GHG Emissions, Commercial, Sourcing Renewables  -  January 3, 2024

Amazon Adds Hydrogen Electrolyzer System

An Amazon fulfillment center in Aurora, Colorado added an electrolyzer system to produce hydrogen for the retailer.

The one-megawatt (MW) proton exchange membrane electrolyzer is the first one that Amazon has added. It is producing low-carbon hydrogen to fuel more than 225 hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift trucks at the site, known as DEN8.

Plug Power Inc., a global company that provides comprehensive hydrogen solutions,  completed the installation and commissioning of an electrolyzer system.

The electrolyzer, which uses electricity and water to produce hydrogen, is able to support up to 400 hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift trucks. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer will be compressed on site and stored in a gaseous hydrogen storage tank for use by the forklift trucks.

Plug has already collaborated with Amazon to deploy more than 17,000 fuel cells to replace batteries in forklifts in more than 80 fulfillment centers in North America. For most of these locations, hydrogen to power the forklifts is produced elsewhere, liquified, and delivered by trucks to an on-site storage and dispensing system.

“Hydrogen is an important tool in our efforts to decarbonize our operations by 2040 in support of The Climate Pledge, and we’re excited about our ability to produce hydrogen at Amazon facilities through this partnership with Plug,” said Asad Jafry, the director of global hydrogen economy at Amazon in a statement. “On-site production will make the use of hydrogen even more energy efficient for certain locations and types of facilities.”

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