16
|
Our subsidiary STILL based in Hamburg, Germany, is currently conducting field trials at the Munich airport to assess the practical deployment of a hydrogen-powered forklift. The operation of the truck represents the second phase of a project conducted by the airport’s ARGEMUC project team over a period of several years. Hydrogen infrastructures and an array of vehicle types are being put to the test in practical operation at the airport. The model R60 is a standard-series electric forklift that has been converted to run on hydrogen power by STILL, Linde Gas and the fuel cell specialist Proton Motor GmbH of Starnberg, Germany. It is already safe to say that the fuel cell-based solutions offer a number of benefits over the conventional batteries used in forklifts. |
 Munich, Germany |
A five-minute refueling session, for instance, obviates the need to change or charge a battery (a process that takes six to ten hours). In addition, refueling can take place at any time, regardless of how full the tank is. In a direct comparison with battery-driven lift trucks, the performance and running characteristics also proved superior. The hydrogen forklift satisfies stringent safety standards and can also be deployed without reservation in indoor warehouse areas, where the absence of harmful emissions is particularly beneficial. Furthermore, at around 60 percent, the efficiency of the fuel cell is significantly higher than that of a modern combustion engine (maximum of 40 percent).
At the close of the trial operation period in 2007 – which has enabled us to assume a pioneering role in Europe – we are also expecting more accurate information on the service life of the power source, the fuel-cell stack. This was initially calculated at approximately 20,000 hours. By comparison, modern automobile engines have an average operating life of some 3,000 to 4,000 hours.
With the support of the city of Hamburg’s recently established hydrogen initiative, we are currently launching a further field trial. If and when the fuel-cell forklift enters series production is not clear at present. In any event, the initial models will probably be hybrid vehicles.