Un año operando y sin problemas

Durante este último año, en la base militar de California han estado operando 20 carretillas elevadoras alimentadas por pilas de combustibles de hidrogeno.

Con esta noticia, queda demostrado que la utilización de las pilas de combustible de hidrogeno en este tipo de aplicaciones es una realidad a día de hoy.

Fuel Cell Forklifts Complete First Year of Successful Operation on Military Base in California

10 May 2013

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) project team has successfully completed its first full year of operations of hydrogen powered forklifts and associated refueling station equipment at Defense Depot San Joaquin (DDJC) in Tracy, California. The project involves generating hydrogen through electrolysis on site and using it to fuel 20 fuel cell forklifts that are deployed in daily depot activities.
The goal of the demonstration is to extend the knowledge and readiness levels of fuel cell powered vehicles and the hydrogen infrastructure necessary to fuel them.  This clean energy project is sponsored by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), who will analyze the collected data to test the viability of using fuel cells in fleets of material handling equipment at this and other support installations.

 

This demonstration includes a unique mix of emerging technologies from developers with a proven ability to commercialize them. Plug Power, Inc. designed and built the 20 GenDrive^® hydrogen fuel cells used to power the forklifts. Air Products is providing hydrogen compression, storage, and dispensing equipment and associated support. Proton OnSite provided the electrolyzer system and support, enabling the base to produce a reliable stream of hydrogen using just electricity and water. Papé Material Handling is providing routine fuel cell forklift support under contract to Plug Power.

 

The pilot period began on December 1, 2011, and is expected to run for 24 months while the team collects and analyzes operations and fueling data.
“Thanks to the excellent products and support of our team members, the fuel cells and hydrogen infrastructure has proven to be extremely reliable in consistent use over the first year of the demonstration.  We have proven a high level of commercial readiness for the technology,” said Jason Hanlin, Project Manager at CTE. “We look forward to continued success for the duration of the demonstration period.”