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How does a hydrogen filling station function and what do we find there? 

Step by step in four phases
Fundamentally, a hydrogen filling station such as H2argemuc can be broken down into four phases. The hydrogen goes through these stages before it ends up in a fuel tank or a fuel cell: 

• Energy supply: Where is the necessary energy obtained to produce hydrogen?
• Hydrogen production: How is it produced?
• Treatment and storage of hydrogen: How and in what form is it stored?
• Areas for the use of hydrogen: How can hydrogen become drive energy?

Research means keeping an open mind
At first glance you might think - given the number of different components - that the partner companies were not really able to decide in favour of any one particular option and simply wanted to test the whole range of possibilities. 
This view is not really far wide of the mark: After all, research has a lot to do with trying things out, being open for different solutions. And such a major change in our energy supply has to be well prepared and carefully thought out. For leaps in technology can only function if people accept the new technology, trust it, and are prepared to use it on a daily basis. 
And such a research process can take time: When, for example, BMW now hands over the first hydrogen luxury car to a select circle of customers, this will have been preceded by over 30 years of research - three decades from the first speculation over this innovative energy source through to series maturity. And there you need to be very patient …

Like pearls on a chain
But let's return to our filling station: In the hydrogen project H2argemuc the participating technology leaders brought together their innovative products; the goals on the launch of the project in 1997 were that of ensuring that all their components function when used together and demonstrating the suitability of hydrogen for everyday use. In the fourth project phase in 2006 they had achieved these goals: The move from the prototype stage to series maturity was complete and the project could be successfully concluded.

You can see an overview of all components here.