HDF Energy and Captrain France formalize their collaboration on the development of an innovative, zero-emission hydrogen shunting locomotive to ensure logistics operations on industrial sites.
Paris, May 11, 2022
– Hydrogène de France (Euronext Paris: HDF – HDF Energy) and Captrain France, a subsidiary of the SNCF, today sign a partnership agreement for the development of hydrogen locomotives in order to provide a decarbonization solution to French and European rail freight . The first stage of the collaboration between HDF Energy and Captrain will concern the launch of the HyShunt project: a retrofit project
[1]
of a locomotive currently powered by a diesel heat engine. This locomotive, with a power of approximately 700 kW, will be retrofitted by integrating a decarbonized electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen, green or low carbon, via a high-power fuel cell system manufactured and integrated by HDF Energy.
A zero-emission locomotive for the decarbonisation of rail freight
Today, rail freight concerns only 9% of the goods transported in France
[2]
, compared to 17.3% in the European Union. The French Government wishes to revitalize this mode of transport, which is less polluting and less dangerous than road transport. The Government’s objective is to double the modal share of rail freight by 2030 and then increase to 25% by 2050. With only 58% of the French rail network electrified
[3]
, the development of dual-mode electric and hydrogen solutions will cover the entire network and industrial sites with zero-emission solutions. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that the retrofitting of a locomotive makes it possible to achieve strong decarbonization objectives for rail freight.
This project also enables HDF Energy to pursue the development of high-power fuel cell systems dedicated to rail mobility. The complementarity of the two partners in the project promotes French industrial know-how in the service of the decarbonization of freight transport. Finally, HyShunt participates in the creation of a new sector of skills and associated jobs.
A frugal and virtuous project
In addition, the HyShunt project is a virtuous and frugal project that promotes the reuse of existing materials. Captrain France will supply a locomotive built in the 1950s for the project. It will be upgraded and will thus see its lifespan extended.
A French and regional industrial sector
This first French hydrogen shunting locomotive is part of the hydrogen ecosystem being developed in Moselle in the Grand-Est region. This locomotive retrofit project will also be part of the initiative
Greater Hydrogen Region,
first cross-border Hydrogen Valley, involving French, German and Luxembourg industrial partners. The high-power fuel cell will be produced in the future HDF Energy plant in Blanquefort, which will be operational in 2023.
For Damien Havard, Chairman and CEO of Hydrogène de France, said:
”
We are very pleased to unveil today this ambitious project to develop an essential solution for decarbonizing rail transport. We have announced in our strategic roadmap our ambition to seize opportunities to accelerate the development of the hydrogen sector worldwide. We are demonstrating today our ability to accelerate the movement through this partnership which will make it possible to combine the unique technological know-how of Captain France in the field of heavy rail mobility and HDF Energy in the field of fuel cells. of strong power. »
For Stéphane Derlincourt, President of Captrain France
: “
I am delighted with the signing of this partnership with HDF, whose level of expertise is unique. At Captrain France, we are very enthusiastic about the idea of developing the very first zero emission locomotive for the industrial sites of our customers. The urgent concerns around global warming are generating adaptations on all sides and the transport of goods is no exception. Equipped with a technology of the future, this locomotive will be totally innovative. Thanks to it, exit greenhouse gases, harmful to our health and our planet. »
ABOUT HYDROGEN DE FRANCE (HDF ENERGY)
Hydrogène de France, a world pioneer in hydrogen-electricity, develops power plants
Hydrogen-Power
capacity and participates, through dedicated project companies, in their operation. These plants will provide continuous or on-demand electricity from renewable energies (wind or solar), associated with high-power fuel cells supplied by Hydrogène de France.
Hydrogène de France is developing two power plant models
Hydrogen-Power
:
-
Renewstable
®
(
POWER-TO-POWER
)
: Multi-megawatt power plants, producing stable electricity, consisting of an intermittent renewable source and a hydrogen chain including on-site energy storage. -
HyPower
®
(
GAS-TO-POWER
)
: Multi-megawatt power plants producing on-demand electricity from carbon-free hydrogen from gas transmission networks.
Hydrogène de France integrates the key know-how of the fuel cell, within the framework of a memorandum of understanding with Ballard (exclusive license agreement of 7 years) and develops in France (Metropolis of Bordeaux) its manufacturing plant in series of high-power fuel cells which will be commissioned in 2023. Through this activity, Hydrogène de France will also address the mobility, maritime and rail, and data center markets.
Hydrogène de France is thus positioned as a powerful accelerator of the energy transition by supplying non-intermittent and competitive renewable electricity, perfectly adapted to the networks and to demand.
HDF shares are listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris compartment B.
HDF press contact –
Serena BONI: +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92 – [email protected]
ABOUT CAPTRAIN FRANCE
CAPTRAIN France, the railway company of the SNCF Group, is the 3rd player on the rail freight market. CAPTRAIN France operates more than 100 commercial trains daily in France and abroad and also provides rail logistics on some 30 industrial sites for all types of customers and goods (cars, wood, cereals, waste, aggregates, hazardous materials, metals, consumer products, etc.). The company also places its skills and machinery at the service of road works and track renewal companies.
Ever more concerned about its ecological footprint, in 2019, Captrain France was the very first company to run a dual-mode diesel / electric locomotive in Europe.
As part of its strategy, Captrain France is committed to strengthening modal shift as well as the development of efficient and competitive logistics and rail solutions that consume less energy and pollute less in order to contribute to the protection of the environment.
With a fleet of more than 180 locomotives, CAPTRAIN France transported more than 11.5 million tonnes of goods in 2021 and achieved a turnover of €180 million. As one of the most dynamic private companies in the sector, CAPTRAIN France employs 1,000 people (including 850 train drivers, ground operators and industrial operators) and expects more than 150 hires in 2022.
Press contact Captrain France –
Delphine Grangier: +33 (0)6 61 80 67 78 – [email protected]
[1]
Transformation of combustion engine vehicles into electric battery or hydrogen fuel cell (PaC) engines
[2]
Source: Ministry of Ecology
[3]
Source: IRG-Rail 2017
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