Three companies in Central Europe—Test-Fuchs, SFC Energy and Auto Group—have announced the release of the H2Genset, a hydrogen-powered mobile generator.

The trailer-mounted power generator can be used to charge electric vehicles in situations where it is preferable or necessary to bring the power source to the vehicles.  

Austrian Airlines has deployed the H2Genset on the airport apron in Vienna, where it can be used to support a mobile DC fast charger to charge the airport’s electric vehicles. The H2Genset has an output of both 230 V and 400 V AC. 

Hydrogen is an energy storage medium that is far less efficient than batteries, as an analysis by the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency explains (see also InsideEVs, The Guardian, Flux Power, et al). The vast majority of hydrogen produced today comes from fossil fuels. However, some users still choose to use hydrogen for applications in which speed of refueling and/or low weight is a top priority.

The H2Genset also has numerous other applications, including serving as a backup for an EV charging station, or an off-grid power supply at worksites to recharge electric vehicles and equipment.  

Austrian is also testing the application of hydrogen power in the air with the deployment of a power supply aboard an Airbus A320 that uses a frequency converter from Dynell, an Austrian aviation power equipment manufacturer. 

Meanwhile, the H2Genset was introduced and tested in April at the Donauinselfest in Vienna, where it powered four mobile transmitters needed to support the large number of music fans attending the festival and using their smartphones to share the event with others.

Source: Austrian Airlines