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Valencia will be first port in Europe to use hydrogen energy in its container terminals
NEWS / EDITORIAL The ADL hydrogen fuel cell powered doubledecker bus – based on its Enviro400 product line – is equipped with ZF’s AxTrax AVE electric drive axle. This configuration comprises a secure system that generates electricity in the hydrogen fuel cell system, which in turn drives two electric wheel-hub motors in the electric portal axle. ZF also provided the inverter, EST 54 electronic control unit, and appropriate control software. This complete system optimally aligns performance, efficiency, and the service life of the drivetrain, while helping to reduce the test and homologation costs for ADL. ADL spent two years developing this hydrogen-powered double-decker bus, with ZF selected as a partner right from the start. During field testing, the initial prototype bus operated along real bus routes in several cities throughout the UK, and impressed everyone with its outstanding efficiency during field testing. ‘ZF has simplified the process of electrifying vehicle platforms for the manufacturer, while making an important contribution towards keeping city centre mobility solutions free from emissions,’ says Fredrik Staedtler, head of ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Technology Division. The AxTrax AVE electric drive axle, introduced in 2012, can be used in a wide array of possible applications – in a fuel cell configuration, as a hybrid, or purely electrical with lithium-ion batteries. Alexander Dennis Ltd: www.alexander-dennis.com ZF, AxTrax AVE system: www.zf.com/products/en/buses/products_40128.html
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Valencia will be first port in Europe to use hydrogen energy in its container terminals
T
he Port Authority of Valencia in Spain will be the first port in Europe to incorporate hydrogen energy to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. A reach stacker for loading/ unloading and transport of containers and a terminal tractor for ro-ro (roll-on/ roll-off ferry) operations will be the first machines powered by hydrogen fuel cells that will operate in real conditions in the Valencian seaport. The initiative is promoted by the Port of Valencia, and is part of its strategic plan for the development of renewable energy. The pilot project, called H2Ports, also includes the installation of a mobile hydrogen supply
February 2019
station, which in the initial phase of the project will work in the Grimaldi (Valencia Terminal Europa) and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) terminals. This station will be developed by applying criteria for safety and economic profitability, with the aim of contributing to the decarbonisation of the logistic chain in the port. The H2Ports project will involve a total investment of E4 million (US$4.5 million), including funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint undertaking (FCH JU). The project participants are the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), Valenciaport Foundation, National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), along with MSC Terminal Valencia, Grimaldi Group, Hyster-Yale (parent of Nuvera), Atena, Ballard Power Systems Europe, and national gas grid operator Enagás [see also page 11]. In June 2017 the Port Authority and Valenciaport Foundation signed a collaboration agreement with the FCH JU to participate in the latter’s Regions and Cities initiative, with the aim of promoting the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in the Port of Valencia. Valenciaport and Fundación Valenciaport are among the more than 88 regions and cities in 22 EU member states participating in this initiative [FCB, November 2018, p14]. Other ports investigating the use of hydrogen energy and fuel cell applications include Long Beach and Los Angeles in California [October 2018, p4, and see page 2 in this issue], the use of a hydrogen fuel cell powered generator in Honolulu in Hawaii [September 2015, p5], and Auckland in New Zealand is building a hydrogen production and refueling facility and investing in fuel cell electric vehicles such as port equipment, buses, and cars [January 2019, p8]. Port Authority of Valencia: www.valenciaport.com/en CNH2 National Hydrogen Centre: www.cnh2.es/en Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch.europa.eu
Linde MH launches fuel cell powered Linde Roadster forklift
L
inde Material Handling has unveiled its first Linde Roadster forklift with fuel cell drive, to meet its customers’ demand for economical energy solutions with a significantly reduced CO2 footprint. For two decades, Linde MH has been developing series-production industrial trucks with fuel cell drivetrains. ‘In 1997, we were ahead of the game, focusing intensively on this promising technology, and production of the first
EDITORIAL
S
pain has a small but busy fuel cell and hydrogen energy sector, and the Spanish Hydrogen Association (AeH2) is an effective grouping of businesses and research centres working in this field. Two news items in this issue highlight the latest plans and activities in Spain. The Port Authority of Valencia will be the first port in Europe to incorporate hydrogen energy to reduce the environmental impact of its operations [see page 3]. The H2Ports pilot project will initially deploy a hydrogen fuel cell powered reach stacker for loading/unloading of containers and a terminal tractor for roll-on/roll-off ferry operations, as well as a mobile hydrogen station. And on the island of Mallorca (Majorca), a project to develop a ‘green’ hydrogen generation plant will supply a fleet of public transport buses [see page 11]. This will also require the construction of a solar photovoltaic (PV) park, as part of a wider public-private initiative to promote the development of clean energy and boost the regional economy. Last month we reported on the TOGETHER consortium (TrigeneratiOn with GEoTermia, Hydrogen and Renewable Energies), which aims to improve energy efficiency in airconditioning, hot water production, and electricity supply through the development of a versatile, modular system that utilises power generation, storage and use [FCB, January 2019, p10]. This project – which involves H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies – will combine renewable energy and the hydrogen cycle in heat and cold cogeneration systems with geothermal and absorption technology. Some other recent Spanish activity that we unfortunately haven’t had room to cover include the Spanish Hydrogen Association signing a framework agreement with the Spanish Confederation of Service Station Operators (CEEES, www.ceees.com), to collaborate on sustainable mobility and the use of hydrogen in transport, such as the construction of more public hydrogen refueling stations. Also, the Foundation for the Development of New Hydrogen Technologies in Aragón (FHa, www.hidrogenoaragon.org) and the National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2, www.cnh2.es/en) have signed a protocol to promote joint research on hydrogen and fuel cells. And FHa has been granted government funding for several fuel cell related projects: BioSOC will focus on reversible solid oxide technology powered by biogas from organic waste; InstunH2-II aims to improve hydrogen safety in road tunnels; and Compact SAI 4.0 will look at long-lifetime power supply systems for applications such as telecom base stations and internal communication systems, utilising GenCell G5 alkaline fuel cell systems [see also page 7]. Steve Barrett
Fuel Cells Bulletin
3
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Valencia will be first port in Europe to use hydrogen energy in its container terminals
T
he Port Authority of Valencia in Spain will be the first port in Europe to incorporate hydrogen energy to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. A reach stacker for loading/ unloading and transport of containers and a terminal tractor for ro-ro (roll-on/ roll-off ferry) operations will be the first machines powered by hydrogen fuel cells that will operate in real conditions in the Valencian seaport. The initiative is promoted by the Port of Valencia, and is part of its strategic plan for the development of renewable energy. The pilot project, called H2Ports, also includes the installation of a mobile hydrogen supply
February 2019
station, which in the initial phase of the project will work in the Grimaldi (Valencia Terminal Europa) and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) terminals. This station will be developed by applying criteria for safety and economic profitability, with the aim of contributing to the decarbonisation of the logistic chain in the port. The H2Ports project will involve a total investment of E4 million (US$4.5 million), including funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint undertaking (FCH JU). The project participants are the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), Valenciaport Foundation, National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), along with MSC Terminal Valencia, Grimaldi Group, Hyster-Yale (parent of Nuvera), Atena, Ballard Power Systems Europe, and national gas grid operator Enagás [see also page 11]. In June 2017 the Port Authority and Valenciaport Foundation signed a collaboration agreement with the FCH JU to participate in the latter’s Regions and Cities initiative, with the aim of promoting the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in the Port of Valencia. Valenciaport and Fundación Valenciaport are among the more than 88 regions and cities in 22 EU member states participating in this initiative [FCB, November 2018, p14]. Other ports investigating the use of hydrogen energy and fuel cell applications include Long Beach and Los Angeles in California [October 2018, p4, and see page 2 in this issue], the use of a hydrogen fuel cell powered generator in Honolulu in Hawaii [September 2015, p5], and Auckland in New Zealand is building a hydrogen production and refueling facility and investing in fuel cell electric vehicles such as port equipment, buses, and cars [January 2019, p8]. Port Authority of Valencia: www.valenciaport.com/en CNH2 National Hydrogen Centre: www.cnh2.es/en Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch.europa.eu
Linde MH launches fuel cell powered Linde Roadster forklift
L
inde Material Handling has unveiled its first Linde Roadster forklift with fuel cell drive, to meet its customers’ demand for economical energy solutions with a significantly reduced CO2 footprint. For two decades, Linde MH has been developing series-production industrial trucks with fuel cell drivetrains. ‘In 1997, we were ahead of the game, focusing intensively on this promising technology, and production of the first
EDITORIAL
S
pain has a small but busy fuel cell and hydrogen energy sector, and the Spanish Hydrogen Association (AeH2) is an effective grouping of businesses and research centres working in this field. Two news items in this issue highlight the latest plans and activities in Spain. The Port Authority of Valencia will be the first port in Europe to incorporate hydrogen energy to reduce the environmental impact of its operations [see page 3]. The H2Ports pilot project will initially deploy a hydrogen fuel cell powered reach stacker for loading/unloading of containers and a terminal tractor for roll-on/roll-off ferry operations, as well as a mobile hydrogen station. And on the island of Mallorca (Majorca), a project to develop a ‘green’ hydrogen generation plant will supply a fleet of public transport buses [see page 11]. This will also require the construction of a solar photovoltaic (PV) park, as part of a wider public-private initiative to promote the development of clean energy and boost the regional economy. Last month we reported on the TOGETHER consortium (TrigeneratiOn with GEoTermia, Hydrogen and Renewable Energies), which aims to improve energy efficiency in airconditioning, hot water production, and electricity supply through the development of a versatile, modular system that utilises power generation, storage and use [FCB, January 2019, p10]. This project – which involves H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies – will combine renewable energy and the hydrogen cycle in heat and cold cogeneration systems with geothermal and absorption technology. Some other recent Spanish activity that we unfortunately haven’t had room to cover include the Spanish Hydrogen Association signing a framework agreement with the Spanish Confederation of Service Station Operators (CEEES, www.ceees.com), to collaborate on sustainable mobility and the use of hydrogen in transport, such as the construction of more public hydrogen refueling stations. Also, the Foundation for the Development of New Hydrogen Technologies in Aragón (FHa, www.hidrogenoaragon.org) and the National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2, www.cnh2.es/en) have signed a protocol to promote joint research on hydrogen and fuel cells. And FHa has been granted government funding for several fuel cell related projects: BioSOC will focus on reversible solid oxide technology powered by biogas from organic waste; InstunH2-II aims to improve hydrogen safety in road tunnels; and Compact SAI 4.0 will look at long-lifetime power supply systems for applications such as telecom base stations and internal communication systems, utilising GenCell G5 alkaline fuel cell systems [see also page 7]. Steve Barrett
Fuel Cells Bulletin
3