Madrid has marked a milestone in sustainable public transport with the launch of Europe’s first hydrogen refueling station for municipal buses. In a ceremony led by Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the facility at the EMT Madrid Operations Center in Entrevías was inaugurated, along with the deployment of ten green hydrogen-powered buses that will begin serving the city in November 2024.
A European First in Public Transport Sustainability
This pioneering station solidifies Madrid's leadership in sustainable urban mobility. Mayor Almeida emphasized the significance of the project, noting that no other European capital offers a public hydrogen refueling station. The facility refuels buses with clean energy in under ten minutes, reinforcing Madrid’s position as a frontrunner in public transport sustainability policies. The city aims to achieve a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.
Integrated Hydrogen Production and Refueling
The hydrogen station covers the entire green hydrogen production cycle, including production, compression, storage, and distribution. Developed entirely by Spanish companies, the facility features cutting-edge technology:
- A PEM electrolyser capable of producing 18 kg of hydrogen per hour.
- Storage tanks for low, medium, and high pressure.
- Two refueling pumps capable of operating at a pressure of 350 bars.
To enhance energy sustainability, the station is supported by 2,780 photovoltaic panels generating 1.6 MWh of power. The €11.3 million project received €2.65 million in co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Hydrogen Buses: A Step Toward Decarbonization
The first phase of the project introduces ten hydrogen-powered buses supplied by Portuguese manufacturer CaetanoBus. Each 12-meter-long bus has an autonomy of 280 kilometers, enabling up to 20 hours of service. The buses are equipped with Toyota fuel cell technology, three LTO batteries, and a rapid refueling time of less than ten minutes.
These buses are part of Madrid's broader initiative to electrify and decarbonize its fleet. Supported by European NextGenerationEU funds, the buses are co-financed under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, reinforcing Madrid’s commitment to sustainable urban transit.
Strategic Vision for Hydrogen as an Energy Vector
The hydrogen station aligns with Madrid’s strategic alliance with the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Centre (CNH2), a partnership formed in 2020 to advance hydrogen technology. This collaboration is part of the city’s Madrid 360 strategy, which prioritizes the decarbonization of public transport to reduce environmental and health costs.
Madrid’s efforts in hydrogen-powered transport date back to its participation in the City Cell and HyFleet:CUTE European projects from 2002 to 2006, making it the first Spanish operator to test hydrogen fuel cell buses.
A Model for the Future
The launch of this facility underscores Madrid's ambition to lead Europe in sustainable mobility innovation. It not only supports the city's environmental goals but also aligns with the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive, serving as a blueprint for other cities looking to transition to green, energy-efficient public transport systems.
Madrid’s investment in hydrogen technology demonstrates the city's long-term commitment to creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for urban mobility.
Original article: https://news.busworld.org/article/232912/madrid-launches-the-first-hydrogen-bus-station-in
