https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/technology/ballard-design-fuel-cell-engine-new-siemens-hydrogen-powered-train-204247/
[Sigh. More taxpayer money being spent to defy the laws of physics in
the name of greenwashing and further corporate agendas. Sadly, Ontario
is also drinking this kool-aid. The energy round-trip for fuel cells
simply is not as good as batteries. If truly enormous amounts of energy
need to be stored, then flow batteries. However, the reality of trains
is that they generally don't operate for days without stopping, and
recharging at stops is likely completely feasible with off-the-shelf
technology. For commuter rail, already solved and in service.
In Canada, the key will be rights of way and developing a SERVICE that
people will actually want to use instead of their cars. So far, that
only happens in major urban centres where traffic is so bad that mass
transit (not rapid transit) becomes relatively attractive.
For most parts of the world, hydrogen is a fossil-fuel derivative (steam
reforming of natural gas. Until hydrogen is produced from renewable
primary sources, it's not a climate change solution.]
Ballard to design fuel cell engine for new Siemens hydrogen-powered train
As the hydrogen train market builds momentum, the Vancouver-based fuel
cell maker will integrate its technology into a new line of light
commuter trains
November 14, 2017
by Cleantech Canada Staff
VANCOUVER—After a long time on the drawing board, the hydrogen train
market is finally building up some forward momentum.
Last week French engineering firm Alstom signed a deal to build 14 fuel
cell-powered trains for a German rail company. Today, not to be outdone,
rail competitor Siemens has taken a step toward entering the hydrail
business.
The German industrial conglomerate signed a development agreement with
Canadian fuel cell maker Ballard Power Systems Inc. Nov. 14.
The deal, which is worth approximately $9 million, will see Ballard
build a 200 kilowatt fuel cell engine that can be integrated into a new
light rail train. Siemens said the deal is a step toward replacing the
diesel-powered trains currently stalking rail lines around the world
with emissions-free vehicles.
Ballard will need to integrate its fuel cell technology into Siemens’
new line of Mireo trains, a modular rail platform the German company
introduced last year for regional and commuter transit lines.
Like its Alstom-made counterpart, which uses fuel cells designed by
Canada’s Hydrogenics Corp., the train foregoes traditional overhead
wires in favour of electric engines powered by hydrogen.
“In this application, fuel cells enable electrification with range,
without the need for costly catenary wire infrastructure,” Randy
MacEwen, Ballard’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
The new Siemens vehicle is expected to reach speeds of up to 160
kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour) and consume about 25 per cent
less energy than diesel trains of the same size, largely due to lighter
weight components.
The Munich-based train maker plans to have the new hydrogen-powered
train ready for the rails in 2021.
