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Press Release09 September 2022Siemens MobilityMunich
Premiere ride: Siemens and Deutsche Bahn test hydrogen train and mobile fueling station for first time
Siemens
Mobility and Deutsche Bahn presented the H2goesRail project to the public in
November 2020. In addition to the refueling and commissioning tests conducted over
recent months, DB employees have been trained to operate the system when it
enters service.
“We
are taking a decisive step with our partners today toward the future of
climate-neutral transport. The new Mireo Plus H train emits nothing but water.
It has a range of around 1,000 kilometers, can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers
per hour, and can be refueled quickly. Over its service life of 30 years, a
single train will save up to 45,000 tons of CO
2 emissions compared
to travel by car,” said Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens AG.
“Hydrogen
belongs to the future of mobility. That’s why I am especially pleased that we
have reached the next important milestone in the H2goesRail project today,”
said Dr. Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn. “Our goal is clear: We plan for
Deutsche Bahn to be climate-neutral by 2040. And one key lever here is bidding
farewell to diesel fuel. With our
development of a mobile hydrogen fueling station and its associated maintenance
infrastructure, we at Deutsche Bahn are once again showcasing outstanding and
innovative drive technologies and demonstrating how climate-neutral mobility of
tomorrow will work.”
“Hydrogen technology has the potential to make sectors
of mobility CO
2-neutral. This is a milestone for climate protection.
The H2goesRail project demonstrates the innovative power that is being driven
by the funding programs of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport in
the field of alternative drives. We support the transfer from research and
development to marketable products that is helping accelerate technological
progress and creating the prerequisites for tomorrow’s climate-friendly
mobility. Our goal is to develop and promote modern, quiet and climate-friendly
mobility,” commented Hartmut Höppner, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry
for Digital and Transport.
The project is being funded
with €13.74 million by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part
of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.
The Mireo Plus H developed
for the H2goesRail project has a range of up to 800 kilometers, is as powerful as
its electric multiple-unit counterpart, has 1.7 MW of traction power providing
up to 1.1 m/s2 acceleration, and a top speed of 160 kilometers per
hour.
One key factor
needed to make hydrogen technology competitive with diesel fuel in daily
operation is a fast refueling process. To provide this, DB has developed a new
method that, for the first time, enables a hydrogen train to be refueled as
fast as a diesel-powered train. This is especially important considering the
closely timed scheduling of DB’s regional passenger service. Hydrogen for the trains
will be produced in Tübingen by DB Energy with green electricity taken directly
from the overhead power line.
On
the route between Tübingen and Pforzheim, for example, switching from diesel to
the H2goesRail project train will save around 330 tons of CO
2
emissions a year. In general, and depending on the route, the Mireo Plus H can
save 520 tons of emissions per year (calculated on a total mileage of 200,000
kilometers). The Mireo Plus H will begin test runs in Baden-Württemberg in 2023. As
of 2024, it will be underway in regular passenger service for the H2goesRail project,
operating between Tübingen,
Horb and Pforzheim and replacing a diesel railcar currently in use on that
route.
Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn will also be
showcasing the H2goesRail project and the Mireo Plus H at InnoTrans 2022, the
world’s largest trade fair for railway technology, held in Berlin. The Mireo
Plus H can be visited at stand T06/40, and the mobile hydrogen fueling station
at stand O/630 in the outdoor exhibition area of InnoTrans.
Project details:
The
joint funding project is officially called “H2goesRail”. The Federal Ministry
for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is funding the project with over €13 million
through the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology
(NIP 2). NIP 2 is coordinated by NOW (National Organization for Hydrogen and
Fuel Cell Technology) GmbH and is being implemented by project lead Jülich.
Hydrogen
propulsion
In hydrogen drive systems using fuel-cell technology, the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electricity and the “waste product” water. These trains can be used by DB as a way to become climate-neutral by replacing its diesel-powered trains with alternative drive systems. To ensure the solution is truly ecofriendly, green electricity is used to produce the environmentally friendly green hydrogen. DB Energy will supply the hydrogen.
In hydrogen drive systems using fuel-cell technology, the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electricity and the “waste product” water. These trains can be used by DB as a way to become climate-neutral by replacing its diesel-powered trains with alternative drive systems. To ensure the solution is truly ecofriendly, green electricity is used to produce the environmentally friendly green hydrogen. DB Energy will supply the hydrogen.
Mireo
Plus H
For the project’s one-year trial operation, Siemens has developed a two-car regional train using a next-generation hydrogen drive system. The train operates with two propulsion systems, each consisting of a fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery. The Mireo Plus H is as powerful as an electric multiple-unit train and has a range of up to 800 kilometers – depending on operating conditions such as season or route. A three-car variant has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. Thanks to its reduced maintenance and repair costs, the train has low lifecycle costs. The Mireo Plus H has a top speed of 160 kilometers an hour.
For the project’s one-year trial operation, Siemens has developed a two-car regional train using a next-generation hydrogen drive system. The train operates with two propulsion systems, each consisting of a fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery. The Mireo Plus H is as powerful as an electric multiple-unit train and has a range of up to 800 kilometers – depending on operating conditions such as season or route. A three-car variant has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. Thanks to its reduced maintenance and repair costs, the train has low lifecycle costs. The Mireo Plus H has a top speed of 160 kilometers an hour.
Fueling station
DB has developed, tested and optimized the related hydrogen infrastructure. Hydrogen is produced by electrolysis at the DB maintenance depot in Tübingen using green electricity taken directly from the overhead power line. In the electrolyzer, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. After being compressed, the hydrogen is kept in a mobile storage unit. Prior to the refueling procedure, the green fuel is processed and cooled. The mobile system will enable DB to conduct further test projects on non-electrified rail routes.
DB has developed, tested and optimized the related hydrogen infrastructure. Hydrogen is produced by electrolysis at the DB maintenance depot in Tübingen using green electricity taken directly from the overhead power line. In the electrolyzer, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. After being compressed, the hydrogen is kept in a mobile storage unit. Prior to the refueling procedure, the green fuel is processed and cooled. The mobile system will enable DB to conduct further test projects on non-electrified rail routes.
Rapid
refueling
The train is refueled with hydrogen in an innovative procedure that, for the first time, takes no longer than tanking a diesel train. This is an especially important factor considering that DB’s commuter and regional trains operate on closely timed schedules. Thanks to this fast refueling process, hydrogen technology will be economically competitive with the diesel fuel currently in use.
The train is refueled with hydrogen in an innovative procedure that, for the first time, takes no longer than tanking a diesel train. This is an especially important factor considering that DB’s commuter and regional trains operate on closely timed schedules. Thanks to this fast refueling process, hydrogen technology will be economically competitive with the diesel fuel currently in use.
Maintenance
The DB maintenance depot in Ulm will be converted to handle the servicing of the hydrogen trains. Extensively trained DB Region staff, supported by Siemens Mobility employees, will service and maintain the trains.
The DB maintenance depot in Ulm will be converted to handle the servicing of the hydrogen trains. Extensively trained DB Region staff, supported by Siemens Mobility employees, will service and maintain the trains.
Passenger
operations
After completing a test phase, the train will enter passenger service in 2024 and operate between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim. Approximately 120,000 kilometers of scheduled rail service are planned. The route is particularly suitable for the tests, with its typical regional service frequency and topography. By replacing a diesel-powered train used on this route, the Mireo Plus H from Siemens Mobility will save around 330 tons of CO 2 yearly. Drivers will be specially trained on the hydrogen train and operate it in passenger service.
After completing a test phase, the train will enter passenger service in 2024 and operate between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim. Approximately 120,000 kilometers of scheduled rail service are planned. The route is particularly suitable for the tests, with its typical regional service frequency and topography. By replacing a diesel-powered train used on this route, the Mireo Plus H from Siemens Mobility will save around 330 tons of CO 2 yearly. Drivers will be specially trained on the hydrogen train and operate it in passenger service.
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Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio in its core areas of rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems, intelligent traffic systems as well as related services. With digitalization, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2021, which ended on September 30, 2021, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €9.2 billion and had around 39,500 employees worldwide. Further information is available at:
www.siemens.com/mobility.
Contact
Silke Thomson-Pottebohm
Siemens Mobility GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Ring 6
81739 Munich
Germany
81739 Munich
Germany
+49 174 306 3307
Jens-Oliver Voss
Leiter Kommunikation Eisenbahn in Deutschland
deutschebahn.com/Presse
twitter.com/DB_Presse
+49 (0) 30 297-61030