The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Atlanta-based Center for
Transportation and the Environment (CTE) are conducting a comprehensive
two-year test of hydrogen transportation from energy generation through vehicle
use in Washington State. The DoD and CTE have found partners in Proterra LLC, Gas Technology
Institute, Air Products and Plug Power Inc. to ensure a full energy cycle
during these tests. The last brick in the wall was the commitment by Proterra
to supply a hydrogen fuel-cell bus to the project last week.
Proterra’s fuel-cell bus is housed in a 35-foot body made
from composite plastic and metal elements to keep vehicle weight down. The bus
features an electric drive system by UQM, an Altairnano lithium-ion battery
pack and an energy storage unit from TerraVolt. Proterra has tested its
fuel-cell bus at 201 horsepower of peak performance and 134 horsepower of
continuous power.
The Gas Technology Institute has developed its three-stage
hydrogen generator to fit well with the DoD’s gas system at Ft. Lewis. The generator handles hydrogen purification, gas cleanup
and biomethane reformation to ensure the creation of clean hydrogen fuel. Gas
Technology’s generator will communicate gas levels and quality with the Ft. Lewis
system as well as the tanker system that will carry hydrogen to remote fueling
sites.
Air Products and Plug Power Inc. are key partners in the DoD’s
third round of hydrogen fuel-cell testing. Air Products will supply two tankers
to carry hydrogen from the generation facility to the vehicle fueling station
throughout the test. The DoD plans to keep one tank filled with fuel at the
remote fueling station and an empty tank ready for filling at the generation
site. Plug Power Inc. is integrating
fuel-cell systems into 19 forklifts to handle the Air Products tanks and cargo
loading of the test vehicle.
The DoD and CTE will observe fuel consumption, vehicle
performance and maintenance requirements throughout the entire cycle. These
notes will be used by the DoD and federal agencies as part of a long-term plan
to develop a civilian and military hydrogen infrastructure. The Proterra bus
will be put through a relatively mild test as a troop transport within Ft. Lewis
and McChord Air Force Base during its 24-month mission. While the vehicle may
not travel great distances each day, the comprehensive nature of the DoD and
CTE energy cycle test is promising. We already know that hydrogen fuel-cell
technology works but this test will determine how far the technology can extend in
the future.
