The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is engaged in improving the viability of hydrogen and fuel cells for broad market applications through three primary funding efforts:  forklift, bus, and infrastructure demonstration projects; a portable power pilot project; and solid hydrogen storage R&D.   

The primary drivers behind DLA’s efforts have been the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and goals set forth in the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Together, they have highlighted the need to improve fuel cell performance, cost, and capabilities.  To address these, DLA has invested in creating early market opportunities for fork lift and bus fuel cell applications that offer real operational benefits and are nearly competitive with conventional power technologies. By creating a market pull for these developing technologies, DLA encourages market competition; this competition incentivizes improvements in process efficiencies and product performance, thus supporting broader market acceptance.

DLA introduced its plans for early market demonstration projects at last year’s NHA conference.  Since then, the plans have gathered steam, with contract negotiations nearing completion and implementation underway.  These projects were designed to improve the technology and manufacturing readiness levels associated with fuel cell systems and components.  Additionally, DLA is working with NREL to collect and analyze data to conduct a robust business case analysis for the forklift pilots.  NREL will add this to its growing body of knowledge of fuel cell performance in transportation applications while DLA expands its understanding of the business case for fuel cells in various operating conditions.

In addition, DLA is finalizing the details of its project aimed at developing small scale fuel cells for use in unmanned military vehicles.  Finally, DLA has commissioned five solid hydrogen storage R&D projects at research facilities around the nation; the research is under way to investigate new materials and develop prototypes for hydrogen storage.

These ongoing efforts provide DLA and its partners a great deal of information to share with NHA members.  Based on NHA’s needs, DLA could provide the following presenters and topics.

·     Leo Plonsky, Program Manager, Defense Logistics Agency:

o       a detailed update of the pilot projects it introduced at last year’s NHA conference;

o       early market opportunities for fuel cell-powered forklifts;

o       DLA’s unmanned vehicle fuel cell project; or

o       specific efforts of DLA’s solid hydrogen storage R&D.

·     Keith Wipke or Leslie Eudy, NREL:

o       data collection and business case development.

·     Bob Skinnel, Defense Distribution Depot, Susquehanna, PA:

o       site planning issues for hydrogen infrastructure.