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The European H2PORTS project presented three hydrogen powered portal mechanisms at The Port of València

The European H2PORTS project, led by the Fundación Valenciaport, has organised  a public demonstration of the three pilots developed within the framework of this project, the ReachStacker (container stacker) and the 4×4 tractor unit propelled by hydrogen and the mobile supply station for this clean fuel, the The Port of València announced on 28 November.

The demonstration event took place first in the auditorium of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), and then at MSCTV terminal and Valencia Terminal Europa (VALTE), terminal of the Grimaldi Group, where the participants were able to see the machines in operation.

The opening of the conference was attended by Francesc Sánchez, director of the PAV; Antonio Torregrosa, general director of the Fundación Valenciaport; Federico Torres, director of Ecological Transition of the PAV; Mirela Atanasiu, executive director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (the project’s funding entity); and Josep Sanz, director of Energy Transition and Sustainability of the Fundación Valenciaport and coordinator of the H2PORTS project.

During the event, the public were able to see live the performance of the prototype hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker developed by Hyster which was demonstrated in real operation at the MSCTV container terminal. The hydrogen ReachStacker on display is an innovative zero emission solution that uses a fuel cell from the manufacturer Nuvera to convert hydrogen into electricity.

The machine arrived at the MSC terminal for testing in September 2023, becoming the first ReachStacker-type machine in Europe to use hydrogen fuel cell technologies for port handling equipment in real operating conditions.Hydrogen is stored on board the ReachStacker in high-pressure tanks that can be refilled in 10-15 minutes. The hydrogen fuel cell supplies power to the electric motors or returns it to the batteries depending on the demand of the task, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution compared to a diesel alternative and with similar performance.

The attendees also travelled to the VALTE terminal where they were able to see in detail the world’s first hydrogen-powered terminal tractor, which was developed by ATENA with the support of ENEA and the Parthenope University of Naples. The terminal tractor loaded with renewable hydrogen demonstrated its autonomy, reliability and power by hitching up a truck trailer and driving around the terminal. 

This Terminal Tractor has a fuel cell/battery hybrid powertrain which allows the vehicle to perform all the intensive tasks that are required during roll-on/roll-off operations. Its hydrogen storage system, made of four Type 3 cylinders (350 bar), has an overall capacity of around 12 kg, which guarantees a continuous operation of at least 6 hours before refuelling, corresponding to the average duration of a working shift. The electric motor is a light and efficient device, particularly suitable for power demanding applications. It is fed by a high-performance LiFePO4 battery, with 25 kWh energy capacity, and a 70 kW Ballard fuel cell module. In particular, the electric motor can receive power for traction from the fuel cell and battery simultaneously or charge the battery during braking or decelerations. At the same time, the fuel cell can provide power both to the electric motor and the battery, if needed. The hybrid powertrain shows high operational efficiency, since it takes advantage of a significant share of kinetic energy recovery, up to 25.

In addition, the participants visited the hydrogen station, developed by the Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), and learned about the details of the hydrogen supply and refuelling management carried out by the company Carburos Metálicos. This supply station consists of a fixed part, located on the Xità quay, and a mobile part, which is used for refuelling.

CNH2 and Carburos Metálicos experts explained to the attendees how they carried out the hydrogen refuelling operation of the ReachStacker, during which it was necessary that the mobile part of the hydrogen generator, that stores hydrogen compressed at 300 and 450 bar and includes a dispenser, be moved to the MSCTV terminal. In this first test period, the operation tests of refuelling approximately 30 kg of hydrogen from the ReachStacker were successfully carried out, performing the optimisation tasks in accordance with the refuelling protocols, complying with the limits and procedures established in the applicable regulations.

The pilot tests, which began in mid-September, are scheduled to run until December 2024, subjecting the machines to real operating conditions in a port terminal.

H2PORTS

The European project “H2PORTS – Implementing Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technologies in Ports” coordinated by Fundación Valenciaport, in close collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia, and financed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership programme, has as its main objective to test and validate hydrogen technologies on port machinery that allow for applicable and real solutions without affecting the performance and safety of port operations and producing zero local emissions.

The H2Ports project entails a total investment of 4 million euros and involves, in addition to Fundación Valenciaport and the Port Authority of Valencia, the National Hydrogen Centre, and the private companies MSC Terminal Valencia, Grimaldi Group, Hyster-Yale, ATENA Distretto Alta Tecnologia Energia Ambiente, Ballard Power Systems Europe, Carburos Metálicos (Air Products group) and Enagás.

Photo of The Port of València

Press release https://is.gd/h3GAhC

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