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– Joint project to develop a new regional train and special supply station. The complete climate-compatible mobility system will be tested for one year
Minapim by Hernan Valenzuela: Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Siemens Mobility are developing a climate-friendly transition in transport, testing the use of hydrogen for rail use for the first time. The goal is to test a completely new general system consisting of a newly developed train and a newly designed filling station.
DB will refurbish one of its maintenance workshops to repair the hydrogen powered train. Both companies will test a complete climate-compatible system, consisting of the train and its specially developed infrastructure. The system made up of trains and infrastructure aims to replace diesel-powered trains that operate on regional routes and further reduce CO2 emissions.
A one-year test of the train is planned in the region around the city of Tübingen. The Baden-Württemberg state government is providing support for the project, and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has announced its intention to finance the project.
The prototype that Siemens Mobility is going to build is based on the regional Mireo Plus train. The two-car train set will be equipped with a newly developed hydrogen engine.
The chosen Mireo Plus H will be as powerful as its electric counterpart and will have an operational range of up to 600 kilometers.
Deutsche Bahn is developing a new type of filling station that can refuel the train at the same time as a diesel-powered train. The hydrogen will be produced at the site in Tübingen using traction electricity generated from renewable sources. DB will partially renovate its maintenance shop in the city of Ulm to service the new hydrogen train.
During the planned test operation between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim in 2024, the train will replace a conventional diesel-powered unit that runs on this route. The new hydrogen unit will save about 330 tonnes of CO2 in one year. DB currently operates around 1,300 diesel-powered trains in regional service, and about 40% of DBs
The 33,000 km rail network is not electrified. In addition to the option of further electrification of the system, the use of hydrogen powered trains offers a possibility for DB to become climate neutral.
Prof. Sabina Jeschke, DB Board Member for Digitization and Technology says: “This project proves that Deutsche Bahn is not just a mobility company, but also a technological group as well. We need to reduce our fossil fuel consumption to zero. Only then can DB be climate neutral until 2050. At this point, we will not have a single diesel train operating in our fleet.”
According to Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility: “Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn will jointly develop the next generation of a hydrogen traction system”
Technical performance of the hydrogen powered train
The train will have 1.7 MW of traction force providing up to 1.1 m / s² of acceleration and a top speed of 160 km / h. This innovative technology will allow the hydrogen powered train to perform faster, more efficient and more environmentally friendly operations. Hydrogen drives an advanced, emission-free form of propulsion that will help to decarbonize rail transport and make a significant contribution to achieving our climate goals.
Baden-Württemberg Transport Minister Winfried Hermann stated: “It is great that the first train using this new and sustainable technology will be tested here in Baden-Württemberg. Especially on non-electrified routes, hydrogen fuel cell propulsion can become an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel propulsion. Whether powered by overhead electricity or hydrogen – the deciding factor is that the energy comes from renewable sources. Our country likes to be a pioneer in transport by modern and sustainable railways. It is an essential part of the transition in transportation ”.
Project Details
Officially, the joint financing project is called “H2goesRail”. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) announced funding through the National Program for Innovation in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP 2). NIP 2 is coordinated by the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW) GmbH and implemented by the Jülich Project Management Organization.
Hydrogen propulsion
With hydrogen drive systems, the hydrogen and oxygen reaction produces electricity, energy and water as a “waste product”. These trains can be deployed by DB to become climate neutral and replace diesel vehicles with alternative drive systems. Green electricity is used to produce environmentally friendly hydrogen. DB Energie will be responsible for your supply.
Train Mireo Plus H
The Siemens passenger train will have two state-of-the-art hydrogen-powered cars and a one-year experimental operation system. It consists of a fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery.
The Mireo Plus H will be as powerful as multi-unit electric trains and will have a range of 600 kilometers, depending on operating conditions, such as season or route. A three-car version will have a range of 1000 kilometers. It will have a low life cycle cost due to the low maintenance and repair cost and a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, these are the different characteristics of the vehicle.
Fuel station
Hydrogen is produced by electrolysis at a DB Energie mobile filling station at the DB Regio plant in Tübingen. In the so-called electrolyzer, water is divided into hydrogen and oxygen by means of electricity.
Being compressed in a compressor, the hydrogen is stored in a mobile storage unit. Before refueling, green fuel is processed and cooled in the truck in an adjacent tank. The mobile structure also allows for other test projects. DB Energie develops, tests and optimizes the necessary hydrogen infrastructure.
Quick refueling
The train is refilled with hydrogen in a new process: it will not take more than 15 minutes to refuel a multiple unit. This is an important factor considering DB’s train times in close time in regional traffic. This means that hydrogen technology is competitive with the diesel fuel used in day-to-day operations so far.
Service infrastructure
The DB Regio workshop in Ulm will be adapted for the maintenance of hydrogen powered trains. DB Regio is training its team with the support of Siemens, mobility workers will then be able to maintain the hydrogen train.
Experimental operation
The experimental operation between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim will start in 2024 and will last for one year. Approximately 120,000 kilometers of regular rail service are planned. The route is particularly suitable based on time intervals and topography. Siemens’ Mireo Plus H will replace a diesel wagon used on this route and save about 330 tonnes of CO2.
Source: Siemens
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