ITM Power and Deutsche Bahn team up on green hydrogen for rail and logistics
ITM Power has signed a new agreement with Deutsche Bahn (DB) to explore the use of green hydrogen in transport and infrastructure, aiming to support the German railway operator’s push toward zero-emissions mobility.
The collaboration brings together ITM’s expertise in PEM electrolysers with DB’s growing need for green energy solutions across its fleet of trains, buses, and trucks.
DB has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2040, and is investing in technologies to phase out diesel and reduce reliance on grid power for non-electrified routes.
The partnership spans five core areas, including:
- Decarbonising rail and road fleets: Understanding how hydrogen can support zero-emissions operations across DB’s diverse transport network.
- Refuelling infrastructure: Evaluating hydrogen refuelling solutions for locomotives, buses, and trucks, with a view to scaling deployment.
- Energy resilience: Exploring how green hydrogen can contribute to DB’s energy self-sufficiency and reliability, particularly in remote or off-grid applications.
- Logistics and supply chain: Analysing the movement and storage of green fuels within Germany and beyond, including potential pilot projects for transporting hydrogen.
- Technology exchange: Sharing technical knowledge to accelerate innovation in hydrogen mobility and supporting services.
A significant opportunity
Dennis Schulz, CEO of ITM Power, called the partnership “a significant opportunity to support Deutsche Bahn in advancing sustainable transport solutions in the heart of the EU.”
While DB has already begun operating hydrogen trains in select regions, the new agreement suggests a broader strategic push to embed hydrogen across its wider mobility and logistics ecosystem.
DB’s E.C.O. Group, which leads its infrastructure consulting and engineering activities globally, will play a central role in developing pilot projects and scaling up practical solutions.
Niko Warbanoff, CEO of DB E.C.O. Group, said the collaboration reflects DB’s interest in “developing new ideas and collaborations in areas such as green energy, decarbonisation and zero emissions.”
The move is another step in ITM’s strategy to align with large-scale infrastructure operators, following its recent restructuring and renewed focus on core electrolyser technology.
