Hydrogen as a clean fuel closer with new TNO hydrogen lab
TNO's Innovation Centre for Sustainable Powertrains (ICSP) in Helmond is firmly committed to the application of hydrogen. On Wednesday, February 3, the first large quantity of this clean gas was delivered for extensive measuring, testing and experimentation.
Hydrogen has the potential to eventually replace diesel as a fuel for heavy trucks, marine engines and portable generators. TNO wants to accelerate this development to achieve the climate objectives in the field of mobility and to create opportunities for Dutch industry.
Clean hydrogen internal combustion engine
In the new test facilities, made possible in part by government contributions, we are working closely with Dutch companies in open innovation to accelerate innovations in this area. This puts our country in a unique position to develop technologies that bring a clean combustion engine closer.
There is also still much to be gained by improving the performance of fuel cells used to power vehicles and vessels and by reducing their cost. Hydrogen could further serve as a clean fuel in, for example, stationary diesel generators, earthmoving and agricultural equipment with immediate huge local environmental benefits.
Building on existing knowledge
Burning hydrogen in an engine only releases water and at most a negligible amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx). The exact figures will become clear from the measurements and tests that TNO will perform in Helmond. The innovation center's new facilities consist of four test cells where we will measure and test the performance and emissions of both fuel cells and hydrogen-powered engines under a wide variety of conditions. The advantage is that the application of the much cleaner hydrogen can build on robust existing technology with which TNO has decades of experience.
Cooperation
Intensive cooperation between knowledge institutions and industry will accelerate the development of clean propulsion. This is good for the environment and for the Netherlands. The first development projects in the field of hydrogen combustion have now started, laying the foundation for making hydrogen technology applicable in the Netherlands.