Hydrolog

Hydrogen is increasingly seen as an alternative to fossil fuels in the transport sector. However, its use mostly focuses on public roads, rather than internal transport means such as forklifts, straddle carriers, and cranes. The high costs and limited availability of internal transport are two reasons why many companies hesitate to invest in transitioning to hydrogen.

Mobile hydrogen filling station

The Hydrolog project has examined the potential of hydrogen for internal transportation and the use of a shared mobile hydrogen filling station to serve multiple companies. The shared cost or service model provides the opportunity to achieve economies of scale and could lower costs for the participating companies.

Results

VIL has successfully tested a terminal tractor and a forklift powered by hydrogen, as well as a mobile hydrogen filling station at two locations in the port of Antwerp. The demonstrations have shown that hydrogen can be safely used as a zero-emission fuel for heavy logistical equipment. Hydrogen-powered vehicles meet technical and operational standards perfectly. It is evident that in logistics operations where electric vehicles are less suitable, hydrogen presents itself as a zero-emission and low-noise alternative to diesel. This project has demonstrated that it is possible to obtain a license to store and refuel hydrogen, even in an environment with high safety requirements. Implementing hydrogen, however, has a significant impact on the business organization and its internal safety procedures.

In this project VIL cooperates with WaterstofNet.