Skip to main content

Clean onsite power system introduced

An innovative onsite power source utilising fuel cell technology has been developed jointly by Intelligent Energy and Taylor Construction Plant (TCP Ltd). This novel, no-emission power product meets the very strictest environmental legislation, allowing it to be used in low emission zones in urban areas or in enclosed areas such as underground quarries, tunnels or carparks where ventilation may be limited. The firms say that this off-grid hydrogen fuel cell power product is designed to meet the changing ne
October 12, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Fuel cell technology is well proven having been used to power NASA’s Apollo missions to the moon, with these systems now slowly being introduced for industrial purposes also
An innovative onsite power source utilising fuel cell technology has been developed jointly by 4011 Intelligent Energy and 5464 Taylor Construction Plant (TCP Ltd). This novel, no-emission power product meets the very strictest environmental legislation, allowing it to be used in low emission zones in urban areas or in enclosed areas such as underground quarries, tunnels or carparks where ventilation may be limited.


The firms say that this off-grid hydrogen fuel cell power product is designed to meet the changing needs of the construction industry. Fuel cells use hydrogen to generate electrical power, with the only emissions being of harmless water vapour. This innovative power unit is said to be silent in operation and the partners claim it provides a viable off-grid alternative to diesel, helping to meet air quality targets.

Intelligent Energy announced a strategic partnership with UK based TCP in late 2017 to integrate, test and evaluate new products for the construction industry. The partners jointly developed this innovative unit, which is fuelled by hydrogen and uses an Intelligent Energy 801 Fuel Cell Module (FCM) to produce a DC generator, capable of a maximum output of 1kW. The ECO GH2 can be used with DC power loads or with a TCP inverter power pack to produce an off-grid generator unit up to 5kW for power tools, accessories and welfare units.

Powered by Intelligent Energy’s Air Cooled fuel cells, the ECO GH2 is zero emission at point of delivery and has near silent operation, an advantage for night-time work and for operating in urban areas, particularly where noisy diesel generators disturb residents and businesses. The product is said to be lightweight, easy to carry and operate, can be used in enclosed ventilated spaces and there are no liquid fuels.

Intelligent Energy’s FCMs provide further benefits that make them a versatile solution for the construction industry, including compact and robust design, lower life-cycle cost than standby diesel generators, and minimal service requirements (simple air filter replacement).

Intelligent Energy’s PEM fuel cell products run on hydrogen and ambient air to produce clean power in a simple, cost effective, robust and compact package.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Electric drive system for wheeled loaders from ZF at bauma
    October 26, 2022
    ZF is developing an electric driveline for use with wheeled loaders called the eTRAC eCD160. The 100% electric system is still in prototype form and, says ZF, it has been designed to offer wheeled loader operators high efficiency levels alongside low emission outputs.
  • The ADT offers hauling versatility
    May 20, 2014
    The ADT offers a highly versatile option for earthmoving applications and manufacturers are offering new and improved models with the latest low emission engines - Mike Woof writes The versatility and adaptability of the ADT has seen this type of machine become one of the most important types of equipment for the global off-highway machinery sector. The once popular motor scraper now sells in only limited numbers, even in the US, and has been replaced by the more versatile excavator and ADT combination o
  • Solar power from Proelectric’s Protemp lighting column
    May 21, 2018
    UK solar lighting manufacturer Prolectric has launched the ProTemp solar lighting column, that combines smart, LED lighting with solar performance. The Prolectric ProTemp is a flexible alternative to mains-powered festoon lighting or diesel-generator lights, says the manufacturer. It complements the larger award-winning Prolectric ProLight solar lighting tower which was introduced in early 2017. Main contractors on high profile construction and infrastructure projects are using the lights to help reduce ca
  • A novel compact grading solution
    October 16, 2012
    One of the interesting developments at the recent Hillhead quarry show in the UK, was of a rather more compact machine than usually seen at the exhibition. A UK equipment rental firm, CLS Selfdrive, revealed a US-manufactured compact grader equipped with machine control equipment. This is of note seeing that such machine control technologies are usually fitted to much larger machines. The increasing proliferation of the systems and the reduction in costs in real terms however means that this technology is n