Hydrogen

Given the advanced planning already carried out in the sector, in 2023 Autobrennero was awarded 15 million euros in grants for the construction of four green hydrogen stations, out of a total of 64 million earmarked for the construction of all the sites.

The four H2 stations have been built at the Sadobre Truck Park in Vipiteno, the Paganella Est and Ovest service areas, and at the Verona Nord CSA. For the time being, these are distribution-only facilities that will be supplied with hydrogen from Bolzano Sud. A production plant will also be built in Vipiteno and Verona Nord once demand for gaseous hydrogen exceeds 1,000 kg per day. As the number of hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road increases, the plan will be gradually rolled out with other production plants and distribution stations at Sadobre, Nogaredo, Verona and Campogalliano.  The stations are expected to be supplied with hydrogen via tanker lorries using replaceable storage systems, containing approximately 1,000 kg of hydrogen at 380 bar.

Station at the Sadobre Truck Park (Vipiteno)
The first new distribution station is located at the Sadobre Truck Park in the municipality of Campo di Trens, in Vipiteno (BZ), adjacent to the existing fuel and natural gas (CNG and LNG) distribution station. Initially, in line with the objectives of the NRRP, only the distribution station will be built, which is expected to enable an average daily hydrogen supply of 2,000 kg.

Equipment included in the plant

• two boxes for tube trailers;

• storage units (medium and high pressure tanks) capable of storing 2,000 kg of hydrogen;

• compressors;

• metering and control units;

• cooling units;

• four dispensing units for refuelling light (700 bar) and heavy (350 bar) vehicles.

The supply of hydrogen to the plant is provided by means of replaceable tube trailers. Subsequently, the plant will be supplied by a pipeline from the future hydrogen production area planned at a distance of about 700 m.

Stations at the Paganella Est and Ovest service areas
The second and third hydrogen distribution stations are located at the Paganella Est and Paganella Ovest service areas in the municipality of Lavis (TN). For safety reasons, both stations will be situated on the opposite side to the traditional petrol distribution stations.

Equipment included in the plants

• one box for tube trailers;

• storage units (medium and high pressure tanks) capable of storing 2,130 kg of hydrogen (Paganella East) and 2,400 kg (Paganella West);

• compressors;

• metering and control units;

• cooling units;

• three dispensing units for refuelling light (700 bar) and heavy (350 bar) vehicles.

Station at the Verona Nord Motorway Safety Centre
A fourth hydrogen distribution station has been built in the municipality of Verona at the Verona Nord motorway station, along a private access road leading to Autostrada del Brennero’s Motorway Safety Centre. Initially, in line with the objectives of the NRRP, only the distribution station will be constructed, which is expected to provide an average daily hydrogen supply of 3,500 kg.

Equipment included in the plant

• two boxes for tube trailers;

• storage units (medium and high pressure tanks) capable of storing 3,500 kg of hydrogen;

• compressors;

• metering and control units;

• cooling units;

• three dispensing units for refuelling light (700 bar) and heavy (350 bar) vehicles.