Adelan moves on fuel cell mobility

Published January 2024

Fuel cell technology firm Adelan continues to pioneer mobile applications for its unique microtubular solid oxide product with a construction sector breakthrough. In its latest development Adelan is working with plant hire firms and sustainability managers in construction to roll out a fuel cell-powered mobile lift.

The fuel cell hybridised cherrypicker boasts all the attributes of its diesel-based counterpart, with a lower cost. The range of the standard hybrid model is substantially extended, whilst reducing maintenance visits and costs. Using decarbonised fuel (for example BioLPG or rDME from Calor) the system has the potential to power the non-road machinery model with negative carbon emissions. This alternative to traditional lift technologies is perfect to pave the way to decarbonisation in the construction industry.

As an attractive alternative to diesel, Adelan’s solid oxide fuel cells are hydrogen ready, but are also able to use a variety of alternative fuels such as LPG or renewable hydrocarbons such as rDME and BioLPG. This capability enables construction firms and others to adopt low-carbon power for plant and other mobile applications as the hydrogen infrastructure needed for the low-carbon transition is developed and expanded.

The UK’s oldest fuel cell firm, Adelan is already working with the country’s leading LPG supplier, Calor Gas, in a trial demonstrator to validate the fuel flexibility of its mobile SOFC tech. With the Speedy Hire product now commercially available, Adelan has again proven the suitability of its fuel cell technology. The construction sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of global carbon emissions and using fuel cells is a way to minimise carbon emissions from construction equipment. Reducing the environmental impact of hard-to-reach industries like construction is a crucial step on the road to net zero and the use of fossil fuels like diesel to power site equipment is a key target for action. Drop-in replacement fuels and Adelan fuel cell technology are a direct alternative to conventional internal combustion engines but are silent and low- or zero emission depending on the fuel used.

Adelan has been leading the development of mobile SOFC technology since it was first founded, starting with a hand-held demonstrator as far back as 1998. Since then, the company has launched multiple mobile products including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone, a heat and power unit designed for off-grid use in camper vans and agricultural vehicles, and site equipment such as mobile light boards for signage and its latest product launch with Speedy Hire. Recently, Adelan successfully demonstrated its technology in a portable construction cabin on the major HS2 project, is currently working with the Automotive Propulsion Centre (APC) on automotive applications, and its technology is now being used in space applications at both NASA and the European Space Agency.

The breadth of these mobile applications demonstrates not only the efficiency of the Adelan fuel cell technology, but also innate reliability and fuel flexibility. “The benefits that microtubular solid oxide fuel cell technology offers in mobility applications is unmatched. With their fuel flexibility, efficiency, and reliability, mSOFC are the mobile energy solution we need to decarbonise our world,” explained Dr Michaela Kendall, Adelan founder and CEO.

“Our collaboration with Speedy Hire marks another significant step towards the low-carbon mobility solutions are vital if we are to meet our climate change goals and limit average warming to 1.5ºC,” added Dr Kendall.

To discover exactly how Adelan can support your heat and power needs or deploy their clean, quiet, and reliable energy system for remote, mobile or any other applications, please contact Dr Kendall and the rest of the Adelan team at info@adelan.co.uk.