Ballast Nedam to Build 700-bar Hydrogen Refuelling Station in the Netherlands

NIEUWEGEIN, The Netherlands, July 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Ballast Nedam is to build its first 700-bar hydrogen refuelling station, for the Flemish-Dutch WaterstofNet. This refuelling station type, which will be built as part of the cross-border 'Hydrogen Region Flanders-Netherlands' Interreg IVA programme, will be suitable for hydrogen-fuelled passenger cars that are to be introduced onto the market. This will be Ballast Nedam's first 700-bar hydrogen refuelling station in the Netherlands, and the company will be responsible for its maintenance for two years. The number of refuelling stations of this type in Europe is heading towards 25, mainly in Germany and Scandinavia.

Like the 700-bar stations abroad, this Dutch hydrogen refuelling station meets with the latest hydrogen-fuelled passenger vehicle communication standards and cooling requirements for complete and safe refuelling. It takes less than 3 minutes to fill the tank of a passenger car with approximately 5 kg of hydrogen, on which it can run for over 500 km. These electrically propelled vehicles produce zero emissions.

Hydrogen is widely considered as an important fuel for a zero-emission future, in which passenger cars will be filled with hydrogen at 700 bar, and other vehicles (buses, goods vehicles and fork-lift trucks) at 350 bar. In the future scenarios, hydrogen will be produced using solar and wind-generated green electricity, where hydrogen production can also help correct demand- and supply imbalances in the electricity grid. Currently Ballast Nedam is also building a refuelling station for WaterstofNet on the AutomotiveCampusNL in Helmond. The hydrogen for this refuelling station is produced using green electricity and will be able to serve the first 350-bar vehicles in the second half of 2013. The AutomotiveCampusNL in Helmond is also being investigated as a possible site for the 700-bar hydrogen refuelling station.

Rien van Alphen, Managing Director of Ballast Nedam IPM comments "This 700-bar hydrogen refuelling station completes our product range. We now have the capability to deliver refuelling stations for any alternative transport fuel, including CNG/green gas, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) LBM (Liquefied BioMethane), electricity and hydrogen. With its operations on the niche market of alternative fuels, Ballast Nedam is contributing to the complete decarbonization of urban transport in 2050, which is a central priority in the European Commission's long-term strategy".

Wouter van der Laak, New Fuels product manager at Ballast Nedam IPM, adds "We are observing an increase in the number of hydrogen initiatives in various markets, such as public transport, which is to be completely 'zero emission' in 2025. Our knowledge and skills mean we can be flexible enough to respond to this while offering customers a safe and reliable product. Our focus is on client-specific design at an acceptable price, and in particular on aspects such as operating life, and service & maintenance".

Adwin Martens, Managing Director of WaterstofNet says "It is important for the development of hydrogen in the region that a player such as Ballast Nedam, with its many years of experience in the construction and maintenance of the current refuelling stations, expands its activities into the development of hydrogen refuelling stations. This reference will be a strong basis for the development of additional hydrogen infrastructure in the Flanders-Netherlands region and beyond."

Note for the editorial staff:

Ballast Nedam IPM specializes in installation engineering for energy and mobility, and has a leading role in alternative fuels. The company designs, builds and maintains refuelling stations for fuels that contribute to the development of sustainable and clean mobility. Besides refuelling stations for CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) for light duty vehicles and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) for heavy duty vehicles, Ballast Nedam IPM also builds plants for refining biogas. For further details see . http://www.bnipm.com

Ballast Nedam engages in integrated projects in The Netherlands in four areas of work: housing, mobility, energy and nature. Within this area we focus on the niche markets: industrial construction, offshore wind turbines, secondary raw materials and alternative fuels. In a number of areas of expertise, we also operate internationally. The Ballast Nedam share is included in the Amsterdam Small Cap Index (AScX) of NYSE Euronext.

Ballast Nedam's approach is based on life cycle thinking and acting: we develop, construct, manage and recycle. We are involved in long-term management, maintenance and operation of projects and organize financial feasibility. Our supply and specialized companies deliver competitive edge through innovation, cost leadership and purchasing strength. Ballast Nedam's range of services is shifting towards modular products and specific product-market combinations with greater added value.

Ballast Nedam creates enduring quality combined with lower life cycle costs for its customers and society. http://www.ballast-nedam.com

WaterstofNet is an interregional organization that was set up to develop the Flanders-Southern Netherlands region into a leading hydrogen region within Europe. WaterstofNet is responsible for coordinating a 14 million euro demonstration programme within the Flanders-Netherlands Interreg programme that will focus on sustainable hydrogen and early markets (maritime, logistics and public transport). WaterstofNet is collaborating with industry and knowledge institutes on the development of innovative and early market applications for sustainable hydrogen technology. After the world's largest fuel cell that runs on residual hydrogen in Antwerp, and the hydrogen refuelling station in Flanders, this refuelling station for the Southern Netherlands will be the third essential innovative process. For additional information please visit http://www.waterstofnet.eu.

AutomotiveCampusNL

The AutomotiveCampusNL in Helmond is the national and international hotspot, meeting place and business location in the automotive field. This location in the Brainport region offers an attractive learning and working environment, state-of-the-art technological facilities and flexible business accommodation concepts. For additional details see http://www.AutomotiveCampusNL.com.

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