Caterpillar Inc.today announced a three-year project with Minnesota-based District Energy St. Paul to demonstrate a hydrogen-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system. The project is supported and partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

“Caterpillar is focused on supporting our customers with reliable and sustainable energy solutions,” said Joe Creed, president of Caterpillar’s Energy and Transportation Group. “This hydrogen demonstration project will allow us to evaluate additional hydrogen fuel options for our existing energy-efficient engine, providing even more opportunities to help our customers meet their climate goals and objectives.”

Caterpillar’s cogeneration systems produce electricity and heat simultaneously, improving overall efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions. To evaluate the potential of a hydrogen-fired CHP system in real-world applications, electricity and heat from the demonstration project will be integrated into District Energy St. Paul’s electric and heating infrastructure. Paul. District Energy St. Paul distributes chilled and hot water to heat and cool single-family buildings and homes in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, and surrounding areas.

The demonstration project, scheduled to begin early next year, builds on Caterpillar’s 35 years of experience with hydrogen-rich fuels. The company currently offers a 1,250 kW Cat® generator set capable of running on 100 percent hydrogen, including fully renewable green hydrogen, as well as commercially available power generation solutions from 400 kW to 4.5 MW that can be configured to run on natural gas blended with up to 25 percent hydrogen.