German green rail hydrogen plant completed

GREEN hydrogen producer Lhyfe has completed a green hydrogen production plant for the German Rail (DB) innovation hub in Tübingen. Lhyfe will operate the 1MW electrolysis plant on behalf of DB, which is expected to produce to 30 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. The electricity used by the plant comes from DB’s existing green electricity portfolio.

Hydrogen from the plant will be used in a variety of projects, including H2goesRail, the joint venture between DB and Siemens Mobility which is creating a hydrogen ecosystem for regional operations, including fuel production and a refuelling facility.

The project will use a Siemens Mireo Plus H multiple-unit. Later this year it is expected to start trial operations in the state of Baden-Württemberg, running between Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim.

 “This project demonstrates the economic viability of hydrogen solutions in the transport and mobility sector,” says Mr Luc Graré, head of central and eastern Europe at Lhyfe. “Sustainable energy sources and innovative technologies are needed to decarbonise the transport sector.”

Graré adds that the experience gained at Tübingen will provide DB and its future partners with a plant that can be used to test the integration of green hydrogen production with customer processes.

Separately, Siemens Mobility has signed a letter of intent with competing supplier Tyczka Hydrogen, which both parties say will “accelerate the transformation towards hydrogen-powered railway transport.”

The companies will work together on solutions across the full supply chain including hydrogen production, storage, distribution and refuelling, as well as the supply and maintenance of trains powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Siemens is hoping that its Smart Train Lease subsidiary launched this spring, which offers the Mireo Plus H for hire, will be able to capitalise on heightened demand for hydrogen-powered trains.