Calvera Hydrogen Leads High-Pressure Hydrogen Tube Trailer Innovation
Zaragoza-based Calvera Hydrogen brings more than four decades of experience in the design and manufacture of systems for the compression, transport, storage, and distribution of hydrogen at high pressures. The company operates its production facilities in Zaragoza, Spain, under stringent safety standards, delivering the world’s largest capacity hydrogen tube trailer model. This groundbreaking unit showcases a payload that enables transport of substantial hydrogen quantities on North American roads, with the capability to move over a metric ton of hydrogen, and approximately 2,870 pounds on European routes, regulated by regional weight limits. The trailer operates at a working pressure of 517 bar, making it the tube trailer with the highest working pressure currently available in the international market.
It is constructed from advanced carbon fiber and spans 45 feet in length. This unit forms part of a collaborative project with Shell Hydrogen, aiming to service the multinational’s extensive network of hydrogen refueling stations worldwide. The partnership has extended over more than two years, focusing on engineering and technological development. Initial deployment steps are planned in the United States and Germany, with additional regions set to follow. As part of the framework agreement, new units of this tube trailer model are being developed to address the hydrogen transport needs of Shell’s refueling stations across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
The equipment is engineered to maximize both capacity and pressure for stored hydrogen, delivering improved efficiency and cost savings in the hydrogen delivery process to refueling stations. This is achieved through automatic valves integrated into the control system that operate across multiple pressure stages, enabling a dual function of mobile and fixed smart storage solutions.
Ricardo Calvera, Hydrogen Technical Manager at Calvera Hydrogen, remarked, “The collaboration with a high-quality team such as Shell Hydrogen is a notable milestone. The trust placed in our technical capacity, experience, and safety-focused approach is deeply appreciated.” The project is highlighted for its innovative design and safety-centric development, crafted to meet the highest industry standards. Oliver Bishop, Managing Director of Shell Hydrogen, noted, “This initiative reflects growth and leadership in a rapidly evolving global hydrogen supply sector, where Shell Hydrogen aims to establish itself as a world leader.”
In practice, the tube trailer represents a strategic advancement in how hydrogen is stored and moved. Its design emphasizes reliability, robustness, and operational flexibility, enabling efficient delivery to refueling networks while maintaining rigorous safety and regulatory compliance. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions on a global scale, with ongoing refinements expected as markets expand and technology evolves.