Alstom and ENGIE have signed a partnership agreement to provide the rail freight sector with a solution for renewable hydro-decarbonized line locomotives to replace diesel-powered locomotives.
According to the cooperation agreement, as a pioneer in the field of hydrogen-powered locomotives, Alstom is designing a hydrogen solution for high-power fuel cell systems that can power electric locomotives in non-electrified areas.
ENGIE is a leader in the energy transition and a pioneer in renewable gases, delivering renewable hydrogen for this solution by deploying an innovative supply chain.
This partnership will provide low-carbon, zero-emission solutions to climate, environmental and public health challenges, including non-electrified feeders and electrified feeders. The target market is the major European rail freight countries.
Both Alstom and ENGIE have ambitions to put hydrogen at the heart of decarbonising the rail sector. This was successfully demonstrated at the Coradia iLint passenger train test in the Dutch province of Groningen in March 2020, where renewable hydrogen was used to recharge the train.
For Alstom, the partnership is a continuation of its "Alstom in Motion 2025" strategic plan and a continuation of its hydrogen strategy. Alstom completed its hydrogen strategy in 2013 with the development of the Coradia iLint train and the acquisition of fuel cell manufacturer Helion hydrogen Power in 2021.
Raphaël Bernardelli, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Alstom said:
"Our goal is to accelerate the application of hydrogen in the rail industry and develop innovative solutions for the greening of heavy-duty vehicles, including rail freight."
"In order to develop the hydrogen energy sector, it is necessary to mobilize all players in this industry. That is what our partnership with ENGIE is about," he said.
"For ENGIE, this collaboration is part of its goal of producing 4GW of renewable hydrogen by 2030, especially to supply the heavy-duty vehicle market."
ENGIE Deputy CEO Sebastien Arbola, responsible for heat, hydrogen and energy supply, said:
“Following the successful hydrogen supply for Coradia iLint during a trial in the Netherlands in 2020, we are delighted to continue working with Alstom to accelerate the decarbonisation of the heavy freight market by combining our respective expertise and European rail freight services. "
"This partnership marks a new phase in the development of renewable hydrogen solutions and the construction of a carbon-free economy."
ENGIE is a pioneer in developing an industrial-scale hydrogen economy. Its goal is to support players in industry and transportation to achieve carbon neutrality goals.
By 2030, ENGIE plans: Develop 4GW of renewable hydrogen production capacity, have a 700km dedicated hydrogen network and 1TWh of storage capacity, manage more than 100 hydrogen refueling stations. With its portfolio of renewable energy capabilities, ENGIE's expertise in hydrogen transportation and industrial-scale renewable hydrogen production projects makes it one of the most integrated energy companies in the hydrogen value chain.
Alstom, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility. A global leader in green and smart mobility, Alstom has been developing zero-emission mobility solutions for many years and has launched an ambitious battery and hydrogen energy innovation programme.
Since 2013, Alstom has been involved in the launch of a regional train equipped with hydrogen fuel cells: the Coradia iLint.
The first two 100% hydrogen-powered iLint trains in Germany were put into commercial service in 2018, and to date 41 trains have been ordered by the two German companies and have been successfully carried out in Austria, the Netherlands (in cooperation with ENGIE), Poland, Sweden and France tested.
In 2021, France also entered the circle of "founding countries", with SNCF ordering 12 Coradia Polyvalent Regiolis dual-mode (electric traction/catenary and hydrogen/fuel cell) trains on behalf of the Auvergne region.
In 2021, Alstom continues to build the ecosystem for its hydrogen rail products, signing cooperation agreements with companies such as Liebherr – Aerospace & Transportation SAS, Dynamics and Plastic Omnium.
