Diesel fuel powers a wide range of industries, from shipping to agriculture. With prices reaching record highs recently, governments globally are working to mitigate the impact. One promising solution may come from LNK Energies, a startup from MIT, which has developed a technology to convert existing heavy-duty trucks from diesel to hydrogen. This innovation aims to reduce pollution and operational costs while protecting operators from price fluctuations caused by geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Cost Efficiency of Hydrogen
According to Alexis Huynh, chief technology officer at LNK Energies, "If you look at the total cost of ownership of a Class 8 truck, it’s 13% cheaper than diesel." Class 8 trucks represent the heaviest category, including large rigs. The automotive industry has been investigating hydrogen as a viable fuel source for long-haul trucking, primarily due to the faster refueling time compared to recharging electric batteries.
Challenges with Hydrogen Transportation
However, transporting hydrogen to refueling stations poses challenges, particularly regarding the size and cost of pressure tanks needed for storage on trucks. LNK’s innovative approach involves carrying hydrogen chemically bonded to another compound. Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) are liquids capable of absorbing and releasing hydrogen, and while they have been studied extensively for transporting hydrogen from refineries, the equipment required to extract hydrogen from LOHCs has traditionally been too large for truck applications.
