Hydrogen-Powered Shunting Operations In Żmigród ' Bydgoszcz Pesa's SM42-6Dn

• Law Firm: JWP Patent & Trademark Attorneys
• Subject Matter: Transport, Energy and Natural Resources, Energy Law, Oil, Gas & Electricity, Rail, Road & Cycling
• Author: Jacek Stachowski
• Published date: 04 September 2023

In June this year, the certification process for the first Polish shunting locomotive powered by hydrogen cells was completed. Bydgoszcz Pesa's SM42-6Dn is a four-axis Bo-Bo shunting locomotive in which hydrogen cells with a total power of 170kW power four 180kW asynchronous traction motors, allowing the locomotive to reach a speed of up to 90 km/h. The product of a zero-emission hydrogen-powered railway pilot project, implemented by Pesa in Bydgoszcz since 2019, will soon be put into service. The extensive modernization and rebuilding of a SM42 diesel locomotive bring a revolution regarding the reduction of emissions in rail transport a step closer, and homologation tests completed in June, under the auspices of the Office of Rail Transport, on a test track in Zmigród herald an oncoming change in the rail transport area.

SM42-6Dn

The SM42-6Dn shunting locomotive is a zero-emission, 70-tonne locomotive, designed for shunting works and pulling light goods trains, especially in the area of intermodal terminals and the so-called "green ports." The first such locomotives will be operated by RCP Orlen - Koltrans.

source: www.pesa.pl/produkty/lokomotywy/sm42-6dn-hydrogen/#koltrans

The SM42 locomotive frame has an embedded three-box body with a centrally located newly designed two-way cabin, on one side of which there are hydrogen cells with a total power of 170kW, a hydrogen cooling system and one of two hydrogen tanks. On the opposite side of the cabin there is a braking system cabinet, a second hydrogen tank, a choke and an inverter used to drive electric traction motors. The total capacity of Class III hydrogen tanks is 175 kg H₂, at a storage pressure of 350 MPa. Theoretically, in the case of continuous operation using the full power of hydrogen cells, reserve fuel, for fuel consumption not exceeding 0.08 kg/kWh according to the manufacturer's declaration, is sufficient for over 12 hours of continuous operation under full load. In addition, the locomotive is equipped with an obstacle detection and collision detection system as well as a radio control system with autonomous driving function so that the driver can single-handedly control the vehicle when sorting rolling stock into trains.

Advancements in the implementation of hydrogen drives in various areas of transport poses the question about zero-emission sources of such solutions.

Where does hydrogen for transportation come from?

The two most popular sources of hydrogen for transportation are: steam...