News
A New York produce distributor plans to install methanol fuel cells to more efficiently operate its fleet of battery-operated material handling equipment.
Baldor Specialty Foods Inc., Bronx, is working with Oorja Protonics Inc. in the installation of 50 OorjaPac fuel cell systems on its facility near the Hunts Point Terminal Market.
The OorjaPac system functions as a clean and efficient energy source to run Baldor’s forklifts. Using the system should lower the wholesaler’s dependence on electricity and reduce its carbon footprint, according to a news release.
The fuel cell products run on widely available and low-cost liquid alcohol fuel, according to the release. The fuel cell installation also requires little infrastructure changes and makes such cells attractive for existing and new facilities, according to the release.
“Baldor Foods is excited to be working with Oorja to help us achieve our corporate sustainability goals,” Mike Muzyk, Baldor’s president, said in the release. “We are very impressed by the technology, as it is environmentally-friendly and will also help us save cost and improve productivity.”
Muzyk said he hopes Baldor’s adaptation of the fuel cells helps encourage his other Hunts Point industrial park food distribution competitors to follow suit.
Baldor plans to install the cells in early 2012.
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Comments (10)
Leave a commentInfactoid
Report AbuseWhy take the risk with a small volume and low history OorjaPac system when there is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell available from Plug Power?
Plug Power's system has been installed at WalMart, BMW, P&G, Multiple Sysco locations, Wegman's etc and has years of successfull operation.
Jack
Report AbuseWith all due respect, I think Plug Power has enough issues of its own to worry about then to speculate about others.
Hydrogen fuel cells is a “Pie in the sky” that has outlived its welcome period over the last 20-30 years trying to survive on government support. All the customers mentioned here are just doing trials with the help of government monetary support. The day, that support disapeears, Hydrogen fuel cells AND plug power are becoming another Solyndra. 15 years since Plug Power went IPO and are still not profitable----what kind of business model is that-----
A quote out of Plug Power 2011 third quarter financial sort of sum it all up "Net loss for the third quarter of 2011 was $6.3 million, or $0.28 per share on a basic and diluted basis. This compares with a net loss of $9.3 million, or $0.71 per share, for the third quarter of 2010".
Here is a link for you to review, just in case you missed it: http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=604&ResLibraryID=48588&Category=44
When a company measures it's progress based on reduction in net loss after 15+ years of operation, it's never a positive in my book.
2,300 units sold in the last few years to world class buyers like WalMart, Sysco, BMW, P G etc.
All of which have given PLUG follow up orders more than once speaks to the duribility, viatility, and effectiveness of the PLUG units
Neha
Report AbuseDid we not hear about the Hydrogen blast in New York at a GM facility while filling up some Hydrogen fuel cell cars.
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/30/how-safe-is-hydrogen-filling-station-explodes-w-video/
Infactoid
Report AbusePLUG has over 1 million hours of operation over the past few years with NO accidents and repeated add on orders from WalMart, BMW, Sysco etc
A fuel cell in a fork lift is NOT a fuel cell car
asdfg
Report AbuseThere are three things that make Methanol fuel cells LOT MORE ATTRACTIVE
FOR CUSTOMERS than Hydrogen fuel cells from Plug Power: COST, COST, COST
Methanol Fueling infrastructure is a lot more cheaper then Hydrogen Fueling infrastructure
where the customer sees a huge benefit.
Methanol is widely available and it is much cheaper then Hydrogen.
Operating cost of Methanol Fuel cell is much cheaper then Hydrogen fuel cell.
Infactoid
Report AbuseWalMart is famous for cost m cost cost!!
Sysco is also known for cost savings
Both have reordered units more than once for more than one location from PLUG
Graham Wilkie
Report AbuseI run a DFood Service Distribution bussiness & operate electric folks. I would be interested in the progress of this new technoligy.
Moataz Eldib
Report AbuseTo Graham Wilke,
If you would like clear information on what fuel cells can mean for your operations without the excessive positive or negative hyperbole get in touch with me and check out the website
www.nuvera.com. Fuel cells are a novel solution with pros and cons that must be weighed for each customer and application. That being said without the sudisdies the advantages can be made clear.
Joe SM
Report AbuseOorja does not work for the long term. Check with US FOODS