HyTraGen - Next Generation Hydrogen Tram
Present Research Project
"Next-Generation Hydrogen Tram"
This funding project will prepare the ground for the first hydrogen-powered tram in Europe. Building on the R&D project "H2-TRAM," the individual systems researched will be technically and functionally integrated into a prototype vehicle. In addition to validating the technical solutions and the functionality of the overall vehicle, the project will create the prerequisites for regulatory approval and cost-effective production of future hydrogen fuel cell trams.
Particularly in passenger, heavy goods, and freight transport, there is growing consensus that hydrogen propulsion will make a significant contribution to green mobility due to the higher masses and required ranges. Besides applications in regional rail, bus, and truck transport, extending this alternative propulsion technology to rail-bound, inner-city transport is essential to create a competitive alternative to overhead lines and battery operation. With this motivation, the "H2-TRAM" research project was launched at the end of 2020, investigating the implementation of a hydrogen-powered tram without the need for overhead line infrastructure. A versatile vehicle concept has been developed, which is used, among other things, as a virtual prototype for simulating energy management. Since the project's inception, the participating partners have received an increasing number of inquiries from cities and operators regarding when the first tram will be operational. Cities such as Kiel, Berlin, Leipzig, Chemnitz, Kassel, and Dortmund see the technology as an alternative and will consider the use of hydrogen trams in their future planning once the technology reaches a sufficient level of maturity. It is conceivable that the modern city, which also utilizes airspace for its mobility, will be free of overhead lines.
The next step involves integrating the project results into a test vehicle and testing them as a complete system. Only technical and functional validation of the system components and the overall vehicle system will provide the foundation for vehicle development and manufacturing by German and European manufacturers competing with their Asian counterparts.
Work on hydrogen trams has been underway here for some time. Among others, Hyundai Rotem is currently realizing a "Hydrogen Tram Concept."[1] In Foshan, a comprehensive concept for the deployment of hydrogen-powered trams, supplied by CRRC Sifang, is already being implemented. Both manufacturers are planning to enter the European market soon.
The planned project provides the foundation for maintaining the competitiveness and technological leadership of domestic manufacturers. Furthermore, the associated partnership with the Görlitz transport authority, which will take over the test vehicle after the project's completion, offers the opportunity to utilize a real-world application context and directly incorporate practical requirements into the project.
[1] https://www.lok-report.de/news/uebersee/item/19572-korea-hyundai-rotem-und-ulsan-city-unterzeichnen-mou-zur-einfuehrung-der-ersten-wasserstoff-elektrischen-strassenbahn-in-korea.html
