Loxam first to offer hydrogen fuel cell generator

Loxam said it is the first equipment rental company to offer the hydrogen powered GEH2 generator, after signing a deal with French hydrogen specialist Energy Observer Developments (EODev).

The GEH2 electro-hydrogen power generator offers zero emissions

The deal, which comes after more than a year of testing and includes further investment by EODev, will make the zero-emission generator made available to customers for use in “all environments”.

The 80kW GEH2 produces no pollution, CO2 emissions or particulate matter, and is suitable for use across all industry sectors. 

The unit, which has a footprint of less than 4m2, is manufactured by EODev’s industrial partner Eneria, a subsidiary of Monnoyeur Group. It uses a Toyota fuel cell and a lithium-ion phosphate battery.

Environmentally friendly and capable of continuous operation, it includes a “peak shaving” mode that enables it to connect to the power grid and a 4G connection. This allows the unit’s location, usage data and hydrogen reserve status to be continuously monitored online.

Loxam said the addition of the GEH2 was part of its ongoing efforts to move away from diesel and petrol powertrain products.

The GEH2 is powered by a fuel cell developed by Toyota and a lithium-ion phosphate battery.

Alice Hénault, Loxam’s group strategy and development director, said, “Loxam is committed to the energy transition and to investing in alternative powertrains to 100% diesel or petrol.

“We are always looking for innovation partners to offer our clients equipment that does not emit greenhouse gases at point of use. It was therefore quite a natural choice for us to turn to EODev to invest in hydrogen technology and contribute to the development of this channel.”

EODev’s GEH2 also offers “substantially” reduced noise emissions and immediate operation once positioned onsite.

It features sockets that allow it to be used with standardised power frequencies of 50Hz or 60Hz and voltages of 230 or 400V.

Users can deploy the model a single unit or connect several of them together when more power is required. The GEH2 can also be used alongside conventional diesel and gas power generators.

Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of EODev, said, “At EODev, our strong belief is that innovation will only be meaningful if it is a shared and made accessible to the widest possible audience.

“In this respect, the commitment of a rental company of this size is key to help develop the use cases of hydrogen and demonstrate the maturity of this technology.

“We are very pleased to offer Loxam, a French company and European leader, our expertise through this hydrogen power generator solution which will support its clients in all sectors in the construction of a zero carbon society.”

Energy Observer Developments (EODev) is the industrial products division launched late last year by Energy Observer. The division raised €20 million last year to fund its activities, and is now developing products including the GEH2, and on-board hydrogen energy system (REXH2 for maritime and river use, and mobile floating hydrogen refueling stations (STSH2) for the production and distribution of green hydrogen.

The model can be used as a single unit or stacked alongside other generators.