With the help of SBB ENERGY, PKP Energetyka will set up a green hydrogen production, storage and conversion facility at its traction power substation in Garbce.

The over PLN3.0m EU-supported investment will comprise an electrolyser (36 kW) for converting sun-harvested (150 kWp) energy into hydrogen, a storage system (23 kg), and a fuel cell (20 kW) for reconverting hydrogen into electricity.

The parties intend to commission the facility in 2023. The trial project will supply PKP Energetyka's traction substation. If successful, the company will develop the concept to provide the traction system with powering.

"At PKP Energetyka, we consistently put into practice our mission of 'We Energise Polish Rail.' Our industry is currently undergoing an energy transition that we are pursuing primarily through the Green Rail programme. Its goal is to switch 85% of the railroad's power supply to RES [renewable energy sources] by 2030. Ultimately, we want the remaining 15% to be 'green' as well, which is why we are successively investing in modern research and development solutions that bring us closer to this goal," Piotr Obrycki, Director of PKP Energetyka's Research and Development Office, highlighted.

Photo: PKP Energetyka