To further support the UK’s net zero roadmap, Calor has partnered with Adelan, a global developer of microporous solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology, to help pave the way for cleaner, low carbon construction vehicles.
The Adelante project has been awarded more than £170,000 of funding from the ‘Red Diesel Replacement’ competition, backed by the UK’s department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The project will see Calor and Adelan deploy Adelan fuel cells, powered by Calor Futuria DME, in electrified construction platforms such as cherry pickers.
UK tax breaks that supported the use of ‘red diesel’ in agricultural and construction vehicles were eliminated in April 2022. Since then, especially with the price of diesel soaring, the construction sector has been looking for an alternative – with fuel cells a potential viable option.
Fuel cells are hydrogen-ready but can just as easily use here-and-now fuels such as Futuria DME or Futuria Liquid Gas (previously BioLPG), which are attracting significant market interest as a result.
Adelan, in partnership with Calor, will deploy its unique microporous solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology as an alternative to diesel-fuelled internal combustion engines. The partnership will explore the fuel flexibility of Adelan’s mSOFC, as this technology can also use renewable hydrocarbons, such as Futuria DME, instead of hydrogen.
Project Adelante will see Calor supply its Futuria DME as a 100% blend to Adelan for use in its innovative fuel cell technology. Futuria DME has been shown to deliver CO2 savings of up to 74% compared to diesel. Adelan’s fuel cells therefore offer an attractive solution as a diesel replacement for construction vehicles, as they are low-carbon, low-noise and produce much less air pollution.
In addition to the use of fuel cells as a direct replacement for diesel engines, Adelan will also validate the potential for Calor’s Futuria DME fuel to be used in its mSOFC equipment. If successful, the application of Futuria DME could have wider benefits for the UK’s transition to clean energy, as it will enable Adelan’s technology to be deployed in the future at scale – using a clean fuel with a robust supply chain – rather than the uncertainty of future hydrogen supply chains and costs.
With the potential to be carbon negative in the future, Futuria DME is a drop in alternative to LPG when used in fuel cells, meaning no changes to existing infrastructure or equipment is required.
The Adelante project will further strengthen the Calor and Adelan partnership. The two companies previously worked together to help replace diesel generators for low carbon off-grid power generation. Calor continues to support the project, supplying Futuria Liquid Gas to Adelan fuel cell trials to replace diesel generators – particularly in Clean Air Zones – at a lower cost, with more straightforward storage and transportation options than hydrogen.
Commenting on this partnership, Alastair Lovell, Head of Sustainable Fuels at Calor, said: “With the construction sector accounting for almost a quarter of all global carbon emissions, a more sustainable replacement to diesel is needed.
“This exciting partnership will see Adelan’s technology explore the potential for renewable hydrocarbons such as Futuria DME within fuel cell technology, paving the way for more sustainable, cleaner energy source for the next generation of construction vehicles.
“This is just one of the many ways Calor is supporting different industries to make the transition to use more sustainable fuels, driving the change required for a better future, and meeting our aim to offering all our customers 100% renewable energy solutions by 2040.”
Adelan CEO, Dr Michaela Kendall commented: “Fuel cell technology offers a really attractive solution as a diesel replacement for construction vehicles. Low-pollution, low-carbon, low-noise and efficient, fuel cells present a host of benefits while Adelan’s patented hydrogen ready technology allows equipment providers to be ready to take advantage of cleaner low-carbon fuels as they emerge.
“Futuria Liquid Gas is a renewable fuel that is chemically identical to LPG and Futuria DME is chemically similar. Both can help reduce local air pollutants, as well noise and carbon. These solutions will eliminate the need to wait for hydrogen supply capacity to build up, providing low carbon off grid power sooner, and at a fraction of the cost or hassle of hydrogen.”
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