New hydrogen car fueling station commissioned in West Sacramento

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hydrogen fueling for cars at the Ramos Oil Company multi-fueling station in West Sacramento, California, has been commissioned. The hydrogen station is equipped with state-of-the-art technology developed by Linde North America, a major producer of hydrogen covering the entire technology spectrum required to successfully use hydrogen as a transportation fuel.

To mark completion of its retail hydrogen fueling station, Ramos held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the site and hosted representatives of Linde and local and state dignitaries -- including Cliff Caldwell, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Bulk Markets at Linde, Nitin Natesan, Business Development manager for Linde Hydrogen Fueling, Mark Johannessen, Mayor Pro Tem City of West Sacramento, Bill Elrick, California Fuel Cell Partnership, Commissioner Janea Scott, California Energy Commission, Phil Serna, California Air Resources Board, Fred Joseck, Department of Energy.

"We are thrilled to be working with Linde on this project and very impressed with the exciting technology they brought to us," said Kent Ramos, president of Ramos Oil Company, one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the U.S. "We have been serving the Sacramento Valley market with a variety of fuels for over 60 years. The prospect of hydrogen's zero emissions technology fits perfectly into our multi-fuel platform concept and I believe will prove that hydrogen has a place in the transportation fuel mix." Ramos Oil is one of the first petroleum retailers in California to embrace clean fuels. In addition to conventional fuels, the company offers bio-diesel, ethanol-85, methanol and now hydrogen. The company also uses solar panels to power the entire facility.

"This project not only serves as a hub for hydrogen fuel delivery, but highlights the importance of providing an array of fuels for the future of urban transportation," said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon in a written statement. "The station is an asset to both our residents and the region as a whole."

Linde's Natesan, Business Development manager for Linde Hydrogen Fueling, said, "We are very excited to be working with Ramos Oil on this project. This high throughput retail station is a very significant step forward in the commercialization of hydrogen-fueled cars."

It is difficult to project how much business the new hydrogen fueling station will do in the Sacramento area in the next few years. However,OweHo conservative industry estimates call for over tens of thousands hydrogen powered cars to be on the road in California by 2020, with a significant growth curve from there.

"Linde is building hydrogen stations today that can meet this projected rapid growth in the near future without the need for extensive station upgrades," said Linde's Natesan. "It used to be a chicken and egg question, but realistically the stations must come first so an infrastructure is in place for the initial consumers."

At the heart of the hydrogen fueling system is the Linde IC 90 ionic compressor -- the next generation of hydrogen compression technology which enables higher throughput and enhanced back to back fueling. "With this compressor, Linde has made a valuable contribution to the ongoing enhancement of today's hydrogen fueling infrastructure," said Mike Beckman, head of H₂ Fueling – Linde North America. For more information on Linde's IC 90 ionic compressor see: http://www.linde-gas.com/en/innovations/hydrogen_energy/fuelling_technologies/ionic_compressor.html 

About Ramos Oil Company

Ramos Oil Company, headquartered in West Sacramento, California, was founded by Bill Ramos over 60 years ago as a Shell Oil Distributor. It is still family-owned and operated, with the third generation currently learning the business. "Bill" is now 89 and still stops by the office on most days to check on business operations. What began as a local oil distributorship, serving mostly agricultural customers, has grown to serve customers all over Northern and Southern California and Western Nevada in industries such as trucking, construction, marine, aviation, industrial, and mining, as well as gas stations and truck stops. Ramos distributes most of the major brands of fuels, lubricants and green fuels. For more information see Ramos Oil online at www.ramosoil.com.

About Linde North America

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world leading gases and engineering company. In the 2013 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of $ 23.1 bn (EUR 16.655 bn), making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 63,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-hydrogen-car-fueling-station-commissioned-in-west-sacramento-300007897.html

SOURCE Linde North America; Ramos Oil Company

Related Links

http://www.linde.com