Making the switch from diesel powered machines to a low carbon option is not as simple as some would argue. Switching to electric has drawbacks such as their modest power density, which currently holds back their ability to power heavy equipment for a full working day. Cost is another important consideration.
So, what about HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)? HVO, which is of particular interest to many equipment manufacturers, is obtained from cooking oil waste, grease and fat residues, waste fats and vegetable oil. The manufacture and use of HVO is nearly climate-neutral when only renewable energy sources are used in the production process. The problem with this fuel is its availability.
Ok, so what about hydrogen fuel cell technology or hydrogen as a fuel within an internal combustion engine? Cost appears as an issue for Fuel Cells, and while Hydrogen ICEs are a (relatively) simple conversion of a diesel engine, in both cases fuel supply, and its cost is a very big factor.
Source: International Construction Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Again, a high level article but Contractors/Machine Owners may have anxiety about their equipment purchases for some time to come as there is no single power source that will replace diesel in the entire construction industry, but rather each machine will need to use a specific power source dependent on its duty cycle and costs. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
