Andrew Kotz | National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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Presentation Description

Freight decarbonization is a key objective of ports all over the world. The deployment of hydrogen fuel cell trucks has emerged as a promising technology, particularly in the context of drayage operations. This presentation explores the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology in decarbonizing drayage operations, with a specific focus on the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) Short-to-Store project that was part of the Zero and Near Zero Freight Facilities initiative sponsored by the California Air Resources Board.

In collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Shell, Kenworth, Toyota, and POLA, this project developed and deployed 10 next generation hydrogen fuel cell trucks. These trucks represent a tangible step towards reducing emissions and mitigating environmental impact in one of the busiest port complexes in the world.

Drawing from comprehensive operational and duty cycle data, this presentation offers a detailed analysis of the performance of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in real-world drayage scenarios compared to existing conventional vehicles. By examining key metrics such as range, refueling time, and operational efficiency, NREL’s Fleet Research, Energy Data, and Insights (FleetREDI) platform provides unique insights into the practical viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Furthermore, the presentation delves into the emissions impact of these hydrogen-powered trucks, comparing their environmental footprint against existing internal combustion engine counterparts. Through emissions monitoring and analysis, the benefits of transitioning to hydrogen fuel cell technology are quantified when using renewable hydrogen fuel generated from diverted methane highlighting the potential for well-to-wheel emissions reduction.

By showcasing real-world data and insights gleaned from the Port of Los Angeles initiative, this presentation provides a real-world case study for the potential of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in decarbonizing drayage operations. As the transportation sector undergoes a shift towards decarbonized alternatives, the lessons learned from this effort support the transition to a more sustainable future in freight transportation.

Speaker Biography

Andrew Kotz Ph.D. is the Team Lead for the National Renewable Energy Lab’s Commercial Vehicles Team. In 2016 Andrew received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota where he studied data driven solutions for emissions reductions on transit buses. During this time Andrew developed multiple patents in vehicle control and passenger counting as well as helped characterize the affects of real-world transit operation on vehicle emissions production. At NREL Andrew and his team support research to identify pathways for decarbonization in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, rail, marine, aviation, and the off-road sector.

Co-presenters

Jason Lustbader
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Cory Sigler
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Matt Jeffers
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Mike Lammert
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Presentation File