IFOY Audit
Finalists undergo the three-stage IFOY Audit as part of the IFOY Audit, which takes place during the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS. This consists of the scientific IFOY Innovation Check, the IFOY Test and the jury test.
GLOBE XLP80
GLOBE Fuel Cell Systems
GLOBE Fuel Cell Systems has developed a hydrogen-powered fuel cell genset for intralogistics in the 80 volt class – the GLOBE XLP80.
Product name and company
GLOBE XLP80 – GLOBE Fuel Cell Systems
Category
Special of the Year
Description
GLOBE XLP80 is designed to offer an alternative to comparable battery systems in the 80 volt class or corresponding combustion variants. The size of the GLOBE XLP80 corresponds to the size of a 5 PzS 775 Ah battery. The weight of 1863 kilograms is optimally designed for counterbalanced trucks. Its 68 liter tank for 1.8 kilogram hydrogen is suitable for an 8-hour shift even in the toughest applications, such as the beverage industry. With a peak power of over 60 kW, the GLOBE XLP80 is the powerhouse in its class. Reasons for this are its integrated 11 kW fuel cell stack as well as its 12 kWh integrated battery.
Innovations
The advantages of fuel cell technology in intralogistics are manifold:
- Higher productivity through fast refueling, in less than five minutes, instead of hours of recharging.
- Significantly higher utilization of individual fleet vehicles and the fleet as a whole (CAPEX reduction).
- More space for value-adding processes due to the elimination of battery swap stations and swap sheds.
- Reduction of vehicle and personal injuries during battery changes.
- Elimination of peak power loads due to charging of LiIO batteries.
- Reduction of the CO₂ balance through the use of green hydrogen.
- Longer service life designed for 20,000 operating hours.
- Recycling rate of over 95 percent of the GLOBE XLP80.
Globe Fuel Cell Systems has its origins at Mercedes-Benz. One of the key advantages of the GLOBE XLP80 compared to the direct competition in fuel cell technology is the resulting automotive-standard quality.
Market relevance
Various studies assume that the class 1 market (truck counterbalanced) in Europe will increase to approximately 134,000 units in the new vehicle business by 2030. Of these, one in three will be equipped with a fuel cell unit. For this reason, experts assume a potential market of approximately 1.5 billion market in Europe alone.
The GLOBE XLP80 is designed for use in counterbalanced trucks 2.5 to 5 tons and is particularly suitable for use in heavy industry (paper, steel, chemicals, etc.), beverage industry and logistics in general.
Customer benefits
The GLOBE XLP80 has a large number of integrated sensors. This allows to send more than 1000 signals per second to the cloud, it´s called the GLOBE DataCore. This opens up extensive added value for users such as an overview of upcoming maintenance, operating and environmental data, and data on the condition of the cell. Customers will be informed about relevant information via push messages from the system. The DataCore Manager enables online scheduling of service appointments, information about consumption and remaining runtimes of each individual system or complete fleets. Various filter functions, cost allocations to specific cost centers, management reports and statistics.
Motto: In the 21st century, there is no more hardware without digital added value for our customers.
Test report
Globe Fuel Cell Systems has developed the Globe XLP80 hydrogen-powered fuel cell device for use in the 80-volt class, especially for forklift trucks with a load capacity of 3.5 to 5 tons.
The Globe XLP80 was designed as a sustainable alternative to lead-acid and lithium-ion battery systems or combustion engines in this class. According to the manufacturer, the system is also more economical than conventional systems for multi-shift operations and fleets of 15 to 20 trucks or more, as no battery charging or changing stations are required. It also enables more efficient use of space, but requires space for the hydrogen refuelling station.
The battery container of the Globe XLP80 corresponds in size to a 775 Ah battery and, with a weight of 1863 kilograms, serves as an ideal counterweight. According to the manufacturer, the 68-litre tank, which holds 1.8 kilograms of hydrogen, should be sufficient for an eight-hour shift, even with intensive use. The system is designed for an effective operating time of 20,000 hours.
The integrated fuel cell storage system with 11 kW, the integrated lithium-ion battery with 12 kWh and a peak output of more than 60 kW make the Globe XLP80 a real powerhouse in its class. The hydrogen tank can be filled and the water drained in around three minutes. Hours of charging the battery or peak loads when charging lithium-ion batteries are no longer necessary and the operating time of the vehicle is increased.
The IFOY test team did not have a specific protocol for testing such systems, but the truck was found to drive and feel like an ordinary electric forklift. The fuel cell system only produces a low fan noise, which is relatively quiet compared to other systems. According to the manufacturer, the noise reduction compared to the competition is up to 50 per cent, which is made possible by air filters and specially adapted designs.
The use of hydrogen stands for sustainability and reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to combustion engines, especially when green hydrogen is used. The Globe XLP80 also has a high recycling rate of over 95 per cent.
With a large number of integrated sensors, the Globe XLP80 sends over 1,000 signals per second to the Globe DataCore Manager cloud base to inform users promptly about upcoming maintenance work, truck deployment data and the condition of the cells.
IFOY Verdict
The Globe XLP80 is a successful alternative for replacing lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries with an environmentally friendly and, above all, continuously operating system. The truck works with a fuel cell comparable to a conventional truck and is quickly ready for use after refuelling. It can be easily replaced with a conventional battery and can be used in a similar way to a forklift truck with a combustion engine.
IFOY Innovation Check
Functionality / Type of implementation
The familiar principle of fuel cell technology has been implemented in the given installation space and with all the necessary system components for reliable operation in industrial trucks in a heavy-duty housing to ensure traction. Only minor modifications need to be made to selected industrial trucks to which the fuel cell system is designed. The Still RX60 in particular has a palm-sized body panel that can be exchanged for a version with ventilation grilles. An intuitive control unit provides the user with all the important information on the otherwise fully automatic and comparatively quiet operation of the energy supply unit.
Novelty / Innovation
The fuel cell system represents very sophisticated engineering work with precise design and system technology. On the one hand, it is a novelty on the market in this design and with its specific properties, but on the other hand it does not represent a fundamental innovation.
Customer benefit
Compared to battery-electric industrial trucks, fuel cells offer the advantage of a fast-refueling process. Instead of spending hours waiting for the batteries to charge, fuel cells can be refueled with hydrogen in just a few minutes, increasing uptime and productivity.
Market relevance
Electrically powered industrial trucks with fuel cell systems are classed as sustainable drive solutions if they run on hydrogen produced from renewable sources. They do not produce any harmful emissions during operation and, compared to battery-electric industrial trucks, can be made ready for operation again with a quick refueling process, which increases productivity. However, the still high costs for the fuel cells themselves, for the system design and for the hydrogen infrastructure for refueling limit the economic viability of their use. This reduces the market relevance for all applications where no hydrogen infrastructure is available, and which do not have continuous, consistent operation.
IFOY verdict
The fuel cell system impresses with its targeted implementation as a replacement for a traction battery. With its compact design, it replaces a conventional battery in the same installation space with a hydrogen-based refueling solution. The product shows a high degree of maturity in the application.
| Functionality / type of implementation | ++ |
| Novelty / Innovation | Ø |
| Customer benefits | + |
| Market relevance | + |
| ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available | |
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Statutes
In den Statuten sind die Grundwerte und die Standards des IFOY AWARD festgelegt, nach denen die Organisation handelt. Dazu gehören unter anderem Gremien, Wahlomodus, Bewertungskriterien sowie der Code of Conduct.
Committees
The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year has three bodies: Jury, sponsors, and advisory board.