Hydrogen for this type of station is produced at a central plant, liquefied and then delivered by tanker truck. To be a liquid, hydrogen must be at a cryogenic temperature of -423F (-253C). The liquid hydrogen is stored in the white tank, which is like a super-Thermos. The tank has no electricity or refrigeration; the design of the tank keeps the hydrogen cold until it’s needed.

Before dispensing, the hydrogen passes through the tall, silver heat exchangers to warm to ambient temperature, then a compressor compacts the gaseous hydrogen to 5,000 or 10,000 psi (also called 350 and 700 bar). The compressed hydrogen is stored in steel cylinder-shaped tanks.

When a driver fills a vehicle, he or she enters a PIN on the dispenser and attaches the nozzle to the vehicle. It’s similar to filling a barbeque tank with propane, or putting air in a car tire. The vehicle fills in 3-5 minutes for 350 bar and 7-10 minutes for 700 bar. (At a higher pressure, dispensing is slower to regulate the temperature.)

The station pictured is CaFCP’s station. Newer stations are constructed with the equipment out of sight.