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September 10, 2024

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Kate Mason
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CTE Awarded $2.5 Million by DOE to Lead 2nd-Generation Zero-Emission Top Loader and Mobile Refueling Project at Port of Oakland

Oakland, CA – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded nearly $62 million to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of next-generation clean hydrogen technologies. Among the 20 projects selected for funding, the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) was awarded $2.5 million to develop and demonstrate two zero-emission fuel cell electric top loaders (FCETLs) and introduce zero-emission hydrogen wet-hose mobile refueling services (WHMR) at the Port of Oakland. This project builds on the success of a 2022 initiative led by CTE at the Port of Los Angeles, which first demonstrated the viability of FCETLs. The new effort expands the scope by incorporating mobile refueling capabilities and targeting broader industry applications, addressing a critical need for advanced hydrogen fueling infrastructure and cleaner port technologies.

“These investments in clean hydrogen showcase the Administration’s commitment to making clean energy a win-win for all Americans—by contributing to a sustainable zero-carbon future, while boosting economic opportunities across the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “These projects will work hand in hand with historic investments in the Hydrogen Hubs and electrolysis technologies to accelerate progress towards a clean hydrogen economy that will deliver good-paying, high-quality jobs and accelerate a renaissance of American manufacturing.”

This collaboration with Hyster Yale Group (HYG) and other key partners aims to fill a crucial technology gap in port operations by providing mobile refueling services designed to maximize operational uptime. The FCETLs, developed by HYG and integrated with fuel cell engines from its subsidiary Nuvera Fuel Cells, will feature state-of-the-art fuel cells with 32 kg of hydrogen storage and a battery energy storage system. These vehicles are designed with a modular architecture, simplifying serviceability and manufacturability to meet the rigorous demands of port operations. HYG will be expanding on earlier prototype FCETLs they have demonstrated in a focused effort to develop a commercially viable zero-emission solution for maritime cargo handling equipment.

“Our nation’s clean hydrogen economy is coming into focus, but there is still important work to do in advancing the national strategy and underlying technologies,” noted Dr. Sunita Satyapal, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and coordinator of the DOE Hydrogen Program. “These selected projects will play a crucial role in advancing technologies for hydrogen fueling infrastructure and port operations, and they will complement other investments by the Biden-Harris administration in clean hydrogen. The advances achieved by these projects will help grow markets for clean hydrogen in hard-to-decarbonize sectors of America’s economy, such as heavy industry and heavy-duty transportation.”

TraPac, a leading terminal operator, will demonstrate the FCETLs in regular container handling service at their Port of Oakland facility. The WHMR, will utilize a Class 8 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Electric Truck on which GTL Leasing will design and install a portable fueling apparatus on the chassis of the truck. GTL will refuel the WHMR at the nearby FirstElement Fuel (FEF) station in Oakland, CA, enabling the delivery of hydrogen fuel directly to the FCETLs during operator breaks and change-overs. This mobile fueler will circumvent the need to drive the top loaders three miles away to a station. This approach, commonly referred to as ‘wet hosing,’ is designed to optimize efficiency and reduce downtime.

The project is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a community initiative. The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) will lead community outreach efforts, ensuring that the benefits of this project extend beyond the port, improving air quality and reducing health impacts in surrounding historically disadvantaged communities.

As the first truly mobile, zero-emission hydrogen refueler, the WHMR has the potential to transform not only port operations but also industries like construction and mining, where hydrogen infrastructure is currently lacking. This project will serve as a critical stepping-stone toward the complete decarbonization of the goods movement industry in ports across the United States. CTE will employ its proven technical project management approach to reduce risk for all project partners and funders. As an honest broker of clean advanced technologies, CTE will manage the project’s scope and timeline and ensure all project partners are able to focus on their project role. CTE will convene a project kick-off in Q4 of 2024.

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ABOUT CTE

The Center for Transportation and the Environment is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the health of our climate and communities by bringing people together to develop and commercialize clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation technologies. CTE collaborates with federal, state, and local governments, fleets, and vehicle technology manufacturers to complete our mission. Learn more at cte.tv.

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