With the first hydrogen train in Europe scheduled to be operational in Lower Saxony from the end of this year, there is a growing interest in the development of fuel cell trains as a viable option to electrification.

The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (S2R JU) have come together to develop a seminar on hydrogen trains hosted by Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Electro-Mobility in European Regions (HyER).

This day workshop looks at the opportunities that hydrogen fuel cells can bring to the rail industry and looks at passenger transport, freight and shunting or switching. It will also look at the challenges when adapting fuel cells to high power-demand vehicles such as trains.

By 2021, there are plans for 40 hydrogen trains to be operational in four German Lander. The workshop will not only look at the introduction of these trains but also at broader issues such as technology, regulation and safety.

The seminar will also outline the joint work undertaken by DG MOVE, FCH JU and S2R JU in terms of hydrogen trains and discuss with local authorities on regional initiatives across Europe.

The agenda will be published here: http://hyer.eu/events/1676/