Date
11/21/2013
PDF
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.
