India has opted for hydrogen fuel-cell heavy-duty mine truck mobility in a green initiative that will have platinum group metals (PGMs) miners applauding.

This is because the clean emission-free power will come from proton exchange membrane, or PEM, technology, which is PGMs-enabled.

Indian multinational conglomerate Adani Group, headquartered in Ahmedabad, is the latest champion in the fight against climate change, with Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), Canada’s Ballard Power Systems and Ashok Leyland teaming up to develop the pioneering heavy-duty zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) for India.

Earlier, Adani unveiled plans to invest $50-billion-plus in green hydrogen, amid growing recognition being given to the contribution of PGMs-linked PEM water electrolysis to zero-emission decarbonisation. On the cards is the production of three-million tons of green hydrogen a year.

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission is targeting net zero in manufacturing operations by 2035.

The 28-page document proposes to support deployment of FCEVs by closing the viability gap created by the relatively higher capital cost of FCEVs in initial years.

The document also outlines timeframes for subsidisation of green hydrogen production and electrolyser manufacture.

Indian and international media reported late last month that AEL would lead the planned hydrogen-powered fuel cell mining truck advance, with Ballard providing its FCmove™ fuel cell engine for the hydrogen truck and Ashok Leyland the vehicle platform.

The 55 t truck, with a 200 km working range, will be powered by 120 kW PEM fuel cell technology, which Ballard Power Systems CEO Randy MacEwen described as having rapid refuelling and heavy payload capabilities.

According to Adani Natural Resources CEO and AEL director Vinay Prakash, the project is in alignment with Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani’s vision to accelerate hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology.

Ashok Leyland CTO Dr Natarajan Saravanan highlighted what he described as Adani’s unwavering dedication to hydrogen as being an opportunity for India to decarbonise.

Hydrogen, the most abundant element, is a versatile, zero-emission energy carrier with a high energy density. It can also be stored in large quantities and for long periods.

The Hydrogen Council estimates that hydrogen could represent 18% of global energy demand by 2050.

PGMs, which are essential in cleaning up the noxious gases from the internal combustion engine, are now also playing a growing role in the emerging hydrogen economy, in both FCEVs and in water electrolysis to produce green hydrogen.

“If we indeed work together, we can speed up the energy transition and make the green hydrogen economy a reality in the near future,” South Africa’s Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande stated during a just energy transition webinar last month, which was attended by European Commission Joint Research Centre director-general Stephen Quest, UK High Commissioner Antony Phillipson and representatives of neighbouring African States intent on exporting their sunshine in the form of green hydrogen.

South Africa’s Zero-Emission Haulage Solution

In South Africa, mining company Anglo American last year launched the large nuGenzero emissions haulage solution (ZEHS) hydrogen-powered mine haul truck – a 220 t truck with a load capacity of 290 t, providing a total laden weight of 510 t.

The ZEHS ecosystem to generate and store hydrogen at the Mogalakwena PGMs mine, in Limpopo, includes a 3.5 MW twin-compressor water electrolyser and hydrogen storage tanks, with 800 kg of capacity at 500 bars of pressure.

The hydrogen dispenser is capable of moving 4 kg of hydrogen a minute at 250 bars of pressure.

The London- and Johannesburg-listed Anglo is intent on decarbonising its entire global fleet of 400 trucks in this way, as well as providing critical supporting refuelling, recharging and hydrogen production infrastructure.

Last month, Nikola Corporation of the US announced the development of a heavy-duty, 700 bar mobile hydrogen fueller of FCEVs.

Nikola CEO Michael Lohscheller spoke of the new mobile fuellers complementing the company’s permanent hydrogen fuelling stations, which are being developed.