STI engineering on the forefront of Hydrogen Revolution

In collaboration with CPL Concordia and Consorzio Integra we recently became a part of a very important project in Italy. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has recently disclosed 36 approved projects for public funding, aimed at developing hydrogen refuelling stations across the nation. The initial allocation of 103.5 million euros, courtesy of the PNRR, is part of the planned 230 million euro investment in establishing a comprehensive national hydrogen refuelling network.
By 2026, Italy will have a total of 38 hydrogen refuelling stations, strategically positioned throughout the country. These stations will be primarily located in key areas for heavy road transport, including the Brenner road axis, the east-west corridor from Turin to Trieste, and the European TEN-T corridors (trans-European transport networks).
Together with CPL Concordia and Consorzio Integra we were awarded a contract in a tender issued by the company Milano Serravalle-Milano Tangenziali S.p.A. (FNM Group Company) for the executive design and construction of 5 refueling stations. These stations will be located in the Rho- West, Carugate East and Carugate West service areas on the Milan ring, as well as in the Tortona East and Tortona West service areas on the A7 Milan-Genoa highway.
Both Carugate East-West and Rho are integral parts of Milan's external urban ring and are closely linked to the city's logistics centers. Tortona East-West is also a strategic location, positioned along the freight route to and from the Port of Genoa.
Each station will feature a hydrogen unloading section with two tank car bays, a hydrogen compression section, a high-pressure (900 bar) storage section, and a dispensing section with two dispensers capable of supplying hydrogen at 350 bar pressure for trucks and 700 bar pressure for passenger cars. The expansion of hydrogen-powered transportation will contribute to a significant reduction in environmental pollution.
Moreover, establishing new infrastructure at motorway sites will create a "green" corridor in the areas where the filling stations are situated, virtually connecting them. This will facilitate the adoption of medium to long-range hydrogen routes. Numerous projects are already operational outside of Italy, with Switzerland and Germany boasting over 100 active hydrogen stations.
The new hydrogen refuelling stations can work together with a central renewable hydrogen production site, located within a maximum distance of about 100 km from the consumption point. Production would use solar panels and an electrolyzer, which can generate hydrogen from both self-produced renewable energy and grid-purchased energy, improving the investment's return. This approach will encourage local energy production and create a positive cycle, significantly reducing CO2 emissions related to transportation of goods and people.