Plug Power Inc., a prominent player in the green hydrogen sector, has successfully implemented and activated an electrolyzer system at an Amazon fulfilment center in Aurora, Colorado. This one-megawatt (MW) proton exchange membrane electrolyzer marks a significant milestone as Amazon’s first of its kind, producing low-carbon hydrogen to power over 225 hydrogen fuel cell-driven forklift trucks at the DEN8 site.
The Plug 1MW electrolyzer, utilizing electricity and water to generate hydrogen, has the capacity to support up to 400 hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift trucks. The produced hydrogen is compressed on-site and stored in a gaseous hydrogen storage tank for utilization by the forklift trucks.
In collaboration with Amazon, Plug has previously deployed over 17,000 fuel cells to replace batteries in forklifts across more than 80 fulfillment centers in North America. Typically, hydrogen for these locations is produced elsewhere, liquefied, and transported by trucks to an on-site storage and dispensing system.
Recognizing an opportunity in locations with surplus renewable electricity, Plug aims to utilize this excess energy to produce and store hydrogen on-site, thereby avoiding emissions associated with transporting hydrogen between sites.
Plug’s involvement in this project includes providing design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance services for the 1MW PEM electrolyzer and hydrogen storage. This system is compatible with the existing refuelling infrastructure and fuel cells already in use at the site, marking the first electrolyzer system installed and operational at an Amazon facility.
“In Amazon, we have a true partner that recognizes the essential role hydrogen plays in our collective energy future,” said Plug CEO Andy Marsh. “This project demonstrates Plug’s ability to execute across the full hydrogen value chain, and shows how we can design and implement end-to-end solutions for our customers.”
“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. “On-site production will make the use of hydrogen even more energy efficient for certain locations and types of facilities.”
