By adding a hydrogen combustion engine to its flagship dump truck, the HD785, Kumatsu has created a novel idea. At its Ibaraki Plant in Hitachinaka City, the company has started testing the new vehicle. This test is the first effort in history to install a hydrogen combustion engine in a large dump truck. In order to build the groundwork for the future development of hydrogen-powered mining and construction equipment, Komatsu wants to gain expertise about the operation of hydrogen engines.
As part of its efforts to become carbon neutral, Komatsu has been pushing the development of alternative power sources. Komatsu has been able to concentrate on this breakthrough with the help of the technological know-how of KEYOU GmbH, a German startup that specialises in the creation and application of hydrogen engines for heavy trucks.
The concept machine is outfitted with a hydrogen tank system and hydrogen combustion engine that were jointly developed by KEYOU and Komatsu. To optimise hydrogen storage capacity, the tank is positioned on a platform next to the operator’s cab. Additionally, cameras and monitors have been placed both inside and outside the cab to guarantee the operator has unobstructed vision. Driving performance, continuous operation hours, fuel efficiency, and confirming safety precautions associated with the use of high-pressure hydrogen gas will all be assessed during the proof-of-concept tests.
Because the power-train components of current diesel-powered machinery may be reused, using hydrogen combustion engines in mining and construction equipment can be less expensive than using batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. In order to attain carbon neutrality at their sites, some mining contractors have also shown interest in implementing hydrogen engines, which emit almost no CO2. Even if there are obstacles like infrastructure for hydrogen supply and safety management, Komatsu will endeavour to resolve these problems in cooperation with trade groups and other relevant parties.With the ambitious objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, Komatsu has set a goal to reduce CO2 emissions from its products in use and in our production processes by 50% by 2030 as part of its mid-term management plan. The company has so far brought small and medium-sized battery-powered hydraulic excavators, tethered electric hydraulic excavators, and hydraulic excavators to the market.
The use of carbon-neutral fuels, the creation of power supply systems for battery-powered construction equipment, proof-of-concept testing for hydrogen fuel cell-powered excavators, and the creation of a power-agnostic truck are just a few of the environmentally responsive technologies Komatsu is working on.
While striving for carbon neutrality, Komatsu is still dedicated to meeting a variety of environmental needs through internal technology development, open innovation, and strategic alliances.
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