 GenFuel Indoor dispenser |
Hydrogen fuel cells are a hot topic right now, as more companies join the effort to benefit from the use of hydrogen as a replacement for gasoline, diesel, and lead-acid batteries.Plug Power, an alternative power systems manufacturer, supplies hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen fuel infrastructures to material handling logistics customers that are adopting the solution to power the forklift fleets in their distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.
Plug Power's fuel cells are enabling an ever-increasing number of retail warehouses, food logistics organizations, beverage distributors, grocers, big box stores, auto manufacturers, and other companies to switch their material handling forklift fleets over to hydrogen fuel cell power.
GenKey™ is Plug Power's single-source solution that helps customers seamlessly transition their lift and reach trucks over to hydrogen fuel. And Plug Power serves as the expert vendor for complete onsite integration and deployment of its hydrogen fuel cell systems.
The entire GenKey solution includes:
GenDrive® fuel cell units,
GenFuel™ hydrogen fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure, and
GenCare™ aftermarket service and support.
 Outdoor hydrogen pad |
As a clean energy solution that replaces lead-acid batteries, hydrogen fuel cells remove lead and sulfuric acid contamination from the work environment and contribute to sustainability programs.
One of the most favorable attributes of hydrogen fuel cells is their consistent, dependable performance in cold-storage applications as low as -20 degrees F - an environment that negatively impacts lead-acid batteries. It's a key reason so many material handling customers with refrigerated warehouses have turned to
GenDrive to power their forklifts.
Fuel cells also increase efficiency and production uptime. Refueling of GenDrive units takes only minutes and is done by lift truck drivers at hydrogen fuel dispensers installed by
Plug Power onsite. The only by-products generated by fuel cells are heat and water.
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 Outdoor dispenser |
 GenDrive-powered forklift |
Material handling customers using the complete
GenKey solution achieve other benefits within their facilities. Plug Power customers have seen reductions in greenhouse gases of up to 70%, as well as a reduction in operating expenses through quick re-fueling times, movement of more goods, increased availability of floor space for goods storage, lower lift truck service costs, and reduced electricity usage. It's apparent that the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells are many.
Today,
Plug Power is a leader in hydrogen fuel cell power used by forklift fleet vehicles in distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. Plug Power customers in the material handling logistics market include: Ace Hardware, BMW, Central Grocers, Coca Cola, FedEx, Kroger, Mercedes-Benz, Newark Farmers Market, Sysco, Volkswagen, and Walmart.
Plug Power anticipates that the GenKey business model will soon spread to other transportation industries. Trials now underway are testing the viability of fuel cells in several new applications:
- Range Extenders - where a hybrid combination of fuel cells and batteries in delivery trucks increases driving distance capabilities
- Ground Support Equipment - where fuel cells provide clean power for airport baggage haulers
- Reefer Trailers - where fuel cells power refrigeration equipment that controls cold-storage temperatures within big-rig trailers.
The era of hydrogen technology is here, with increasing demand for growth and development of hydrogen fuel cell usage. Retailers, food and beverage distributors, and manufacturers are taking advantage of the reliable power delivered by Plug Power's hydrogen fuel cell equipment.
Plug Power's innovative solutions enable customers to support sustainability objectives, decrease operating costs, maximize operational efficiencies, increase productivity levels, and lessen the environmental impact of warehouse operations on local communities.
For more information on how to POWERAhead to a hydrogen fuel cell solution for your forklift fleet, please visit the Plug Power website or contact us, send an email.