FEDEX FREIGHT EAST, INC.
Grant: $1,290,464 - Department of Energy - Aug. 19, 2009
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Award Description: This proposal, entitled ?Fuel Cell-Powered Lift Truck FedEx Freight (Springfield) Fleet Deployment?, is in response to DOE funding opportunity announcement DE-PS36-08GO98009, Topic 7B, which promotes the deployment of fuel cell powered material handling equipment in large, multi-shift distribution centers. The project team is led by FedEx Freight Inc. as the lead applicant, Plug Power Inc. as fuel cell system and gaseous hydrogen equipment provider, and Air Products Inc., as the liquid hydrogen equipment and gas supplier. The project director is Jonathan King from FedEx Freight. FedEx Freight is a leading regional and long-haul ?less-than-truckload? carrier that handles over 80,000 shipments a day from more than 470 service centers around the U.S. They propose to deploy 35 fuel cell systems as battery replacements for a complete fleet of class-1 electric lift trucks in their new service center in Springfield, Missouri. Each lift truck will be powered by a GenDrive? power unit supplied by Plug Power. Each power unit is a complete hybrid system that combines fuel storage equipment, a capacitor bank (as power buffer), a fuel cell stack, and all of the ancillary equipment needed to operate the stack. The power units directly replace batteries without modifications to the lift trucks themselves and preserve the original dimensions, weight and center of gravity of the batteries they replace. Hydrogen for the power units will be supplied in liquid form and decanted into a liquid storage tank. Liquid hydrogen will be drawn from the tank, vaporized, compressed, and stored as a high-pressure gas before being dispensed to the lift trucks at either of two internal fueling locations. FedEx Freight?s role is to administer the project; interface with and submit reports to the DOE; prepare the fueling equipment site; obtain permits; facilitate the other partners; and operate the lift truck fleet. Plug Power?s role is to lead the fueling station installation; build, install and maintain the gaseous hydrogen fueling and dispensing equipment; and build, install, commission and provide contract maintenance on their GenDrive power units. Air Products?s role is to build, install and maintain the liquid hydrogen handling equipment, and to deliver liquid hydrogen during operation. The project objectives are to convert the entire lift truck fleet in a service center to fuel cell use; demonstrate the economic benefits of large fleet conversions of lift trucks from lead-acid batteries to fuel cell power units; provide affordable and reliable hydrogen; spur further fuel cell lift truck fleet conversions; and, establish a proving ground for hydrogen fueling technology that will promote the adoption of fuel cells in other applications. The project achieves DOE?s market transition goals by promoting large-volume commercial deployments of fuel cell systems and creating market pull in accordance with the objectives of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Specific outcomes and benefits will involve the proliferation of fuel cell systems in 5- to 20-kW lift trucks at a high-profile, real-world site that will demonstrate the benefits of fuel cell technology and will serve as a focal point for other nascent customers. It will create expertise on the real issue of providing service and support, help grow existing product manufacturing expertise, and promote existing fuel cell system and component companies. The project will stimulate further fleet conversions and thereby speed the broad adoption of fuel cell systems and hydrogen fueling technology and help drive continuous technology innovation and cost reductions. Success in this market will stimulate other fuel cell products, spur hydrogen demand, and provide the impetus for a hydrogen infrastructure in the United States.
Project Description: Currently we have laid tubing from the dock to the area where the hydrogen refueling infrastructure will be lactated in preparation for the equipment. This was done because the center were the fuel cell will be used was being constructed and the tubing was laid now so that new concrete and as asphalt would not have to be torn up to lay it when the equipment is installed. We have supplied teh fuel celle vendor with a PO for 35 fuel cells and are working on a supply agreement with the hydrogen supplyer
Jobs Summary: No jobs will be created within FedEx Freight from this project (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 19, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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