Urban transport with hydrogen Technologies at the international exhibition ExpoZaragoza 2008

  • Ismael Aso, Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, Spain
  • Dr Luis Correas, Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, Spain
  • Mrs Leire Romero, Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, Spain
  • Mr Marc Ruiz, EXPOAgua, Spain
  • Mr Pedro Montaner, EXPOagua, Spain
  • The city of Zaragoza (Spain) will host an International Exhibition, EXPO 2008, from June to September 2008 under the topic “Water and Sustainable Development”. With this motto, the organization of EXPO 2008 decided to carry out an urban transport project based on hydrogen technologies and renewable energy sources. This project will start on June but it will keep operating at the city once the Exhibition finishes. The 6 million visitors expected will benefit of a complete display of the many possibilities that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies offer today, while depicting a sustainable model.

    The hydrogen project within EXPO 2008 has been conceived under three premises: i) showcase a sustainable energy model with the water-hydrogen cycle, ii) configure a technically and financially sound project which should last 8 years in operation, and iii) deploy as many technologies as possible.

    It is remarkable that the whole project has been financed alone by the company ExpoAgua 2008, a public company in charge of the International Exhibition, and the remaining hydrogen filling station, privately operated after the event, will be a cornerstone of a future grid of hydrogen filling stations due to the extremely good logistic situation of the city of Zaragoza.

    The paper describes technically the whole project, as well as giving an insight on the administrative and permitting process, as well as project management, addressing important issues on safety, social acceptance and financing, among others.