Helping Customers Meet Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals Via Innovative Product Solutions

Q: What is the energy transition and how does it impact Caterpillar customers?

A: The world is moving toward improvements in energy efficiency, an increase in the use of renewable energy sources, improved energy management and other practices with the goal of a reduced-carbon future. Customers want to be responsible global citizens and good stewards of the environment while running profitable businesses. Caterpillar is focused on exploring and developing products and services that will help customers power their work more sustainably while growing their business.  

Q: Tell us about some of the exciting innovations Caterpillar is working on to support customers in the energy transition?

A:  Caterpillar solutions are at work around the world today, and many more are in development:  

• We are enabling increased use of low carbon intensity fuels and hydrogen blends in our engines.
• We are exploring fuel cells as a way to use renewable hydrogen fuel as a scalable source of electric power.
• We are employing electric drive and hybrid powertrain systems to maximize system efficiency 
• In some applications, we are powering the work with stored electrical energy.
• We are helping customers integrate renewable energy sources into electric power systems.
• Several of our customers have recently announced collaborations with us on zero-emissions solutions: 
  • NMG
  • Chevron
  • BHP
  • Rio Tinto
  • Newmont

Q:  What is your area of expertise, and what kinds of skills and experiences do you look for when building a team to work on such important projects?

A:  I have a background in engineering and product development, both on power systems as well as machines, which is similar to our many APP team employees around the world. A solid background in technology & engineering is a starting point for most APP employees, whether that be power systems engineering, electrical or controls engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or software or computer engineering. Our work is exciting and fast-paced; this technology is dynamic and rapidly evolving so every day presents a new technology development or challenge. Collaboration and driving results in a team environment are also important skills for APP team members – product development occurs with focused teams and involves interaction with a wide variety of Caterpillar functions including machine design, manufacturing, supply chain management, product support, finance and sales & marketing.

Q:  What inspires Caterpillar to want to help customers build a better world? 

A:  Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. It inspires us to help our customers build a better world through products and services that help fulfill society’s basic needs – such as shelter, clean water, education and reliable energy – in a sustainable way. Sustainability also drives our innovation. Caterpillar teams, like the one I lead, are tasked with coming up with “never-before-seen” or “first-time-applied-this-way” solutions to help customers achieve their environmental and economic goals.