Hydrogen boil-off is one of the most stubborn operational problems in liquid hydrogen transit. For Golden Empire Transit District, the public bus system serving Bakersfield's 160-square-mile urban area, it's been a real cost: losses exceeding 40% from boil-off have drained efficiency from a fleet that's been running on liquid hydrogen since 2021.
Two H2FCP members recently won the contract to fix it.
GenH2 and FASTECH were awarded a contract by GET Bus to design, build, and install a zero-loss liquid hydrogen Controlled Storage system at the agency's Bakersfield fueling facility. The system centers on a 15,000-gallon liquid hydrogen storage tank engineered by Taylor-Wharton, integrated with GenH2's patented heat lift technology and a cryogenic refrigeration system that maintains complete control over the hydrogen's state during storage, fueling, and tank replenishment.
The goal is straightforward: stop fuel from being lost before it ever reaches the bus.
"GenH2's ability to eliminate boil-off losses will transform the industry and set a new standard for refueling operations,” said Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2.
FASTECH brings the engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance expertise to execute the installation. The Buena Park-based company has deep experience across hydrogen, CNG, RNG, and LNG infrastructure throughout the western United States.
“By combining our EPCM expertise with GenH2's hydrogen technology, we're bringing a practical, scalable solution to market that directly impacts operational efficiency,” said Dan McGill, President of FASTECH.
GET Bus launched hydrogen service in 2021 as part of a longer transition to zero-emission transit. Solving the boil-off problem doesn't just help one agency's bottom line. It changes the math on liquid hydrogen infrastructure at scale.
There’s never been a better time to join the hydrogen future. Learn more about membership at h2fcp.org/join.
