· Double the power and torque, increased operating autonomy
· New features, optimum performance, zero emissions
· In service at ‘La Bellotta’ in Italy, the first Energy Independent Farm, from summer 2012
Double the power and torque, increased operating autonomy
Derived from the New Holland T6.140 production model, the new tractor will operate all the implements required for different seasonal operations: soil preparation, seeding, baling, transport, and front loader applications.
Compared to the first NH2™, the new model has fuel cells that deliver double the power, increased from 50 to 100kW, as there are now three stacks developing a total of 384 units (the first model had two stacks providing a total 256 units).
The number of on-board electric motors remains the same, one for traction and one to operate the PTO and auxiliary circuits, but their rated power and torque are doubled.
Each of the new electric motors has a power output of 100kW, with continuous torque of 950Nm and maximum torque of 1,200Nm. Top crankshaft speed is 3000 rpm, and efficiency at maximum power output is a staggering 96%.
Naturally enough, to keep the increased number of fuel cells in operation and ensure the tractor can keep working for longer (up to three hours, depending on the load); a bigger hydrogen tank has been installed. The tank of the new NH2™ can hold a generous 8.2 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 bar, opposed to 2.4 kg for the previous model.
New features, optimum performance, zero emissions
Other new features include a 12kWh, 300V battery, with peak power output of 50kW, the new Continuously Variable Transmission, replacing the conventional manual gearbox, a suspended front axle, and the inclusion of front loader mounting points as standard.
Performance levels of the new NH2™ are more than equal to those of a tractor similar size with a conventional engine. However, it offers one enormous advantage: the tractor produces zero harmful exhaust emissions, only heat and water vapour.
With a top speed of 50kph, pulling power comparable to that of a standard 120 hp diesel tractor, and a hydraulic system that delivers a maximum of 113 l/min (the same as that of the T6.140 model from which it derives), the new hydrogen-powered NH2™ is a genuine farm tractor, comprehensively equipped and ready to work.
In service at ‘La Bellotta’ in Italy, the first Energy Independent Farm, from summer 2012
The operational début of the new NH2™ is scheduled for summer 2012, on the La Bellotta farm in Venaria, near Turin, New Holland's first Energy Independent Farm. This concept centres on the ability of farms to produce electrical energy from natural sources that have a low environmental impact, and to store it conveniently in the form of hydrogen for subsequent reuse.
The project, initiated by New Holland and implemented in collaboration with a consortium of 13 partners including API-COM, CNR, CRF, Elasis, ENEA, Envi-Park, Ferrari Costruzioni Meccaniche, Roter Italia, Sapio Verderone, Tonutti and Zefiro, is partly funded by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development.
As regards the actual production of hydrogen, three methods are being evaluated.
The first is the electrolysis of water, its decompositon into oxygen and hydrogen, using electrical energy produced by a photovoltaic system already installed on the farm.
The second method is that of small scale , steam reforming natural gas; should this prove practically feasible and economically viable, it would be possible to use the methane produced by the digesters of the one MegaWatt biogas generator that has been in operation at La Bellotta for over a year.
The third method of producing hydrogen, and the most innovative of all, is that of exploiting the dark anaerobic fermentation of biomass: a biological process generating a blend of gases that contains a significant proportion of hydrogen. This method will also be evaluated in terms of feasibility, costs and benefits.
A hydrogen storage tank will be installed on-site, connected to the compressor at a special filling station, so that the NH2™ can operate and refuel on the farm just like a conventional tractor.
For full information on New Holland’s Clean Energy Leader strategy, visit the dedicated website www.thecleanenergyleader.com to find out more about the pilot Energy Independent Farm, visit www.labellotta.com.
