozzles to handle a full range of FCEVs. Nozzle one is similar in concept and design to a petrol nozzle for internal combustion engine vehicles, and this is used for a vehicle such as the Mirai, with the refueling process taking less than five minutes.
Nozzle two is used for buses and trucks, and refueling for these vehicle types can be accomplished within 15 minutes. In terms of handling capacity, the MHRS is capable of dispensing 100 kg of hydrogen per day, equivalent to refueling 20 Mirais.
Last November, Chang said that the total budget for the MHRS trial would be around RM12 million, with the higher initial cost being put down to the MHRS being the first of its kind in the Peninsular.
Chang said that Putrajaya was chosen as a strategic location for the MHRS station due to its complete infrastructure, efficient logistics and the availability of a suitable site without land constraints. “The location not only supports the early use of public transport such as hydrogen-powered buses and lorries, but also facilitates technology validation and public demonstration activities,” he said in his speech.
According to MOSTI, a number of partners are cooperating on the project. Besides Sime UMW and UMWT, the minisry said that NanoMalaysia (NMB), as the asset administrator representing it, will utilise the MHRS as a testbed for new term commercial opportunities, while Petronas Technology Ventures (PTVSB) will supply the hydrogen and oversee the station’s engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC).
Also working on the project is the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), which will conduct a feasibility study on the use of FCEV vehicles on local roads, supported by data from UMWT and the MHRS supplier, which is Hydrexia.
GALLERY: Toyota Mirai FCEV and mobile hydrogen refueling station (MHRS) demonstration, 2024
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