Prague, October 8, 2015 – Even though Unipetrol is currently concentrating on the production of the most widely used fossil fuels, it also reacts to technological trends incorporating alternative energy sources. Hydrogen shows great potential for future use, even in transportation. Unipetrol has therefore become the newest member of the Czech Hydrogen Technology Platform (CHTP). The goal is closer cooperation and better coordination of activities leading to the development of the hydrogen economy and the related technologies in the Czech Republic.
Creation of the platform was initiated in 2006 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade as a vehicle through which members can discuss the field of hydrogen technologies and their development. "Unipetrol is engaged in, among other things, the development of second generation biofuels. Another interesting alternative energy source, which is growing significantly in Western Europe, is the use of hydrogen. We consider this technological direction promising and we want to contribute to its development in the Czech Republic,” says Tomáš Herink, Research Director of Unipetrol. "In the event of wider application of hydrogen technology, we would be able to supply the market with hydrogen" says Tomáš Herink, Research Director of Unipetrol.
"We are pleased that not only our project TryHyBus impressed with its results the company Unipetrol, but we also believe that together we can contribute to the further development of hydrogen technologies in the Czech Republic. It is sad that on the west of our border there are tens of hydrogen filling stations while on the east is the only one in Neratovice that belongs to us, and far and near is it only "hydrogen desert," says Aleš Doucek, Head of Hydrogen Technology Department of ÚJV Řež.
The primary project in the use of hydrogen in transport is the TriHyBus. It is an experimental prototype hydrogen bus in which the energy is provided by three devices: hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, powerful capacitors (so-called ultracapacitors). This unique system provides for more efficient use of the primary energy contained in hydrogen, including recovery during braking. During operation, the only waste produced by the bus is pure water. Unipetrol would like to discuss the possibility of further development of this project within the scope of the platform.
Apart from Unipetrol, platform members include Centrum výzkumu Řež s.r.o., Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, the Technical University of Liberec, ÚJV Řež a.s., UNITED HYDROGEN, a.s., and ICT Prague. ČVTP provides, among other things, the expertise to institutions and agencies of state and local governments in areas related to the development of the hydrogen economy, explores the possibility of raising funds for development financing, it systematically monitors the level of development abroad and above all, supports and the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies and management in the Czech Republic.
UNIPETROL, a.s. controls companies, which are active in the petrochemical industry in the Czech Republic. In 2005, UNIPETROL became part of PKN ORLEN Group, the largest processor of crude oil in Central Europe. The UNIPETROL Group is mainly focused on processing of crude oil, distribution of fuels and petrochemical production. In all of these areas, the UNIPETROL Group is an important player in the Czech Republic and also on the market in Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the group is one of the most important companies with regards to turnover and employs approximately 3,800 people.
Contact:
Mikuláš Duda
Press Department Manager, UNIPETROL, a.s.
Phone: +420 225 001 407, +420 736 502 520
E-mail:
mikulas.duda@unipetrol.cz