Alstom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with oil and gas company MOL to explore the use of hydrogen technology for rail transport in Hungary.
By 2050, the European Union aims to achieve zero net emissions. Hungary aims to play a leading role in this transition, and as part of its National Hydrogen Strategy, the country has been investigating the feasibility of introducing hydrogen technology to rail transportation.
Leveraging its experience in the manufacturing and operation of hydrogen trains, Alstom’s partnership with MOL, which produces and uses almost 150,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, will explore the potential of hydrogen supply and related infrastructure development in Hungarian rail transport.
“By building the world’s first hydrogen train, Coradia iLint, Alstom proved that hydrogen trains are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative propulsion technology.
“With this MoU, we aim to share our experience in hydrogen technology and help Hungary to begin a new chapter in its rail transportation: the era of net zero.
“From experience, we know that hydrogen trains are reliable, clean and economical solution for the rail industry.”
This is the latest in a swathe of hydrogen tech-related partnership announcements from Alstom in recent months.
November saw news of a partnership with Hynamics to reduce the time needed to refuel hydrogen trains, and a collaboration with Liebherr to optimise hydrogen fuel cells.
Railway-News has also reported on an Alstom MoU signing with Plastic Omnium to develop onboard hydrogen storage systems for the rail industry in September, and the acquisition of Helion Hydrogen Power last spring.
