Sage Mill Industrial Park
Photo courtesy of the Boudreaux Group
Another way we look out for our members at Aiken Electric Cooperative is to support economic development and growth. One of the jewels we have in our service territory is a hydrogen-fueling station located at Sage Mill Industrial Park in Graniteville. The fueling station is the first in Aiken County and is the only operating hydrogen station in the entire state. We are pleased to have the facility as one of our valued business members.
The fueling station provides hydrogen on site for industries housed in the Sage Mill Industrial Park. In fact, GENCO, operator of the Kimberly-Clark distribution center, is a tenant using cutting-edge technology with hydrogen-powered forklifts. The hydrogen vehicles are refueled in only a few minutes, similar to a normal gas pump.
Working with the Economic Development Partnership and the Applied Research Center, the station was designed to welcome visitors, schools and developers with signage and educational panels.
Aiken’s Applied Research Center is home to a hydrogen-fueled truck and shares a 40-passenger fuel cell bus with the City of North Augusta. The energy-efficient vehicles, used for programs, tours and North Augusta official transportation, are also fueled at the station. Fred Humes, Applied Research Center director, says, “We are proud that Aiken County has one of the only hydrogen-fueling stations in the Southeast. Alternative energy sources, like hydrogen, are key to our state’s economic future.”
At Aiken Electric Cooperative, we’re looking to enrich and expand our business communities, and we’re looking out for you.rich and expand our business communities, and we’re looking out for you.