Modification of an ÖBB-engine to hydrogen-power

ÖBB and HET Engineering introduced a test-engine with alternative power-system on the open day on 23. Sept. 2017 at ÖBB TS Linz (in occasion of 180 years railway in Austria) for the public audience. A second introduction took place on the open day at ÖBB St. Pölten on 7th Oct. 2017.

The actual trend about renewable energies and the discussion after the diesel-scandal in Germany brings the development of emission-free power-systems forward, also hydrogen counts to this.

The project was started by ÖBB and is part of a research-order of the Austrian research founding organisation (FFG) and BMVIT. The first test carrier (1063.039) of a competitor based on the usage of batteries and super-condensers, the second test carrier based on four 600V LI-batteries and a fuel cell. Two battery sets supports the traction motors with 1.200V tension. The support of the battery sets takes place directly from the alternating current-overhead contact wire or autarkic from fuel cell, which is powered by hydrogen. At the moment the test-engine has an embedded 30kW fuel cell, which will be replaced soon by a more powerful one. Positive on this technology is the higher range and onset time compared to normal battery-solutions. 

 

ÖBB provided the row 1063 as prototyping-machines with five pices, which had a power range of 1.520kW resp. 80 km/h high speed. 45 serial machines followed in three units (high speed 100 km/h and 2MW power). Producers were Simmering-Graz-Pauker for the mechanical part and BBC, Elin and Siemens for the electrical part. The used testing-engine 1063.038 comes from the last unit, which was made without the 25kV/50-Hz part. The test-engine got an originally design, which points to the test-engine on the one hand and the new technology other side. After the remodelling works at ÖBB TS Linz, the test-engine got a new design ones more, to focus on the new technology.

First test drives took place near the garage of ÖBB in Linz, also under load. Route testing took place near Attnang-Puchheim, also successful.

HET Engineering with the own know-how and the new power-technology hopes to add a huge input for sustainability of new traffic systems. The project follows the trend of emission free and environmental friendly traffic technology of the future.