{"id":2783,"date":"2016-10-03T09:45:06","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T13:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plugpower.local\/?p=2783"},"modified":"2016-10-03T09:45:06","modified_gmt":"2016-10-03T13:45:06","slug":"plug-power-targets-commercial-adoption-through-hydrogen-infrastructure-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plugpower.com\/plug-power-targets-commercial-adoption-through-hydrogen-infrastructure-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"Plug Power Targets Commercial Adoption through Hydrogen Infrastructure Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Plug Power Targets Commercial Adoption through Hydrogen Infrastructure Innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n By Tim Cortes, VP Hydrogen Energy Systems<\/p>\n For Plug Power to become the undeniable fuel cell technology leader, it\u2019s taken significant dedication and innovation from all areas of the company.\u00a0 That effort has turned GenDrive fuel cells into a superior alternative to lead-acid batteries in forklift trucks and other industrial vehicles.<\/p>\n As little as five years ago, GenDrive customers were required to manage a significant construction project to make the conversion to a hydrogen enabled industrial truck fleet. This work to build out a hydrogen fueling station involved multiple parties and was a costly, inefficient and lengthy process. <\/a><\/p>\n But that\u2019s the past.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Our R&D and product development teams have been focused on improving hydrogen fueling station technology and product options.<\/p>\n The first step Plug Power took to change that model was the development of GenFuel \u2013 its turnkey hydrogen fueling station solution, including hydrogen storage, dispensing and fuel products.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve discussed GenFuel fueling station components in the past (here\u2019s the blog, in case you missed it!<\/a>). But, at the close of 2015 Plug Power\u2019s CEO, Andy Marsh, challenged the engineering and manufacturing team to improve our hydrogen fueling system products, removing the challenges, shortening the lead time, and reducing the costs with hydrogen fueling station installation.<\/p>\n The team responded to this challenge by designing an integrated hydrogen fueling infrastructure \u201csystem\u201d – in less than four months. \u00a0Built at Plug Power headquarters in Latham, New York, the integrated fueling system enables the company to install a hydrogen fueling station at a new customer location in less time than before, and at a fraction of the cost.<\/a><\/p>\n The Plug Power integrated fueling system has taken many system elements (about 80 percent of critical components) that were field-assembled and integrated them into a single system assembly that is factory-tested prior to shipment. This allows for a repeatable, controlled, high quality build in a manufacturing environment.<\/p>\n While some of the installation time is dictated by a facility\u2019s local authorities and associated permitting, completion time from the start of onsite construction has been reduced by approximately 25 percent and will continue to be reduced with the experience we gain as more systems are installed.\u00a0 This not only increases customer satisfaction, but significantly reduces costs as well.<\/p>\n