Demonstrating zero-emission port vehicles at the Port of Valencia

On November 28, the European project H2PORTS - led by the Fundación Valenciaport - organized a public demonstration of a hydrogen reach stacker and hydrogen 4x4 roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminal tractor. Both vehicles have been developed within the framework of H2PORTS, which is funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the European Union.

The demonstration took place at the MSCTV terminal and the Valencia Terminal Europa, where approximately 150 attendees were able to see the hydrogen reach stacker and terminal tractor in operation. In addition, the participants also visited the hydrogen station, developed by the Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2) and specially designed for the project, and learned more about the hydrogen supply and refueling.

The 4x4 RORO terminal tractor is powered by a 70kW fuel cell module from Ballard along with a battery hybrid powertrain. This is particularly suitable for powering demanding applications and allows the vehicle to perform the intensive tasks that are required during RORO operations.

The terminal tractor is also equipped with a hydrogen storage system. With a capacity of around 12kg, the vehicle can stay in operation for at least six hours, corresponding to the average duration of a working shift, with refueling quickly undertaken at the port's dedicated hydrogen refueling station (HRS). As the two vehicles operate in different terminals of the port and cannot circulate outside the terminal area, the HRS is developed as a flexible and mobile solution.

The testing, which began in September, will be carried out until December 2024, subjecting the machines to real operating conditions in Valencia’s port terminal.

Learn more about the H2PORTS project and the benefits of using hydrogen fuel cells at ports here.