Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Top 10 Projects and Companies for Railroad Application

The Silent Revolution: How PEMFCs Are Powering the Future of Rail

Picture the iconic image of a train: a colossal diesel engine thundering down the tracks, a plume of dark smoke trailing behind it. For over a century, this has been the sound and sight of industrial might, the lifeblood of global commerce. But this powerful image comes with a heavy environmental price tag. The rail sector, essential for moving goods and people, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Now, imagine a different scene: a locomotive gliding almost silently into a station, its only emission being a gentle wisp of clean water vapor. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the reality being built today, powered by an advanced technology known as the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). As nations and industries commit to a net-zero future, the iron arteries of our world are on the brink of a silent, clean revolution, and PEMFC technology is the engine driving it forward.

Key PEMFC Installations in Rail and Heavy Transport

The transition from diesel to hydrogen is accelerating from pilot projects to commercial-scale deployments across the globe. Industry leaders and governments are investing heavily, proving that PEMFC technology is a viable and powerful solution for the demanding world of heavy transport. Here are ten significant projects that showcase the current momentum.

1. Ballard to Power Samskip’s Sea Shuttles with Fuel Cell Engines

Company: Ballard Power Systems
Installation Capacity: 6.4 MW (spread across 32 FCwave engines)
Applications: Marine propulsion systems for sea shuttles.
Source: Samskip Brings Ballard, eCap on Deck to Supply Fuel Cells for Sea Shuttles

2. First China-Developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Locomotive Trial

Company: State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC) & CRRC
Installation Capacity: Unspecified
Applications: Hydrogen energy locomotive.
Source: First China-developed hydrogen fuel cell locomotive starts trial runs

3. Sierra Northern Railway Fuel Cell Switcher Project

Company: Sierra Northern Railway
Installation Capacity: 200 kW
Applications: Fuel cell switcher locomotive.
Source: Zero Emission Locomotive Conversion

4. Alstom’s Hydrogen Train Deployment

Company: Alstom
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Passenger trains. 36 fuel cell trains.
Source: Global Hydrogen Review 2022 – NET

5. Ballard Secures Order for PEM Fuel Cell Engines for Freight Rail Locomotives

Company: Ballard Power Systems
Installation Capacity: Largest order in history for PEM fuel cell engines in freight rail.
Applications: Freight rail locomotives.
Source: CEO Perspective – 2024 in Review – Blog | Ballard Power Systems

6. DOE Initiates Hydrogen Fuel Cell Rail Projects

Company: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Hydrogen fuel cell rail projects.
Source: Introduction | Hydrogen Program – Department of Energy

7. Siemens Hydrogen Storage Plant

Company: Siemens
Installation Capacity: 6 MW
Applications: Converting excess wind power to hydrogen for storage
Source: Electricity and Energy Storage – World Nuclear Association

8. H2goesRail Project

Company: Deutsche Bahn
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Testing hydrogen technology for rail applications
Source: Power-to-hydrogen and hydrogen-to-X energy systems for the …

9. Clean Hydrogen JU AWP Projects

Company: Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU)
Installation Capacity: 25 kW to 3 MW
Applications: Various, including rail transport
Source: Clean Hydrogen JU AWP 2025_FINAL_ADOPTED.pdf

10. Hyundai Heavy Industries Fuel Cell Development

Company: Hyundai Heavy Industries
Installation Capacity: 200 kW to 1 MW
Applications: Fuel cells for ships.
Source: [PDF] The Fuel Cell Industry Review 2021 | ERM

Table: Global PEMFC Projects in Heavy Transport

All Aboard: How Industry is Embracing PEMFCs

The diversity of applications reveals a sophisticated, multi-faceted adoption strategy for PEMFC technology in rail. This isn’t just about replacing one engine with another; it’s about re-imagining the entire rail ecosystem. We see a clear division of focus, from high-visibility passenger lines to the gritty, powerful world of freight. Alstom’s deployment of 36 passenger trains in Europe serves as a powerful public-facing statement, demonstrating the technology’s reliability and building consumer confidence. In parallel, Ballard’s landmark order for freight locomotives and the SPIC/CRRC trial in China tackle the sector’s most difficult challenge: decarbonizing the heavy-haul backbone of our economies. This dual approach—winning public opinion with passenger trains while proving industrial muscle in freight—is a powerful strategy for broad-based adoption. Furthermore, the Sierra Northern Railway’s 200 kW switcher project highlights a move towards niche applications, targeting high-pollution environments like railyards where zero-emission technology can have an immediate local impact.

The Global Race to Lay Hydrogen Tracks

The geographic distribution of these projects paints a clear picture of a global competition for leadership in hydrogen mobility. Europe and China have emerged as aggressive first-movers. European efforts, exemplified by Alstom in France, Deutsche Bahn and Siemens in Germany, and the pan-continental Clean Hydrogen JU, are characterized by strong policy support and cross-border collaboration. This suggests a strategic, top-down push to establish a hydrogen-powered rail network as a cornerstone of the EU’s green agenda. Across the globe, China’s trial of a domestically developed hydrogen locomotive by SPIC and CRRC signals a formidable entry. Given China’s proven ability to rapidly scale manufacturing, this initial project could presage a massive domestic rollout, positioning the nation as a dominant force in both production and deployment. Meanwhile, North America is carving out a crucial role. While the U.S. government (DOE) and regional bodies (California’s support for the Sierra Northern project) are fostering targeted innovation, Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems has established itself as a key global supplier of the core PEMFC engine technology, demonstrating North American strength in the high-value end of the supply chain.

From Test Tracks to Main Lines: PEMFC Tech Maturity

These installations offer compelling evidence that PEMFC technology is rapidly moving along the maturity curve from demonstration to full commercial operation. The data reveals a clear continuum. Alstom’s fleet of 36 trains represents a commercial, revenue-generating service. Ballard receiving its “largest order in history” for freight applications signifies a critical shift from one-off prototypes to scalable, commercial procurement. At the same time, large-scale validation is ongoing. Projects like Deutsche Bahn’s H2goesRail and the SPIC/CRRC locomotive trial are designed to rigorously test the technology under diverse, real-world conditions, paving the way for wider fleet conversions. The installation capacities themselves tell a story of technological maturity. The range from 200 kW for a switcher locomotive (Sierra Northern) to multi-megawatt freight solutions (Ballard) and even larger marine applications (Ballard’s 6.4 MW deal) proves the inherent modularity and scalability of PEMFC systems. This ability to stack fuel cells to meet specific power demands—from small yard shunters to massive freight haulers—is a critical attribute for commercial success across the diverse rail industry.

The Next Station: Future-Proofing Global Rail with Hydrogen

In summary, these projects signal that PEMFC technology for railroad applications has left the station and is rapidly gaining speed. Led by strategic government and corporate initiatives in Europe and China, the technology is proving itself in both passenger and freight roles, moving from demonstration to commercial scale. North America remains a vital hub for core technology development. Looking forward, the data points to two critical trends. First, the symbiosis between transport and energy production, highlighted by the Siemens hydrogen storage project, is non-negotiable. The future of hydrogen rail is inextricably linked to the build-out of green hydrogen infrastructure powered by renewables. Second, the synergy with other heavy-duty transport sectors is a powerful accelerator. Advances made in marine fuel cells by Ballard and Hyundai create more robust and cost-effective systems that directly benefit rail development, and vice versa. This shared technology platform will drive down costs and spur innovation faster than if rail were advancing in isolation. The tracks for a zero-emission rail future are being laid, and PEMFCs are the powerful, silent engines leading the charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are PEMFCs a good alternative to traditional diesel engines for trains?
Traditional diesel engines are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. PEMFCs offer a clean solution, as they power locomotives almost silently and their only emission is clean water vapor, addressing the heavy environmental price tag of diesel power.

Is PEMFC technology only being used for trains?
No, the technology is also being applied to other heavy transport sectors. The article highlights that Ballard Power Systems is providing fuel cells for marine sea shuttles and Hyundai Heavy Industries is developing them for ships. This cross-sector development helps accelerate innovation and reduce costs for rail applications as well.

Which parts of the world are leading the push for hydrogen rail?
Europe and China have emerged as aggressive first-movers. Europe, with projects from Alstom and Deutsche Bahn, shows strong policy support. China is making a formidable entry with domestically developed locomotives. North America is a vital hub for developing the core PEMFC engine technology, with companies like Ballard Power Systems serving as key global suppliers.

Is this technology still experimental or is it being used in commercial operations?
The technology is rapidly moving from the demonstration phase to full commercial operation. For example, Alstom has a fleet of 36 passenger trains in commercial service, and Ballard Power Systems has received its largest-ever commercial order for freight locomotive engines. While some large-scale validation projects are still ongoing, the trend is clearly shifting towards commercial procurement and deployment.

What is needed for hydrogen-powered rail to become widespread?
The article points to two critical trends for widespread adoption. First, the development of green hydrogen infrastructure is essential; the future of hydrogen rail is directly linked to the ability to produce hydrogen from renewable sources. Second, continued synergy with other heavy-duty transport sectors, like marine, will help drive down costs and accelerate technological advancements.