Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn have begun developing hydrogen fuel cell trains and filling stations to be piloted in 2024 to replace diesel engines on local rail networks in Germany.
The prototype, which will be built by Siemens, is based on the Mireo Plus electric carriage, which will be equipped with fuel cells to convert hydrogen and oxygen on board into electricity, as well as a battery, both companies said.
Siemens MOBILE CEO Michael Peter said the new Mireo Plus combines three-source power in a modular system - battery, fuel cell or even existing overhead lines, depending on where it will operate.
German railway operator Deutsche Bahn has yet to electrify 40% of its 33,000 kilometers (km) network of 1,300 fossil fuel diesel locomotives.
“Our hydrogen trains have the potential to replace diesel trains in the long run,” said Peter.
The new prototype will be refueled in 15 minutes, have a range of 600 km and a top speed of 160 km /h.
It will be tested between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim in Baden-Württemberg.
Each hydrogen train will cost between 5 and 10 million euros, creating a total market potential of 50-150 billion euros.
The Berlin government expects clean hydrogen to become competitive with fossil fuels in the long term and play a key role in decarbonizing industry, heating and transportation.
Let's remind that Ukraine is considered by Germany and the European Union as one of the main suppliers of hydrogen in the future. For this, German specialists are studying the infrastructure of Ukrainian gas pipelines in order to replace natural gas in them with hydrogen.
