Jelgava Hydrogen Production & Refuelling Hub — Research Summary (Pre‑feasibility)

Abstract

The study evaluates how to deploy a modular hydrogen (H2) production and refuelling hub to support a municipal bus fleet in Jelgava.
A base concept targets ~600 kg H2/day production via electrolysis with ~1,200 kg multi-pressure storage and dedicated 350-bar (buses) and
700-bar (passenger vehicles) dispensers. Several city locations were screened for suitability, utilities and planning constraints.
The preferred option co-locates production and refuelling at the bus-depot area, with alternatives for refuelling-only configurations.

Research Objectives

  • Define a modular, scalable H2 station concept for depot-first operations with optional public access.
  • Screen candidate city sites for production+refuelling vs refuelling-only configurations.
  • Identify indicative utilities, plot area and protective-zone considerations for planning and permits.
  • Summarise equipment blocks, performance targets and operational assumptions for heavy- and light-duty fuelling.

Methods

We structured the Latvian source into a research workflow covering technology definition, siting, utilities and planning.

  • Technology blocks: electrolysis → H2 compression → supply storage (~200 bar) → station control/compression → fuelling storage (≈450/950 bar) → dispensers.
  • Operational assumptions: depot-centric duty cycle; HDV 350-bar priority; 700-bar LDV capability; cascade filling and Coriolis metering.
  • Siting: multi-criteria screening (access/logistics, functional zoning, land take ≈961–1,000 m², adjacent land use).
  • Utilities: order-of-magnitude needs for electrical power, process water, sewer/stormwater; continuous power supply requirement.
  • Planning & safety: consider protective-zone law, ATEX principles, and noise limits (day/evening/night).

Results

Technical Concept

  • Production: containerised PEM electrolysis; base design split across two modules; ~600 kg H2/day (max design ≈800 kg/day).
  • H2 compression (supply): raise to ~200 bar buffers; single compressor block with cooling & automation.
  • Supply storage: ≈600 kg at ~200 bar (bundle arrays).
  • Station control & high-pressure compression: two multi-stage compressors to ~950 bar; combined throughput up to ≈1,000 kg/day.
  • Fuelling storage: two-tier banks (≈450 bar and ≈950 bar) for cascade fills; indicative total mass up to tens of kg per bank for LDV tier.
  • Dispensers: two HDV @350 bar (≈50 g/s each); one LDV @700 bar (≈120 g/s; 3–5 min per SAE J2601).
  • Metering: Coriolis mass-flow meters; typical single fill ~30 kg (HDV) and ~7 kg (LDV).

Plot, Spatial & Noise

  • Indicative total land take ≈961–1,000 m² for full production + refuelling configuration (excl. access roads/turning).
  • Recommended stand-off around process modules per risk-based layout; ATEX classification applied around leak sources.
  • Noise design targets (at ~5 m): ≈60 dB(A) day / ≈50 dB(A) night for selected equipment; verify at boundary in detailed design.

Utilities

  • Electrical: continuous MV supply; base concept indicates up to ~2×1,600 kVA for electrolysers plus ~470 kW for compression/auxiliaries.
  • Water: up to ≈800 L/h for electrolysis and conditioning (≈9 L per kg H2 as a stoichiometric reference).
  • Sewerage/stormwater: connections to municipal networks for process and site drainage.
  • Comms/SCADA: station control, safety interlocks and metering integration.

Site Screening — Outcome

  • Preferred: bus-depot area — co-locates production and refuelling; ample plot area; minimal operational dead-runs for fleet.
  • Alternative A (municipal land): suitable for refuelling-only due to zoning/space; requires delivered H2 (MEGC/tube trailer); ~4 km round-trip per refuel assumed for the depot.
  • Alternative B (state land): refuelling-only feasible under current zoning; limited plot area with existing structures; ~10 km round-trip per refuel assumed for the depot.
  • Public 700-bar access can be enabled where road connectivity allows, subject to detailed design and safety review.

Discussion

  • Depot-first strategy minimises operational mileage and enables controlled overnight HDV fuelling at 350 bar.
  • Electrolysis avoids direct combustion emissions at site; electrical connection capacity and resilience (dual feeds) should be considered.
  • Risk-informed layout, ATEX zoning and acoustic measures (barriers/enclosures, equipment selection) are key to urban compliance.
  • Where zoning constrains production, a refuelling-only site with delivered H2 offers a phased path while a production site is secured.

Limitations

  • Figures are indicative and rounded; final values depend on supplier data and detailed design.
  • Background air/noise baselines and economic analysis are out of scope for this summary.
  • Site-specific legal constraints (parcel-level protective zones, easements) require verification during permitting.

Recommendations & Next Steps

  1. Advance the bus-depot option to detailed feasibility (concept select) including utility ‘technical conditions’ requests and traffic/access layout.
  2. Prepare vendor-agnostic RFI/RFQ for electrolysers, compressors, storage and dispensers; confirm 350/700-bar duty cycles and cooling needs.
  3. Complete ATEX zoning, risk and acoustic studies to establish safety distances and boundary noise compliance; plan barriers/enclosures as required.
  4. Define public-access policy for the 700-bar dispenser and integrate SCADA/metering for public fuelling where applicable.
  5. If production siting is constrained, progress a refuelling-only site with delivered H2 as an interim phase.
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