| Murray Hill, New Jersey, U.S., August 19, 2008 – Linde North America is providing the hydrogen for Missouri's first hydrogen vehicle refuelling station, which opens today in Rolla.
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, one of the world’s largest hydrogen producers. Linde will supply gaseous hydrogen for the station, which is located at Missouri University of Science and Technology's E3 (E-cubed) Commons development.
Linde is delivering, storing and supplying fuel cell-grade gaseous hydrogen for the station on behalf of the Gas Technology Institute, which has partnered with the university to supply the station. Linde also will provide technical support to GTI to ensure the safe and efficient performance of the refuelling system. GTI is headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois.
“Linde and GTI are working together to commercialize production technology used to refuel alternative-energy vehicles. We appreciate the opportunity to continue working together for this important launch,” said Christopher Hric, account manager for Linde North America.
Today’s opening event coincides with a stop along the Hydrogen Road Tour, a coast-to-coast tour of hydrogen vehicles organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, and two industry associations: the California Fuel Cell Partnership and the National Hydrogen Association. Nine automakers are participating.
The tour, which started August 11 in Portland, Maine, is making multiple stops in 17 states plus the District of Columbia. It is aimed at raising awareness of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel and of the need to develop a U.S. hydrogen energy infrastructure.
For the tour, Linde is supplying liquid hydrogen to fuel BMW’s Hydrogen 7 Series cars. The liquid hydrogen is green; Linde produces it in Magog, Quebec, where it derives the hydrogen from water using renewable hydroelectric power.
Today’s event at Rolla is the latest facet of Missouri S&T's "Show Me the Road to Hydrogen" project, a collaborative effort involving several federal agencies, the Missouri Transportation Institute and corporate partners.
Linde has the ability and expertise to handle all aspects of hydrogen energy, from production and purification to storage, distribution and fuelling. Linde has partnered on multiple projects with a variety of manufacturers, including automotive companies, oil producers, forklift truck and battery makers.
“This experience, combined with our global size and scale, enables us to execute projects safely and successfully. It also gives us the expertise to deliver new and sustainable energy solutions that contribute to a greener world and cleaner environment,” said Mike McGowan, head of Hydrogen Solutions for Linde North America. McGowan also serves as chairman of the National Hydrogen Association, the world’s largest hydrogen technology trade association.
The Linde Group has more than 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion (USD 18.7 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable 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. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information on Linde and hydrogen, visit www.linde.com/hydrogen
Peter Gavigan
Linde corporate communications
908-771-1512
Peter.gavigan@linde.com |