As the world continues to shift its resources and focus toward producing clean energy, hydrogen fuel cell technologies have grown exponentially and have started making their way toward commercialization. Companies and governments around the world are taking action to promote green energy in a growing effort to minimize their carbon footprint. Major car companies like Toyota, Hyundai, and Audi have emerged as leaders in bringing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the consumer market. Manufacturers are making significant investments in fuel cell refueling stations in order to provide infrastructure for these vehicles, encouraging market adoption.

Hydrogen technologies are slowly becoming part of consumer life in many countries, but in China the hydrogen market is very much a part of daily life. Beginning operation in late 2018, one of the world’s largest refueling stations keeps China’s hydrogen buses – and its people – moving all day long.

The International Energy Agency estimates that there were 3.1 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road at the end of 2017 and predicts that there will be 125 million by 2030.

Consumers rank not having enough access to efficient charging stations as the third most serious barrier to EV purchase, behind price and driving range. That’s according to McKinsey’s 2016 EV consumer survey of buyers considering battery-powered EVs in China, Germany, and the United States. With EV prices declining and ranges expanding, charging could soon become the top barrier.

In case you missed it, Toyota’s hydrogen-fueled Mirai road-tripped across Europe for the past year and a half. What began with a trip from Denmark to Italy in July of 2016 has become a series of transcontinental treks, demonstrating the tremendous commitment Europe has made toward fueling the cars of the future. The European network of hydrogen fueling stations has continued to expand, and technology enthusiasts as well as environmentally conscious motorists have begun paying close attention to the great distances the Mirai can travel. According to the European Alternative Fuels Observatory, there are 82 operational hydrogen filling stations across the continent as of March 2018.

As the hydrogen market continues to grow, Haskel continues to develop technology advancements and further its expertise in hydrogen. The development of the Haskel Global Hydrogen Systems Group is one of the key ways we are ensuring the needs of customers are being met in this evolving market. With this team of experienced professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge and the opening of the new Hydrogen Test Center in Sunderland, Haskel aims to offer customers unparalleled hydrogen expertise.

Europe’s largest facility dedicated to testing components and systems for the emerging hydrogen market officially opened on Wednesday June 6, 2018 at Haskel's European headquarters in Sunderland, UK.

On June 6, 2018, Haskel will be opening its Hydrogen Test Center in Sunderland, UK as part of its continued initiative to advance hydrogen compression technologies. The test center will be just the second place in Europe capable of testing with hydrogen and the only facility in the country to also be manufacturing hydrogen compression and flow technologies.

To further its 2018 commitment to hydrogen development and to deliver on its ambition to become a leading hydrogen equipment and systems supplier on a global platform, Haskel brought Darran Heath onto the team as General Manager of the newly formed Global Hydrogen Systems Group in January. Heath began his career in mechanical and production engineering, ultimately transitioning into commercial and business management roles. During his career, Heath has held roles in sales, marketing and business leadership. In these positions, safety, customer service, growth and profitability were key drivers for success, and Heath delivered results in a global tier one industrial gas company and a European tier two industrial gas company.

Haskel is pleased to announce its participation in the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. FCH JU is a unique public-private partnership supporting research and development of fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. Its aim is to accelerate time-to-market of technologies that have the potential to create a carbon-lean energy system and contribute to economic growth.

To further its expertise in the evolving hydrogen market, Haskel has added one of the industry's best-known experts to its team. With more than 20 years of business development experience and extensive hydrogen market knowledge, Bob Kelly joined the Haskel team in September 2017. Kelly's role of Global Hydrogen Business Development Manager will allow us to increase our presence in the market and better serve customers with market-leading hydrogen compression solutions.