Zero-emissions transition company Fabrum will supply the hydrogen refuelling solutions for the upcoming H.W. Richardson (HWR) dual-fuel (hydrogen diesel) truck trial reported in the June issue of NZ Truck & Driver.

Fabrum is developing and deploying an end-to-end scalable refuelling solution for HWR to enable fleet-ready access to hydrogen, supporting HWR’s plans to have 10 dual-fuel trucks on the road by the second quarter of 2023.

The first Fabrum green hydrogen production system for HWR will operate in Southland, using a 1.1-Megawatt (MW) membrane-free electrolyser combined with its cryogenic technologies in a containerised system for decentralised point-of-use refuelling.

Fabrum will also supply hydrogen storage technology with integrated compression and dispensing technology to enable an end-to-end solution of production through to dispensing of hydrogen gas. 

The system employs Fabrum’s world-leading AFCryocooler cryogenic technology, which enables gas separation and liquefaction. Combined with patented Membrane-Free Electrolyser technology from UK company Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2), it splits water into pure hydrogen and medical grade oxygen without the polymer membrane used in common PEM electrolysers. A 1.1 MW system can produce 450kg of hydrogen per day from water.

HWR’s CEO Anthony Jones says Fabrum is a key part of the hydrogen project as their world-leading solutions enable hydrogen production capability on-site and on-demand. 

“As HWR rolls out dual-fuel technology and its hydrogen refuelling network across New Zealand, Fabrum’s ability to scale to grow with us means this alternative fuel source will be a solution for the entire heavy transport industry,” Jones says. 

HWR has been trialling dual-fuel hydrogen technology for its truck fleets since late 2021. Dual-fuel is a future fuels solution that works for the entire heavy transport industry, enabling this low-carbon transition in an accessible and sustainable manner. Dual-fuel technology used on current technology diesel engines can replace up to 40% of the diesel with hydrogen – resulting in a 40% reduction in emissions – without power loss.

“We’re excited to be working with HWR to power change for a new zero-emission transport future with our green hydrogen technologies,” says Fabrum’s CEO, Dr Ojas Mahapatra.

“As one of New Zealand’s largest companies, HWR can action big change that impacts its emissions and provides a sustainability and decarbonisation blueprint for heavy transport.

“Over the past year, we’ve seen a surge in demand for our hydrogen solutions, driven by increasing decarbonisation and energy security challenges.”

HWR, which owns the Allied Petroleum network of around 110 fuel stops across New Zealand, has options to buy further electrolyser and hydrogen storage systems from Fabrum for new and existing refuelling sites. 

“We can use our fuel network to distribute hydrogen as an alternative fuel not just for our fleet, but to help the heavy transport industry as a whole – by removing barriers to accessing ready hydrogen fuel,” says Jones.