Hydrogen passenger locomotives
Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) has started operating 14 hydrogen-powered trains as part of plans to gradually replace diesel locomotives on a 100-kilometre stretch in northwest Germany.
Alstom's Coradia iLint trains are now in use on the world's first hydrogen route, the French industry group said. The train can run all day on a single hydrogen tank and refuel at night at the Linde hydrogen station. The trains are equipped with Cummins fuel systems.
“Cummins will supply 54 more fuel cell systems to Alstom to power the 27 Coradia iLint trains that will be delivered to the Frankfurt metropolitan area,” the US company said. Note that Coradia iLint trains were tested in Austria and the Netherlands.
Hydrogen fuel cells with twice the efficiency
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a new tubular polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell design with a variable internal electrode and electrolyte.
The patented concept can be twice as dense as other tubular PEM fuel cells.
Flat cell fuel cells use sandwich-like stacks of rectangular plates made from graphite or metal, accounting for about 80% of the weight and 40% of the cost of the product.
UConn's design uses a single tube-shaped energy flow field, halving the weight and not requiring a lot of precious metals. The new design will solve the problems of compression, uneven current distribution, the problem of transporting the reagent gas, the removal of excess water, and the problem of manufacturing flat fuel cells.
New hydrogen plants
ABB and Hydrogen Optimized (HOI) have signed a new agreement for the production of hydrogen. The agreement includes ABB's investment in Key DH Technologies, HOI's parent company, to accelerate the production of green hydrogen.
“The companies will use their capabilities and resources to quickly commercialize the patented high power electrolysis technology,” said the Canadian company.
HOI expects its technology to be used in large hydrogen plants in combination with ABB's high power rectifiers. The companies said they expect to install large plants ranging from hundreds of megawatts to several gigawatts.
Transport capacities
SPP-D said its H2Pilot project in Blatna nad Ostrov, Slovakia, shows that hydrogen can be safely distributed in existing gas networks.
“From a technical point of view, the mixing device works reliably, dosing the gas continuously and in the required volumes,” said SPP-D press officer Milan Vanga in an interview.
Weekly chromatographic measurements demonstrate the homogeneity of the mixture. The gas distributor reported that consumers did not complain about any problems. SPP-D launched the project on June 15.
First Hydrogen has announced that it has completed initial testing of two demonstration hydrogen vans. Vehicle testing takes place in mixed modes. Collaboration is underway to harmonize performance with major fleet operators.
Plug Power has signed an agreement with Amazon to supply liquid green hydrogen starting in 2025.
"Amazon and Plug have signed an agreement to supply 10,950 tons per year of liquid green hydrogen to power Amazon," writes Plug Power. "Using Plug's electrolyzers, liquefaction capabilities and cryogenic tankers, Plug will supply hydrogen from January 1, 2025."
Government support
Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa said last week that green hydrogen should be a major element of the country's economic and development agenda. During a recent two-day conference, the government selected several green hydrogen production pilot projects. Four of them will receive funding of 500 million Nard ($2.98 million) from funds provided by Germany.
Germany has approved co-financing of 223 million euros for eight hydrogen projects around its largest port of Hamburg.
Foton Mobility and Transit Systems announced the arrival of the first two hydrogen fuel cell buses in Australia. Foton has manufactured and delivered more than 1,100 units, including 450 hydrogen buses, which were used during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. SinoHytec and Toyota have jointly developed fuel cell systems for these buses.
