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The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) is advancing energy resiliency and reliability by using hydrogen as a sustainable, renewable energy source.
ERDC-CERL is spearheading research and development efforts to integrate hydrogen energy solutions into military operations, aiming to provide clean backup energy systems that enhance the energy independence of Department of Defense (DoD) installations.
One key demonstration includes the hydrogen-powered fuel cell forklift showcased at the North Riverside Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) site. This equipment provided personnel with firsthand experience of how hydrogen technology can improve operations by offering a clean, reliable and resilient energy solution for critical tasks.
“The use of hydrogen to power a forklift provides the military another application of a silent, renewable and available fuel source that can be used at installations worldwide,” said Carol Bailey, project manager and principal investigator with ERDC-CERL for the demonstration project. “We applaud North Riverside’s initiative to become a pilot site for hydrogen equipment on behalf of the DoD.”
The research demonstration took place at the North Riverside ILARNG site, a dual-supported installation that serves both state and federal roles, including contingency staging for emergencies. ERDC-CERL is working closely with the North Riverside ILARNG to advance the integration of hydrogen energy solutions into military operations. This partnership aligns with the DoD’s ongoing commitment to enhancing energy resilience across its installations.
"The hydrogen-powered forklift has the same capabilities as a standard forklift but has the added benefits of faster fueling, compared to our electric-only forklift,” said Al Colon, facility manager at ILARNG. “It also has improved air quality due to the lack of exhaust fumes during operation. It’s a win-win situation.”
ERDC-CERL has partnered with GTI Energy, who is developing hydrogen systems at its Des Plaines, Illinois, research facility. This collaboration led to the creation of a prototype hydrogen-based backup energy system, which contributed to the demonstration of hydrogen-powered equipment at the North Riverside site.
“We are excited to partner with ERDC-CERL on the this program’s first phase and contribute to the DoD’s efforts to enhance energy reliability for critical missions,” said Susan Stuver, Director of Defense Energy at GTI Energy. “As we advance our research and development of innovative energy solutions, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with ERDC-CERL to strengthen energy systems and infrastructure, ensuring they are safe, secure, and reliable.”
The ILARNG installation, which spans over 80 years of history, has several buildings that are subject to frequent power outages. Currently, about 80 personnel work full-time at the site, with up to 900 additional Guard members hosting drills on weekends. To maintain operational continuity and ensure the security of critical missions, ERDC-CERL’s research program aims to demonstrate a new framework for designing and deploying resilient energy systems that could be replicated across DoD installations nationwide.
“We are excited to see this first piece of hydrogen-fueled equipment demonstrated at the National Guard site in Illinois. Understanding how fuel cells and hydrogen play a role in modernizing an older installation is important to improving energy resiliency and reliability,” said Bailey.
ERDC-CERL is exploring hydrogen energy solutions to replace outdated heating and power systems. These solutions include integrating hydrogen and hydrogen blends across the energy value chain, from production to delivery, storage, and end-use, ensuring reliable operations even during power interruptions.
The Doosan electric forklift, modified with a hydrogen-powered Plug Power PEM fuel cell, a type of fuel cell that uses hydrogen to produce electricity, was filled with hydrogen at GTI Energy’s lab and transported to the installation for the demonstration.
As part of ongoing training and education, the demonstration will help ILARNG staff understand the potential benefits of hydrogen-based energy technologies to meet their mission requirements. Information obtained from testing these systems will be used to design a prototype system to be installed at the North Riverside site during the next phase of research to further enhance the site’s energy resilience.
The hydrogen forklift demonstration at the North Riverside ILARNG site marks a key milestone in the U.S. military’s efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure. This demonstration highlights the potential of hydrogen-based solutions to enhance energy resilience and reliability, ensuring military installations can continue to support critical operations, even during power disruptions or emergencies. As ERDC-CERL advances this research, it paves the way for broader adoption of hydrogen technologies across DoD installations, contributing to long-term energy resiliency and operational readiness.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2025 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 494170 |
| Location: | NORTH RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 7 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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