Heavy Equipment

Caterpillar to Roll Out 100% Hydrogen Generator

Cat G3516H gen-set is configured to use 100% hydrogen fuel.

Updated on

September 10, 2021

Caterpillar Inc. is set to unveil a Cat hydrogen generator that will operate 100% on hydrogen to meet the rising demand from customers seeking to reduce their carbon footprints.

The company says it will begin offering the Cat G3516H generator sets to customers in North America and Europe on a designed-to-order basis in the final quarter of 2021.

The Caterpillar hydrogen generator, initially available in the two markets, will be offered with ratings of 1250 kW for 50 or 60 Hz continuous, prime, and load management applications.

The Cat G3516H is capable of operating on fully renewable green hydrogen.

According to Bart Myers, the GM for Caterpillar Large Electric Power, the energy market is changing as clients look to maximize the benefits of reducing their carbon intensities.

“We’re extending our leadership through numerous initiatives that demonstrate the viability of power solutions that can utilize many types of hydrogen, including fully renewable, in order to shorten the path to commercial availability,” Myers said.

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Plans for 100% hydrogen generators include producing a range of commercially available products and upgrades for existing Caterpillar gas generators.

Customer demand growth

This, Caterpillar said, will help to address potential customer demand growth as the hydrogen supply infrastructure matures. It will also demonstrate the company’s commitment to assisting its customers to meet their climate-related goals.

Caterpillar will also roll out Cat CG132B, CG170B, G3500H, G3500 with Fast Response, and CG260 gas gen-sets operating on natural gas blends with up to 25% hydrogen.

Besides, the company will offer retrofit kits that come with hydrogen blending abilities up to 25% hydrogen for select generators built on these engine platforms.

Production of these products will begin in the final quarter of 2022.

They will leverage generators presently operating on natural gas blended with up to 80% hydrogen to help customers attain their carbon-reduction goals with high-performing, cost-effective technologies that prove the near-term viability of hydrogen as a fuel source.