Ballard Power Systems announced it has signed an agreement with Siemens to develop zero-emission fuel cell engine to power Siemens’ Mireo light rail train.
The contract is valued approximately $9.0 million.
Under the terms of the Development Agreement, Ballard will develop a 200 kilowatt fuel cell engine for integration into Siemens’ new Mireo train platform. The lightweight design, energy-efficient components and intelligent onboard network management enable 25 percent energy savings compared to other trains of same capacity, according to Ballard.
Initial deployments of the fuel cell-powered Mireo train are planned for 2021.
Sabrina Soussan, CEO of the Mobility Division at Siemens said, “Our cooperation with Ballard is a decisive step towards replacing diesel-powered rail vehicles with emissions-free vehicles in the long term interests of sustainable and climate-friendly mobility.”
Randy MacEwen, Ballard President and CEO added, “We are seeing rapid market demand growing for clean energy fuel cell technology in a range of Heavy Duty Motive applications, including trains, trams, transit buses and commercial trucks.”
MacEwen added that the fuel technology enables electrification with range, without the need for costly catenary wire infrastructure.