Page 24 - AWA Vol.42-No7 issue

AGRICULTURE MACHINERY

Steyr Advances Hydrogen-Powered Farming

With New Hytrac Research Project

Hydrogen-powered engine
Building on the pioneering STEYR FCTRAC, an innova-
tive hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept tractor unveiled
in July 2024, the HYTRAC project represents the next step
in STEYR's exploration of hydrogen-powered agricultur-
al machinery. The new project builds on this foundation
by combining the benefits of hydrogen power with an
advanced electric power-split eCVT transmission de-
veloped by VDS Holding GmbH. At its core is a hydro-
gen-powered tractor featuring an adapted and mature
hydrogen internal combustion engine (H₂ ICE). The proj-
• TU Wien, together with STEYR and other project part- ect aims to create a fully integrated smart energy system
ners, has launched the HYTRAC hydrogen agriculture re- linking hydrogen production, storage and refuelling in-
search project, which is funded by the Austrian Research frastructure for maximum practicality and efficiency.
Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Climate and Energy Based on a conventional STEYR Expert, the research
Fund (Klima- und Energiefonds). tractor applies a direct-injection hydrogen internal com-
• HYTRAC combines a hydrogen-powered tractor with bustion engine (H₂ ICE), designed to provide continuous
on-farm hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure. power comparable to that of the donor vehicle while aim-
ing at zero-emission standards. HYTRAC is designed to
• Key project technologies include a hydrogen internal become a practical solution for farmers. Power is trans-
combustion engine (H₂ ICE) and an advanced electric ferred to the wheels via a high-efficiency eCVT transmis-
power-split eCVT transmission. sion, while implements can also be powered electrically
• HYTRAC aims to demonstrate a practical pathway to- by the tractor’s high-voltage battery, which is developed
wards low-carbon agricultural mechanisation and great- by Voltfactory GmbH. Benefits of the design include ze-
er farm energy independence. ro-emission operation at the point of use, high working
efficiency and extended operating times, matching the
• A real-world demonstration is planned at the Energy needs of modern agriculture.
Hub Neusiedl.
On-farm fuel production
TU Wien, Vienna's leading technology university, to-
gether with STEYR® and other project partners, has The integrated project aims to enable practical on-farm
launched the HYTRAC hydrogen agriculture research hydrogen production, using existing energy generation
project. The project combines a hydrogen-powered resources including biomass from plant residues, wind
tractor with on-farm hydrogen storage and refuelling and photovoltaics, supplying an on-farm hydrogen refu-
infrastructure – the so-called COMBHY. The objective elling station. As these sources are increasingly featured
is to investigate a viable and scalable pathway towards on many farms, with the incorporation of advanced hy-
low-carbon agricultural mechanisation, while maintain- drogen storage and compression technology, there is sig-
ing the performance, operating times and flexibility nificant potential to advance energy production as part
required by modern farming operations. A real-world of routine farming operations. In addition, AI-optimised
demonstration is planned at the Energy Hub Neusiedl, intelligent energy management, using load profiles, user
located in Neusiedl am See, Austria. data and predictive control integrated into this smart
Energy Hub, will help ensure fuel production meets de-
"With HYTRAC, we are looking beyond the tractor pow- mand.
ertrain. Our goal is to demonstrate how hydrogen can STEYR’s pioneering hydrogen-powered research trac-
become part of a fully integrated farm energy ecosys-
tem, combining productivity, energy independence and tor is designed for agriculture’s carbon abatement and
reduced emissions in a solution that is both practical and focuses on real-world applicability and system integra-
scalable for agriculture," says Franz Josef Silber, global tion. The project will demonstrate the value and scalabil-
ity of the HYTRAC tractor and COMBHY hydrogen infra-
product marketing at STEYR.
structure by featuring them at the Energy Hub Neusiedl.
"The HYTRAC project enables us to analyse the inter- Together, the system design delivers both carbon abate-
action between hydrogen-powered agricultural machin- ment and energy independence to farmers. By combin-
ery, energy infrastructure and farm operations under re- ing vehicle development and intelligent energy man-
al-world conditions. This systems approach is essential to agement, the HYTRAC project demonstrates STEYR's
understanding how hydrogen technologies can contrib- commitment to exploring practical pathways towards a
ute to future carbon abatement in agriculture," states Jo- sustainable future for agricultural mechanisation. Further
hannes Konrad, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Pow- details on scalability and the path towards series produc-
ertrain and Automotive Technology at TU Wien. tion will be announced in due course. Circle 23 on enquiry card

22 Vol. 42 No. 7