Researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney have successfully retrofitted a diesel engine to run as a hydrogen-diesel hybrid, cutting down C02 emissions by around 85 percent.
The move comes as part of a wider push for governments to electrify their nation’s transport networks as part of the net-zero movement.
The team, led by Prof. Shawn Kook of the School of Mechanical Engineering, spent 18 months developing the hydrogen-diesel direct injection dual-fuel system, which can run using 90 percent hydrogen as fuel.
The researchers are hoping their discovery can be used to retrofit heavy equipment—in a matter of months—in the fields of transportation, agriculture, and mining.
He said hydrogen storage systems need to be integrated into fuel injection systems.
“I do think the general technology with regards to mobile hydrogen storage needs to be developed further because, at the moment, that is quite a challenge,” he said.
The research team is hoping to commercialise the system within 12 to 24 months and is keen to consult with investors, noting that industrial locations where hydrogen fuel supply lines are already in place, including mining sites.
Kook also said retro-fitting diesel engines were much faster than developing completely new hydrogen fuel cells, which may need another decade until they are commercially viable.
