Alstom highlights green innovations at the 1st IPCEI Hydrogen Conference
Alstom highlights green innovations at the 1st IPCEI Hydrogen Conference
A twofold event was held in Berlin with the second General Assembly on December 5, 2023 for the first two IPCEI Hydrogen waves, Hy2Tech and Hy2Use, followed by the first IPCEI Hydrogen conference the next day.
The event gathered stakeholders from the EU-led Hy2Tech and Hy2Use programmes, with no less than 63 companies from 15 member states present, along with European commission and member states’ representatives.
"Standardisation and the development of common norms across various transportation sectors are a prerequisite to ensure competitiveness of hydrogen rail solutions."
As a beneficiary of the Hy2Tech programme, Alstom was represented at the conference by Stéphane Kaba (H2 IPCEI Programme Director) who took part in the panel discussions and delivered a presentation. His main messages included reminders of:
- the European rail network characteristics (50% not electrified, diesel fleets of 6,000 regional trains, 6,000 freight locomotives and 10,000 shunting locomotives to be replaced within the next 10 to 15 years)
- Alstom’s complementary green solutions (electric, battery and hydrogen) and how the Group can help customers make the right choice based on autonomy and traffic density
- Alstom’s hydrogen-related programmes funded as part of IPCEI Hy2Tech, including the development of traction components, a regional train, a freight and a shunting locomotive
“As the main policy makers (European Commission and Member States’ representatives) were present, the conference was also an opportunity for Alstom to insist on the need for standardisation and the development of common norms across various transportation sectors (namely rail, truck, buses and maritime), before technical specifications for interoperability (TSI) are defined by 2030. This is a prerequisite to ensure competitiveness of hydrogen rail solutions.” said Stéphane Kaba, H2 IPCEI Programme Director at Alstom.
The next event of this kind is expected to take place at the end of 2024.
This project includes programmes financially supported by the French State in the frame of France 2030 and Relaunch France, by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
