(Berlin) - Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Siemens Mobility want to test a “completely new overall system” consisting of a newly developed train and a newly designed gas station. During the one-year trial operation between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim planned for 2024, the train will replace a diesel multiple unit running there. Around 120.000 kilometers of rail operations are planned. According to the company, the route is particularly suitable “because of the exemplary timing of the timetable for regional transport and the varied topography”.
Hydrogen in the “Mireo Plus H”
The regional train to be developed by Siemens called “Mireo Plus H” with a hydrogen drive system consists of a fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery. The two-part vehicle is designed for a range of 600 kilometers. A three-part variant has a range of 1.000 kilometers. The maximum speed is 160 kilometers per hour.
Green electricity is used to produce environmentally friendly green hydrogen. DB Energie ensures delivery and the hydrogen is produced by electrolysis in a mobile filling station at the DB Regio plant in Tübingen. Before refueling, the green fuel is processed and cooled in the adjacent tank trailer. The refueling process takes 15 minutes, no longer than refueling a diesel multiple unit, according to the company. The DB Regio workshop in Ulm is being converted for the maintenance of hydrogen multiple units.
BMVI has promised funding
The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has announced funding from the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP 2) for the project called “H2goesRail”. NIP 2 is coordinated by the federally owned National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW) GmbH and implemented by the Jülich project management agency.
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DB wants to develop hydrogen train / © Deutsche Bahn AG / Volker Emersleben
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H2goesRail / © Siemens Mobility
