“Agriculture is undergoing a fundamental shift as it transitions to greater climate neutrality. We want to play our part in this huge task by offering the optimum solutions for the specific requirements of our agricultural customers. At the same time, we aim to make the most of the opportunities of this transition in order to continue to grow profitably and to permanently establish DEUTZ among the top three independent drive manufacturers. We are therefore forging ahead with the implementation of our Dual+ strategy so that we can continue to ensure the world – and of course the agricultural industry – keeps moving.”

said Dr. Sebastian C. Schulte, CEO of DEUTZ AG.

At Agritechnica, DEUTZ showcased the TCG 7.8 H2, a hydrogen internal combustion engine that is playing a pioneering role in the quest for climate neutrality. The six-cylinder engine is based on an existing design and will go into volume production at DEUTZ at the end of 2024. It is both carbon-neutral and very quiet, despite producing 220 kW of power. In principle, it can be used in all current DEUTZ applications and in the on-highway segment. DEUTZ recently received its first order from China for a small-scale production run of 100 H2 gensets powered by the TCG 7.8 H2.

DEUTZ exhibited products from the Green segment at the trade fair too, including a compact electric 400-volt drive system that uses a split drive comprising two 40 kW electric motors. The ISO 26262-certified system has a peak output of 80 kW. As is typical for electric drives, the system delivers instant torque, making the machine even more dynamic. The battery is from the Company’s own modular toolbox and offers 42 kWh of capacity. The 22 kW rapid charging system can restore the battery charge to up to 80 percent within an hour.

DEUTZ also has new engines in the Classic segment. The Company firmly believes that clean and efficient internal combustion engines will continue to be required to ensure a seamless transition to the technologies of the future.

At Agritechnica, DEUTZ therefore unveiled the TCD 5.1 engine, which will be available from mid-2028. Featuring a power range of up to 170 kW and maximum torque of 950 Nm, the engine combines the power of six cylinders with the efficiency of four. This provides the flexibility needed for a wide range of industrial applications.

The high-performance DEUTZ TCD 7.7 is also premiering at the trade fair and will be available from mid-2028. Boasting a power range of up to 280 kW and maximum torque of 1,550 Nm, this engine can be deployed in numerous off-highway and industrial applications. The engine is also to be offered with an Agri Performance Concept designed specifically for agricultural machinery, providing a power range of up to 300 kW and torque of up to 1,700 Nm.

“There will continue to be demand for conventional combustion engines going forward, particularly in the agricultural sector. These drives can run on biofuels and synthetic fuels, making them more environmentally friendly. Our plan for the years ahead is therefore not only to enhance our climate-neutral product portfolio but also to further expand our classic engine business.”

said Dr. Markus Müller, CTO and CSO of DEUTZ AG.

DEUTZ has already approved its entire TCD engine range for operation with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

The post DEUTZ Showcases Its Range of Sustainable Drive Systems at Agritechnica appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)) is working with Cologne-based engine manufacturer DEUTZ to develop new ideas and solutions for the operation of construction equipment and agricultural machinery using hydrogen. Representatives of the two partners signed a cooperation agreement to this effect on August 26, 2021.

The alliance between DEUTZ and the German Aerospace Center is a product of the DLR.InnovationHub, which brings together actors from the worlds of research and commerce. It fast-tracks the trialing of innovative new ideas and in doing so helps new technologies make the leap from research to application.

The current focus is on the ‘green construction site’, which involves converting existing technologies used in building applications to make them low-carbon or even carbon-free. The DLR’s technology marketing team and the DEUTZ Innovation Center are coordinating the joint activities.

“As part of an intensive collaboration process, research and development expertise is being brought to bear to come up with new solutions to specific real-world challenges. Formats such as the DLR.InnovationHub, and the partnerships that result from it, are how the DLR fulfills its mission of turning research into commercially viable innovations,”

says Professor Karsten Lemmer, a member of the DLR Executive Board responsible for innovation, knowledge transfer, and research infrastructure.

“The cooperation agreement with the DLR is an important milestone in our development activities. The aim is to speed up progress in making hydrogen drives viable for the off-highway segment, and we will be combining our expertise and R&D capabilities to achieve this,”

says Dr. Ing. Markus Müller, DEUTZ’s Chief Technology Officer.

Off-highway vehicles – individual solutions for individual requirements

Excavators, wheel loaders, tractors, crawlers, and combine harvesters – they are all designed to carry out specific tasks, and so they have varying requirements in terms of energy consumption, power output, fuel capacity, and operating time.

The researchers from the DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts will initially be working with their partners at DEUTZ to scope out the necessary parameters – both technological and commercial – for making off-highway vehicles carbon-neutral. The people who operate the machinery will also be asked about their requirements, particularly with regard to vehicle data, machine variants, and load and usage profiles.

DEUTZ will be able to draw on its broad product portfolio to offer invaluable insights in these areas. The next phase of the project will see the partners compare and evaluate the different technological solutions, focusing in particular on energy logistics for selected application scenarios in agriculture and construction. The aim is to come up with solutions that will allow the vehicles used in these scenarios to be powered by hydrogen drives.

The refueling challenge

Vehicles powered by hydrogen need to be refueled more frequently than their diesel equivalents. This is because diesel has a higher energy density than hydrogen. Ideally, refueling should be integrated into the existing workflows. The DEUTZ-DLR collaboration will mainly be looking at solutions focused on this particular aspect. Mobile, intelligent, and connected fueling systems are one potential approach.

This could drastically reduce the distance traveled for refueling and go some way to compensating for the additional effort is involved in planning and carrying out the refueling process.  Mobile, self-driving refueling robots are another idea and could be used when the operators take a break, for example.

The post DLR and DEUTZ Form Alliance for Hydrogen Applications appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“In the second quarter of 2020, Nikola met predetermined milestones on our journey toward becoming the zero-emissions transportation leader in the global heavy truck market,”

commented Mark Russell, Nikola’s Chief Executive Officer.

Steps towards achieving this goal include completing a reverse merger with VectoIQ and a related PIPE offering, providing an additional $616.7 million of cash on the balance sheet to support Nikola’s further product development, and the buildout of manufacturing infrastructure.

Product development is on track to meet the established timeline for the start of production of the Nikola Tre in Q4 2021.  Initial units will be produced at the Ulm, Germany facility, where modifications are currently underway.  Once complete, this facility will be capable of producing up to 10,000 units per year.

In addition to the buildout of Nikola’s production capacity in Ulm, Germany, on July 23, 2020, Nikola broke ground on its greenfield manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona.  Once completed, the Coolidge manufacturing facility will be capable of producing up to 35,000 trucks per year at full capacity on two shifts. Phase one of this construction is expected to be complete by Q4 2021.

Other Key Business Highlights

• Signed a purchase order with Nel for electrolysis equipment capable of producing up to 40,000kg of H2 per day.
• Nikola Tre production test units are underway in Ulm, Germany and are scheduled to be complete in Q4 2020.
• Nikola called for redemption of outstanding public warrants in Q3 2020.

Purchase Order for Electrolysis Equipment from Nel

In June, Nikola signed a purchase order with Nel ASA for 85-megawatts of alkaline electrolyzer capacity. This purchase order will support up to five of Nikola’s hydrogen generating and dispensing stations. At capacity, these stations are expected to generate up to 40,000 kgs of hydrogen fuel each day, which would support up to 1,100 Nikola Two FCEV trucks.

Nikola’s hydrogen fueling and battery charging activities are being overseen by the newly-hired President of Nikola Energy, Pablo Koziner. Koziner is a 19-year veteran of Caterpillar, and most recently served as Vice President of CAT Electric Power and as President of Solar Turbines.

The post Nikola Corporation reports Second Quarter results appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Source: Nikola Motor

The post Trevor Milton Explains Why Nikola May Be Better Than Tesla In Long Hauls appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

JCB has developed the construction industry’s first-ever hydrogen-powered excavator as it continues to lead the sector on zero and low carbon technologies, the company announced today.

The 20-tonne 220X excavator powered by a hydrogen fuel cell has been undergoing rigorous testing at JCB’s quarry proving grounds for more than 12 months. The exciting development means JCB is the first construction equipment company in the world to unveil a working prototype of an excavator powered by hydrogen.

The development of the first hydrogen-fuelled excavator is very exciting as we strive towards a zero-carbon world. In the coming months, JCB will continue to develop and refine this technology with advanced testing of our prototype machine and we will continue to be at the forefront of technologies designed to build a zero-carbon future.

Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman

Lord Bamford’s son Jo Bamford spent 14 years at JCB before moving into the hydrogen sector, setting up Ryse Hydrogen, and then buying Northern Ireland bus giant Wrightbus. He has won contracts to supply the world’s first hydrogen double-decker to cities such as London and Aberdeen.

Jo added:

“I truly believe hydrogen is the UK’s best opportunity to build a world-leading industry which creates UK jobs, cuts emissions and is the envy of the globe.”

Power for JCB’s prototype excavator is generated by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to create the energy needed to run electric motors. The only emission from the exhaust is water.

The development comes after JCB made manufacturing history last year by going into full production with the construction industry’s first fully electric mini excavator, the 19C-1E. JCB has also extended electric technology to its innovative Teletruk telescopic forklift range with the launch of an electric model, the JCB 30-19E.

Through constant innovation and design improvements, JCB has also been leading the way on clean diesel technology to meet Stage V EU emissions regulations and has almost eradicated the most harmful emissions from its latest range of diesel engines. Nitrous Oxide (NOx) is down 97%, soot particulates down by 98% and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions down by almost half.

Source: JCB

The post JCB leads the way with first Hydrogen fuelled Excavator appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.