Liebherr and Bruno Generators Group announce joint project for green ammonia power generators

Liebherr and Bruno Generators Group have announced that they will work together on a feasibility study that focuses on green ammonia’s viability as the principal fuel for low and zero emission power generation solutions for the mining sector.
Green ammonia, as a hydrogen carrier, could provide low or zero emission ways of supplementing power supplies on site.

Liebherr and Bruno Generators Group have announced that they will join forces to investigate the feasibility of green ammonia as the principal fuel for low and zero emission power generation solutions for mining. If successful, these power generation solutions could offer yet another way for mining companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during operations.

Las Vegas (USA), 24 September 2024 – Liebherr’s mining and components product segments will work alongside Bruno Generators Group (BGG) to determine how each party’s expertise can be used to investigate low emission power generation with green ammonia as fuel. BGG is a premium Italian company that specialises in the design, development and production of cutting-edge power generators, battery energy storage systems and mobile energy solutions.

Liebherr has already investigated ammonia as a power source for dual-fuel internal combustion engines. The results of these investigations are promising and encourage the continued development of this solution.

The potential of green ammonia

Green ammonia is a hydrogen carrier that combines the advantages of lower transport and storage costs compared with compressed or liquified green hydrogen with its future usage as an energy vector in many areas of the world. Generators and off-board power units running on green ammonia could provide low or zero emission ways of supplementing power supplies on site. Green ammonia generators could provide a reduced emission method of alleviating energy variations or blackouts on site while mobile off-board power units running on green ammonia could power electric excavators just outside the pit, reducing both emissions and infrastructure requirements.

‘We’re thrilled to be working with BGG in this incredibly exciting project. Their innovative mindset and tracked development and delivery of low emission solutions are a perfect match for us as we work towards our zero emissions targets,’ says Oliver Weiss, executive vice president, R&D, engineering and production, Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS. ‘When our combustion engines business unit saw promising results from ammonia as a low and zero emission power source after multiple test bench runs, we were excited to see how we could capitalise on this to provide even more ways our customers can pursue zero emissions.’

‘We are very proud of partnering and joining forces with Liebherr Mining in this project. Together, we share a common vision with an uncompromised commitment to sustainability, and we strive to lead the industry in responsible practices,’ says Renato Bruno, chief executive officer, Bruno Generators Group.

‘This partnership represents an incredible milestone in our pursuit of sustainable solutions for the benefit of our customers in the mining segment. Sharing and blending our respective expertise will further enhance and naturally boost our innovation mindset, accelerating our journey toward a net zero future.’

‘We are excited to lay the foundation for this important step towards a low and zero emission solution for our mining customers,’ says Steffen Apel, key account manager for combustion engines in the mining industry, Liebherr-Components AG.