Benefits of hydrogen engines for hydrogen infrastructure
The advent of the hydrogen economy infrastructure has been hyped for a long time. In 1997, Wired magazine was writing about the "Dawn of the Hydrogen Age". Cars with solar panels on their roof would go 5,000 miles between fill ups-and you would be able to drink from their exhaust. By the early 2000's, several car manufacturers in the world had a hydrogen car program, few with hydrogen engines; unfortunately, few have resulted in a product that consumers could buy.
So, why are we not in the hydrogen age yet?
One reason may be that we have been focusing on the wrong thing. In every past hydrogen hype cycle, what was really meant by “hydrogen economy” was “personal cars with a fuel cell.” On the contrary, today, commercial transportation is one of the key opportunities for the hydrogen economy to prosper. This opportunity includes both hydrogen engines and hydrogen fuel cells.
Let’s look at how hydrogen engines can benefit today’s emerging hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen engines can drive hydrogen infrastructure buildup
Green hydrogen is not widely available yet, and it will require an extensive infrastructure to produce, transport, and distribute.
Hydrogen engines can expedite this infrastructure build-up. This can be done through commercial transportation applications where use of hydrogen engines is viable without an extensive network of fueling stations. For example, there is a large range of commercial heavy vehicles such as regional haul trucks, garbage trucks, yard spotters, and many more which are well suited to run on hydrogen engines. These vehicles tend to operate as part of a fleet, and usually return to a central location at night, where they refuel. A municipal government, for example, could set up a hydrogen pump at its central vehicle depot. One step forward in building the hydrogen infrastructure.
Hydrogen engines can power medium and heavy-duty trucks. Fleets can use a small number of fueling stations or install onsite dispensing and electrolyzers.
All these can drive the hydrogen fueling infrastructure buildup.
Hydrogen engines help to build scale for on-vehicle hydrogen storage tanks
Hydrogen fuel tanks are similar for hydrogen engines and fuel cells, so both vehicles need them. The demand for these onboard fuel storage systems needs to reach a sufficient level of scale so they can be more affordable. As more commercial transportation applications start to use hydrogen engines, the closer we get to this scale.
To bring fleets and OEMs the reliable and affordable hydrogen storage tanks, Cummins Inc. has recently formed a joint venture with NPROXX, a leader in hydrogen storage and transportation. This joint venture will provide hydrogen storage products for on-highway and rail applications.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICEs) can bring widespread fuel cell adoption closer
Hydrogen fuel tanks are universal for hydrogen vehicles.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure requirements of hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen engines are the same. They both require the network to produce, transport and distribute CO2-free hydrogen. They both require the same on-vehicle hydrogen tanks. Even from a regulatory infrastructure perspective, they will likely be governed and benefit from some of the same regulations.
The U.S. infrastructure bill allocates $8 billion for hydrogen hubs and $7.5 billion for EV charging, hydrogen, and natural gas stations on interstates. Hydrogen engines could reach to a scale of adoption where these infrastructure elements are utilized.
As hydrogen engines drive the infrastructure buildout outlined earlier, this will make hydrogen fuel cells viable for an increasing number of commercial transportation applications.
Hydrogen engines are likely to become a major milestone on the journey towards a zero emissions economy. Because they employ technology that is available today, and are viable to deploy in a wide range of use cases, they are a great way to act now. Not only can they unlock significant progress in terms of reducing emissions, but they also contribute to growing the infrastructure needed for other hydrogen applications including hydrogen fuel cells. If you are interested in learning more, don’t forget to check answers to frequently asked questions around hydrogen engines.
Jim Nebergall
Jim Nebergall is General Manager of the Hydrogen Engine Business at Cummins Inc. and leads the company's global efforts in commercializing hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. Hydrogen internal combustion engines are an important technology in the company's accelerated path to decarbonization.
Jim joined Cummins in 2002 and has held numerous leadership roles across the company. Most recently, Jim was the Director of Product Strategy and Management for the North American on-highway engine business. Jim is passionate about innovation and has dedicated his Cummins career to advancing technology that improves the environment. He pushed the boundaries of customer-focused innovation to position Cummins as the leading powertrain supplier of choice, managing a portfolio ranging from advanced diesel and natural gas to hybrid powertrains.
Jim graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering. In 2007, he completed his Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University.
