Driving forward the energy transition
Hamburg, November 10, 2023 – As of today, the first fuel cell systems produced in Hamburg are rolling off the production line. Intralogistics specialist STILL has opened Hamburg’s first production line for 24-volt fuel cell systems with a festive ceremony. This makes STILL the first original equipment manufacturer in Europe to offer its own fuel cell system – a pioneering step for the intralogistics industry and Hamburg as a center of innovation.
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Prof. Dr. Klaus Bonhoff, Head of Department for Policy Issues at the BMDV, Senator for Economic Affairs Dr. Melanie Leonhard and Dr. Florian Heydenreich, Executive Vice President Sales & Service STILL EMEA (from left to right), jointly pressed the start button of the first production line for fuel cell systems at the STILL plant in Hamburg. Together with the Senator for Economics and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Dr. Melanie Leonhard, and Professor Dr. Klaus Bonhoff, Head of Department for Policy Issues at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), Dr. Florian Heydenreich, Executive Vice President Sales & Service STILL EMEA, pressed the start button at 12 noon to officially open the production facility for 24-volt fuel cell systems at the STILL plant in Hamburg. In future, high-performance fuel cell systems for storage technology devices will be mass-produced here – from the manufacture of individual components in the mechatronics center to the production of fuel cell systems in the production line and the final quality check in a specially designed test stand. Particular attention is paid to the complex testing process, as it ensures that the system functions properly, can withstand maximum pressure and that no gases can escape.
STILL has been involved in various projects and initiatives for the expansion of hydrogen technology for many years and has gained extensive experience and expertise in the production and use of fuel cell systems. With the launch of its own production line, the company is now able to offer the first 24-volt storage technology vehicles ex works as fuel cell versions.
STILL is currently the only manufacturer in the intralogistics industry to produce its own fuel cell systems and integrate them into its trucks as an option. “As a pioneer in the intralogistics industry, we feel it is our responsibility to boldly and consistently drive forward the energy transition. The expansion of green hydrogen technology as an emission-free and resource-saving drive system plays a decisive role in this,” explains Dr. Florian Heydenreich, Executive Vice President Sales & Service STILL EMEA. “Today, we are taking a big step forward on this important path and making the use of fuel cell systems possible and feasible for our customers.”
The fuel cell system was developed within the Group and funded with a total of EUR 1,914,687 as part of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).
Holistic system integration: STILL cooperates with infrastructure partners
STILL is working with various hydrogen project experts, including Hydrogentle, to ensure that the use of hydrogen-powered industrial trucks is really feasible for customers and that they receive comprehensive advice on fuel cell technology. The Hamburg-based engineering firm specializes in the planning, design and implementation of green hydrogen projects. STILL customers therefore get everything from a single source – from high-quality industrial trucks including fuel cell systems, to advice, planning and service, right through to the entire hydrogen infrastructure.
To give customers with small fleets an attractive introduction to fuel cell technology, STILL will also be offering a mobile hydrogen filling station for refueling hydrogen-powered vehicles and fuel cell vehicles as a rental solution from the first quarter of 2024. This gives customers the opportunity to test the fuel cell technology for around four weeks without restrictions and in real-life usage scenarios. They benefit from an integrated solution: fuel cell vehicles with a corresponding refueling system, including approval and installation.
Expansion of the portfolio and production capacities
STILL continues to invest in the expansion of hydrogen technology in intralogistics. On the one hand, the Group is already working on the development of a 48-volt fuel cell system, which will also be produced at the Hamburg plant in the future. On the other hand, STILL is planning to expand its production capacities over the next few years. The existing production line is already designed for this.
