H-E-B, San Antonio, Texas, will install hydrogen fuel cells and a refueling station to provide green power for Class II forklift trucks used in its distribution center operations.

The fuel cell units and refueling system will be installed in September, and are partially funded by the Department of Energy’s hydrogen and fuel cell market transformation initiative.

The H-E-B partnership comprises Nuvera’s Total Power Solution for material handling installation which includes fuel cell hybrid PowerEdge systems for reach trucks and a PowerTap Hydrogen Generator and Hydrogen Station. The units will be placed in service at the San Antonio Perishables Distribution Center (PDC), and will enable H-E-B to validate lifecycle cost projections, productivity gains, and environmental benefits of the Total Power Solution.

“H-E-B is committed to being a leader in the use of clean energy technologies, and we believe that hydrogen and fuel cells offer tremendous potential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously improving our productivity,” said Bobby Greene, director of Fleet Maintenance.

The Total Power Solution for material handling features PowerEdge, a fuel cell hybrid system that replaces standard lead acid batteries in forklift trucks, and PowerTap, a hydrogen generator and hydrogen station that provide cost effective on-site refueling. PowerTap produces hydrogen at a total cost of $6/kg, based on average national utility rates, including federal incentives and all capital, operation, installation and maintenance costs, according to Nueva.

H-E-B operates more than 300 stores in Texas and Mexico.