Zero Regio is an integrated project co-financed by the European Commission in the 6th framework programme.

The project consists of construction and demonstration of hydrogen infrastructure in two European regions for supplying fuel cell passenger cars. The project aims at developing and demonstrating zero emission road transport systems in normal daily use for the European cities.

Under the coordination of Infraserv GmbH & Co Höchst KG altogether 16 partners from 4 European member states form the project consortium. The kick-off meeting of the project took place in November 2004 at Infraserv, Höchst industrial park. Total execution period for this important EU project is 5 years.

Multi-fuel-station at the Industrial Park Höchst

At the industrial park Höchst a large hydrogen source (30 Mm3/y) is available as a bi-product of a chemical plant. This has been used for thermal conversion so far. This source will be connected via a 1.7 km long transport line to a public service station for supplying hydrogen, similar to gasoline and Diesel. The service station will supply liquid hydrogen at -253°C as well as compressed hydrogen gas. For gas refuelling a 350 bar and a 700 bar dispenser will be employed.

In Lombardia hydrogen will be available from a central production facility as well as from an ‘On-Site’ reformer facility developed within the project. The reformer will produce hydrogen from natural gas at the service station. A dispenser unit for hydrogen gas at 300 bar will be built and integrated in the public multi-fuel service station to be built within the project like at Höchst.


FIAT Panda Hydrogen at the SAPIO plant area

After the construction of hydrogen infrastructure fuel cell vehicles (F-Cell, class-A from Daimler-Chrysler in Rhein-Main) will be driven in normal daily use in different applications. The demonstration phase (last 3 years) of the project will be accompanied by an evaluation of the data acquired during the fleet tests with respect to energy efficiency, environmental impact and socio-economic aspects.

Experience gained during the fleet tests and the results obtained in the project will contribute to the short and medium time frame objective of the European Commission of replacing 5% of motor fuel in road transport by hydrogen by the year 2020.