Food Logistics

SEP 2014

Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.

Issue link: https://foodlogistics.epubxp.com/i/387691

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 39 of 51

SECTOR REPORTS T R A N S P O RTAT I O N M arket acceptance of electric forklifts has steadily increased in the last six years, according to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), with electric forklifts representing 64 percent of the U.S. market. In addition to ofering cost and performance benefts, electric forklifts also enable companies a way to enhance their environmental profle. Here are some of the ways electric forklifts help facilities go "green." Greatly reduce emissions: For every 10,000 hours of use, internal combustion (IC) engine-powered forklifts emit 120,000 more pounds of carbon emissions than electric- powered forklifts, according to EPRI. In fact, according to the U.S. Depart- ment of Energy (DOE) GREET Life Cycle calculator, electric forklifts produce the lowest well-to-wheel greenhouse gases of any forklift. Reduce energy usage: With almost no emissions, there is no need to ven- tilate exhaust, reducing energy usage. Electric forklifts also generate very little heat compared to IC forklifts. This reduces the strain on warehouse tempera- ture-control units and the cost for cooling and air conditioning. Cut fuel usage and costs: Electric-powered forklifts do not require any fuel, an immediate and ongoing savings. For every gallon of liquid propane used, only 6 kW hours of electricity are used. An electric forklift can achieve savings of up to $9,000 per truck per year compared to IC forklifts (based on 2,000 hours of operation per year). Electric Forklifts Gain Acceptance, Driven By Sustainability Features Electric forklifts cut emissions, use less energy, and minimize waste and maintenance. BY BRIAN FAUST EnerSys Zero Battery Change Solution For Lift Trucks Cuts Costs, Boosts Productivity E nerSys ® , a provider of stored energy solutions for industrial appli- cations, offers the Zero Battery Change Solution, a customized power management program for lift truck fleets that provides an alternative to liquid propane, hydrogen fuel cells and conventional, lead acid battery-charging systems. The ZBC Solution allows lift trucks to operate all day without changing batteries and without the need for a battery room. "With the ZBC Solution, drivers simply pull up and plug in," says Steve Spaar, marketing director Americas for EnerSys. "Our technol- ogy allows operators to charge their trucks during regularly scheduled breaks, eliminating the need to change batteries — even in multi-shift operations — while keeping every lift truck performing at its peak throughout the day." EnerSys offers everything needed to eliminate battery changes — starting with a full evaluation of the operation to installation, report programs, preventative maintenance and repair services — all under one limited warranty. Ener- Sys offers a wide range of battery, charger and accessory products to meet the specific perfor- mance, space and budget requirements of each fleet and operation. The ZBC Solution includes ZBC Designer ™ soft- ware, an interactive modeling software that identi- fies the most efficient and cost-effective energy configuration for companies running forklift fleets. The software completes operational and financial analysis within 30 minutes to provide a savings framework. "Our ZBC(SM) Solution has the largest customer base of any similar battery-charging program in the world," says Spaar. "It is custom-engi- neered, fully integrated and professionally managed to deliver customers unmatched savings and added productivity." The ZBC Solution offers lift truck fleets the following benefits com- pared to other power management programs: Increased productivity: The ZBC Solution provides all the benefits of eliminated battery changes without the excessive cost and risk of other technologies. Unlike fuel cells, which require periodic hydrogen refills, the ZBC Solution has zero productivity loss, making it highly cost- effective for both large and small fleets. Reduced asset requirements: The ZBC Solution maintains batteries at an optimum rate of charge 24 hours a day. This increases the longev- ity of the batteries and reduces the need for extra trucks, batteries and change equipment. The ZBC Solution can reduce battery inventory by up to 50 percent, eliminating the need for battery rooms and freeing valu- able floor space. Reduced direct operating costs: The ZBC Solution reduces main- tenance by up to 50 percent by eliminating the labor associated with battery changes. Improved worker safety: No battery changes means reduced cross- facility traffic and less chance for workplace injuries. Cleaner, quieter environment: The ZBC Solution makes it easy to transition to an electric lift truck fleet, improving air quality in the work- place and reducing noise from propane-powered trucks. Also, electric lift trucks are "greener" than other alternative choices including hydrogen fuel cells, according to EnerSys ® . Visit https://greet.es.anl.gov/fleet_foot- print_calculator (US DOE) for more details. For more information on EnerSys ® and its full line of products, sys- tems and support, visit www.enersys.com. The EnerSys® Zero Battery Change Solu- tion includes Express® eMAX HF® fast char- gers to allow operators to charge their trucks during regularly scheduled breaks, eliminating the need to change bat- teries while maintaining optimum lift truck performance. Legacy batteries and chargers are designed to meet the high power de- mands of today's industrial equipment, including forklifts, walkies, and AGVs. 40 SEPTEMBER 2014 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Food Logistics - SEP 2014