TOPIC 'Fuel Cells' on Jan 30, 2009 (CET)
Introducing A New Fuel Cell For Tractors
New Holland is expected to introduce a new fuel cell that is a prototype for tractors at the Paris SIMA agricultural show in February 2009. New Holland is a tractor manufacturer and a subsidiary of Fiat. The fuel cell is anticipated to be hydrogen-powered and similar to those used in automobiles. Representatives have acknowledged that the fuel cell may be powered by hydrogen, or it could be generated from biomass, solar, or wind sources.
SIMA is touted as “The most international agricultural exhibition in the world.” The show will be held in Paris, Nord Villepinte Exhibition Park, France, between Sunday, February 22, and Thursday, February 26, 2009. More emphasis than ever will be placed this year on renewable energy at the exhibition.
Many car manufacturers are searching out just the right technology to make an alternative fuel vehicle successful in commercial production. This joint investment of effort by New Holland and Iveco is believed to the first instance of looking at fuel cells powering tractors.
Fuels cells are basically two electrodes surrounding an electrolyte. Oxygen flows over one electrode and hydrogen flows over the other, creating electricity as a result. The electricity is stored within a lithium-ion battery which is used by an electric motor. It has received great reviews because the only by-product of this combination and transformation is water. It does not emit any greenhouse gases.
The problems fuel cells are experiencing that is preventing them from being produced and utilized on a commercial scale is their cost. The process of producing hydrogen in the first stage of the technology can also be expensive. New Holland has a theory that costs can be lowered for fuel cells by a more reasonable production method of hydrogen manufactured right on the farm. Farms can utilize wind, biomass, or solar resources to generate electricity on the farm, and that electricity can help create hydrogen through water electrolysis.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
