The plant will use two thyssenkrupp nucera electrolyzers to produce gaseous hydrogen, which will be converted to liquid hydrogen using Air Products’ proprietary technology. It will also include advanced compression technology supplied through the Baker Hughes strategic alliance to feed the liquefier.

This compression technology is also being used for Air Products’ world-scale carbon-free hydrogen NEOM project in Saudi Arabia and the net-zero hydrogen production complex in Alberta, Canada.

Air Products said California has taken steps to aggressively decarbonize its transportation sector through several regulations. The state has set a goal that all drayage trucks be zero emissions by 2035 and heavy-duty vehicles convert to zero emissions by 2045.

Hydrogen fuel cells are gaining momentum as the technology of choice compared to batteries in heavy-duty applications due to faster refuel times, longer range, and larger payloads, while also performing better in extreme climate conditions, the gases firm said, adding that hydrogen as a transportation fuel most closely mirrors the traditional transportation fueling experience.

Eric Guter, Air Products’ vice president, hydrogen for mobility, said the company is continuing to pursue other opportunities to produce low- and zero-carbon hydrogen to help meet the growing demand in world leading geographies.

Last July, Air Products signed an agreement for a $5 billion green hydrogen-based ammonia plant powered by renewable energy at NEOM, located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. Air Products will be the exclusive off-taker of the green ammonia, intending to transport it around the world to be dissociated to produce green hydrogen for the transportation market. The facility, producing 1.2 million t/y of ammonia, is due to start up in 2025.

The complex in Canada is expected to go on stream in 2024, making Alberta a leading supplier of liquid hydrogen to western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, according to Air Products.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist