{"id":3564,"date":"2017-12-12T09:07:44","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T13:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plugpower.local\/?p=3564"},"modified":"2017-12-12T09:07:44","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T13:07:44","slug":"faq-from-potential-gendrive-customers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plugpower.com\/blog\/faq-from-potential-gendrive-customers\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ from potential GenDrive customers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"hydrogen<\/a><\/p>\n

What is a fuel cell?<\/strong>\u00a0 Through an electrochemical reaction, fuel cells convert hydrogen fuel into power, with only heat and a small amount of water as byproducts.\u00a0 This video shows the simplicity of the reaction<\/a>.\u00a0 Plug Power fuel cells are clean, made-in-America products being used today by leaders in a number of different markets, including food logistics, manufacturing and retail warehousing.\u00a0 Fuel cells enable these professionals to increase facility productivity while decreasing operational costs and making progress toward sustainability goals.\u00a0 Plug Power currently has more than 19,000 fuel cells in industrial material handling facilities.\u00a0 Our customers have completed more than 9.3 million hydrogen fuelings into their fuel cell electric vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

If I decided to use fuel cells, would I need to get new material handling equipment?<\/strong>\u00a0 No.\u00a0 Plug Power\u2019s GenDrive fuel cells<\/a> are a drop-in replacement for the batteries already in use in all models of electric material handling equipment.\u00a0 Our customers continue to use their existing equipment until they are ready to upgrade it.\u00a0 One additional benefit is that fuel cells may allow a facility to \u201cright size\u201d its fleet by eliminating the recharge time needed by battery-powered forklifts, thereby keeping all equipment in service, or allowing a facility to choose not to replace a percentage of its older trucks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"fuel<\/a><\/p>\n

Where is the hydrogen stored?<\/strong>\u00a0 There are two parts of the hydrogen station.\u00a0 (1) The dispensers where operators refuel their trucks are located near high traffic areas in the facility, enabling operators to quickly, in under 3 minutes, refuel and get back to work.\u00a0 (2) The storage facility is located outdoors, usually in a corner of the facility parking lot, where it is easy for a hydrogen truck to refuel it as needed.\u00a0 That hydrogen is then piped into the building and directly to the dispensers.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do my operators refuel their fuel cell forklifts?<\/strong>\u00a0 An operator drives up to the hydrogen dispenser, stands on a pad and refuels the forklift, much like one refuels a car or truck.\u00a0 This video shows<\/a> how quick and simple the process is.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do fuel cells compare to batteries?<\/strong>\u00a0 Fuel cells offer a number of benefits over batteries in electric vehicles.\u00a0 (1)\u00a0 Fuel cells increase productivity and predictability while eliminating the need for charging infrastructure, battery rooms and high current wiring.\u00a0 (2) They eliminate battery droop entirely by providing 100% power for as long as they have fuel. (3) Hydrogen fueling dispensers are placed strategically within the facility to enable fueling stops approximately once per shift, taking as little as 60 seconds per stop as opposed to 20-30 minutes to change a battery at least once per shift.\u00a0 (4) The space that would have been used for a battery room can instead be used for revenue generating activities.\u00a0 (5) Peak demand utility costs from opportunity and fast charging are eliminated.\u00a0 (6) Worker safety is improved (no battery acid, electrical shocks or crushed fingers).<\/span><\/p>\n

How will fuel cells save me money?<\/strong> \u00a0Each facility runs a bit differently, so we walk through a value proposition customized for each business.\u00a0 The highlights are these:<\/span><\/p>\n