General Hydrogen Corp. (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) reported that it is testing hydrogen fuel cell equipment in pallet jacks at Ozburn-Hessey Logistics, part of a long-term test of the viability of hydrogen fuel cells as a power source for warehouse equipment. The test could lead to breakthroughs in a variety of applications, including automobiles and lawn equipment.
The tests have just begun, after a four-month process of adapting General Hydrogen's fuel cells to four of Ozburn-Hessey's battery-powered pallet jacks. Two are in use at any given time. The cells are produced by hand at General Hydrogen's facility in Vancouver. The company hopes to eventually mass-produce them in the US, though no site or date has been picked. The company hopes to have commercial models of pallet jacks and forklifts for sale in the next two years, however, costs will have to come down to make it economically viable. Fuel cell stacks now cost about $2,000 per kilowatt. To be feasible in a warehouse, the cost will have to be $250 to $500 per kilowatt.
