Linde hydrogen fueling stations reach over half million fills

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Oct 01, 2013, 09:47 ET

MURRAY HILL, N.J. and NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J., Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hydrogen fueling stations in the U.S. using Linde North America fueling technology have reached over half million fills -- and still climbing -- powering a variety of vehicles, including forklifts, cars and buses.

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Mike Beckman, vice president of Linde's U.S. hydrogen fueling team, said, "We are proud that our customers have displayed the confidence in Linde to supply the hydrogen fueling systems to reach this important milestone. This proves that our technology can help advance sustainability and lower emissions while also helping to improve the bottom line. Hydrogen already is one of the most promising alternative fuels because it is safe, economic and efficient."

While Linde hydrogen fueling systems involve very sophisticated technology, the filling operation is designed to be relatively quick and simple - much like putting gasoline into your car. "The speed and simplicity is a critical aspect to the success of hydrogen as a fuel," Beckman said.

One of the major contributors to the half million fill milestone is BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where earlier this year the company more than doubled its fleet of material handling equipment which are fueled by hydrogen fueling systems provided by Linde. The four million square foot BMW production facility now powers its entire hydrogen-fuel cell fleet of more than 230 units to service the plant's production and logistics functions, making it one of the largest fuel cell forklift sites in the world.

"BMW's partnership with Linde North America has greatly supported our company's total commitment to sustainability. It has helped BMW to maintain its clear vision to reach our goal of using renewable energy as much as possible throughout the plant site," said Duncan Seaman, BMW Group's Head of Market Operations, Americas. "The annual energy avoidance of 4.1 million kw/hours and dramatic reductions in fueling time have positioned our hydrogen fuel cell material handling program to be an industry benchmark."

The lead acid batteries that formerly powered BMW's lifts and trucks were replaced with hydrogen fuel cells from Latham, N.Y.-based Plug Power Inc., Linde's partner in the BMW installation and the leading provider of hydrogen based fuel cells in the material handling market.

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, one of the world's largest hydrogen energy producers and a leader in developing alternative fuel technologies. Linde, one of the earliest entrants into the hydrogen energy arena, is a leader in the safe production, storage and distribution of hydrogen. Linde has installed over 80 hydrogen fueling stations in 15 countries, supplying hydrogen for projects large and small.

"When people ask me if hydrogen fueling is going to happen some day, I say it is happening in a very big way already, with hundreds of fuelings daily – and our systems are proof we can do this safely and economically," Beckman said. "We are building the expertise to deliver new and sustainable energy solutions that contribute to a greener world and cleaner environment."

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn (USD 19.9 bn). The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, visit www.lindeus.com

Under the" Clean Technology by Linde" label, the company offers a wide range of products and technologies that help to render renewable energy sources financially viable, and significantly slow down the depletion of fossil resources or reduce the level of CO₂ emitted. This ranges from specialty gases for solar module manufacturing, industrial-scale CO₂ separation and application technologies to alternative fuels and energy carriers such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen.

For more information, go to http://www.linde.com/cleantechnology.

SOURCE Linde North America