Article menu
- Bimodal demonstration train is to run with overhead line electricity and fuel cells
- Photo gallery: Toyota supplies fuel cell modules for trains
Bimodal demonstration train is to run with overhead line electricity and fuel cells
Just half of all railway lines in Europe are electrified, the rest mostly use diesel locomotives. The EU project FCH2RAIL (Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Pack for Rail Applications) launched at the beginning of the year aims to change this and is relying on fuel cells to do this.
Toyota Motor Europe will supply the stacks for the hydrogen trains, as the company now reports.
Toyota recently announced that it would be using the fuel cell technology known from the Mirai in the form of modules wants to sell to other companies. According to Toyota, they are not only suitable for use on the road, but also on rails, on water and for stationary facilities.
The project team wants one Develop train prototypes that will have a hybrid, bimodal drive: If overhead lines are available, the train will take the power from there. Otherwise, the energy comes from the hydrogen-powered fuel cell modules from Toyota.
The drive will be installed in an electric local train from the Spanish manufacturer CAF, which is provided by the Spanish state railway Renfe. CAF also supplies the batteries and converters. The drive can be adapted as required to the application – for both passenger and freight transport. For example, more hydrogen tanks increase the range, while the number of fuel cell and battery modules affects the drive power.
A corresponding drive for a rail vehicle is to be developed, tested and approved within four years with a budget of 14 million euros. Initial tests will take place on Spanish and Portuguese rail lines.
However, the international project team still has to overcome various challenges beforehand. The fuel cell and battery modules must be correctly combined and controlled. In addition, the waste heat from the fuel cells is to be used to heat and air-condition the train. This is what the consortium of air conditioning manufacturers Faiveley / Stemmann Technik (STT) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) deals with.
In addition, the project team wants to review the applicable safety standards and forward any proposed changes to the authorities in order to facilitate the EU-wide approval of hydrogen trains in the near future.
More about fuel cells:
Hyperion XP-1: Hydrogen-powered supercar in Hollywood
Daimler and Volvo establish fuel cell joint venture
Photo gallery: Toyota supplies fuel cell modules for trains
Related articles
-
Toyota sells fuel cell modules to other manufacturers
For trucks, buses, trains or ships as well as stationary generators Toyota also wants to sell the fuel cells from the Mirai to other companies in the…
-
Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen: fuel cell transporter is coming in 2021
Fill up with hydrogen for three minutes, drive 400 kilometers … Even if it would make sense in many ways not only to rely on battery-electric vehicles…
-
Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell: Hydrogen truck also for the USA and China
Fuel cell truck has been revised for the 2021 model year Hyundai has redesigned its fuel cell truck called the Xcient Fuel Cell. In addition to changed…
-
Toyota Mirai breaks world record: 1,000 kilometers with hydrogen
Does this change anything for battery electric vehicles? Toyota announced today that its flagship hydrogen fuel cell car, the Toyota Mirai the second…
-
Renault Master with fuel cell system will start in 2021
Joint venture Hyvia together with Plug Power should also offer electrolysis systems and fuel pumps (update) Renault did at its eWays event in late June…
-
Hyundai shows fuel cell sports sedan with 500 kW
Also: autonomous trucks with hydrogen technology and more Almost two weeks ago, Hyundai announced its Hydrogen Wave event for September 7th today and…
-
BMW iX5 Hydrogen: show car with fuel cells is at the IAA
The hydrogen car cannot be bought until 2025 at the earliest, and then it will probably look different The BMW i Hydrogen Next will be tested on the…
-
Mercedes GenH2: Road approval for fuel cell trucks granted
Comparative tests with overhead line trucks and the battery-electric eActros are now also possible The Mercedes GenH2 fuel cell truck is now allowed to…
-
Ineos Grenadier receives fuel cell from Hyundai
The first tests are scheduled to begin at the end of 2022 Ineos Automotive has announced that production of the Grenadier will start in July 2022. At the…
-
Gallium nitride power electronics for fuel cell vehicles
Landshut University of Applied Sciences is developing particularly light and small DCDC converters Hot debates are still going on about whether hydrogen…
