Siemens Energy and Siemens Mobility have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly build and supply hydrogen systems for trains.

The agreement was signed by Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, and Armin Schnettler, Executive Vice President of New Energy Business at Siemens Energy.

The project aims to jointly establish holistic hydrogen solutions for rail transport and to sell them to customers in order to encourage the hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe and to facilitate decarbonization in the mobility market.

“The decarbonization of energy systems is a central goal of Siemens Energy. So-called sector coupling plays a key role here – interconnecting previously separate energy-relevant sectors such as electricity and heat generation or mobility. This can be achieved – completely CO2-free – with the electrolysis of water using electricity produced from renewable energy sources.

“Working together with Siemens Mobility, we want to drive sector coupling by developing, among other things, an electrolysis and fueling solution for the fast fueling of hydrogen-powered trains.”

Armin Schnettler, EVP new energy business at Siemens Energy.

“Our cooperation with Siemens Energy paves the way for sustainable and climate-friendly mobility. This way, we can support our customers in replacing their diesel-powered trains operating on non-electrified rail lines with emission-free hydrogen-powered trains over the longer term. Together with Siemens Energy, we can even offer hydrogen as a ‘hydrogen as a service’ model for a train’s service life.”

Albrecht Neumann, CEO rolling stock von Siemens Mobility.

Siemens Energy and Siemens Mobility intend to jointly build a standardized hydrogen infrastructure system to fuel the hydrogen-powered Siemens Mobility trains and then extend the system to pilot projects and relevant customer projects.

Siemens Energy markets the systems and technologies needed to produce and supply green hydrogen, while Siemens Mobility focuses on rail transport technologies, including the necessary train maintenance and depot equipment.

Together, Siemens Energy and Siemens Mobility will give rail customers a full solution. This will not only facilitate consumer adoption of hydrogen power on the transport market, but will also promote the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy in Germany.