World’s first network of hydrogen trains in Germany is now on going, taking its course between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude, 14 hydrogen-powered Coradia iLint in replacement of 15 diesel trains.
In behalf of public transport operator, Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG), the operation is carried by both Eisenbahnen und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser. Back in 2017, a 14 Coradia iLints purchase was made and the first two were already in service between Cuxhaven and Buxtehude back in September 2018. However, they were still pre- series train at that time.
This week, a number of 14 Coradia iLint trains in series trim opens for passenger service, it is consisting of a total volume of over 93 million euros to date. “This project is a role model worldwide, it is an excellent example of a successful transformation Made in Lower Saxony,” says Minister President Stephan Weil. “As a state of renewable energies, we are thus setting a milestone on the path to climate neutrality in the transport sector.”
Lin de operates a hydrogen filling station Bremervörde patriculary for H2 trains. It has a capacity of 1,800 kilograms of hydrogen, categorized for over 64 500-bar high-pressure storage tanks. Six hydrogen compressors supply the two dispensers where the trains can refuel with hydrogen around the clock. For the time being, the hydrogen will be supplied, later it will be produced on-site by means of electrolysis and regeneratively generated electricity – expansion areas for this plant are available.
A range of 1,000 kilometers with one tank is equivalent to a train’s daily mileage without having to refuel, this consumes a day after operating hours. With that 1.6 million liters of diesel should no longer be consumed per year.
According to the report, back in 2012, LNGV was considering other options for diesel trains. They still continue to operate a total number of 126 trains but as for Carmen Schwabl, spokesperson for the LNVG management, they no longer desire to acquire additional diesel trains. Due to the commitment made to H2 technology, Schwabl is confident that they “have thus given an impulse to the development of hydrogen trains in Germany”. “We are also convinced that diesel trains will no longer be economical to operate in the future. We are pleased to have now reached another milestone with our partners Linde and Alstom as well as evb,” says the LNVG Managing Director
“Emission free mobility is one of the most important goals for ensuring a sustainable future and Alstom has a clear ambition to become the world leader in alternative propulsion systems for rail. The world’s first hydrogen train, the Coradia iLint, demonstrates our clear commitment to green mobility combined with state-of-the-art technology. We are very proud to bring this technology into series operation as part of a world premiere, together with our great partners,” says Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chairman and CEO of Alstom.
