Hydrogen station formally opens

South Carolina's first hydrogen refueling station was officially opened Monday in Aiken, along with the new South Carolina Hydrogen Highway.

Aiken and Edgefield dignitaries, along with many who work on hydrogen projects, gathered as the fuel pump and a sign to mark the highway were unveiled.

"What you're seeing today in Aiken, and later in Columbia, is a landmark event for the state of South Carolina," said John Troutman, chairman of the Economic Development Partnership.

Aiken County's hydrogen fueling station sits at the Sage Mill Industrial Park.

Heading the program was South Carolina Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, who likened the effort to develop a chain of hydrogen stations to the laying of railroad tracks before that mode of transportation had really caught on.

"And hydrogen fueling stations are much cheaper to build than railroad tracks," Harrell added.

The focus of the event was the potential of hydrogen as a fuel, as an industry to employ South Carolinians and, for areas like Aiken with 50 years of local hydrogen research experience, to excel and lead the nation.

"When we started, it wasn't really cool to head down this pathway," Harrell said. "Aiken County, Edgefield County and South Carolina are leading the charge to get us off foreign oil."

After speeches were made, a ribbon cutting took place, and the "Hydrogen Highway" road sign was revealed. Officials demonstrated how to fill up a hydrogen-powered vehicle, which is similar to a regular fill-up at a gas station.

A locking nozzle is attached to a standard-sized opening on the vehicle's side. After the pump self-checked, like gasoline, hydrogen could be heard filling the tanks of the hydrogen-powered truck.

With no hydrogen being made in South Carolina, a kilogram of hydrogen costs around $7. A kilogram is similar to a gallon of gasoline. However, with more demand, supply would increase and the price would drop.

"Hundreds of stations and thousands of vehicles would drive down the cost dramatically," Harrell said.

The Aiken County-owned truck has a range of about 150 miles on a full tank, but more impressive for travel was the Kia Borrega, which was also filled up. In the fuel cell vehicle, a 7.9 kilogram fill-up translates to more than 400 miles of travel in the SUV.

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.