UNFI Implements Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
August 4, 2010: UNFI today announced that the hydrogen fuel cell technology project at its Sarasota, FL distribution center has been successfully completed and is fully operational. Designed to improve efficiency, productivity and reliability, 65 GenDrive(TM) fuel cell powered lift trucks have been mobilized at the Sarasota distribution facility.
The conversion of UNFI's Sarasota lift truck fleet to hydrogen fuel cells is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 132 metric tons annually, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 35 automobiles, and is expected to create annual energy savings of approximately 640,000 kilowatt hours.
Tom Dziki, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Development, commented, "We're pleased to successfully complete this project, which retrofitted 36 existing lift trucks to hydrogen fuel cell technology and added 29 new hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks to our fleet. We are happy to be pioneering the use of this technology in Florida as hydrogen fuel cells not only provide greater productivity and lower operating costs but will be an important component of a clean energy future."
A hydrogen fuel cell produces energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen in an electrochemical reaction that yields electricity, heat and water. Hydrogen is non-toxic, non-poisonous, the lightest of all gases and the most abundant element in the universe.
UNFI partnered with a number of companies to successfully implement the roll-out, including Plug Power Inc., (Nasdaq: PLUG), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD) and Abel Womack, Inc.