A hydrogen-powered terminal tractor was delivered to the Port of Valencia as one of the pilots to be evaluated as part of the European H2PORTS project.
The terminal tractor arrived at the Grimaldi Group’s VALTE terminal, where it will be put through its paces. The 4×4 RORO Tractor is the world’s first hydrogen-powered unit, created by ATENA, an Italian research and technology centre comprised of universities, research institutes, and private companies mostly headquartered in the Campania Region.
According to the statement, the European project “H2PORTS – Implementing Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technologies in Ports” coordinated by Fundación Valenciaport, in close collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia, and financed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership programme, has as its main objective to test and validate hydrogen technologies on port machinery.
The fueling and operating tests will begin this week, with the technical team of ATENA, VALTE, Grimaldi Group, Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno, Carburos Metálicos, and Fundación Valenciaport serving as the initiative’s organiser.
This Terminal Tractor is powered by a fuel cell/battery hybrid engine, allowing it to execute all of the demanding tasks necessary during roll-on/roll-off operations.
Its hydrogen storage system is comprised of four Type 3 (350 bar) cylinders and has an overall capacity of approximately 12 kg, ensuring a continuous operation of at least six hours before refuelling, which corresponds to the normal length of a working shift.
Moreover, the electric motor is a small and efficient device that is ideal for high-power applications. It is powered by a high-performance LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 25 kWh and a 70 kW Ballard fuel cell module.
