Ballard Power Systems has received an order for 30 hydrogen fuel cell modules, totaling 3MW, from carbon reduction firm First Mode. The modules will be used to power several hybrid hydrogen and battery ultra-class mining haul trucks in Washington state. The trucks are expected to save 2,600 tons of diesel fuel per year.
Ballard and First Mode began collaborating in 2019 to supply fuel cells for the world’s first 2MW hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery power plant designed by First Mode. The plant replaced a diesel engine on an ultra-class haul truck that is now operating at Anglo American’s Platinum Group Metals mine site in South Africa.
“The mining industry annually contributes up to 7% of the world’s carbon emissions and roughly half of these emissions comes from mobile diesel applications, including haul trucks,” said David Mucciacciaro, Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Together with First Mode, we are continuing to demonstrate a viable pathway to decarbonize mining trucks by using Ballard’s leading hydrogen fuel cells.”
First Mode is working on scaling up production for the next generation of clean energy power plants. In January 2023, it entered into a global supply agreement with Anglo American to retrofit more than 400 ultra-class haul trucks with First Mode’s nuGen solution, including fuel cell and battery power plant and related infrastructure.
Source: Press Release
Image Source: Ballard