Renowned French designer Philippe Starck has collaborated with HRS, a leading European designer and manufacturer of hydrogen stations, to create an innovative hydrogen refueling station. Revealed at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, the design emphasizes a futuristic and nearly invisible aesthetic, aiming to underscore the “nothingness” of hydrogen, a colorless gas that serves as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
The HRS by Starck features a mirror-polished stainless-steel casing and dichroic glass, contributing to its futuristic appearance. Starck intends to dematerialize the design, making it unobtrusive and drawing attention to the transparent nature of hydrogen. The dispenser is contained within a polished stainless-steel box with a dichroic-treated glass panel, creating a subtle color-changing effect.
Designed to be modular and scalable, HRS’s high-capacity refueling stations can dispense hydrogen gas for a variety of vehicles, including cars, HGVs, buses, boats, trains, and construction machinery. The stations are filled with highly compressed hydrogen gas, stored and cooled to be dispensed through outlet points, accommodating two pressure settings (350 bar and 700 bar) for compatibility with various vehicles.
Starck describes HRS by Starck as “elegant and intelligent energy” in service of hydrogen, designed to serve both people and the future. The prototype is expected to be operational in 2024, with the dispensers installed at various locations across Europe.
Hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a crucial alternative to fossil fuels due to its potential to deliver efficient, lower-carbon, and affordable energy at scale.
The versatility of hydrogen power is demonstrated in various applications, including vehicles, aircraft, and retrofitted transportation systems. Starck’s collaboration with HRS represents a step towards promoting hydrogen as a clean energy source, with a focus on innovative and aesthetically pleasing design.
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