The LOHC technology allows an organic carrier liquid to draw in hydrogen and release it as per the requirement. Credit: © Siemens 1996 – 2021.

Siemens Mobility has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN) to mutually conduct research on the use of liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology in the rail industry.

The joint research will focus on finding solutions for minimising emissions to meet the climate goals.

The LOHC technology allows an organic carrier liquid to absorb hydrogen and release it according to requirements.

This process helps in preventing hydrogen from escaping in a gaseous state and enables secure storage, facilitating its cheap transportation.

LOHC also eliminates the need to store the hydrogen under high pressure or at low temperatures.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

This technology is also suited for the on-board production of electrical power in mobile applications such as trains.

Siemens Mobility rolling stock CEO Albrecht Neumann said: “Hydrogen technology is a promising solution for making rail transport climate-neutral. And since sustainability has a very high priority for us at Siemens Mobility, we’re providing a Vectron locomotive for testing the LOHC technology.”

To test the feasibility of the LOHC concept, the company will provide a Vectron mainline locomotive to HI ERN.

HI ERN director Professor Dr Peter Wasserscheid added: “We share with Siemens Mobility the vision of developing a hydrogen technology that uses the existing fuel infrastructure to power large vehicles like trains.”

In the last few years, the company has developed the Mireo Plus H hydrogen-fuelled train, in which hydrogen is stored in gas form and kept under high pressure to maintain the necessary high density.

Last week, Siemens Mobility acquired RailTerm, a Canada-based provider of rail services to railroads and transit agencies, for an undisclosed sum.