The Port of Gothenburg, Skanska, PowerCell, Hitachi Energy, Linde Gas, Volvo, and Skagerak Energi used Hyflex, a containerised hydrogen fuel cell & battery, for heavy-duty construction needs.

The 100kW fuel cell by PowerCell - with green hydrogen provided by Linde Gas and Hitachi Energy supplying the generator to produce electricity from hydrogen - was used on 4-17 March 2024 on the Arendal 2 construction site to run Volvo's excavator.

The plug-and-play solution includes fuel cell modules, power electronics, cooling, auxiliary systems, and an intelligent control system.

Richard Berkling, CEO of the PowerCell Group, highlighted:

The Hyflex has the potential to replace diesel generator sets across multiple platforms, as well as take on new power generation applications. The current demonstrator has been developed with construction sites in mind, however we also recognise the need for marine and port electrification applications, such as sustainable ship-to-shore power.

Viktor Allgurén, Innovation Manager at the Gothenburg Port Authority, added:

In a diverse and energy-intensive operation like a port, there are many areas of use. It can be used as fuel for trucks, trains, or handling equipment in terminals, for propulsion of ships, or to support the power grid when a ship is connected to shore power. So the use of hydrogen fits perfectly into the port context.

Photos: Port of Gothenburg