Extreme H tests next-gen hydrogen power generator with 5x the output
Extreme H and GeoPura have just completed a successful test of their new hydrogen power system, as the hydrogen-powered off-road series gears up to run its entire race operation – from garages to catering – on zero-emission energy.
The test took place at Siemens Energy’s UK site in Newcastle, where the championship ran a live integration trial of GeoPura’s second-generation Hydrogen Power Unit (HPU2).
The new unit delivers 500 kW of clean electricity, five times more than the system previously used in Extreme E, and can be scaled up to 50 MW.
“Extreme H will be famous for its hydrogen fuel cell racing cars, but they’re only half the story,” said Andy Welch, Global Hydrogen Development Manager at Extreme H.
“We’re also trialling hydrogen technologies across the entire event site to become the first sport to run entirely on zero-emission hydrogen.”
Lighter, smaller, more capable
The HPU2 is smaller and lighter than its predecessor but packs a much higher power density.
Each unit runs quietly and cleanly, with only water as its by-product, and is powered by green hydrogen supplied by ENOWA, made using 100% renewable energy.
The unit features a new modular design with an external battery – unlike the original HPU1, which had an integrated one.
This change makes the system far more flexible, allowing it to operate either as a standalone generator or in a hybrid configuration, depending on site demands.
“HPU2 represents a major leap forward in clean, scalable power,” said Theo Elmer, Chief Technical Officer at GeoPura.
“It’s lighter, more powerful, and more flexible than anything we’ve built before – designed specifically to deliver in high-demand, high-performance environments like Extreme H.”
The system’s new battery, developed by Greener Power Solutions to a brief from Power Logistics, offers upgraded features including synchronisation across multiple batteries, higher load tolerance, and compatibility with larger solar arrays – something the series is looking to expand as part of its broader energy plan.
Ready for the real world
While motorsport is the proving ground, the HPU2 system is being developed for much broader use.
By trialling it under real-world race conditions, Extreme H is building confidence for deployment in other energy-intensive, time-sensitive environments like festivals, film sets, remote broadcast hubs, and construction sites.
“We’ve come a long way from the original power package designed for Extreme E,” said Craig Hardeman, Innovation and Sustainability Development Manager at Power Logistics.
“By analysing performance data and incorporating technologies like hydrogen and solar, we’ve been able to deliver energy and carbon savings race after race. We’re proud to be part of the next chapter.”
The goal for GeoPura is to replace diesel generators entirely across industries still dependent on them.
With the upgraded system now live-tested, Extreme H says it’s ready to roll out hydrogen event power at scale.
