COVER

HYVIA hydrogen project moves forward with Renault Master H2 City bus

A new 15-seater hydrogen powered City bus based on the Renault Master E-TECH minibus shared the limelight at the inauguration of the new HYVIA plant at Flins, Ile-de-France.

It’s been a busy 9 months for HYVIA, the Renault Group and Plug Power joint-venture dedicated to hydrogen mobility. Within that timeframe, HYVIA has inaugurated its plant at Refactory, produced a series of prototype commercial vehicles and is ready to enter manufacturing.

As demonstrated at the new 3,000 sq.m facility, HYVIA is ready to start assembly and testing of 1,000 fuel cell modules per year, based on Plug Power’s advanced technology. By the end of 2022, the plant will also begin assembly of H2 refuelling stations and the production of low carbon hydrogen with the installation of a 1MW electrolyzer that will supply H2 to the plant (450 kg H2 / day), for testing fuel cells and H2 refuelling stations.

On display at the facility were examples from the new Renault Master H2-TECH range (Panel Van, Chassis Cab and City Bus), all availing of 30kW fuel cell power and 33 kWh battery pack. Using a dual hydrogen fuel cell/ electric motor and battery pack system, the Master H2-TECH van, for example has a range of 450km (a combined 350km on hydrogen + 100km via electric motor) using a 700 pressure bar refuelling system, while the City bus covers 300km between 5 minute fills (containing 4.5kg of hydrogen at 350 bar).

On the bus, the fuel cell stack, two H2 tanks and batteries are stored on the vehicle’s roof, in an aerodynamically shaped pod. The bus can carry up to 15 passengers, nine seated and six standing, and is also suitable for wheelchair users. A highly skilled team of operators, managers and technicians have been selected and trained for the project, some coming from Renault’s Flins manufacturing plant, others from Plug Power personnel from the States. As explained by Andy Marsh, CEO, Plug Power, this complex technology, consisting of 450 parts and components is now well proven, having installed 50,000 fuel cells units in industrial and commercial systems to date. “The 30kW fuel cell is a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) integ rated system, designed based on the proven and durable Plug Power technology. It brings together air and hydrogen, allowing increased power and range for mobility. Both air and hydrogen flows enter in the fuel cell stack, the “heart” of the fuel cell. The fuel cell stack consists of a negative electrode (anode) and positive electrode (cathode), separated by a polymer membrane. Hydrogen molecules are separated into electrons and cations. The electrons go to an external circuit, generating a flow of electricity that powers both the 33KWh battery and the 57kW electric motor engine. The cations go through the polymer membrane and are associated with anions of the air to create water,” explained Andy.

“HY” for hydrogen, “VIA” for road: HYVIA paves a new way forward for carbon-free mobility, with hydrogen mobility solutions. Created in June 2021, HYVIA is a joint venture equally owned by Renault Group, a dominant player in the automotive industry, and Plug Power, a world leader in turnkey hydrogen and fuel cell solutions. Based in France, for European markets, HYVIA offers a complete and unique ecosystem that includes light commercial vehicles with fuel cells, hydrogen refuelling stations, supply of carbon-free hydrogen, services for financing and maintenance of fleets.

New York headquartered Plug Power is a global leading provider of comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell solutions. To date it has deployed over 50,000 fuel cell systems, designed, and built 160 refuelling stations that dispense more than 70 tons of hydrogen daily, and is a technology leader in green hydrogen solutions via electrolysis. For more than 10 years, Plug Power has strong European presence, such as manufacturing industries, logistics customers and vehicle manufacturers. It has installed several PEM technology electrolyzers in Germany, France, The Netherlands, and Portugal. The company has installed more fuel cell systems for electromobility than anyone else in the world.