Hydrogenics deploys forklifts at GM, FedEx
I n Canada, Hydrogenics has successful- ly completed forklift field trials at GM of Canada's car assembly plant in Oshawa and at FedEx Canada's 'mission-critical' logistics hub at Toronto International Airport.
Hydrogenics designed, built and integrated fuel cell hybrid power packs to replace the leadacid batteries in two Hyster 2500 kg Class 1 sitrider forklifts provided by NACCO Materials Handling Group. The forklifts were placed into service at two indoor multi-shift operations, to showcase the technical readiness of Hydrogenics' fuel cell hybrid power pack and verify the benefits and value propositions for this market. In addition, Hydrogenics designed and built an indoor PEM electrolyzer hydrogen refueler that was used to refuel the forklifts during the trials.
'We gained real-world learning for this nearterm application as our forklifts operated fulltime for three months in rigorous operations, with virtually no maintenance downtime,' says Pierre Rivard, president/CEO of Hydrogenics. 'Just as important, they finished the trials at the same high level of performance as they began.' Battery management issues profoundly impact operations, including a marked decrease in forklift power prior to shift-end, loss of productivity due to battery change-out time, and significant dedicated space and staffing for battery management. In addition, 24 h operations require as many as three batteries per vehicle to cover the full shift rotation, contributing to ongoing capital cost infusions and battery disposal problems.
The field trials addressed all of these battery limitations. The forklifts were operating at full power at the beginning and end of each shift, and were refueled by the forklift operators in two minutes or less from the refueling station.