Today, diesel-powered construction vehicles and power generators are predominantly used on railway construction sites. As part of SBB's ‘Net Zero 2040’ ambition, the goal is to replace fossil fuel consumption with sustainable energy sources such as hydrogen.
A study conducted by Helbling provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential use of hydrogen on railway construction sites. It examines the challenges of converting construction vehicles and determines the necessary refueling infrastructure. Additionally, accompanying studies address safety and regulatory aspects, enabling a techno-economic classification of hydrogen applications within the Swiss railway network.
Industries
Technologies
Key Figures
- Analysis of the general environment of the Swiss railway network
- Techno-economic analyses: supply infrastructure and rail vehicles
- Conducting a feasibility study on decarbonisation
- Clarification of safety aspects in critical operating environments
- Assessment of the feasibility of a hydrogen supply for construction sites
Our Contribution
- Compilation of a basic overview of alternative energy carriers
- Load profile analysis of the existing fleet of thermal vehicles
- Design of drive concepts for a construction service vehicle (battery/H2/hybrid)
- Cost estimates for vehicle conversion (proto/series) & operation (energy/maint.)
- Examination of the eligibility for approval of the various drive concepts
- Analysis of the existing fueling station network
- Site selection for refuelling & charging based on driving profiles
- CAPEX and OPEX assessment for charging infrastructure and H2 refuelling stations
- Comparison of off-grid power supply for construction sites with H2/batteries
- Summarising the knowledge gained from the main studies and side projects
- Preparation of a final report for the attention of the BAV
Outcome
The high degree of electrification of the Swiss railway network offers clear advantages for the use of battery systems. When using hydrogen, particularly for construction work in tunnels, complex protective measures present additional safety-related hurdles. Furthermore, there is currently a lack of suitable regulatory framework conditions for sector coupling, which entails not only technical but also economic disadvantages when using green hydrogen.
The development of hydrogen technology is being pursued further. Important foundations have been laid for the general use of hydrogen in the railway sector to enable its future application in changing framework conditions.
Contact
Cases
Internationales Unternehmen der Papierindustrie – Analyse des Dampfsystems
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Cases
6-Streifenausbau Aarau Ost – Verzweigung Birrfeld – Bauherrenunterstützung
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