TERMINAL OPERATIONS

Ballard fuel cell modules to power LA trucks

8 years ago

Ballard Power Systems will provide fuel cell modules to power two zero-emissions terminal yard trucks at the Port of Los Angeles in a bid to prove the technology’s commercial viability in a real and busy operational environment.

The Zero Emissions for California Ports (ZECAP) project being managed by GTI will use Ballard’s 85kW FCveloCity HD fuel cell modules to deploy the two capacity TJ9000 fuel cell electric hybrid yard trucks with partial preliminarily funding of US$5.7m from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

“Heavy duty vehicles have a disproportionate impact in terms of air pollution, with buses and trucks accounting for less than 10% of vehicles on the road but about one-quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions plus a significant amount of pollutants in California,” said Rob Campbell, Ballard’s chief commercial officer.

Pollution control

Mr Campbell added: “This heavy duty vehicle project with GTI and BAE Systems is an important step forward in addressing this issue, particularly at shipping ports where a significant amount of pollution currently occurs. Hydrogen and fuel cells deliver an attractive value proposition, including zero emissions, extended vehicle range, long duty cycles, rapid refueling and zero compromise on payload.”

The yard trucks will be operated by TraPac, the container terminal and stevedore operator at the port. BAE Systems will provide the electric drive system and will have responsibility for systems integration using its HDS200 HybriDrive Propulsion System.

The yard trucks will move cargo containers within the terminal yard.

Ballard plans to deliver the power modules in 2019 and a 12-month operating period is planned for the project, beginning in March 2020.