Ballard Joins H2Ports Project

Ballard Power Systems Europe is providing technology to H2Ports project which will see Valencia’s port in Spain become the first in Europe to incorporate hydrogen energy in its operations.

The developer and manufacturer of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products said in a press release that H2Ports project is aimed at facilitating a rapid transition at European ports from fossil fuels to low-carbon, zero-emission alternatives based on hydrogen and fuel cells.

Ballard Power Systems Europe, subsidiary of Canada's Ballard Power Systems Inc.,  said that earlier this month participants held the first technical meeting of the H2Ports project, which is being coordinated by Valenciaport Foundation in close collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia.

The H2Ports project involves three pilot initiatives to bridge the gap between prototypes and pre-commercial products: (i) a fuel cell powered Reach Stacker for loading, unloading and transporting containers; (ii) a fuel cell powered Terminal Tractor for roll-on/roll-off shipping operations; and (iii) a Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station to support this equipment.

The project will also carry out feasibility studies on the development of a sustainable hydrogen supply chain, coordinating all stakeholders including customers, hydrogen producers, and suppliers.

Ballard will provide the company’s next-generation fuel cell module – the FCmove®-HD, which is planned for commercial launch in mid-2019 – to power the Reach Stacker.

In addition to the Valenciaport Foundation, the Port Authority of Valencia, and Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S, other participants in H2Ports include the Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno (National Hydrogen Centre), MSC Terminal Valencia, the Grimaldi Group, Hyster-Yale, Atena and Enagás.

H2Ports will entail a total investment of EUR4 million, including European funding provided by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) programme.