Dalian launches unique hydrogen fueling station, a first in China

The launching ceremony of the construction of six comprehensive refueling stations. [Photo/ Piao Feng]

It's a hydrogen fueling station but also a plant that uses methanol for hydrogen production. On Feb 15, such a station, the first of its kind in China,was put into operation in the Dalian Free Trade Zone.

The station, formally known as the Shenggang comprehensive energy service station of Sinopec, provides a replicable solution for the popularization and application of hydrogen energy, as well as the construction of a safe, stable and efficient hydrogen energy supply network across the country, adding momentum to the development of China's hydrogen energy industry.

The station's on-site production section covers an area of only 64 square meters, with a daily output of 1,000kg of 99.999% high-purity hydrogen, producing no pollution. Besides, methanol is abundant at low cost, and is safer and more cost-effective for storage and transportation as a liquid under normal temperature and pressure, which can reduce costs by more than 20 percent compared with traditional storage and transportation.

To make it more user friendly, the fueling station also provides gasoline, diesel, LNG and charging services. Construction for six more such stations are currently underway in Dalian, with a total investment of 600 million ($87.46 million), to further enrich and expand the application scenarios of hydrogen energy.