Hynamics and Alstom to collaborate on refuelling hydrogen trains
The partnership will optimise the hydrogen distribution infrastructure and the rolling stock made available to operators.
Alstom and Hynamics (the hydrogen subsidiary of the EDF Group) have signed a partnership agreement to optimise the hydrogen refuelling of passenger trains.
The collaboration will speed up the development of hydrogen trains and reduce the time needed to refuel them. Both companies are already carrying out joint modelling, calculation, and simulation work.
The work using EDF Lab will then be tested from 2022 on the electrolyser test platform at the ‘EDF Lab Les Renardières’, one of three R&D centres of Électricité de France located in Écuelles (Seine-et-Marne).
A hydrogen production station, a compressor up to 450 bars, and several storage racks will be mobilised to recreate the filling circuits at the real size and evaluate the equipment’s behaviour under optimal observation conditions.
The project aims to define an international refuelling standard to limit the immobilisation of hydrogen-powered trains during refuelling, which is a major issue for both railway companies and passengers while complying with the regulations and safety rules in force.
EDF established Hynamics in April 2019 with a commitment to the energy transition. It results from several years of expertise acquired through its R&D centres located in Karlsruhe, Germany (Eifer Institute) and France (EDF R&D). Hynamics develops industry and heavy mobility projects. Its AUXR_H2, Urban Community of Auxerre project, will see the installation of a 1 MW renewable hydrogen station for the short circuit supply of 5 buses from the Leo network (Transdev) and light commercial vehicles from autumn 2021.
Hynamics is also involved in Westküste 100, Germany, responsible for construction in Hemmingstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, of a 30 MW electrolyser. It will be powered by North Sea wind farms and installed and operated by the joint venture made up of the Heide refinery, Orsted and Hynamics. A 700 MW extension project is being studied, which will be to decarbonise cement works nearby.
Hynamics is also involved in the H2SHIPS project where hydrogen will be a key element of the energy transition of the river and maritime transport through 3 projects: Port of Ostend, Port of Amsterdam and Port of Paris. The European H2SHIPS project aims to develop technical solutions and establish an appropriate regulatory and economic framework and is carried out in cooperation with 12 partners for a budget of €6.4 million.
