Press Release May 28, 2018
Urban mobility
The Artois Gohelle Transport Authority positions itself with hydrogen
The SMT AG has attributed ENGIE the refueling of 6 hydrogen buses that will be deployed in the spring of 2019 on the new bus line BHNS [1] , connecting Bruay- Labuissière and Auchel.
A clear and committed environmental policy in favor of sustainable mobility: the choice of hydrogen technology concretely illustrates the will of elected officials for the territory covered by the SMT AG and is part of a more global project for the development of 6 BHNS lines (High Level Service Bus), improving the flow of the main exchange hubs in the territory, which include Lens, Béthune, Hénin-Beaumont, Carvin, Bruay-La-Buissière, Libercourt, Auchel. A real draw to the territory, this innovative and exemplary mobility solution will contribute to reinforce the new economic image in this former mining basin in the heart of the Hauts-de-France region.
This technology will be deployed at the future bus depot in Houdain, currently under construction. The SMT AG will equip it with a hydrogen refueling station capable of recharging buses equipped with fuel cells. The future Bulle 6 line will be the first in France exclusively operated with hydrogen buses.
This urban mobility project constitutes a decisive step in the third industrial revolution in the heart of the North Region - Pas-de-Calais. Hydrogen represents an essential pillar in the energy transition and the development of renewable energies, by nature intermittent and unpredictable. More than a technological choice that allows bigger environmental gains, the choice of on-site electrolysis production favorizes the development of renewable energies by facilitating the equilibrium of electricity grids and by permitting the valorization of surplus production.
The experience and the expertise acquired by ENGIE through its subsidiary GNVERT, with almost 20 years in the refueling of alternative fuels for most of the passenger transport networks in France, have allowed it to propose a solution that is in phase, during the entire life cycle of the rolling stock, with the environmental issues of the territory, while integrating the stringency levels that the Artois-Gohelle transport authority expects for the operation and security of its transport network. In addition, this project integrates perfectly into the energy vision advocated by ENGIE of a world in 3D: with energy that is decarbonated, decentralized and digitized.
The technological choices have also turned to national actors by selecting hydrogen production and distribution equipment from the McPhy company, a major actor in the French hydrogen sector which has positioned and confirmed its place both in France and internationally.
| Copyright McPhy |
Laurent Duporge, President of SMT AG: "This territory, too often reduced to its industrial past, will be the first in France to operate a line exclusively with hydrogen buses, six to be exact! It's a wonderful example of the choice for environmental development, a technological choice orientated towards the future. It's up to us to demonstrate renewal in the mining basin."
Philippe Van Deven, Director-General of GNVERT: "The choice for renewable hydrogen integrates naturally into the energy transition for passenger transport. In addition to the exemplary environmental performance of this 'zero emission' solution, hydrogen is the energy carrier that will allow the wider development of renewable energies in France. All the more a real industrial field can be built with the expertise available in France The energy transition isn't a constraint, it's an opportunity!"
Pascal Mauberger, Chairman and CEO of McPhy: "We would like to thank ENGIE for its continued confidence, allowing us to set up, in Hauts-de-France, the first McPhy station for hydrogen buses. Thanks to state-of-the-art research and innovation and a first-rate industrial infrastructure, McPhy provides its expertise for the production and distribution of hydrogen. Our McLyzer electrolyzer can produce clean hydrogen on site, intended for the supply of a large capacity McFilling with a high service rate. The transportation sector is the midst of a revolution. By opting for hydrogen mobility, the SMT AG conciliates user comfort for its passengers, service continuity, and the participation in reducing air pollution and improving public health."
About the Artois Gohelle Transport Authority (SMT AG)
The SMT Artois-Gohelle is what is called an organizing authority for mobility (OAM). The zone of this public institution encompasses the 150 municipalities that make up the agglomerations of de Lens - Liévin, Hénin - Carvin et Béthune - Bruay - Artois-Lys-Romane.
The sixth urban transport zone in France, the SMT Artois-Gohelle oversees the Urban Transport Plan (UTP), the TADAO bus network, school transportation and more globally, the policies of transportation for its territory.
The SMT AG develops and organizes the TADAO network, operated through the PSD (Public Service Delegation). Similarly, the Bulles project (6 high level service bus lines), as well as all the projects linked to transportation for the territory, are at the initiative and under the responsibility of SMT AG.
Striving to make constant improvements to transportation services, to adapt to upcoming changes and to facilitate mobility for all, the elected representatives of SMT AG are focused on territorial planning, improving the quality of life, ensuring accessibility for all and sustainable development, to truly make public transportation a second nature.
About ENGIE
We are a global energy and services group with three core businesses: low-carbon power generation, including natural gas and renewable energy, energy infrastructures and customer solutions. Driven by our ambition to contribute to a harmonious progress, we take up major global challenges such as the fight against global warming, access to energy for all, or mobility, and offer our private customers, businesses and communities energy production solutions and services that reconcile individual interests and collective issues. Our low carbon, integrated, high-performance and sustainable offers are based on digital technologies. Beyond energy, they facilitate the development of new uses and promote new ways for life and work. Our ambition is driven every day by each of our 150,000 employees in 70 countries. Together with our customers and our partners, they are a community of imaginative builders, women and men who are imagining and building solutions for the future for harmonious progress.
Turnover 2017: 65 billion euros. Listed in Paris and Brussels (ENGI), the Group is represented in the main international indexes (CAC 40, BEL 20, EURO STOXX 50, Europe 600, MSCI Europe, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, Euro STOXX Utilities, STOXX Europe 600 Utilities) and extra-financial (DJSI World, DJSI Europe et Euronext Vigeo Eiris - World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120, France 20, CAC 40 Governance).
About GNVERT
Since 1998, GNVERT, a subsidiary of the ENGIE Group, has been offering its expertise to companies and local authorities, proposing tailor-made solutions for green mobility. GNVERT is the leader in France of refueling solutions for alternative fuels (CNG, BioCNG, LNG, Hydrogen ...) and operates more than 150 stations.
| Press contact: Lise Forest T : + 33 (0)6 32 47 62 48 Lise.forest@engie.com |
About McPhy
In the framework of the energy transition, and as a leading supplier of hydrogen production, storage and distribution equipment, McPhy contributes to the deployment of clean hydrogen throughout the world.
Thanks to its wide range of products and services dedicated to the hydrogen energy, zero emission mobility and industrial hydrogen markets, McPhy provides turnkey solutions to its clients. These solutions are tailored to our client applications: renewable energy surplus storage and valorization, fuel cell car refueling, raw material for industrial sites.
As a designer, manufacturer and integrator of hydrogen equipment since 2008, McPhy has three development, engineering and production units based in Europe (France, Italy, Germany).
The company's international subsidiaries ensure a global sales coverage of McPhy's innovative hydrogen solutions.
McPhy is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (Segment C, ISIN code: FR0011742329; ticker: MCPHY).
| Press Relations NewCap Nicolas Merigeau T. +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 mcphy@newcap.eu Follow us on : @McPhyEnergy | Investor Relations NewCap Julie Coulot | Emmanuel Huynh T. +33 (0)1 44 71 20 40 mcphy@newcap.eu |
[1] High Level Service Bus
Attachment
