SMM News: Siemens Railway system (Siemens Mobility) and Deutsche Bahn AG (Deutsche Bahn) have begun to develop hydrogen-powered fuel cell trains and a hydrogen refueling station, and plan to test run them in 2024 to replace diesel-powered units in the German railway network.
The prototype will be built by Siemens and based on the hydrogen fuel cell train Mireo Plus, the companies said. In addition, the new train will be equipped with fuel cells (which can convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity on the train), as well as an additional set of batteries.
Michael Peter, chief executive of Siemens Railway Systems, said the train had three different sources of power in a modular system, either through batteries, fuel cells or even existing overhead transmission lines, depending on where it would run.
It is reported that Deutsche Bahn, the German railway operator, operates a total of 1300 diesel trains burning fossil fuels, and its 33000 km railway network is only 40 per cent electrified. According to the EU and German climate targets, rail transport must achieve decarbonization after a period of time.
"in the long run, our hydrogen-powered trains can replace diesel trains," Peter said. The new prototype can be fully fueled in 15 minutes, with a range of 600 kilometers and a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. It will be tested between the city of Tubingen in Baden-W ü rttemberg, Holbu-upon-Karl and Pforzheim.
Peter also said that the main target market this time is regional rail network operators, which usually reorder 10 to 50 trains to replace old ones. The German government expects green hydrogen to compete with fossil fuels in the long run and play a key role in decarbonization industry, heating and transport.
"We believe that there is a market potential for 10 to 15000 trains in Europe in the next 10 to 15 years, and Germany alone needs to replace 3000 trains." "the cost per train is between 5 million and 10 million euros (about US $5.9 million to US $11.9 million), which will create a market potential of 5 million to 150 billion ou yuan," he added.
