Honda Motor Company Solar Hydrogen Refueling Station

Honda is studying the process of hydrogen production, storage and supply, including investigation of technologies that will reduce the level of carbon dioxide that is emitted in the hydrogen production process. At a research facility in Torrence, Calif., Honda created a hydrogen refilling station that runs on solar power. Electricity generated by photovoltaic cells is combined with filtered water in an electrolysis process that produces hydrogen gas. Electricity from the grid is sometimes used to supplement the supply from the solar cells in order to optimize the production of hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is then compressed and available at a user-friendly pump to refuel fuel cell vehicles. The system runs almost completely silently.

The infrastructure for hydrogen production and distribution is the missing link and one of the last major hurdles preventing the widespread adoption of fuel cell technology in automobiles. Honda is operating the station to help verify more efficient methods for producing hydrogen using renewable energy while, at the same time, gaining insight into the challenges involved in developing hydrogen production and fueling stations for the future. As a leader in the field, the company is well positioned to take advantage of business opportunities in this area.