Five new hydrogen refueling stations are to be built along the highways around Milan by the end of 2025. The first station was commissioned in early July in Carugate Est. The project is part of a partnership between the Italian energy company CPL Concordia, the highway operator Milano Serravalle, and the German technology provider Maximator Hydrogen. CPL Concordia is acting as general contractor and is responsible for the overall planning and implementation. Milano Serravalle will operate the refueling stations. The highways around Milan are considered key transport arteries for northern Italy and connect the region with the south of the country.
Hydrogen technology made in Germany
Maximator Hydrogen is supplying the compressor technology for all five stations. The core component is the so-called Max Compression System. It is a hydraulically driven system that compresses hydrogen to up to 900 bar. A central element is the patented Automatic Seal Exchange (ASX), which automates the replacement of worn seals. According to the company, this is intended to reduce maintenance requirements and downtime. “Our local partners on site play a key role in complex infrastructure projects like this,” says René Himmelstein, Chief Sales Officer of Maximator Hydrogen. “Their knowledge of the region, combined with their commitment to quality and reliability, ensures that we deliver high-performance systems for both operators and end customers.”
Additional stations planned
Following the commissioning of the first station in Carugate Est, four more are scheduled to follow over the course of the year: Carugate Ovest, Rho, and two stations in Tortona (Ovest and Est). The total cost of the project amounts to around 50 million euros. It is being funded by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility. CPL Concordia sees the project as a contribution to low-emission mobility in the region. “With the five stations around Milan, CPL Concordia is sending a clear signal in support of promoting low-emission mobility,” says Michele Gervasio, Technical Director of the company. The project partners emphasize that the collaboration is designed for the long term. In addition to Maximator Hydrogen, Maximator Italy, Connecto Srl, and hyCharge Srl are also involved. They are supporting the implementation on site and are expected to contribute to the establishment of a hydrogen economy in northern Italy. The goal is to build a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure in the economically strong Lombardy region. The region is considered Italy’s industrial center and plays a key role in the decarbonization of the transport sector.
