USA: Plans unveiled for Northwest’s first hydrogen station

Expected to open in Washington State in late 2021, the station is part of the Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Project.

US Northwest’s first hydrogen filling station will open in Washington State in late 2021. The new site will be developed as part of the Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Project, which will lay the foundation for the expected growth of zero-emission personal and heavy-duty hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicles.

The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) in partnership with the Douglas County Public Utility District, the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, and Toyota Motor North America received a $1.9 million grant from the Centralia Coal Transition Board to fund the project and roll out the first hydrogen fueling station for fuel cell electric vehicles in Washington State.

The renewable hydrogen available at the station will be made from Douglas County PUD's renewable hydropower via electrolysis, a process in which electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

"By pairing renewable hydrogen production with the first fuel cell electric vehicle fleet in Washington, the project will build public awareness around hydrogen and fuel cell technology and assist the state in expanding support of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle transportation in the coming years," said Evan Ramsey, Senior Director of the Renewables Program at BEF.