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U S-based Exide Technologies, one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries, has signed an agreement with Ballard Power Systems in Canada to develop an on-board hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and lead-acid battery energy system for the forklift truck (materials handling) market. Initial prototypes of the hybrid hydrogen fuel cell/battery system will be delivered to the US Department of Defense.
Exide says that it is planning to meet all its hydrogen fuel cell needs in the forklift truck market over the next five years exclusively using PEM fuel cells developed and manufactured by Ballard.
Ballard's work in the materials handling market place has until now been based on its Mark 9 SSL fuel cell stack as an alternative to lead-acid batteries. This program will use the firm's Mark 1020 ACS hydrogen fuel cell stack and Exide's Element valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries.
The companies say the program illustrates the flexibility of fuel cells and batteries, while opening a new channel to the materials handling market. The hybrid system also has the potential to provide incremental revenue opportunities for both firms.
The Mark 1020 ACS has a fast, dynamic response, offers robust and reliable operation, and is based on a simplified, air-cooled design. Although Ballard's customers have used the Mark 1020 ACS technology primarily for stationary telecoms backup power, this product is also suitable for motive power applications. The simplicity of the design enables the stack to be incorporated into less complex, low-cost systems, supporting the move towards commercialization of fuel cell products in the materials handling market, where cost is a key consideration.
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