On the road to climate neutrality by 2040, Deutsche Bahn is regularly testing new technologies, such as the use of green hydrogen. In the H2goesRail project, for example, we have developed and tested an innovative overall hydrogen system comprising a filling station, train and maintenance infrastructure together with Siemens Mobility.
The aim of the H2goesRail project was to test hydrogen-powered multiple units in regional transport and thereby further reduce CO2 emissions on the railways. To this end, DB Energie GmbH has developed an innovative mobile filling station with an intelligent control system that allows hydrogen trains to be refueled quickly.
The green hydrogen is produced directly on site. Using a process known as electrolysis, water is broken down into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of renewable power. The hydrogen obtained in this way is then compressed, stored in a mobile storage unit and processed and cooled in the adjacent tanker trailer before refueling.
Communication between train and filling station and pressure-regulated refueling control reduce energy consumption and refueling time. This means that a train can be refueled in the same time as a diesel train.
In addition to the newly designed hydrogen filling station from DB Energie GmbH, Siemens Mobility developed the Mireo Plus H hydrogen train in close cooperation with DB. It has a drive system consisting of a fuel cell and buffer battery and is just as powerful as electric multiple units.
As Deutsche Bahn, we have continuously accompanied the development of the train - for example by providing support during the design process. We also evaluated the design of the entire train using dynamic simulations and accompanied the necessary tests for commissioning and approval.
Testing of the new drive system in the Mireo Plus H hydrogen train and the hydrogen supply from DB Energie GmbH in everyday operations then began at the start of 2024. The test program ended in December of the same year and provided us with important findings for a possible fleet-wide application of the technology. The final results will now be evaluated until the end of the project in March 2025.
