Alstom and ENGIE partner for hydrogen rail freight
Both companies already partnered during the Coradia iLint train test in Groningen for refuelling a passenger train in 2020.
Alstom and ENGIE have signed a partnership agreement to offer the rail freight sector a solution for the decarbonisation of mainline operations by replacing diesel-powered locomotives with hydrogen versions.
Under the agreement, Alstom is designing a hydrogen solution based on a high-power fuel cell system that can power electric locomotives on non-electrified sections. ENGIE is supplying the renewable hydrogen for this solution via the deployment of an innovative supply chain.
The partnership will provide a low-carbon, zero-emission solution in response to climate, environmental and public health issues, including non-electrified branch lines and sidings. The target market is the major European rail freight countries.
For Alstom, this partnership is in line with its strategic plan ‘Alstom in Motion 2025’ and its hydrogen strategy initiated in 2013 with the development of the Coradia iLint train and pursued with the acquisition of fuel cell manufacturer Helion Hydrogen Power in 2021.
For ENGIE, this partnership aligns with its 2030 plan to develop 4 GW of renewable hydrogen production capacity, have 700 km of dedicated hydrogen network and 1 TWh of storage capacity and manage more than 100 refuelling stations.
Raphael Bernardelli, VP of Corporate Strategy, said, “Our ambition is to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen power in the rail industry by developing innovative solutions that help green heavy-duty mobility operations like rail freight.”
Sebastien Arbola, Executive VP at ENGIE, commented, “After successfully supplying the Coradia iLint during tests in the Netherlands in 2020, we are delighted to continue our efforts with Alstom in decarbonising heavy-duty mobility by combining our respective expertise to serve European rail freight.”
