The minister of economics, transport and territorial development of Assia, Alois Rhiel, the managing director of Infraserv Höchst, Roland Mohr, and the managing director of Agip Deutschland, Mauro Risi, opened to the public in an official ceremony, the first service station for hydrogen-powered vehicles in Assia.
The event was also attended by representatives of the European Commission, the Federal transport ministry, Linde, Daimler Chrysler and the general manager of Eni’s Refining & Marketing Division, Angelo Taraborrelli as well as the other partners in the project.

Following the recent opening of the Agip MultiEnergy at Collesalvetti in Italy, the inauguration of this second hydrogen refuelling station, Eni takes an important new step towards the new frontier of technological research and environmental protection. The event also confirms the company’s commitment to sustainable development and is a further demonstration of the determination to dedicate financial and professional resources to the development of innovative projects aimed at establishing the pairing of “Technology and the Environment” through increasingly responsible policies.

“Zero Regio” is an integrated programme supported by the European Commission in the context of the 6th Research Framework Programme.

The first phase of the programme, which began two years ago, is based on the creation of new Agip MultiEnergy service stations for the distribution of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles in two European regions with a high population density; the Rhein-Main region near Frankfurt in Germany, and the Mantua area of Lombardy in Italy. The project is coordinated by Eni and is in progress.

In addition to Eni and Infraserv, the “Zero Regio” programme has also involved 14 other companies, research institutes from four European countries, including Linde, DaimlerChrysler, Fraport, other Italian state organisations, companies and research institutes, as well as universities in Italy, Sweden and Denmark. In particular, Infraserv Höchst and Linde have built the infrastructure for the supply and distribution of hydrogen.

The Agip MultiEnergy station in Frankfurt is marked by its highly innovative and technological characteristics. To supply the Agip station, which is in the south of the industrial park, a 1.7 km transport line was built, connecting the station to the hydrogen production plant. Compression of the hydrogen to almost 900 bar is done using, for the first time in the world, innovative technology developed by Linde based on ionic liquid compression. The station is also equipped with solar panels installed on the roof and the buildings, produced with Eni technology.

For the reuelling of vehicles the Agip service station is equipped to supply high-pressure (350 and 700 bar) gaseous hydrogen and liquid hydrogen. These options are integrated in a multi-fuel station that also supplies LPG and methane, as well as traditional high-quality Agip fuels.
 

The station is open to the public and people working at the Höchst park 24 per day; it is also equipped with a modern car wash plant for vans and cars and, of course, there is also a well-supplied convenience store with refreshments and restaurant services in the typical “Italian style”, where Agip customers can find a café, restaurant, and a range of typical Italian food products.