H2HANDLER-LCA - Concept Study Hydrogen-Powered Telehandler - LCA AddOn

Telehandlers are versatile, powerful and all-terrain construction machines. They are driven by diesel engines that, together with a hydrostatic drive train, have excellent operating characteristics. A reduction in emissions (CO2, pollutants, noise) is also required for telehandlers. Alternative drive concepts are therefore being sought. Hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier is emission-free, promises longer operating times and shorter refuelling times compared to batteries. Both internal combustion engines and fuel cells can be used as energy converters. In the previous project H2HANDLER, which is still ongoing, various drive concepts with fuel cells and H2 motors are evaluated for their suitability for telescopic handlers on the basis of energy and heat balances. The criteria are performance, efficiency and range (operating time). In the H2HANDLER-LCA project, this consideration is to be expanded to include the aspects of costs, environmental impact (LCA) and aging. From the results of the current project so far, it can be deduced that this expansion is very useful. As before, the investigations are carried out purely theoretically or computationally. They build on the existing simulation environment of the H2HANDLER, which is to be supplemented by the respective functionalities. The H2AHDLER-LCA therefore sees itself as a follow-up project. The first goal of the project is to assess alternative, hydrogen-based drives for telehandlers in a more well-founded way compared to energy- and heat balance only. The second goal of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a LCA for the application of the hydrogen-powered construction machine. If the Sondierung comes to a positive result, the construction of a prototype is possible and planned, as well as the further development of the method for other drive variants and products of the industrial partner.