John F Hunt Power buys first Hydrogen-Flybrid generator
27 October 2022
My earlier post this week on specialist hirer John F Hunt Power reported that the business was in expansive mood and had further developments in the pipeline, but I didn't expect the first would be announced quite so soon by the fast-moving company.
The business has now purchased the first 105kVA Tecnogen/Punch Hydrogen-Flywheel Generator which was launched last week and displayed at the Bauma exhibition in Munich, where the deal was signed.
The unit itself has been created by Tecnogen, part of the Bruno Generators Group (BGG) based in Italy, whose generators are designed for low noise, high efficiency and reliability.
A 20-year relationship between BGG Tecnogen and John F Hunt Power was strengthened earlier this year when the hirer invested £12 million in the largest single purchase to date of Stage V generators in the UK.
Now the collaboration between Tecnogen and the Punch Group has resulted in what is described as a ‘world first’, by combining a hydrogen engine with the Flybrid flywheel power system technology, derived from the world of Formula One, integrated into a generator.
Specialist division Punch Hydrocells developed the hydrogen engine, which is based on a robust diesel engine design, already being produced in high volumes for other applications. The integrated flywheel power system, developed by Punch Flybrid, rapidly injects high-powered energy, increasing the dynamic load response and peak power of the generator for demanding applications as required.
The John F Hunt Group, which is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions, have closely monitored the developments in the hydrogen sector for some time and see this as the right moment to invest in the technology via their Power rental business.
David Hunt, managing director of John F Hunt Power, said: “This purchase is the first of several projects that we are engaged in. We are working with globally recognised brands to deliver different approaches to the application of hydrogen for the power industry.
“I’m delighted that together, Tecnogen and Punch have developed this ground-breaking generator technology, which adds immense credibility to their product advancement.”
Renato Bruno, founder of Bruno Generators Group commented: “We have a 20-year business relationship with John F Hunt Power and appreciate their commitment to our latest product developed together with the Punch Group. This new Hydrogen-Flybrid generator underlines the ambition of Tecnogen to be market leaders.”
Guido Dumarey, founder of the Punch Group added: “In order to enable sustainable power for all, we need to change where our energy is coming from. We see hydrogen as a key element in the drive to Net Zero emissions. The purchase of the first Hydrogen-Flybrid generator set by John F Hunt Power is an important step in this direction.”
Pictured above from left are: Roberto Golisano, chief engineer with Punch Hydrocells; David Hunt, MD - sales and Kevin Davies, MD - operations with John F Hunt Power; Tobias Knichel, MD of Punch Flybrid; and Renato Bruno, founder of BGG.
