New Holland Presents the First NH2 Hydrogen Powered Tractor Ready to Go into Service on a Farm

New Holland Agriculture reaffirms its role as the Clean Energy Leader by announcing the release of the second generation hydrogen-powered NH2 tractor, which will have its world preview at the Agritechnica show in Hanover, Germany (November 13-19, 2011).

"The new NH2 has evolved from the concept tractor that won the Gold Innovation Medal at SIMA 2009. It was developed in collaboration with CRF," said Riccardo Morselli, Innovation Product Development, "a process that has involved equipping the new machine with all of the features required to ensure it will deliver the kind of performance associated with a conventional diesel tractor, both in the field and on the road."

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 operations: tillage, planting, baling, and front loader applications.

Compared to the first NH2, the new model has fuel cells that deliver double the power, increased from 67 hp to 135 engine horsepower, as there are now three stacks developing a total of 384 units (the first model had two stacks providing a total of 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 135 hp, with continuous torque of 700 lb.ft. and maximum torque of 887 lb. ft. 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 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 18 lbs. of hydrogen at a pressure of 5075 psi, opposed to 5 lbs. 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 vapor.

With a top speed of 31 mph, pulling power comparable to that of a standard 120 hp engine diesel tractor, and a hydraulic system that delivers a maximum of 30 gpm (the same as that of the T6.140 model from which it derives), the new hydrogen-powered NH2 is a genuine farm tractor, equally equipped and ready to work.

In service at ‘La Bellotta' in Italy, the first Energy Independent Farm, starting in the summer of 2012
The operational début of the new NH2 is scheduled for the summer of 2012 on the La Bellotta farm in Venaria, Italy, New Holland's first Energy Independent Farm. This concept is based 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.

Three methods are being evaluated for the actual production of hydrogen.

The first is the electrolysis of water, its decompositon into oxygen and hydrogen, using electrical energy produced by a solar electrical panel 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 biodigesters 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.