Forklift News - Oorja claims alcohol fuel cell is cost efficient

The OorjaPac can power a forklift for two eight-hour shifts on five gallons of alcohol.

MHD Green Energy Solutions will be distributing Oorja Protonics’ "industry-first" alcohol-based fuel cell on-board charging system for materials handling equipment, OorjaPac, in North America.

Oorja CEO Sanjiv Malhotra says MHD will target large retailers, logistics service providers, food processors, heavy manufacturing and automotive industries.

"We chose to partner with MHD because of the company’s extensive experience in the materials handling equipment market and its commitment to green energy solutions."

The OorjaPac is an on-board battery charger for industrial vehicles that uses alcohol-based fuel cell technology.

Malhotra says OorjaPac is more cost efficient than hydrogen-based fuel cell systems.

"Hydrogen systems require special fuelling equipment to handle pressurised hydrogen. These systems usually are in the range of USD1 million.

"Fuelling for alcohol-based fuel cells is safe and easy and utilises a simple tote dispensing system costing less than US10,000. It's as easy as refilling your windshield wiper fluid."

He further boasts that OorjaPac extends battery life by 20% to 40% by improving the three factors that affect battery life – depth of discharge, heat and cycling.

The patent-protected OorjaPac can power Class 2-3 forklifts for two eight-hour shifts on five gallons of alcohol.

Malhotra will not disclose how much the company has invested in developing Oorja Pac, but says it has raised USD15.5 million in its last investment round.

MHD president Darrel Randall says the company is excited to partner with Oorja and that the relationship is a "true validation" of its commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions.

Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, MHD Green Energy Solutions offers energy efficient solutions for the materials handling market.

Oorja Protonics, a fuel cell technology provider based in Fremont, California, is funded by venture capital companies Sequoia Capital and DAG Venture.

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