This Monday a test of sustainable mobility with low-emission H₂ began in Bogotá. The pilot includes a public transport bus for 50 passengers, which was assembled in Colombia. During the time of the test, it is expected to achieve a reduction of 1,083 tons of CO₂ emissions.

With the start-up of a comprehensive test that includes the production of low-emission H₂, a compression and storage system, a service station and a public transport bus for 50 passengers, the first mobility operation began with H₂ in Bogota.

The operation, which will initially take place for eight years in the Integrated Public Transport Service, seeks to evaluate variables related to the H₂ production system and vehicle performance, as well as commercial and technological aspects of the use of this energy source. It is also expected to disseminate with the academy the knowledge that arises from this pilot.

To carry out the test, a proton exchange membrane technology electrolyzer was purchased, with an installed power of 165 kW and a production capacity of more than 23 tpy of H₂.

The energy comes in a first phase, from the National Interconnected System with REC certification, which determines that its origin is exclusively from renewable sources, and in a second phase that will begin in the second half of 2023, it will come from a system of more than 2,000 solar panels of approximately 1 MW to produce green H₂.

A H₂ generator is also used, which is a system to dispense energy, with the capacity to tank the bus in less than 10 minutes. In addition, at the loading site there is a cylinder storage system with a capacity of up to 140 kg.

The bus, which will transport more than 98,500 passengers a year, was assembled in Colombia by more than 100 professionals and technicians who participated in the process. It includes a fuel cell and a battery, which consumes H₂ to generate electricity.

The vehicle has a range of more than 450 kilometers with a single charge per day and can reach a maximum speed of 90 km/hr.

For the development of this pilot, FENOGE, an entity attached to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, contributes $9,000 MM, the Ecopetrol Group contributes $8,800 MM and Fanalca is associated with more than $4,200 MM. Green Móvil will carry out the operation and will maintain the bus, and Cenit will oversee the operation and maintenance of the H₂ production and storage system.

In the coming months, the bus begins a certification and homologation process with the Ministry of Transportation, and the link to Transmilenio, to begin providing the service during the second half of 2023. The mobility park, where the integrated H₂ production, storage and service station system is located, is in the facilities of the Green Mobile Logistics Center, in the town of Fontibón, in Bogotá.