The concept of trapping pure hydrogen inside cells is no longer the stuff of science fiction movies. Engineers are hard at work developing transportation fuel cells that function like batteries and are suitable for all types of vehicles, including trucks.
advertisementIn this episode of Euronews Tech Talks, we talk with Michael Perschke, CEO of Quantron AG, about hydrogen-fueled trucks and how he uses the cheese metaphor to explain how they work.
Solutions for one of the most polluting industries
Last November, at the 2023 Web Summit, Quantron AG announced a hydrogen-based refueling joint venture with an investor named OilInvest.
OilInvest owns more than 2,000 filling stations across Europe, providing gasoline, diesel and other types of energy.
Under the partnership, the companies will work together to upgrade and leverage existing station networks, including adding hydrogen fueling capabilities, so vehicles such as cars and heavy trucks can seamlessly travel across Europe using gaseous or liquid hydrogen as fuel. Allows you to move.
The goal is to strengthen hydrogen transportation infrastructure across the continent, a green solution to one of the most polluting and essential industries.
“We believe that hydrogen is a very robust energy source to make long-distance trucking zero-emissions, especially for better transport across Europe,” said Michael Perschke, CEO of Quantron AG. states.
Trucks have a greater climate impact than all flights within the EU and are the sixth largest source of emissions within the EU.
What does the future hold for hydrogen-powered heavy cargo transportation?
“I think hydrogen trucks will always be in the minority, but by 2040 10 to 15 percent of heavy-duty trucks will be running on hydrogen,” Perschke says.
As hydrogen production becomes more efficient, fuel cells will become cheaper, Perschke said.
He added: “Therefore, for certain applications, hydrogen fuel cell trucks will be the most appropriate technological solution.”
Perschke believes that in the future, perhaps 70 to 80 percent of goods will be transported by electricity, but 10 to 20 percent will require hydrogen solutions due to delivery times, filling times, and cycle times. I think it will be.
Hydrogen-powered trucks promise to reduce emissions, but there are also some concerns. Production often relies on fossil fuels, compromising environmental benefits. Conversion efficiency is also lower than direct electric propulsion, raising questions.
like milk and cheese
Looking for a simple way to explain how hydrogen works as a fuel, Perschke uses a dairy analogy.
He compares hydrogen to cheese and electricity to milk.
He explains that milk must be consumed quickly and, like electricity, is sensitive when transported in liquid form.
However, when milk is processed into cheese, it becomes easier to transport, has longer shelf life, and becomes more valuable.
Similarly, hydrogen acts as a means of storing energy, much like cheese does with milk. Converting electrons (electricity) to hydrogen and storing it in a more stable form, such as liquid hydrogen, makes it easier to transport and can be stored for longer periods of time.
advertisementThis is particularly important in the context of renewable energy production, where energy generation from sources such as solar and wind is at its peak.
Green hydrogen acts as a buffering technology, allowing excess energy to be stored and used when needed, addressing the challenge of grid instability caused by fluctuations in renewable energy production.
