The Port of Valencia, Spain is set to host its first hydrogen tests for its refuelling station over the course of January 2023, as it looks to introduce hydrogen-powered operations.

H2 View understands, hydrogen loading tests will begin on the Hydrogen Generator, a supply station for the energy carrier, located on the Xità quay.

Technicians from Valenciaport, the National Hydrogen Centre, and Carburos Metálicos plan to carry out operations on the hydrogen plant located in the port, as it looks to establish itself as a European leader in the development of hydrogen technologies.

The partners have said a variety of tests will be carried out over the course of the month, with materials such as nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen to test the components that make up the hydrogen generator.

According to a statement from Valencia, the loading test will be the first step for supplying hydrogen to container stacker and 4×4 tractor unit prototypes, which are expected to kick off operations in 2023.

It comes as part of the H2Ports project, led by the Valenciaport Foundation and the Valencia Port Authority (PAV), which looks to pilot test hydrogen vehicles and refuelling.

Valenciaport has said the machinery expected to be used for the trials will arrive in the first quarter of this year (2023) and will run for two years.