CLAAS RESEARCHING INTO AMMONIA-POWERED DRIVE SYSTEMS

As part of a technology-neutral propulsion strategy, Claas, MAN Engines and WTZ Roßlau are currently developing an ammonia-powered drive system for use in agricultural machinery. GAMCO - Green Ammonia Multifuel Combine - is designed as a research project and aims to investigate the suitability of an ammonia-powered drive system as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and to sustainable fuels such as hydrogen in internal combustion engines.

In practical use, agricultural machinery requires a very high level of power that is reliably available over many hours. The GAMCO research project is investigating how these requirements can be met using a sustainable ammonia-powered internal combustion engine. The assessment covers the entire well-to-wheel pathway, including the production and supply of the fuels used.

The engine used in the project utilises ammonia as its primary energy carrier. Ammonia itself contains no carbon and therefore produces no direct CO₂ emissions when combusted. Ammonia can be produced from renewable energy sources worldwide in locations where energy is particularly cheap. Thanks to its high energy density and ease of storage compared to hydrogen, it is well suited as a transport medium for green energy.

MAN Engines and WTZ Roßlau are responsible for developing the engine system. At Claas in Harsewinkel, work is underway to integrate the technology into an agricultural machine. In this way, engine development and agricultural application are specifically brought together within the project.

The project aims to demonstrate the potential that sustainable fuels hold for high-performance agricultural machinery – and that even the internal combustion engine can contribute to the decarbonisation of agriculture.