Hydrogen fuel consortium selected as preferred partner by Alstom

Last month Alstom’s Coradia iLint hydrogen train made its global debut when two units entered into commercial passenger service on EVB’s Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde, and Buxtehude line in Lower Saxony. On October 1 it was presented in Schleswig-Holstein where a demonstration run was performed between Neumünster and Kiel with the participation of Minister of Transport Dr Bernd Buchholz.

Among other participants on the train were partners of the H2-Consortium Westküste, the preferred energy supplier partner of Alstom that is tendering for a hydrogen train project in Schleswig-Holstein. The consortium, which consists of Entwicklungsagentur Region Heide, GP Joule, IPP Projects, EDF, and Nel is preparing a 20 MW electrolyser and associated fueling equipment in Heide with sufficient capacity to potentially refuel a complete fleet of hydrogen trains in Schleswig-Holstein and other heavy-duty vehicles in the region.

The consortium also has specific plans for installation of hydrogen refueling stations at train stations, bus depots or truck distribution centers. The tender is “technology open” and a decision is expected at the beginning of 2019 and, if the bid is successful, with potential deployment from 2021.

We are proud to announce that H2-Consortium Westküste has been selected as a preferred partner for Alstom in the potential development of zero-emission trains for green hydrogen in Schleswig-Holstein, said Jon André Løkke, CEO of Nel.

Løkke added that the test trial of the Alstom Coradia iLint hydrogen train between Neumünster and Kiel “showcases the potential for green hydrogen within heavy-duty transportation” and Germany’s dedication to being at the “forefront of the development.”