Toyota to Supply Fuel Cell Modules for Zero-emission Train Project
Written by AZoCleantechApr 9 2021
Toyota is supporting a project investigating the possibility of using hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel for rail travel. Through its membership of the European FCH2RAIL consortium, it is supplying its new hydrogen fuel cell module for use in a prototype train.
Toyota fuel cell module for zero-emission train project. Image Credit: Toyota
Toyota is working with consortium partners from Belgium, Germany, Spain and Portugal to develop the prototype. At the heart of the project is a hybrid, bi-modal drive system that combines the electrical power supply from an overhead line with a fuel cell hybrid power pack (consisting of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries) that works independently of the overhead line. If successful, it could prove a valuable alternative to the diesel-powered trains still in service across Europe.
Corvus Energy, consortium advances maritime fuel cell systems project with Toyota
Japan-headquartered Toyota is set to supply its hydrogen fuel cell technology to global energy storage company Corvus Energy and its consortium to start developing fuel cell systems for the maritime industry as decarbonization objectives in shipping gather pace.
“Decarbonization is inevitable and at Toyota, we are convinced that hydrogen will play a central role in creating a better future, both environmentally and economically,” Thiebault Paquet, director of the Fuel Cell Business Group at Toyota Motor Europe said in a statement published by Corvus Energy on Feb. 1.
Production will be located in Bergen, Norway, and Toyota’s recently established Fuel Cell Business group in Brussels will work with Corvus Energy and its consortium members to offer fuel cell solutions for marine applications, Corvus Energy said.
Corvus Energy factory in Bergen.Courtesy of Corvus Energy.
Corvus is spearheading a collaboration with Norwegian partners Equinor, shipowners Norled and Wilhelmsen, ship design company LMG Marin, the NCE Maritime CleanTech cluster and R&D institution the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) to develop and produce modularised and cost-effective PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel-cell systems for the international marine market.
The project has received 5.2 million euros in funding from state agency Innovation Norway bolstering Corvus’ front-runner position in clean technology for maritime and other sectors. The development is scheduled to showcase its first marine fuel cell system onboard a vessel in 2023 and the product will be marine certified and available for commercial delivery from 2024.
Corvus to develop hydrogen fuel cell systems
OSLO, Norway, February 1, 2021 Corvus Energy, a global pioneer in energy storage, is set to start development and production of sustainable, large scale maritime-certified hydrogen fuel cell systems with Toyota as key partner and supplier of mass-produced fuel cell technology. Corvus is spearheading a collaboration with Norwegian partners Equinor, shipowners Norled and Wilhelmsen, ship design company LMG Marin, the NCE Maritime CleanTech cluster and R&D institution the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) to develop and produce modularised and cost-effective PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel-cell systems for the international marine market. The project has received EUR 5.2 million in funding from state agency Innovation Norway bolstering Corvus’ front-runner position in clean technology for maritime and other sectors. The development is scheduled to showcase its first marine fuel cell system onboard a vessel in 2023 and the