The Spanish company Coolergy, known for its developments in cryogenic and gas chemical technologies, announced the beginning of a collaboration with the Czech engineering company Aurora Engineering, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Hydrogen Locomotives in Latvia
Photo: Nikolay Ryzhov /RailGallery

The project aims to convert 12 TGМ4 diesel locomotives of the Latvian company DZ Loko to hydrogen traction, as well as to create the necessary infrastructure for liquid hydrogen production.

Main Aspects of the Project

One of the key elements of the project is the use of hydrogen fuel cells, which will be supplied by the Japanese company Toyota.

Each locomotive will be equipped with four fuel cells, each with a power output of 80 kW.

This choice is not accidental: Toyota already has experience collaborating with the Spanish company CAF, confirming the reliability and efficiency of their technologies.

Role of Aurora Engineering

Aurora Engineering, founded in 2012 based on the Czech company MTH Hranice, is known for its projects in track equipment.

MTH Hranice (also known as MTH Praga) is one of the largest manufacturers of track equipment in Eastern Europe.

With its accumulated experience, Aurora Engineering will be a crucial partner for Coolergy in implementing this ambitious project.

Scaling and Prospects

The collaboration between Coolergy and Aurora Engineering opens new prospects for the use of hydrogen technologies in the railway industry.

The companies plan to scale the acquired experience to other countries with a 1520 mm gauge, which can significantly change the approach to operating railway equipment in these regions.

Infrastructure Changes

In addition to modernizing locomotives, the project includes creating the infrastructure for liquid hydrogen production, which is an integral part of successfully implementing hydrogen traction.

This includes building plants and refueling stations to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the modernized locomotives.

Environmental Impact

Switching to hydrogen traction has significant environmental implications. Hydrogen locomotives do not emit carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions, helping to reduce air pollution and improve the ecological situation.

This project will be an important step in implementing strategies to reduce the carbon footprint in the transport sector.

The project to convert Latvian diesel locomotives to hydrogen traction, carried out by Coolergy and Aurora Engineering, represents an important step in the development of environmentally friendly technologies in the railway industry.

The combination of the experience and technologies of both companies promises successful project implementation and opens up new opportunities for using hydrogen technologies in other countries.

This collaboration will not only improve the environmental situation but also serve as an example of successful international partnership in high-tech industries.

Photo: Nikolay Ryzhov / RailGallery

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