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.