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Groundbreaking Collaboration Leads to the Development of H2Rescue, an Eco-Friendly Disaster Relief Vehicle

By June 6, 2023 3   min read  (496 words)

June 6, 2023 |

groundbreaking collaboration leads to the development of h2rescue an ecofriendly disaster relief vehicle

In a significant development, the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has partnered with multiple federal and industry organizations to conceive an innovative solution for disaster relief during emergencies.

This extraordinary endeavor has resulted in the creation of a zero-emission, fuel cell-powered emergency response vehicle, the result of a unified effort from a consortium comprising the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office, the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Accelera™ by Cummins.

In the wake of escalating occurrences of natural calamities across the United States, there has been an urgent requirement for specialized disaster relief vehicles capable of delivering electric power, warmth, water, and critical supplies to expedite recovery operations.

The novel vehicle, designated H2@Rescue, boasts a travel range of 180 miles round trip and can supply up to 25 kilowatts of load-following exportable power for up to 72 hours upon arrival.

H2@Rescue, conceived in 2019, was the product of an inter-agency collective idea-sharing process, revealed Nick Josefik, an industrial engineer at CERL. The team drew inspiration from a series of natural disasters affecting numerous communities and believed that the hydrogen and fuel cell technology could significantly aid relief initiatives.

The vehicle’s climate-controlled boxed bed serves as a mobile command center or a temperature regulation area during crises. The fuel cell also generates water, a valuable resource in emergencies once appropriately treated.

H2@Rescue, a Class 7 Heavy-duty boxed truck with an approximate weight of 33,000 pounds, is approved for road use by the Department of Transportation. The truck carries a maximum of 176 kilograms of hydrogen at 700 bar.

“Fuel cell vehicles offer exportable power, water, and medium-grade heat,” Josefik noted. “The technology readiness of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies makes a fuel cell-battery hybrid emergency relief vehicle a powerful contender for disaster recovery operations.”

H2@Rescue underwent its initial field test at the Accelera facility in West Sacramento, California, where its performance in diverse geographical and weather conditions was assessed. The vehicle journeyed from West Sacramento to Oakland, California, demonstrating its capability to support neighboring communities impacted by a disaster.

The results of the field test surpassed expectations, with H2@Rescue meeting the set performance objectives. It thus confirmed that fuel cell-powered vehicles are indeed a viable alternative in disaster relief.

“H2@Rescue embodies an exciting application for Accelera’s hydrogen fuel cell solution, and we’re honored to cooperate with our government partners to shape the sustainable emergency aid of the future,” Alison Trueblood, General Manager of Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Technologies at Accelera, commented. “Hydrogen technology delivers the power and range necessary for the demands of emergency response teams in disaster scenarios, and this project demonstrates the part hydrogen can play in decarbonizing crucial sectors.”

 

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