The first test run of the Mireo Plus H hydrogen train took place on the Wegberg-Wildenrath railway test track in the presence of DB CEO Richard Lutz and Siemens CEO Roland Busch. Afterwards, the train was immediately refueled at the mobile hydrogen filling station.
Hydrogen technology is intended to replace diesel multiple units in regional transport in the future, thus making a significant contribution to phasing out diesel. The system is scheduled to be deployed in the Tübingen area starting in 2024. Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn presented the H2goesRail project to the public in November 2020. In recent months, in addition to refueling and commissioning tests, extensive training has been conducted for the employees who will operate the system.
"The new Mireo Plus H train emits no emissions, has a range of 1,000 km, can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, and can be refueled quickly." Siemens CEO Busch stated that a single train will save up to 45,000 tons of CO2 over its 30-year lifespan compared to car journeys.
The goal is clear, says Richard Lutz. "By 2040, we at Deutsche Bahn will be climate-neutral. A key factor in achieving this is phasing out diesel. With our development of a mobile hydrogen refueling station and the associated maintenance infrastructure, we at Deutsche Bahn are demonstrating once again what innovative drive technologies look like and what climate-neutral mobility of tomorrow looks like."
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) with a total of 13.74 million euros as part of the German innovation program for hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
On the test track
The Mireo Plus H for the H2goesRail project, as a two-car train, has a range of up to 800 km, is as powerful as electric multiple units thanks to a platform approach, and is characterized by a high drive power of 1.7 MW for up to 1.1 m/s² acceleration and a top speed of up to 160 km/h.
A key element in making hydrogen technology competitive with the currently used diesel fuel in everyday operations is a fast refueling process. DB has therefore developed a novel method that allows refueling of a hydrogen train to be just as fast as refueling of a diesel train for the first time. This is an important aspect given the tight train schedules in DB's regional transport network. The hydrogen is produced in Tübingen by DB Energie using green electricity generated directly from the overhead lines.
Photos: Siemens/DB
The H2goesRail project, for example, will result in CO2 savings of approximately 330 tons per year on the Tübingen-Pforzheim route by phasing out diesel. In general, the Mireo Plus H can save up to 520 tons per year, depending on the route profile (calculated over 200,000 km). The Mireo Plus H will begin test runs in Baden-Württemberg in 2023. From 2024, it will operate in regular passenger service between Tübingen, Horb, and Pforzheim for the H2goesRail project, replacing a diesel multiple unit currently operating on that route. Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn will also present the H2goesRail project and the Mireo Plus H at InnoTrans 2022, which takes place in Berlin from September 20 to 23.
InnoTrans Berlin: Mireo Plus H stand T06/40, mobile hydrogen refueling station stand O/630
