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 6th framework programme will be carried out to further the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, while promoting all the research activities deemed necessary. Innovation, Sustainable economic development, Social cohesion and Employment. for creation of knowledge-based economy and society. In order to achieve this more effectively, and in order to contribute to the creation of the European Research Area and to innovation, this programme will be structured around the following three headings: Focusing and integrating Community research, Structuring the European Research Area, Strengthening the foundations of the European Research.

The Zero Regio project aims at developing and demonstrating zero emission road transport systems in normal daily use for the European cities. Under the coordination of Infraserve GmbH Co Höchst KG there are altogether 16 partners from 4 European member states which form the project consortium. The kick-off meeting of the project took place in November 2004 at Infraserv, Höchst industrial park in Frankfurt. Total execution period for this important EU project is 5 years.

At the Höchst industrial park a large hydrogen source (30 Mm3/y) is available as a useful 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 is now available from a central production facility as well as from an ‘On-Site’ reformer facility developed within the project. The reformer produces hydrogen from natural gas at the service station. A dispenser unit for hydrogen gas at 300 bar has been built and integrated in the public multi-fuel service station which has now been built within the project like at Höchst.

After the construction of hydrogen infrastructure, fuel cell vehicles will be driven, including the Fiat Panda Hydrogen fleet which was handed over to the Mantova regional authorities last Friday, in normal daily use in different applications. In Germany Mercedes-Benza is providing the vehicles. The demonstration phase (the 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.