Plug Power to Supply More Than 200 GenDrive(tm) Fuel Cell Power Units to Central Grocers

Plug Power Inc. announced that Central Grocers, Inc. has purchased 220 GenDrive(tm) fuel cell units to power the entire lift truck fleet at their new distribution center. The center is currently under construction in Joliet, Illinois, and is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2009.

Central Grocers chose the hydrogen fuel cell power units, rather than traditional lead-acid batteries, for a new fleet of Yale lift trucks. By using Plug Power’s GenDrive fuel cells, Central Grocers expects enhanced productivity within its distribution center. Powering the entire lift truck fleet with GenDrive will eliminate the need to invest in a battery charging and changing infrastructure, reducing operational costs and opening up valuable floor space for the distribution business. The use of fuel cells also reduces the carbon footprint of the distribution center and removes the storage and handling of toxic materials associated with the use of lead-acid batteries from the workplace.

“Central Grocers represents the first greenfield site to incorporate our GenDrive solution into its operations. Greenfield sites offer the potential for the greatest financial and operational benefits to our customers by eliminating the need for capital investments in batteries and the associated chargers, storage and changing systems,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. “This purchase also helps Central Grocers green their supply chain as well as their business operations.”

The GenDrive units will be fueled by compressed hydrogen gas, which is converted from liquid hydrogen. The units are fueled by the lift truck operator at a conveniently located dispenser, much like fueling an automobile. Air Products will supply both the liquid hydrogen storage compression system as well as multiple indoor fueling dispensers. GenDrive can be quickly refueled by the lift truck operator in less than two minutes. This completely eliminates the need to change, store, charge and maintain multiple lead-acid batteries per lift truck.

Yale Equipment Services, located in Rosemont, Illinois, will service both the lift trucks and GenDrive fuel cell units. The Yale lift trucks provide unique features such as regenerative lift and lower on stand-up units to improve energy efficiency and power steering on pallet trucks to enhance operator productivity.