Hitachi: Developed hydrogen hybrid vehicle: developed with JR East
-Develop test vehicles by fusing railway technology and automobile technology-
JR East, Hitachi, Toyota:
We have agreed to work together to develop a test vehicle equipped with a hydrogen-fueled fuel cell and a hybrid system powered by a storage battery.
Vehicle composition:
Vehicle type FV-E991 series
Number of cars 2 cars x 1 formation
How the fuel cell hybrid system works
Hydrogen tank:
The hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank is supplied to the fuel cell device and generates electricity by a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air.
Storage battery for main circuit:
The storage battery for the main circuit charges the power from the fuel cell device and the regenerative power during braking.
Hybrid drive system:
Power is supplied to the traction motor from both the fuel cell device and the storage battery for the main circuit to control the movement of the wheels.
Sharing of development:
Toyota develops fuel cell device
Hitachi develops hybrid drive system
https://www.hitachi.co.jp/New/cnews/month/2020/10/1006.pdf
JR East, Hitachi and Toyota to Develop Hybrid (Fuel Cell) Railway Vehicles Powered by Hydrogen | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website
https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/33954855.html
JR East, Hitachi and Toyota to Develop Hybrid (Fuel Cell) Railway Vehicles Powered by Hydrogen
Test vehicles to be developed by combining railway and automotive technologies
Toyota City, Japan,
October 6, 2020
East Japan Railway Company , Hitachi, Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation
have entered into an agreement to collaborate on development of test railway vehicles equipped with hybrid systems that use hydrogen powered fuel cells and storage batteries as their source of electricity.
By collaborating to develop these test railway vehicles,
we aim to further improve the environmental superiority of railways and realize a sustainable society.
1. Contributing to a Carbon-Free Society with Next-Generation Railway Vehicles
As efforts are made throughout the world to create sustainable societies, the same is also true for the railway sector, a means of mass transport, where there is high anticipation for next-generation rolling stock that operates using clean energy, such as hydrogen.
Hydrogen ensures minimal environmental impact as it does not emit any carbon dioxide when used as an energy source and it can be produced from various raw materials using renewable energy.
The development of innovative rolling stock powered by hydrogen
will therefore contribute to the development of a low-carbon society as it helps to curb global warming and diversify energy sources.
2. Collaboration to Develop Hybrid (Fuel Cell) Test Vehicles
Combining their railway and automotive technologies,
namely JR East’s railway vehicle design and manufacturing technologies.
Hitachi’s railway hybrid drive system technologies developed with JR East,
and Toyota’s technologies acquired through development of the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle and the SORA fuel cell bus,
the three companies will adapt the fuel cells used in automobiles for railway applications.