DB ESG, a specialist provider of rolling stock engineering solutions for the UK rail industry, has secured funding from InnovateUK for a project that aims to reduce rail vehicle emissions using hydrogen-powered carbon clean and capture.

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, which is the UK’s innovation agency.

It was established to help companies grow through the development and commercialisation of new products and services, and it is supported by an agile innovation ecosystem that is inclusive and easy to navigate.

The project will look at ways to prolong the life of internal combustion engines, resulting in whole-life cost benefits while improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions by adding hydrogen and carbon capture to an engine’s exhaust emissions.

Funding for the project was provided by the Department for Business and Trade through the competition ‘Contracts for Innovation: International Rail Innovation Challenges’ delivered by InnovateUK.

Collaborating with DB ESG in the project is cleantech leader Advanced Hydrogen Technologies (AHT), which will supply the device that will be fitted to a Class 66 locomotive for the trial.

DB ESG will carry out testing of the AHT equipment fitted to the Class 66 locomotive.

Initial testing will connect the locomotive to a load bank and measure the fuel economy and exhaust emissions when the locomotive engine is run at different speeds.

Subsequent tests will be conducted to determine the effect of supplying hydrogen to the air intake of the engine, and how adding a carbon capture device to the exhaust outlet affects emissions, and the benefits in sustainability they bring to the rail sector.

DB ESG hope this investigation will bring both economic and environmental benefits, as with more than 5,000 diesel engines currently active in the UK alone, it is imperative that the rail sector is decarbonised to meet carbon emission targets.

Among other project benefitting from Innovate UK’s involvement are a project by East Midlands Railway to improve the safety and efficiency of train inspections, and the development of a new type of station footbridge.

“This pioneering system reduces carbon footprint and fuel costs and is already proven on road. We are looking forward to further establishing this technology in the rail sector. As James references, helping businesses and the rail industry meet their Net Zero targets, has never been more timely.”

Ben Kattenhorn, CEO for AHT