Belgium-based hydrogen solution company CMB.TECH and crane equipment developer Luyckx have presented what they believe to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered dual fuel excavator. The team has converted a 37 ton Hitachi ZX350LC-7 excavator to a dual fuel machine that can continue to operate on diesel if the supply of hydrogen is not available.
The dual-fuel excavator provides gradual ecological development within the heavy construction and earthmoving sector. With this machine, companies within the sector can embark on energy transition with today’s machines without being permanently dependent on the availability of hydrogen. The solution allows companies to take a first concrete step toward greening the entire heavy excavator sector without limiting the machine’s power or autonomy.
“Driven by the wishes of our end users and fleet owners, we launched an own-initiative feasibility study with regard to possible alternative solutions that help to reduce CO2 emissions, make the machine park more sustainable and do business in a socially responsible way. We have been looking for the right solutions for several years. The challenge was mainly in the area of energy requirements for heavy machinery,” said Jos Luyckx, the CEO of Luyckx.
According to the company, the duel-fuel machine can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50%. “The additional cost of the machines in the sector is rather limited, with the kgs of hydrogen used leading directly to CO2 reduction. As of today, we offer the applications to enable up to 8 tonnes of CO2 reduction per site per day, anywhere in the Benelux, without operational restrictions at the lowest possible cost,” added Roy Campe, Chief Technology Officer at CMB.TECH.
In addition to the hydrogen-powered dual fuel excavator, CMB.TECH has also launched its new mobile hydrogen refueller that can support the vehicle. Capable of delivering up to 600 kg of green hydrogen at 350 bar to the consumer, the mobile hydrogen refueller can also be used for other applications such as trucks, port equipment, ships, and gensets.
