Plug Power gets NYSERDA funding to evaluate use of fuel cells for perishables delivery

Plug Power has received funding from the New York State Energy 
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to demonstrate the 
viability of replacing diesel generators with hydrogen fuel cells for 
powering transport refrigeration units (TRUs) on trailers hauled by 
trucks that deliver perishable goods.

Plug Power was selected by NYSERDA to develop a fuel cell and 
interconnect hardware, which provides connection to refrigeration unit 
equipment, based on its GenDrive(R) fuel cell architecture. The Plug 
Power TRU fuel cell will power a Carrier Transicold refrigeration unit 
for the Sysco Corp. distribution center in Long Island, NY, for 12 
months. Hydrogen will be supplied by Air Products.

Successful completion of this trial is expected to open the door to 
hydrogen fuel cell expansion into the refrigerated transport market -- 
employing clean energy to regulate cold temperatures for fresh and 
frozen foods, such as produce, dairy products, meats, ice cream and 
other items while enroute to grocery warehouses, distribution centers 
and retail destinations.

Most of the 300,000 TRUs in operation across the U.S. today are powered 
by diesel, which is expensive and environmentally hazardous due to the 
emission of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx). In the course 
of one day, a typical TRU can consume about 10 gallons of diesel and 
emit 101 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is in stark contrast to Plug 
Power hydrogen fuel cells, which have zero CO2 emissions, and release 
only a small amount of heat and water.

Plug Power received $500,000 from NYSERDA to pursue this demonstration 
project.

"The NYSERDA opportunity is crucial to Plug Power, as we move forward 
with development of fuel cell solutions for TRU deployments," said Andy 
Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. "Along with a similar, recently announced TRU 
project funded by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, this contract enables us to 
execute on our strategy to implement hydrogen fuel cells in markets 
adjacent to the material transport industry."

Transportation in the United States is responsible for 75 percent of 
the country's oil use, resulting in 40 percent of the greenhouse gas 
emissions produced.

Plug Power recently announced it had also won a $650,000 contract from 
the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories via the Dept. of Energy to 
develop fuel cells for the TRU market.

Plug Power