The first of its kind, the GEH2 Hydrogen generator is the only generator that’s been packaged in a way that’s portable, robust and designed for use in rental, mining and construction industries.
Here, we’ll look at what the GEH2 is, how it works and its various use cases across industries.
A hydrogen generator uses pure hydrogen to create an on-demand power source. Hydrogen and Oxygen interact with one another to convert chemical energy into electricity – there’s no emission output, no pollution and zero waste.
In the case of EODev’s GEH2, the generator uses hydrogen with a Toyota Mirai fuel cell and a lithium-ion phosphate battery to produce 100kVA of instant power. The fuel cell and the battery work together to service whatever load it is pulling at the time in the most efficient manner.
The fuel cell outputs zero emissions, only a little hot water and filtered air, meaning completely clean, consistent power for almost any application that would otherwise rely on a 100kVA diesel generator.
The GEH2 is built for Australian mining and construction. It can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh conditions and still put out a reliable source of energy.
The GEH2 a favourable choice for powering:
The GEH2 can either work as a standalone unit, hook up to the electrical grid or a conventional diesel generator.
Some practical examples of the GEH2 in the events, mining and construction sectors include:
In an Australian first, two GEH2 electro-hydrogen generators were deployed at the 2023 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. The units successfully powered the event’s food stalls and Tech Hub, including entertainment, interactive and demonstration experiences.
Throughout the four day event, the GEH2 produced approximately 1.8 MWH of clean, quiet power. Ticketholders were able to enjoy the event grounds without encountering heavy fumes or noisy diesel generators.
In a demonstration, the GEH2 successfully powered up the Marvel sign and coaches’ box of Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium. Better yet, the unit did so using only 10-15% of its total 80kW capacity.
The GEH2 was able to save around 100kg of carbon dioxide over the 7 hour operation in comparison to using the electrical grid.
View the full Marvel Stadium case study here.
European equipment rental company LOXAM deployed the GEH2 on construction sites throughout Paris to ensure works were as low carbon and silent as possible.
Providing electricity to the on-site living area and recharging the electric excavator, the GEH2 managed to save 165kg of CO2 over 3 days. The generators near silent operation was also highly beneficial for surrounding neighbourhoods.
View the full LOXAM Paris roadworks case study here.
In a demonstration, the GEH2 successfully powered electric on-site buggies at Santos’ remote facility in Cooper Basin, SA. As a leading oil and gas producer, using the GEH2 as a power source allows Santos to continue operations while fulfilling their long-term decarbonisation commitments.
View the full Santos Electric Buggy case study here.
Although Hydrogen is a flammable fuel, it is much safer than gasoline or natural gas.
If there is a leak, it dissipates quickly into the air at 40m per second. In the event of a fire, the hydrogen burns very quickly rather than pooling and causing an explosion like gasoline.
Hydrogen is also the lightest element on the periodic table, so it won’t seep into lower areas like LPG or petrol vapours.
Hydrogen tank liners are also incredibly durable. In fact, Toyota demonstrated their durability by firing a shotgun at one without managing to breach the tank.
As the hydrogen economy is still in its infancy, the lack of large-scale hydrogen production and delivery means it costs more than diesel, gas or biofuel equivalents. We anticipate hydrogen prices to come down once it becomes more prevalent as a fuel source in the market.
Hydrogen generators like the GEH2 also require hydrogen in an external source, which is often provided in what we call a ‘man pack’. Man packs are typically the size of a pallet and consist of 12 large steel hydrogen cylinders.
The challenge is that each man pack weighs roughly 1200kg, but only contains 8-9kg of hydrogen. This may present logistical or storage challenges for remote or tightly compacted sites. We expect as technology advances and the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source increases, so will the infrastructure to store and transport it.
Blue Diamond Machinery has been powering the industries that power Australia’s economy for over a decade. Now, we’re helping them transition to an emission-free future.Â
Whatever stage your business is at, we have the know-how and expertise to recommend the right solution. Â
For advice on taking the first steps to reduce your onsite emissions without compromising productivity or efficiency, get in touch with the team today.Â
