Now the founders of Applied Hydrogen in Kongsberg are getting help from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and several major partners across the construction industry, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration announced. This week, development director Kjell Inge Davik signed a cooperation agreement with Applied Hydrogen, Veidekke, Skanska, Hydrogen Solutions and Volvo Maskin. The goal is to develop and test Norway’s first hydrogen-powered excavator.
– This is an important step towards making the construction industry more sustainable, with zero-emission solutions even for the heaviest machines. The collaboration shows how the industry can come together to meet the climate challenges we face, says Development Director Kjell Inge Davik at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
The conversion involves removing the diesel engine and diesel tank, and replacing it with an electric motor. The electric motor drives the main pump and other units that were previously powered by the diesel engine. The machine contains a total of four hydrogen tanks and a battery. The fuel cell produces electrical energy from hydrogen, which powers the machine. The result is a zero-emission machine that matches diesel machines in both performance and capacity, while limiting emissions to water vapor.
Testing out on Hålogalandsvegen
Applied Hydrogen has led the development of this technology since 2021. The work has now reached its final phase. The piloting is scheduled to start in spring 2025 on OPS Hålogalandsvegen, Northern Norway’s largest transport project ever, which Skanska is building for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. The Hålogalandsvegen OPS is a pilot project to test climate-smart solutions and reduce the environmental impact of road construction, both in current and future transport projects.
Skanska will lead the piloting and coordinate key activities such as testing, logistics and safety. An important part of the process will be the transfer of experience from Applied Hydrogen and Veidekke to ensure a successful transition from development to practical use. Applied Hydrogen will, together with Volvo, carry out maintenance and troubleshooting of the machine. Hydrogen Solutions (Hyds) will assist in training and improving the skills of all personnel who will be involved in hydrogen-related operations. Hyds is also responsible for the hydrogen deliveries and logistics related to the distribution of hydrogen to the project. Safety is the highest priority and must be ensured at all stages.
The hydrogen excavator is being prepared for piloting Photo: Geir Anders Rybakken Ørslien / Skanska
Press release https://tinyurl.com/yhs45pmw
