STM-Built Hydrogen Locomotives For RZD

On 15 June 2021, in the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, RUSNANO, RZD and Sinara Group have signed an agreement on cooperation in the development of main line and shunting freight locomotives using power plants based on electrochemical hydrogen fuel cells in conjunction with lithium-ion batteries. 

The document was signed by Sergey Kulikov, Chairman of the Management Board of RUSNANO, Oleg Belozyorov, RZD CEO, and Dmitry Pumpyansky, Sinara Group President. The latter said: „According to our estimations, the prototypes of both main line and shunting locomotive can be created in 2023 - 24."

Russian Railways will act as a potential customer for locomotives, Sinara Group represented by Sinara Transportnye Mashiny will act as general contractor, RUSNANO in the person of its subsidiaries companies and partners will act as a co-contractor in respect of creating hydrogen fuel cells, energy storage system based on lithium-ion batteries and other innovative technological solutions.

The agreement provides for a complex research and development, and design works, a comprehensive analysis of the necessary infrastructure, the development of technical requirements for the main line locomotive, as well as a number of other activities. The parties are also interested in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation on the development of shunting locomotives using hybrid power plant on the basis of hydrogen fuel cells and energy storage systems of domestic production.

Oleg Belozyorov added: „From 2025 onwards, we plan to purchase only electric locomotives as well as locomotives powered by alternative energy sources such as natural gas and hydrogen. This will let us to reduce the environmental burden even further.“