New Energies, new possibilities

In a ground-breaking move towards sustainable construction, STRABAG, in collaboration with Liebherr and Energie Steiermark, has launched a pilot project to test a hydrogen-powered wheel loader at the Gratkorn quarry in Styria, Austria.

This innovative initiative, officially kicked off in the presence of Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler, aims to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen as a clean alternative to conventional diesel in heavy construction machinery.

Emission-Free Construction

The construction sector is a major contributor to global emissions, accounting for 38% of CO2 output worldwide. STRABAG, a leading player in the industry, recognises its responsibility to reduce its carbon footprint. By embracing hydrogen-powered technology, the company hopes to lead the charge towards a more sustainable future.

STRABAG CEO Klemens Haselsteiner highlighted the company’s commitment: “We want to become climate neutral by 2040. And we will only achieve this goal with a resolute commitment to lower carbon emissions across the board – in the operation of our construction machinery, for example. We are delighted to have Liebherr and Energie Steiermark at our side, two partners whose expertise is helping us to develop and test innovative powertrain solutions.”

The hydrogen-powered wheel loader is a critical component of this vision. With the potential to save up to 37,500 litres of diesel and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 100 tonnes per year, the project is not just about testing a new engine—it’s about setting a new standard for the construction industry.

A Game-Changer for Heavy Machinery

For the first time, green hydrogen is being used to replace diesel in a large wheel loader, marking a significant step forward in alternative powertrain technologies. During the project launch, Minister Gewessler expressed her enthusiasm: “Green hydrogen is an indispensable part of our energy future. It enables parts of industry to switch to climate-friendly production, which secures and creates jobs. As an important and valuable energy source, it helps replace fossil natural gas, especially in the hard-to-electrify mobility and construction sectors.”

The hydrogen used in the project is produced by Energie Steiermark, which operates a green hydrogen plant in Gabersdorf. This facility ensures a reliable and sustainable supply to the quarry, supporting the zero-emission operation of the machinery. Martin Graf, a member of Energie Steiermark’s board, emphasised the importance of the collaboration: “Hydrogen is a key component of the energy transition. Realising this pioneering project together with STRABAG and Liebherr not only strengthens our position as a local sustainability partner, but also helps to put Styria on the map.”

A New Era of Construction Equipment

At the heart of the project is Liebherr’s cutting-edge hydrogen engine, which powers the wheel loader under real working conditions. Liebherr’s technical managing director, Herbert Pfab, explained the significance of the technology: “Hydrogen engines make it possible to also operate large vehicles that are difficult to electrify due to their high energy requirements at completely zero-carbon conditions.”

The engines, produced at Liebherr’s facility in Bulle, Switzerland, are specifically designed to meet zero-emission standards for both CO2 and nitrogen oxides. This means that not only are the machines environmentally friendly, but they also comply with the stringent emission limits that are currently being developed for heavy-duty vehicles.

The wheel loader will be put through its paces over a multi-year trial period at STRABAG’s Kanzelsteinsteinbruch quarry in Gratkorn. The aim is to gather valuable data on the performance and operational efficiency of the hydrogen engine, which could then be used to inform future applications in the construction sector.

STRABAG’s Broader Commitment to Sustainable Quarries

The introduction of hydrogen-powered machinery is just one part of STRABAG’s holistic approach to sustainable quarry operations. The company is actively exploring other green initiatives, such as replacing diesel-powered mobile machines with electric conveyor belts in Saalfelden. One such conveyor belt even generates electricity from the weight of the transported stones, highlighting the innovative ways in which STRABAG is reducing emissions.

In Germany, STRABAG is also planning to deploy self-driving, battery-operated electric tippers at its Eigenrieden quarry, which would be the first of their kind in the country. These measures demonstrate STRABAG’s broader commitment to cutting carbon emissions across its operations, from material sourcing to machine usage.

Additionally, STRABAG has repurposed a disused section of the Gaaden quarry into a vibrant biotope, showcasing its dedication to environmental stewardship. By rewilding the area, the company has created a haven for birds, insects, and other wildlife, proving that sustainable practices can go hand in hand with industrial operations.

A Promising Outlook for Hydrogen in Construction

The pilot project at Gratkorn quarry is a clear indication that hydrogen-powered machinery could revolutionise the construction sector. As STRABAG, Liebherr, and Energie Steiermark continue to test and refine this technology, the potential to expand its use across other applications grows ever more promising.

This collaborative effort not only positions Austria at the forefront of sustainable construction but also sets a powerful example for the global industry. By investing in innovative, low-emission solutions, the construction sector can take meaningful steps towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Source: Fuel Cells Works

Danish electrolyser manufacturer Green Hydrogen Systems (GHS) is implementing cost-cutting and restructuring measures in response to slow market adoption of hydrogen and delays in commercialising its X-Series electrolyser.

The company plans to discontinue sales of its A-Series alkaline electrolyser to focus exclusively on the 6MW X-Series system. GHS will continue to manufacture and deliver A-Series orders until its backlog is completed in 2025. The firm has said it will service the A-Series units for the duration of their lifetime.

However, to improve the commercial offering of the X-Series, it intends to reduce costs by 40-50% by 2026 as it hopes to break even earlier than original projections.

Having planned to start delivering the new system by the end of 2024, GHS said it had faced slower-than-anticipated development and commercialisation. H2 View has reached out to GHS for more details.

GHS told H2 View that it had experienced “teething problems” with the A-Series systems, which it has “dealt with and captured valuable learnings from.”

“We have invested heavily and prioritised spending extra time on testing and validation of our X-Series before releasing it for commercial sales – which we did three weeks ago,” a company spokesperson added.

Furthermore, the company will undertake a major restructure of its operations, with around 100 job cuts expected, in a bid to reduce its cost base by “at least” 40-50%.

The restructuring will incur one-off implementation costs of DKK 100-150m ($14.7-22m), spread across 2024 and early 2025, the company said.

As a result of these initiatives, GHS has lowered its 2024 revenue guidance from DKK 125-165m ($18.4-24.2m) to DKK 105-145m ($15.4-21.3m). While the company has maintained its EBITDA forecast of DKK -260 to -220m (-$38.2 to -$32.3m), the restructuring expenses have pushed the overall EBITDA projection down to DKK -400 to -300m (-$58.7 to -$44.1m) for 2024.

GHS also revealed that these financial strains could lead to a breach of its loan agreements unless waived by lenders. Without additional funding, the company expects its capital reserves to be exhausted by the first half of 2025.

To address cash flow challenges and fund the restructuring, GHS plans to raise up to DKK 300m by the end of this year, with a similar or larger capital increase by mid-2025.

“With the restructuring initiatives expected to be implemented by the end of Q1 2025 and the Company anticipating the first X-Series orders in the coming months, the Board of Directors expects that an additional capital increase of similar or increased size will necessary and will have to be completed by the summer of 2025,” a company statement said.

“We must take into account that the market is not moving as fast as anticipated,” said GHS CEO, Peter Friis. “This has resulted in a challenge, and as a result, we need to adjust and implement substantial changes across our business to ensure our competitiveness and a strong foundation for the long-term future.”

Thomas Broe-Andersen, Chairman of the Board of Directors at GHS, added, “To support Green Hydrogen Systems strategic focus, we will adapt the business to its needs and the current market conditions to ensure the future value for the hydrogen market and the investors going forward.”

Source: H2-view

German energy company slows investments due to lack of green hydrogen demand

German energy company Uniper has postponed its target to invest eight billion euros in growth and the green transformation by 2030 also due to a lack of demand for green hydrogen, CEO Michael Lewis told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).

CEO Michael Lewis

“As things stand today, there are hardly any major customers who buy green hydrogen,”

“That’s why we have to step on the brakes a little.” Low energy prices and slower-than-expected regulatory reforms were other reasons for the decision, Lewis added.

The company would now aim for reaching the investment volume “by the early 2030s” and concentrate on projects “that make the greatest contribution from a strategic and financial perspective.” Uniper still aims to exit coal by 2029, but reaching its target of 80 percent renewables would become “very difficult,” said Lewis.

The manager called for a long-term system of incentives for a certain volume of green hydrogen akin to the renewables support system. “There is a large gap between the price of natural gas and that of blue or even green hydrogen,” Lewis said. “The state would have to agree to close this gap.”

Government plans for green hydrogen, which is made from renewable electricity through electrolysis, see the synthetic gas playing a crucial role in the decarbonisation of many hard-to-abate sectors, such as steelmaking or the chemical industry. However, hurdles for the market ramp-up are high from a technological and cost perspective. Researchers from Harvard University recently said that the cost for storage and distribution will likely make green hydrogen a “prohibitively expensive abatement strategy across many major sectors.”

Source: Hydrogencentral