Liquid Hydrogen as Attractive Energy Storage Solution for Railway Applications

Authors

M. Eiböck, P. Loidolt, D. Jeitler, T. Stepan, SAG - Salzburger Aluminium Gruppe, Lend

Year

2025

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

Large parts of the world's railway network are not electrified. In order to achieve decarbonization of this part of the transportation sector, which is powered mostly by fossil fuels, CO2-neutral energy storage and drive train solutions have to be employed. The use of liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier for railway vehicle is both a technically feasible and economically viable solution – similar to commercial vehicles. 
This publication begins with an assessment of the global railway network to identify where the conversion from conventional diesel engines to liquid hydrogen powered fuel cells or combustion engines offers the greatest potential for emissions reduction. Subsequently, the energy storage of liquid hydrogen and competing technologies such as battery-electric and high-pressure hydrogen storage systems are compared in terms of storage density, costs and safety in the context of a potential use case in the railway industry. 
As a transition to hydrogen is highly dependent on the accessible infrastructure, synergies between on-road commercial transport, railway and industrial hydrogen demands are an economic necessity.

ISBN

978-3-9504969-4-9

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62626/ua1e-9emr Copy link

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