German Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure will invest EUR 12 million for the development of fuel cell trains, as part of the Ministry’s “National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Programme”, which will be coordinated by the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH).
The Ministry will support Siemens and RWTH Aachen University in research activities. Within the project, Siemens and Ballard Power Systems Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of fuel cells, plan the joint development of a fuel cell drive for the Siemens Mireo train platform. The two companies intend to develop a new generation of fuel cells with an especially long lifecycle and high power density as well as improved efficiency.
“Our cooperation with Ballard marks a decisive step being taken to replace diesel-powered rail vehicles with emission-free vehicles in order to provide sustainable and climate-friendly mobility over the long term,” Sabrina Soussan, CEO of the Siemens Mobility Division said.
The long-term goal of the cooperation is to develop a modular and scalable traction system with fuel cells that will be integrated into the Mireo train platform. With such a system, the Mireo can flexibly operate in various ways – battery-electric as well as on routes without overhead lines – with the help of hydrogen-fueled trains. The fuel cell technology is to be ready for service by 2021, and its integration in additional vehicle platforms will follow.
The new Mireo regional and commuter platform from Siemens was specially developed for sustainable and flexible operations, and is thus predestined for the testing of an alternative drive system. Thanks to its lightweight construction, energy-efficient components and intelligent electrical system management, the Mireo uses up to 25 percent less energy compared to trains with similar passenger capacity.
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