Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - February 2022 - 11

POWER GENERATION FEATURE
Hydrogen generates BUZZ in power generation
Deutz's first hydrogen engine, the TCG 7.8
H2, is powering a generator that produces
170 kVA of electricity at a cogeneration plant.
Companies target stationary power applications to prove their hydrogen
technology and to build scale until infrastructure expands for mobility.
by Ryan Gehm
T
he commercial-vehicle and off-highway sectors have high
hopes for hydrogen-fueled propulsion systems. However, before
hydrogen fuel cells and combustion engines power vehicles
in large numbers, these power units are likely to make a
bigger impact by staying put.
Deutz launched its first hydrogen engine, the TCG 7.8 H2, in August
2021 as a " next step " in its effort to provide carbon-neutral drive systems
for off-highway applications. The drive, which reportedly meets
all the eligibility criteria set by the European Union for zero CO2
sion engines, has passed initial tests on the test bench and is scheduled
to enter full production in 2024.
Due to infrastructure limitations, however, the engine likely will find
more extensive use in rail and stationary applications rather than in heavy
machinery on construction sites, at least in the near term. Generating a
power output of 200 kW, the six-cylinder TCG 7.8 H2 is based on an existing
engine design, said Dr. Markus Müller, chief technology officer of
Deutz AG. " In principle, the engine is suitable for all current Deutz applications, "
he said, " but due to the available infrastructure, it is likely to be
used first in stationary equipment, generators and rail transport. "
Utility provider RheinEnergie is running the first pilot application
of Deutz's hydrogen engine in stationary equipment for power generation.
The engine is powering a generator that produces 170 kilovolt-ampere
of electricity at RheinEnergie's cogeneration plant in
Cologne-Niehl, Germany.
" We are looking to trial this first system there and to work with the
experts from Deutz to study the stationary operation of this engine in
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
emiscombination
with the generator, " said Dr. Dieter
Steinkamp, CEO of RheinEnergie. " This compact system
is ideal for use as a decentralized source of energy
for climate-compatible buildings and urban quarters,
and perhaps also for use in places that are not yet
connected to the electricity grid or heating network. "
The first test cycle, lasting around six months, will
focus solely on generating power using the Deutz engine.
The second phase will also utilize the waste heat
from the system (cogeneration). The partners are investing
a combined total of around €1.3 million in the
operating trial at the Niehl plant.
Fuel-cell generators build scale
cellcentric, the joint venture company established by
Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, plans to install its hydrogen
fuel cell modules in heavy-duty trucks later
this year. To accelerate series production, the company
is seeking the quick deployment of a large volume of
fuel cells in another application: power generation.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems is developing complete
MTU hydrogen fuel cell solutions based on cellcentric's
fuel cell modules to enable CO2
-free generation of
emergency power for data centers. Rolls-Royce, which
claims to be a top-three global supplier of emergency
February 2022 11
DEUTZ AG
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - February 2022

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