H.W. Richardson (HWR), the largest heavy transport firm in New Zealand, wants to decarbonize its fleet by adopting a hydrogen refuelling technology created by Fabrum.
Fabrum, a zero-emissions transition company, is developing and delivering an end-to-end scalable hydrogen refuelling solution for HWR to facilitate fleet-ready hydrogen access. This is in line with HWR’s intention to have ten dual-fuel hydrogen diesel trucks on the road by the second quarter of 2023.
Fabrum is constructing the first green hydrogen generation system for HWR at its Southland location, utilizing a membrane-free electrolyser with its cryogenic technologies in a containerized system for decentralized point-of-use refueling.
Fabrum will also provide hydrogen storage technology that connects with compression and dispensing technologies to offer a production-to-distribution hydrogen gas solution.
Dr. Ojas Mahapatra, the chief executive officer of Fabrum, asserts that there is a spike in demand for hydrogen solutions, spurred by rising decarbonisation and energy security issues.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with HWR to bring about a future of zero-emission transportation using our green hydrogen technologies. As one of New Zealand’s major enterprises, HWR is in a position to implement significant changes that will have a significant impact on its emissions and give a sustainability and decarbonisation blueprint for heavy transport.”
Fabrum’s AFCryocooler cryogenic technology, which enables gas separation and liquefaction, combined with Clean Power Hydrogen’s (CPH2) patented Membrane-Free Electrolyser technology, splits water into pure hydrogen and medical grade oxygen without the polymer membrane used in conventional PEM electrolysers. From water, a 1.1 MW system can produce 450 kg of hydrogen per day.
CEO of HWR, Anthony Jones, states that Fabrum is an integral aspect of the company’s hydrogen initiative.
Their industry-leading systems enable on-site and on-demand hydrogen production. As HWR deploys dual-fuel technology and its hydrogen refuelling network throughout New Zealand, Fabrum’s scalability means that this alternate fuel source will be a solution for the whole heavy transport industry.”
Since late 2021, HWR has been testing dual-fuel hydrogen technology for its truck fleets. Dual-fuel is a future fuels solution that works for the whole heavy transport industry, making the shift to low-carbon fuels accessible and sustainable. Dual-fuel diesel engines may replace up to 40 percent of the diesel with hydrogen, resulting in a 40 percent reduction in emissions without any loss of power.
HWR, which controls the Allied Petroleum network of around 110 fueling stations in New Zealand from Stewart Island to Karikari Peninsula, has the option to purchase more electrolyser and hydrogen storage systems from Fabrum for new and current refueling stations.
“By removing barriers to getting accessible hydrogen fuel, we can leverage our fuel network to distribute hydrogen as an alternative fuel not only for our fleet, but for the heavy transport industry as a whole,” adds Jones.
Christopher Boyle, managing director and co-founder of Fabrum, states that hydrogen is one of the most scalable and realistic choices for facilitating the energy transition to a lower-carbon economy.
“In order to leave the planet a better place, we must look to a new future with liquid hydrogen, and we have developed the technology to make that vision a reality. Our hydrogen fuel production methods create new opportunities for sustainable long-distance, maritime, and aircraft transportation, as well as energy independence.
“It’s great to see HWR commit to a hydrogen transition, which will have a substantial impact on their emissions and pave the way for the industry as a whole to move toward enhanced sustainability and ultimately zero emissions.”
