Plug Power, a provider of hydrogen engines and fueling solutions, is expanding its support of Walmart’s eCommerce network. Plug Power currently supports more than 9,500 GenDrive fuel cell-powered vehicles used by 37 Walmart distribution centers across North America.
Plug Power has provided GenKey hydrogen and fuel cells since 2010 for Walmart’s material handling fleet. The company began expanding into Walmart’s eCommerce network, with the first deployments in August 2020, and additional expansion planned in 2021.
Flexibility, scalability, and fast fueling make Plug Power products positioned for growth and the peak demands of eCommerce applications. Operating at 99 percent uptime with constant power performance in Walmart’s material handling fleet, Plug Power enabled Walmart to fulfill increased demand from customers during the pandemic.
ProGen and GenDrive fuel cell solutions power a variety of vehicles including material handling trucks, tuggers, automated guided vehicles, airport ground support equipment, and Class 3-8 commercial fleet vehicles for middle and last-mile delivery applications.
“This application expansion signifies the next step as we support Walmart’s eCommerce business while helping them meet the operational goals important to both Walmart and consumers,” said Andy Marsh, Plug Power CEO.
“The challenges this year have increased demand on leading brands providing necessary goods and services to customers. At our distribution facilities across the country, our decision to be an early adopter of hydrogen fuel cells has helped us manage and meet the increased demand for food and basic supplies,” said Jeff Smith, Senior Director Walmart Supply Chain. “This is why we’re excited to expand these solutions into our eCommerce network in 2021.”
Creating the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology, Plug Power deployed over 38,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility and has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen. A significant value proposition to end-customers, this includes environmental benefits, efficiency gains, fast fueling, and lower operational costs.
Leveraging its know-how, modular product architecture, and foundational customers the company is expanding into other markets including zero-emission on-road vehicles, robotics, and data centers.
LOS ANGELES,Dec. 16, 2020/PRNewswire/ -- With clean hydrogen gaining recognition worldwide as the carbon-free fuel capable of making a significant contribution to addressing climate change,Southern California Gas Co.(SoCalGas) today announced it will field test a new technology that can simultaneously separate and compress hydrogen from a blend of hydrogen and natural gas. At scale, the technology would allow hydrogen to be easily and affordably transported via the natural gas pipeline system, then extracted and compressed at fueling stations that provide hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Created byNetherlands-basedHyET Hydrogen, the technology is designed to provide pure highly-compressed hydrogen wherever a natural gas distribution system exists. A video illustrating the technology may be foundhere.
SoCalGas also recently announced a program tostudy blending hydrogen into its natural gas pipelines. If approved by regulators, the program would be the first step toward establishing a statewide standard for injecting hydrogen into the natural gas grid.
"This innovative technology could be a game-changer, allowing hydrogen to be distributed to wherever it is needed using the natural gas grid," saidNeil Navin, vice president of clean energy innovations at SoCalGas. "As demand increases for zero-emissions vehicles such as fuel cell electric cars,Californiawill need thousands more hydrogen fueling stations—and this technology may help make that possible."
"We are excited to deploy our newest technology in collaboration with SoCalGas," saidAlexis Dubois, director of HyET HydrogenUSA. "Our gas separation system is designed to allow hydrogen to be transported across long distances affordably using existing natural gas pipelines. With this technology, hydrogen can become a commonly used fuel for transportation, industrial applications and more."
"Hydrogen will be an important part of our clean energy future, and exciting new technologies like this will pave the way for zero emissions transportation inCalifornia," said Sen.Bob Archuleta(D-Pico Rivera). "I am fighting for investments in both hydrogen infrastructure and clean transportation programs in the state Legislature and will continue to do so. I am excited that the testing of this cutting-edge innovation will take place in the 32nd Senate District and I look forward to continuing to work with SoCalGas as we pursue our clean energy goals."
"This is innovative technology," saidBill Elrick, executive director of the California Fuel Cell Partnership. "It may provide a unique and strategic way to distribute large volumes of hydrogen fuel, helping decarbonize the transportation sector."
The new technology, called Electrochemical Hydrogen Purification and Compression (EHPC), works by applying an electrical current across a hydrogen-selective membrane to allow only hydrogen to permeate it while blocking the natural gas components. Continuously applying the electrical current builds up and pressurizes the hydrogen.
To test the technology, SoCalGas will blend hydrogen, in concentrations from 3 to 15%, with methane, the primary component of natural gas. That blend of gases will then be injected through a simulated natural gas pipeline testing system into the EHPC system to continuously extract and compress the hydrogen at a rate of 10 kg per day. SoCalGas' testing will provide performance data that will enable fine-tuning and optimization of the EHPC system to accelerate scaling up the technology. Within the next two years, the EHPC technology is expected to be scaled to produce 100 kg of hydrogen a day or more from a single EHPC system, enough to fill 20 fuel cell electric vehicles.
The project is scheduled to begin in March at SoCalGas' Engineering Analysis Center inPico Rivera, Californiaand slated to be complete by the third quarter of 2021.
About SoCalGasHeadquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest gas distribution utility in theUnited States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million customers across24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California, where more than 90 percent of residents use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, drying clothes or other uses. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines also plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians— about 45 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.
SoCalGas' mission is to build thecleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America, delivering affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In support of that mission, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for our customers. From 2015 through 2019, the company invested nearly $7 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy(NYSE:SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter(@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.
About HyET GroupHyET Hydrogen, headquartered in Arnhem,The Netherlands, is a leading company in the development and delivery of electrochemical hydrogen processing technologies that enable large-scale implementation of hydrogen transport modalities and high-pressure hydrogen storage. HyET Hydrogen is part of the HyET group that creates solutions to make renewable energy sources commercially viable. HyET group is focused on large-scale buffering of intermittent renewable energy, such as solar and wind, using high pressure hydrogen.
수소연료전지 시스템 전문 기업 에스퓨얼셀이 2kW급 연료전지와 액화수소용기를 채용한 수소 드론을 개발하는데 성공했다. 27일 에스퓨얼셀은 2kW급 수소 드론을 개발했다며 수소 모빌리티 진출에 대한 본격적인 행보를 시작하게 됐다고 의미를 부여했다. 기존 배터리를 채용한 드론은 30분 이내의 짧은 비행시간으로 인해 장거리 및 장시간 임무수행 등에 한계가 있어 활용도가 떨어졌다. 사업 현장에서는 드론에 대한 해당 성능향상과 함께 드론의 범용적 활용 촉진에 걸림돌이 되고 있는 짧은 비행거리를 늘려달라는 내용을 주요골자로 획기적인 기술 개발을 요구하는 의견이 많았다. 이러한 현장의 목소리를 수렴한 에스퓨얼셀은 올해 2월부터 희망기업들을 대상으로 수요조사를 실시해 관련 DB를 구축하고 그 결과를 심층분석, 최종적으로 설계에 반영함으로 드론 이용자의 편의성과 범용성이 제고된 수소 드론을 개발하게 됐다고 강조했다. 에스퓨얼셀이 이번에 개발한 액화 수소연료전지 드론은 비행시간을 비약적으로 늘림으로 현재 배터리 드론으로 불가능 했던 수색, 정찰, 물류 운송, 농업 방재 등의 사업분야에 폭 넓게 활용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다. 이번 수소 드론에 주목되는 점은 수소연료전지 파워팩 개발에도 이용자의 편의성 및 범용성을 높였다는 점이다. 이용자가 상황에 맞게 고압기체수소와 액화수소 연료를 모두 사용할 수 있는 제품개발로 편의성 및 범용성을 높였으며, 수소드론 비행에 사용된 드론과 모터 또한 세계에서 가장 많이 이용되는 제품을 사용하여 시험 비행을 했다.
에스퓨얼셀은 2018년에는 연료전지 업계에서 처음으로 코스닥 상장을 한 수소연료전지 전문기업으로 건물용 연료전지의 기술력을 바탕으로 수소 모빌리티 시장에도 연료전지 파워팩 시스템 개발을 통해 진출을 하고 있다. 이번 수소 드론 개발 성공을 시작으로 지게차, 선박 등의 연료전지 파워팩 개발도 추진하고 있다고 에스퓨얼셀은 설명했다. 향후 수소 연료전지를 기반으로 다양한 응용 분야를 창출하고, 글로벌 시장에서 매출을 확대해 나갈 계획이다. 에스퓨얼셀 관계자는 "현재 진행중인 유상증자를 통해 유입되는 자금을 통해 수소 연료전지 파워팩 시스템의 개발과 원천기술 확보, 상품화에 적극적으로 투자해 시장에 빠르게 진입할 예정"이라고 밝혔다.
As the fuel cell community knows, October 8, 2020 isHydrogen and Fuel Cell Day–a day that’s celebrated every year, and that reflects the increasing importance of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells in the future of transportation.
At Ballard, we are proud of our role in bringing PEM fuel cells to their current level of global prominence. For over 40 years, we have led the world in hydrogen fuel cell technology developments.
this blog, you’ll learn about Ballard’s role in developing the core PEM fuel cell technologies, and our ongoing fuel cell innovations that are increasing performance while dramatically lowering the costs of fuel cell vehicles. You’ll also get a sneak peek into our product roadmap, and what the future holds for anyone planning to develop or purchase zero-emission buses or trucks.
Delivering fuel cell technology for a cleaner planet: From core PEM technologies to complete systems
Our proprietary proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology efficiently creates zero-emission electricity from air and hydrogen, without the use of toxic materials. This core PEM technology still leads the industry—and we continue to refine it. In fact, we have invested more than $1.5 billion in PEM development.
One of our key assets is our people. Together, we are a collective team of specialized fuel cell developers. Nearly 400 scientists and engineers draw upon 4,700 person-years of experience to advance our product designs. Research and development activities are ongoing to develop new technology that is fed into each product iteration.
Our research and development activities have successfully advanced our designs.We have leveraged our work in technically challenging automotive applications, improved component robustness, scaled up our manufacturing and product processes, and developed our supply chain. These activities have contributed to the launch last year of our8th generation fuel cell modulethat leads the industry in power, cost and durability.
We continue to innovate, with a focus on practical commercial advantages
We at Ballard are not content to rest on our successes. We are continually improving our technologies—both the fuel cell engine and the manufacturing processes that create them. To expand our reach to serve a broader range of bus and truck applications, we are continuing to improve those aspects of fuel cell performance that are most critical to commercial vehicles:
Power density—packing more power in lighter, smaller modules reduces material costs. It also means we can fit fuel cell powertrains under more hoods, even in heavy-duty trucks. Our recently released new FCgen®-HPS fuel cell stack leads the industry with a power density of 4.3kW/L.
Cost reduction— lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) of commercial vehicles, from increased efficiency (which lowers fuel consumption) and better powertrain integration to recycling and refurbishing fuel cells. Lifecycle cost reductions have now made vehicles powered by Ballard technology competitive on a TCO basis for several heavy duty motive applications.(Learn more inFuel Cell Price to Drop 70-80% as Production Volume Scales.)
Durability—With over 30,000 hours of service lifetime powered on the road, Ballard-powered vehicles require only one fuel cell module overhaul during their entire service life, which results in major TCO savings. And, we see a path to even longer life fuel cells.
Looking ahead: What’s next for Ballard?
Continuous improvement to meet the market requirements for commercial vehicles requires an evolution in key fuel cell stack technology attributes. Our technical targets for the next four years are clear, as demonstrated in the chart below.
Ballard, with its vast experience, has the ability to address the trade-offs necessary at the core fuel cell component level to meet market requirements. To put it simply, we know what the technology levers are and we know how to move them to achieve these targets. One such lever is the bipolar plate design.
Proprietary bipolar plate designs deliver sustainability, long life and low cost
Within a PEM fuel cell stack, the bipolar plates are a key component that uniformly distributes fuel and air, removes heat, and prevents leakage of gases and coolant. Our proprietarycarbon bipolar plate designsprovide a strong competitive advantage.
As you can see in the chart above, Ballard is on the path to achieving a 35% reduction in cell pitch, or bipolar plate assembly thickness in our latest fuel cell stack designs. This brings the cell pitch in alignment with our competitors using metal plates. Metal bipolar plates from automakers, however, are far higher in cost.Ballard bipolar platesare:
the most durable on the market, with a service life of 35,000 hours.
the most sustainable, with reusable graphite plates.
the most cost-effective, graphite is the lowest cost material at any manufacturing volume.
So, with these advances in bipolar plate cell pitch we can deliverindustry-leading power densityat a lower cost with much higher durability. This all translates into lower lifecycle costs for the vehicle operator.
Growing our product portfolio
High power modules with scalable power levels
Our product roadmap includes the development of high-powered, scalable modules that serve a broad range of power levels, from 45 to 450kW. Scalable power levels, with shared technologies across product lines, allow us to serve markets ranging from commercial light duty truck and medium-duty vehicles (such as medium-duty trucks and buses) to heavy-duty truck applications.
Shared components simplify manufacturing and lower costs for customers. As we continually improve the performance of our fuel cell stack technologies, the improvements will be applied across all power levels, to improve vehicle performance in every one of our markets.
Partnerships will be key to our success. The heavy duty products (150-450kW) for instance, will be developed through a partnership with MAHLE, a leading international Tier 1 supplier to the commercial vehicle and automotive industry.
Ballard has prime responsibility for system design and the fuel cell stack sub-system, while MAHLE’s scope of responsibility includes balance-of-plant components, thermal management and power electronics for the complete fuel cell system. The combination of technology improvements and product industrialization will help us to achieve our 70% cost reduction target.
Why choose Ballard?
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is a perfect opportunity to reflect on Ballard’s pivotal role in zero-emissions transportation. We developed the core PEM technologies and, through continual innovation, we remain the global technology leader in the PEM fuel cell space. More than 3,000 Ballard-powered buses, trams, trucks, and trains are in commercial use today.
Anyone designing a fuel cell vehicle—or selecting the zero-emission trucks or buses for their fleet—should seriously consider Ballard fuel cell products for their industry-leading durability, power density, reliability, sustainability and low total life cycle cost.
NEDO、東芝エネルギーシステムズ（株）、東北電力（株）、岩谷産業（株）が、2018年から福島県浪江町で建設を進めてきた、再生可能エネルギーを利用した世界最大級となる10MWの水素製造装置を備えた水素製造施設「福島水素エネルギー研究フィールド（Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field （FH2R））」が2月末に完成し、稼働を開始しました。
このような背景のもと、国立研究開発法人新エネルギー・産業技術総合開発機構（NEDO）、東芝エネルギーシステムズ株式会社、東北電力株式会社、岩谷産業株式会社は、再生可能エネルギーの導入拡大を見据え、ディマンドリスポンスとしての水素活用事業モデルと水素販売事業モデルの確立を目指した技術開発事業※1に取り組んでいます。本事業において、2018年7月から福島県浪江町（同町大字棚塩地区 棚塩産業団地内）で建設を進めていた、太陽光発電を利用した世界最大級となる10MWの水素製造装置を備えた水素製造施設「福島水素エネルギー研究フィールド（Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field （FH2R））」が2月末に完成し、稼働を開始しました。
