Jan 29 2011
Clean energy solutions provider, Plug Power, has secured its third purchase order for its GenDrive fuel cell units from Sysco. As per the order, Plug Power will supply 100 hydrogen fuel cell units to power the lift truck fleet in Sysco’s Baugh Northeast Co-op redistribution center located in Front Royal, Virginia.
Plug Power will supply 19 class-3 GenDrive fuel cell units for pallet jacks, 5 class-1 GenDrive fuel cell units for sit down counterbalanced trucks and 76 class-2 GenDrive fuel cell units for standup reach trucks. The company has already supplied 19 class-3 GenDrive fuel cell units to the center in December 2010 as per the order awarded by Sysco in November 2010.
The Baugh Northeast Co-op redistribution center is using lead-acid batteries to power the lift truck fleet. By switching to GenDrive fuel cell units, Sysco will avoid the procedure of procuring numerous batteries for each lift truck. The deployment of GenDrive fuel cell units will improve the usage of fleet and output of the facility. The GenDrive installation will reduce the operational expenditures associated with the infrastructure required for lead-acid battery charging, changing and repairs. Thus, about 5,000 sq. ft. space of the center will be used for other business activities.
As the GenDrive unit’s by products are water and heat, it will considerably decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases at the center. According to Plug Power, the GenDrive fuel cell unit reduces about 80% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: http://www.plugpower.com