Steps taken to boost hydrogen use in construction equipment

HyConstruct is a research and development project between hydrogen tech firm ULEMCo and its partners GeoPura, Plantforce, BAM and BRE that will demonstrate an advanced control system to increase the proportion of energy coming from hydrogen dual-fuel technology.

HyConstruct will focus on applying advanced control algorithms and AI to the dual-fuel engine control system, which will increase the machine’s capability to use even more hydrogen.

This will enable hydrogen consumption to be boosted to a level where the scale of use on site further improves the business case for wholesale plant upgrades and be competitive to diesel supply costs.

Fuel supplier GeoPura will provide low-carbon hydrogen, off grid refuelling capability and zero emission power for the project and enable the safe use of hydrogen-powered construction equipment, creating a commercial foundation for large-scale hydrogen deployment in the sector.

ULEMCo MD Amanda Lyne said: “Decarbonising construction plant is essential to support the UK’s net-zero goals, particularly as new energy infrastructure and construction investment is planned to drive economic growth.

“Converting existing equipment to run on clean hydrogen points the way to saving the carbon from these machines now, as well as saving the embedded emissions from the actual construction phase itself.”

Alistair Gemmel, chief business development officer at GeoPura added: “HyConstruct is a significant next step in developing technology that demonstrates that zero-carbon fuels can power heavy machinery without disrupting productivity.

“By supplying and managing the hydrogen used on site, we’re helping the consortium prove how hydrogen can be safely and efficiently integrated into construction operations, which will ultimately bring the construction sector closer to being both commercially and environmentally sustainable.”