Pioneering Use of Green Hydrogen in Heavy Equipment at Sótero del Río Hospital Construction Site
Key Ideas
  • Sacyr Ingeniería e Infraestructuras is testing a hybrid truck crane modified to run on a dual system of diesel and green hydrogen at the Sótero del Río Hospital construction site in Santiago, Chile.
  • Preliminary results show improved energy efficiency and reduced diesel consumption with the integration of 15% hydrogen into the fuel mixture, promoting a cleaner fleet without operational compromises.
  • The project aims to validate low-emission fleet configurations and is part of Sacyr's broader strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions and promote clean technologies, with potential for scaling up to other worksites and countries.
  • The initiative, currently undergoing homologation for public road circulation, signifies a step towards emission-free fleets while paving the way for future sustainable infrastructure decisions globally.
The Sótero del Río Hospital in Santiago, Chile, is now the testing ground for a groundbreaking project that aims to measure the feasibility of using hydrogen in heavy equipment. Sacyr Ingeniería e Infraestructuras, in collaboration with AndesH2, has modified a hybrid truck crane to operate with a dual system integrating diesel and green hydrogen. By injecting 15% hydrogen into the fuel mixture, preliminary results have shown enhanced energy efficiency and decreased diesel consumption, highlighting the potential for a cleaner fleet without sacrificing operational efficiency at construction sites. This innovative project aligns with Sacyr's commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions and embracing clean technologies. The incorporation of green hydrogen in heavy machinery at the Sótero del Río Hospital reflects a broader strategy to mitigate environmental impact during the construction phase, contributing to the site's Zero Waste certification. Rodrigo Fernández, Construction Manager at Sacyr in Chile, emphasizes the importance of transitioning towards low-emission fleet configurations and extends the project's scope to include other heavy equipment. The technology introduced challenges current transportation standards, with plans for homologation for public road circulation underway and a safety plan in development. Etienne Valdés, responsible for R&D at Sacyr Chile, underscores that the project's outcomes will extend beyond this specific application, potentially influencing future decisions at worksites in different countries. While aiming for completely emission-free fleets in the long term, this project signifies a step in that direction by leveraging hybrid solutions like the one implemented at the Sótero del Río Hospital. The acquired knowledge from this initiative is poised to shape sustainable infrastructure decisions globally, marking a significant advancement in the integration of green hydrogen in heavy equipment.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.