Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) are emerging as a transformational solution for powering electric container handlers. Essential for loading and unloading shipping containers at ports and terminals, container handling equipment has traditionally relied on diesel engines, which contribute to carbon emissions and impact local air quality.

Hydrogen-powered electric container handlers offer a promising alternative, combining the zero-emission benefits of electric power with the high energy density and rapid refueling capabilities of hydrogen. This innovative approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances operational efficiency, marking a significant step forward in the journey toward greener and more efficient port operations.

Nuvera's parent company and global integration partner, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, plays a pivotal role in the development and deployment of zero-emission solutions for heavy industry. Hyster-Yale's collaboration with Nuvera enables the integration of cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell systems into a range of high-capacity port equipment. This partnership expands Hyster-Yale's product line and helps their customers deliver on their commitments to environmental stewardship and operational excellence.

Hyster is leveraging its expertise in electric material handling equipment to create new motive power alternatives for high-capacity equipment that is conventionally powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs). Today, Nuvera® E-Series Fuel Cell Engines are powering multiple hydrogen port vehicles, including a laden toploading container handler equipped with twin Nuvera E-45 Fuel Cell Engines at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, California.

More recent Hyster projects in partnership with Nuvera include a fuel-cell powered ReachStacker at the Port of Valencia and a hydrogen-powered terminal tractor, which is now being tested in a live port application in Hamburg, Germany. In this blog post, we recap the basics of hydrogen fuel cells, the reasons behind the shift to electric container handling, and the benefits of and considerations associated with implementing this technology.

Here are a few of Hyster's answers to the most asked questions about electric container handlers specifically related to hydrogen.

HOW DO HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS WORK?

Watch the video below to see how the power generation process works - the fuel cell, lithium-ion battery and high-voltage distribution module all play important roles.

Watch the video

WHY ARE CONTAINER HANDLING OPERATIONS SHIFTING TO ELECTRIC?

With a global focus on sustainability, decarbonizing is a growing priority for many businesses, particularly within their supply chain operations. Regulatory compliance, corporate initiatives, health and safety efforts, customer mandates for suppliers and consumer and investor favorability are some of the common drivers for adoption of electric container handling equipment.

WHAT ARE THE EMISSIONS SAVINGS OF AN ELECTRIC CONTAINER HANDLER?

The emissions savings vary depending on the equipment being replaced. The HFC top-pick container handler operating at the Port of Los Angeles - the world's first - is expected to avoid 127 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and almost half a ton of criteria air pollution per year when used in regular service.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO RECHARGE OR REFUEL ELECTRIC CONTAINER HANDLING EQUIPMENT?

The required time and frequency of recharging or refueling are very important considerations and vary by the intensity of the equipment duty-cycle. Zero-emission options are being designed to provide enough capacity to keep operations moving and avoid the need to stop in the middle of a shift to recharge, or in the case of hydrogen fuel cells, to refuel. For large HFC-powered equipment, it takes about 15 minutes to fill an empty tank, enough for up to 8-10 hours of continuous runtime.

HOW MUCH DO ELECTRIFIED CONTAINER HANDLERS COST?

The price of solutions varies based on the equipment type, power source, charging or refueling infrastructure and other factors. There is currently a significant cost differential between container handling equipment fueled with diesel and battery or fuel cell electric alternatives. As more electric equipment enters the market, high production volume can be expected to drive significant cost reduction. Moreover, initial acquisition price is only one piece of the total cost of ownership, and electric equipment can help to reduce certain operating and maintenance expenses. For example, electric drivetrains have fewer components and less complexity than ICEs, which can help reduce the downtime and costs associated with maintenance.

CAN HFC-POWERED CONTAINER HANDLERS REALLY DELIVER PERFORMANCE COMPARABLE TO DIESEL?

Yes. Container handling applications, like those at port terminals, have long relied on the exceptional durability and consistent power delivery of ICEs and the high energy storage density of diesel fuel. But now, electrification solutions that use hydrogen fuel cells are capable of delivering the diesel-like performance terminal operations require, with longer run-time compared with battery-only equipment.

If you have additional questions about whether hydrogen is right for your container handling operation, read the full FAQ here or get in touch with the Nuvera team.

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