We assess railway traction systems and technologies with hydrogen fuel cells, storage, hydrogen combustion engines and traction batteries
We assess railway traction systems and technologies with hydrogen fuel cells, storage, hydrogen combustion engines and traction batteries
Safe, functional and economical fuel cell and traction battery systems play a decisive role in the successful change-over to a sustainable energy supply into the transportation industry, including the railway sector. As railway technologies progress, new safety and security challenges arise.
Many countries have committed to reduce their carbon emissions by implementing alternative railway power supply systems. The use of fuel cells is an example of an emission free power supply system. In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen combine to generate electricity. Hydrogen produces “clean” electricity, which makes it a suitable electric train power supply. Apart from this, it has enormous potential for decarbonization efforts. TÜV SÜD helps companies ensure their hydrogen technology within rails performs correctly, can be cost-effectively implemented and rolled-out and is safe.
The successful shift to a sustainable energy supply depends on safe, functional and economical fuel cells (particularly hydrogen fuel cells) and other traction battery systems. This is especially relevant to vehicle manufacturers and operating companies: balancing the safety of people with the company’s asset value and environmental protection, is a continuous process.
The current legal and normative requirements for alternative railway power supply systems do not yet provide an adequate basis for generic safety validation. Rather, it requires currently engineering evaluations on extensive risk analysis. This results in rail-specific evidence for an acceptable level of residual risk.
Our experts have decades of experience in the field of safety assessments and complete railway systems and provide interdisciplinary knowledge of assessment methods. By working with us, you gain the following advantages:
TÜV SÜD offers technical and process-based service by integrating every aspect of vehicle technology, infrastructure and railway operation in our assessment. We do this in a development accompanying assessment from an early project phase up to the final authorization of the vehicle.
Our expert team aims to reduce your company’s project risk while preserving a high level of efficiency. We are backed by years of experience in safety assessments as well as railway traction systems. In addition, we are able to provide extensive interdisciplinary knowledge of assessment methods, especially in relation to FMEA or HAZOP risk, consequences and sensitivity analysis.
We are a one-stop shop for all your assessment needs: we act as Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) with specific experience in the application of alternative railway traction technologies, Notified Body (NoBo), Designated Body (DeBo), and Assessment Body (AsBo).
We assess, test and certify complete system concepts, designs and implementations during their development.
○ Material compatibility examinations (metallic and non-metallic materials)
○ Pressure, leakage, and permeation testing
○ Service life testing and durability examinations
○ Hydraulic and pneumatic cycle testing
○ Overpressure & burst testing
○ Gas flow testing
○ Railway suitability and environmental testing
We also offer our assistance in the following areas:
Our training programmes are designed to meet our customers’ needs. The following outline what you will learn:
Increase safety and reliability with risk assessment practices.
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