Hydrogen-powered tractor in a smart integrated energy hub

In the FCTRAC preliminary project, a fuel cell-electric tractor was developed and successfully tested in agricultural applications. In addition, the BioH₂ module was developed, which produces hydrogen from biogenic gases such as biogas, sewage gas or process gas. Building on this experience, a tractor with a hydrogen internal combustion engine is now to be developed. The aim is to create a robust, cost-effective solution incorporating innovative technologies such as direct injection, hybridisation and electrified auxiliary units. These enhance efficiency and create space for integrated H₂ storage systems. An electrically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) enables additional hybrid functions and demand-driven operation of auxiliary units.

Work is also underway on the energy infrastructure: agricultural businesses increasingly have PV and agri-PV systems, whose surplus electricity can be converted into hydrogen via electrolysis and stored. Cost-effective solutions for compression and storage – such as metal hydride or electrochemical compressors – are key areas of development.

The demonstration operation of the new H₂ tractor is to take place in the vicinity of the Energy Hub Neusiedl am See. There, Forschung Burgenland operates a pilot plant at the Neusiedl heating plant to produce green hydrogen from regional wind and solar power. The plant produces around 1.8 Nm³ of H₂ per hour, stores it in pressurised gas bundles and uses the resulting waste heat for the local heating supply. The site offers optimal conditions for refuelling, test operations and further development of the H₂ tractor in a practical operating environment.