Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Siemens Mobility have unveiled their new hydrogen-powered train, dubbed Mireo Plus H, which is designed for the H2goesRail project in Germany. This project will signify a landmark achievement in rail travel, creating an environmentally friendly improvement to the already greenest mode of public transport available.
The companies have also revealed a hydrogen storage tank trailer for fast mobile refuelling by DB. These components of the H2goesRail project were showcased at the Siemens facility in Krefeld of Germany. Mireo Plus H train and its new infrastructure were developed for the replacement of diesel multiple-unit trains in commuter and regional transport as well as rail-related CO2 emissions reduction to zero.
Mireo Plus H train and its new infrastructure were developed for the replacement of diesel multiple-unit trains in commuter and regional transport as well as rail-related CO2 emissions reduction to zero. The implementation of this new train can be massively beneficial for the rail industry, especially in regard to the freight side of rail.
While rail travel is already a very eco-friendly form of transport, the freight side of rail travel still relies on a surprising amount of diesel for rolling stock to be transported. Whilst this new train and its infrastructure are being implemented in Germany, if it is successful in practise, then the UK and other European countries should look to inherit this technology and build upon the existing infrastructure.
Currently across the UK we have many different hydrogen-based projects being implemented, such as the well-known HydroFLEX hydrogen-based train. The University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) and rolling stock solutions provider Porterbrook are responsible for the implementation of the HydroFLEX project. While there is an abundance of budding hydrogen powered rail innovation in the UK currently, this German project can help identify specific processes that we could adopt to aid our transition into greener methods.
Siemens Mobility CEO Michael Peter said:
“With the Mireo Plus H, we’ve developed the next generation of hydrogen-powered trains that offers a particularly long operating range and faster acceleration.
“Each delivered train can save up to 45,000 tons of CO2 over its service life of 30 years compared to corresponding travel with cars.”
Mireo Plus H is a two-car train with an operating range of up to 800km and a top speed of 160km per hour. Featuring a modern hydrogen drive system, the two-car commuter train will feature a fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery. The train has 1.7MW of traction power that can deliver up to 1.1 m/s2 acceleration. A three-car version will have a range of up to 1,000km.
The train will not actually be available for passengers to ride until 2024, upon the completion of its first phase. The service in question will look to cover around 120,000km.
The success and potential failures of this new train should be monitored heavily by other European countries and this signifies a potential great push ahead for the decarbonisation of the rail industry.
