Hydrogen Fuel Cells Poised to Boost Resiliency at PDX with Mobile Zero-Emission Backup Power

Portland International Airport (PDX) is teaming up with PNNL, Sandia National Laboratories, and the U.S. Department of Energy to look into a pretty innovative idea using hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). They’re running a feasibility study to see if their current compressed natural gas shuttle fleet can be swapped out for zero-emission FCEBs — and here’s the twist: these buses could double as mobile backup generators during emergencies, like earthquakes.

Powering Through a Crisis with Hydrogen

Considering PDX sits right in the heart of the earthquake-prone Cascadia subduction zone, it makes sense they’re focusing on building a more flexible, disaster-ready energy system. Hydrogen fuel cells come with some serious perks when it comes to emergency preparedness — they refuel fast, run clean, and can keep things powered up even when the regular grid goes down. That kind of energy independence could be a game-changer when disaster strikes.

Clean Energy with Critical Potential

This project, backed by federal hydrogen grants, could also pave the way for broader use of fuel cell technology in other high-stakes infrastructure around the country. As airports, cities, and transit systems look to step up their game in both sustainable energy and emergency readiness, this kind of multi-use application offers a smart solution. The study results are expected soon — and depending on what they find, it could be a big step forward for the hydrogen infrastructure movement.