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Hydrogen driven freight train in the cross-border region DE/NL

Pilot Activity in Bentheim (Germany)

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Hydrogen driven freight train in the cross-border region DE/NL
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Hydrogen driven freight train in the cross-border region DE/NL

The transportation of goods always connects to the emission of greenhouse gases. Different approaches exist to reduce these emissions, for example the combination of different transport solutions (train, truck, barge&ships, aircraft) or the usage of “green” driving technologies like battery electric vehicles.

Though transporting goods via train has generally a low CO2 footprint, freight trains often use diesel engine, since not every track and especially freight railway stations are not fully electrified – and cross border transport even on fully electrified tracks is not always possible. Therefore, alternative driving solutions are necessary for transporting goods without the emission of greenhouse gases on railways – especially in international context.

But what is necessary to run a cross-border freight train on hydrogen? What are the technological challenges, what is the most feasible way for hydrogen supply and what synergies can be generated in the region?

Within the pilot, these questions will be answered and the foundation of deploying hydrogen driven freight trains in the cross-border region Northwest Germany – Northers Netherlands will be laid by performing an in-depth analysis of economic and ecologic feasibility. Beyond the project itself, the results will help other pilots to be implemented more easily and the first steps to CO2-neutral freight trains can be made.