The Australian Mining Review spoke to Blue Diamond Machinery director Justin Pitts about powerful solutions currently available for the Australian mining industry to transition to cleaner energy and reduce carbon emissions through the use of cost-effective and practical energy alternatives.

As it stands, the diesel generator market currently makes up 19% of Australia’s CO2 emissions and use, and 30% of Australia’s diesel usage is from construction and mining.

Along with the Federal Government committing to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Blue Diamond is spearheading the early adoption of new technologies in the Australian generator market that will disrupt the power solutions market.

“We believe there will need to have a variety of solutions available to achieve this goal of net zero, particularly in relation to reducing carbon emissions from powering mining and construction sites,” Justin says.

The First Autonomous and Zero Emission Power Source

The EODev GEH2® is Australia’s first zero-emission hydrogen generator. While traditional generators run on diesel, gas and fossil fuels, this world-first autonomous and carbon-free power source produces energy without any emissions of CO2, fine particulate matter or noise. It has been designed to replace typical gensets in a variety of settings and operations, including mobile, prime and standby applications.

The GEH2® units feature a lithium-ion phosphate battery, the latest generation Toyota fuel cell and function just like a traditional generator. They deliver strong, reliable, efficient power supply through instant start-up, without relying on the electricity grid.

Though the GEH2® is currently regarded as low emission, it could potentially operate 100% emission-free once the supply of green hydrogen becomes more accessible.

“There is phenomenal interest in hydrogen generators and we are on the pathway to making it commercially viable,” says Justin.

Justin also comments on the upward trajectory of hydrogen demand as a replacement to diesel fuel.

“Once hydrogen goes below $10/kg, it’ll be much cheaper to run than diesel,” Justin continues.

“There is a clear pathway to the number of projects coming online in the next two-to-five year period and, in this medium-term, the price parity between diesel and hydrogen is going to cross over and at that point these will be cheaper to run in many applications than a diesel generator.”

Powering the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

Most recently, Blue Diamond Machinery launched Australia’s first hydrogen power solution at the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The technical hub for the event was powered by two 100kVA GEH2 electro hydrogen generators, as opposed to a plethora of diesel generators.

“Blue Diamond’s proven capacity to deploy lower carbon technologies at large-scale events like the Grand Prix will ultimately contribute to decarbonisation efforts,” says Justin.

Though the GEH2 was regarded as low emission at the Grand Prix, it could potentially operate 100% emission-free once the supply of green hydrogen becomes more accessible.

Blue Diamond & Net Zero Equipment

Blue Diamond is Australia’s leading national independent distributor of off-grid power solutions and the exclusive supplier of EODev’s GEH2® electro-hydrogen power generator.

After seeing the growing need for equipment to help its mining and industrial customers reduce carbon emissions, the company launched its new range of Net Zero equipment to provide a high-end range of green solutions which include hydrogen, battery energy storage, low emissions and solar technologies, hybrid power systems and electric site utility and transport vehicles.

As seen by its strategic partnerships with EODev and Toyota, the company is heavily investing in alternative power solutions to the traditional diesel offerings.

“Blue Diamond aims to be at the forefront of these solutions through a range of offerings including hybrid generators, energy storage systems (ESS) and hydrogen powered generators.”