Welcome to the era of smarter, cleaner power

Roughly three years ago there was not much talk about hydrogen engines according to Jim Nebergall, Executive Director – Market Strategy, Cummins Inc.  “When I started, nobody knew what this was,” said Nebergall who also serves as Cummins’ general manager of hydrogen engines. “We decided this is important enough for Cummins to focus on.” The Biden administration, the European Union and t

Accelera™ by Cummins launched March 2023, achieving impressive results during its first action-packed year. The impact of Accelera continues to build momentum in supporting Cummins’ Inc.'s mission to make people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world.  With a diverse technology portfolio for the world’s most economically vital industries, Accelera enables them to confidently sh

In 2022, Cummins Inc. proudly celebrated the opening of a new microgrid laboratory, the Power Integration Center (PIC), at their campus in Fridley, MN. The PIC is one of the largest and most configurable microgrid testing facilities in the world. Regardless of your power system needs (hypothetical or planned), this marvel of a facility is built to test those possibilities in a zero-risk environmen

The world population has grown to nearly 8 billion people and is anticipated to reach 9 billion people by 2040. With such growth, global energy demand is expected to increase by 15% in the coming decades. 1 That means all available fuel solutions will be necessary to meet the increased demand for affordable energy. Biodiesel is one of those solutions. Today, more companies are focusing on th

As we enter the energy transition in the transportation industry, alternative power continues to emerge, many grounded on the technologies, designs and innovations of our existing power sources like diesel engines. Battery electric powertrains are increasingly popular, due to their zero emissions status, low upkeep costs and simplified maintenance, but not everyone is ready to switch to electric p

As the transportation industry experiences the energy transition, customers require multiple power solutions and fuel types to customize their journey toward decarbonization in a way that meets their needs today and in the future. Biodiesel is one alternative fuel customers can integrate into their fleets for immediate impact on their carbon emissions. As of 2007, all Cummins Inc. diesel engine

What is renewable natural gas?  Renewable natural gas (RNG) differs from fossil fuels as it's produced from various types of waste, like used cooking oil, animal waste, sludge from wastewater, manure and other waste materials. As these biodegradable materials decompose, methane is released. This methane is captured and converted into RNG.  Because methane is the primary component o

What is the fuel delivery system? The fuel delivery system is one of the most critical components in a vehicle and is the heart of a vehicle's power generation process. The fuel delivery system serves a similar function to a fuel tank in diesel-powered vehicles. However, the fuel delivery system is specifically designed to handle gaseous fuels like hydrogen and natural gas, both of which are

As the automotive industry navigates the complexities of the energy transition, vehicle software is emerging as a key component in transforming how OEMs operate and innovate. The sophistication of vehicle software components can bring new capabilities and create a higher level of efficiency and safety. This article looks at the different facets of vehicle software’s role in the energy transition a

Companies working to achieve their decarbonization goals are increasingly interested in hydrogen engines. Over the past year, leading companies like Tata Motors, Buhler Industries and Werner Enterprises have expressed interest in Cummins 15-liter hydrogen engine. More leading companies can take advantage of hydrogen-powered solutions to decarbonize as these technologies become more cost-friendly a

Our planet is facing a dire crisis: carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere continue to soar above record highs. If gone unaddressed, the collective stress of climate change will produce an irreparable impact. Our health, energy, water, and food ecosystems are at risk.  As it stands, there are many long-term effects of climate change. In North America, climate change is forecasted

Many commercial fleet operators are thinking about transitioning their vehicles to hydrogen or natural gas engines. These fuels can be great ways to reduce emissions. Both fuel options present similarities and differences across a variety of areas. For example, both hydrogen and natural gas are predominantly used in their gaseous form in vehicle applications. This leads to similarities in some com

You may have been reading about alternative fuels on this blog—or elsewhere. We know it can be confusing. So here is a handy glossary to help you remember the difference between diesel, renewable diesel, biodiesel, and other fuels.  Ammonia in your decarbonization journey Ammonia is a chemical used industrially on a large scale as a precursor to a variety of nitrogen-containing substanc

The first phases of greenhouse gas regulations for commercial vehicles focused on tailpipe emissions, and this perspective brought the industry many efficiency improvements. With the advent of low to zero carbon fuels and new power sources, differences in GHG emissions are becoming more difficult to assess. One example is battery electric powertrains which get their energy from charging via the el

Regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from motor vehicles are tightening around the world. With this, both hydrogen engines and hydrogen fuel cells are receiving an increasing interest.  Given medium and heavy-duty trucks are a major source of CO2 emissions, the transportation sector’s journey to destination zero features both technologies. As more truck makers join the

  How can hydrogen fuel power a vehicle? Using hydrogen to power an engine or motor is more straight forward than you might think. There are two ways to do this.  The first way involves a device known as a fuel cell. The fuel cell converts hydrogen to electricity, which then powers the vehicle’s electric motors, just like in any electric vehicle.  The other way is hydrog

Distributed energy resources, or DERs, are small-scale electricity supply or demand resources that are interconnected to the electric grid. They are power generation resources and are usually located close to load centers, and can be used individually or in aggregate to provide value to the grid.  DERs include a variety of physical and virtual assets. Physical DERs are typically under 10 M

Internal combustion engines using traditional and alternative fuels are an integral part of life in all parts of the world. They are almost universally used in motor vehicles of all kinds, in power generation, and more. Traditionally, internal combustion engines run on liquid fuels. These fuels are distilled from petroleum. Think gasoline, diesel, kerosene or heavy fuel oil.  What are alte