SunHydro and Proton Energy Systems Open Solar-Powered Hydrogen Fueling Station in Connecticut
Proton Energy Systems and SunHydro announced the opening of the first solar station at 10 Technology Drive in Wallingford, Connecticut., the companies’ headquarters. Proton Energy Systems and SunHydro are sister companies and the station will run under the SunHydro banner. The solar-powered station in Connecticut marks the start of the East Coast Hydrogen Highway SunHydro is creating to make it possible to travel from Maine to Florida on sun and water.
SunHydro is the vision of entrepreneur Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators, who is expanding his business focus from hardwood floors to hydrogen fuel.
"This new SunHydro station is a step away from fossil fuels, and as a nation that’s a path we need to continue to explore," said Sullivan, owner of SunHydro and Proton Energy Systems. "We believe one of the answers is hydrogen energy and we as a country should continue to evolve a variety of alternative energy options."
"This project shows SunHydro’s firm commitment to the advancement of the East Coast’s Hydrogen Highway, energy conservation, the environment, and the green collar job market. They are truly innovators and leaders in the green economy and I applaud them for their efforts," said Gil Sperling, Senior Advisor for Policy and Programs in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the Department of Energy.
The SunHydro hydrogen fueling station will be simple, with limited public access to start and full public access in the future. It will offer businesses and government vehicles a quick and easy option to fill up their fuel cell vehicles, and will provide the infrastructure to support broader availability of fuel cell vehicles, which is expected in 2015.
This past August, SunHydro announced an agreement with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) to place ten Toyota Advanced Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV-adv) in the Connecticut area this fall. The vehicles will support the new SunHydro fueling station, as part of a nationwide fuel cell demonstration program that will place more than 100 vehicles over the next three years. The ten fuel cell vehicles will be kept in Connecticut and will be used by SunHydro/Proton Energy Systems staff, in addition to other community members.
The SunHydro fueling station is powered by a new million-dollar system constructed by Proton Energy Systems, which privately funded the hydrogen fueling equipment and station installation. The fueling station generates hydrogen on-site using Proton Energy Systems’ enhanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology that derives hydrogen from water.
"Proton’s progressive and innovative technology that creates energy from sun and water really supports Tom’s overall vision," said Rob Friedland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Proton Energy Systems. "This station’s accessibility and availability to everyday community members via the fuel cell demonstration cars is a big component of the overall education and engagement process for the consumer."
