A new liquid hydrogen production plant will open in Tennessee in July. The company plans to build a network of at least twenty hydrogen stations in California. The Czech-owned company is already a respected player in its field.
Expansive plans of United Hydrogen (UH) were revealed by Hospodářské noviny.
There are already 35 hydrogen pumps in place; and 4;000 cars run on liquid gas. Within five years; their number is expected to increase tenfold. This in itself shows that UH's plans are bold; but not unrealistic.
Once opened; the new factory will have a production capacity of six tonnes of hydrogen per day; which will increase to ten tonnes per day from next year – enough for 2;500 cars. With a production cost of eight dollars per kilogram of hydrogen; the company already has an operating margin of almost 50%; while hydrogen is sold for fifteen dollars per kilogram at Californian pumps.
United Hydrogen is one of the top five hydrogen suppliers in the US; alongside global giants such as Linde and Air Liquide. The company has Czech owners; with Pavel Juříček; owner of the Brano group; as the largest shareholder.
At roughly the same price per fuel; hydrogen has clear advantages over electric cars – faster refuelling and longer range.
