Home > News > Media Room > Press Releases > Sustainability - Wegmans Receives $1 Million Grant to Help Implement Fuel Cell Technology at Pottsville, PA Facility

POTTSVILLE, PA - Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. announced that they received a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) for the implementation of hydrogen fuel cell-powered material handling equipment (pallet jacks and reach trucks) at their Retail Service Center in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. The grant will offset a portion of the costs associated with the installation of an on-site hydrogen infrastructure, which includes an outdoor hydrogen storage tank and indoor fueling dispensers.

 

Wegmans currently powers their material handling equipment with lead-acid batteries. During this three-phase project, the company plans to convert its entire lift truck fleet at the Pottsville facility to hydrogen fuel cells, allowing for increased productivity, lower operating costs and, most importantly, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The first phase will include the hydrogen infrastructure installation, as well as the equipment conversion in the produce facility. This phase is expected to be operational in November of 2009.

 

A hydrogen fuel cell produces energy through an electrochemical reaction. Because hydrogen is the fuel source, heat and water are the only byproducts. By converting the lift equipment in just the produce area of its facility to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon emissions will be reduced by an amount equivalent to removing 134 cars off the road each year.

 

“In terms of sustainability, energy reduction is one of our top priorities.  We are thrilled that PEDA recognized the importance of this project.  This investment in fuel cell technology will help our employees, our business, and our community,” says Mike Cullen, Wegmans vice president of distribution planning. “It also underscores our growth and investment in our Pennsylvania operations.”  In addition to its Retail Service Center, Wegmans now operates 12 stores in Pennsylvania, with plans for 3 more in the future.  One, a new store in Collegeville, PA, will open in October of this year.

 

During this first phase of the project, Wegmans will purchase 50 Crown pallet trucks and 9 Crown stand-up forklifts from Lift Inc, Lancaster Pennsylvania.  Lift Inc. will also supply Wegmans with Plug Power’s GenDrive™ fuel cell solution to power its fleet.

 

Another positive outcome of the conversion is that Wegmans employees will notice an improvement in equipment performance.  The batteries that currently power the equipment start out with a full charge, but over the course of a work shift the charge dissipates and the equipment slows down until the battery dies completely.  The process to recharge or replace the battery can be tedious and time consuming.  Fuel-cell powered equipment will perform at peak until it’s time to refuel, a process that takes less than one minute.  “How change affects our employees is an important consideration in every decision we make.  Enabling employees to refuel quickly as needed gives them more control of their time and will improve their work environment,” says David DeMascole, Wegmans Retail Service Center General Manager. 

 

Throughout 2011 and 2012, Wegmans plans to expand its use of hydrogen fuel cell technology at the Pottsville facility.  When the project is complete, up to 150 pieces of equipment will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

 

Ultimately, this three-phase project will offset 4,064,445 kWh of energy over its lifetime, and it will help to retain and create jobs in Pennsylvania.

 

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Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 73-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland.  The family-owned company, founded in 1916, is recognized as an industry leader and innovator.  Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for twelve consecutive years.  In 2009, Wegmans ranked #5 on the list.