(Herten) – US-based diesel and gas engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. has opened a production center for hydrogen fuel cell systems in Herten, North Rhine-Westphalia. According to the company, the facility has an initial development and assembly capacity of ten megawatts per year. Cummins stated that Herten complements its existing alternative drive systems sites in Great Britain, Belgium, and Germany.
The plant will initially focus on supplying PEM fuel cell systems for the "Coradia iLint" train from French railway manufacturer Alstom. These hydrogen-powered trains have already been, and continue to be, tested in pilot operations in Europe, including in Germany, Austria , Italy , Poland, the Netherlands, and France.
Stacks will also be maintained in the future
The 4.300 square meter factory is located in a special hydrogen park in Herten. It is equipped with a hydrogen storage system, a hydrogen detection system and safety devices. In the future, Cummins also wants to overhaul and maintain fuel cell stacks there and set up additional test stations.
To date, Cummins claims to have delivered more than 2.000 fuel cell systems, 600 electrolyzers and 500 battery electric powertrains worldwide. The company has developed, among other things, the propulsion system for a 75-passenger ferry in San Francisco, California, and a hydrogen refueling station for ships, cars, trucks and industrial customers in Antwerp, Belgium.
The company's product range includes diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid drives as well as drive-related components. Cummins is headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), and employs approximately 57.800 people worldwide; In Europe there are more than 7.000 at nine production sites and more than 25 sales, spare parts and administration locations. In 2020, group sales were around $1,8 billion.
Photos
The new fuel cell factory in Herten begins operations. © Cummins Inc.
Very interesting article for a hydrogen industry that is currently growing rapidly! Is there more background information on the activities in Herten? At the moment, the reports on this are very limited.