Engie Cofely unveil first hydrogen unit at CEA in Grenoble

A research organization recently unveiled Engie Cofely's first hydrogen unit at CEA Minatec in Grenoble (Isère). The hydrogen unit consists of three electrolysers and two storage modules, provided by McPhy, which were designed to supply the CEA industrial process with renewable energies. The system will also be responsible for providing electricity for a hydrogen vehicle charging station which has been designed by Gaz Électricité Grenoble. These hybrid cars (hydrogen and electric) are already in circulation and have been exhibited in the Titan room of the Minatec house at CEA and include French models like the Kangoo ZE H2 as well as some Asian cars. These cars are powered by hydrogen propulsion, a new technology which can now be used for travel, although hydrogen propulsion technology is still in its infancy and remains a very experimental form of propulsion. According to the CEA, cars that use this source of energy will soon be powered by the hydrogen production unit that has just been installed in its establishment. The installation required an investment of 3.2 million euros and is expected to supply about 150,000 cubic metres of hydrogen per year. The hydrogen unit will produce two types of hydrogen, the first will be used for research conducted in the CEA laboratory with the second designed to supply the vehicle charging station.