Hydrogen rail Heidekrautbahn

Green hydrogen drives us.

In future, the Heidekrautbahn (RB27) is to be powered by regionally produced green hydrogen from renewable wind and solar energy – this is the vision of our pioneering pilot project for emission-free rail transport.

The district of Barnim adopted its zero-emissions strategy in 2008, the key elements of which include the use of renewable energies and CO₂-free mobility at local and regional level.

Hydrogen and fuel cell technology has a key role to play due to the existing renewable energy supply in the Brandenburg region. The district of Barnim has identified several projects in local passenger and commercial transport that could be converted to hydrogen or fuel cell technology in the near future - including the Heidekrautbahn (RB27), which is operated by Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn.

The mission

Together with our partners, Niederbarnimer Eisenbahngesellschaft (NEB), Kreiswerke Barnim, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), we are making an important contribution to the energy transition and CO₂-free mobility in rail transport in Berlin-Brandenburg with the Heidekrautbahn hydrogen rail line.

Project profile

Location:
Oberhavel (near Oranienburg)

Power class:
4 MW

Commissioning:
2025

_H2 quantities:
380 t/a (230 t/a at train refueling station)

Delivery concept:
Trailer fleet (up to 380 bar)

"Green hydrogen is the key to a successful energy transition. In the future, more and more areas of our society will be supplied with renewable energy. The mobility sector is a key sector here - and rail transport in particular has an urgent need to catch up. I am confident that this project will have a strong signalling effect, as only 50 percent of the rail network in Germany is electrified. Green hydrogen is the perfect fuel here."

Jörg Müller

Founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board ENERTRAG SE

Advantages of using hydrogen

Sustainable regional energy generation

CO₂-free hydrogen supports the decarbonization of various applications in industry and mobility
Noticeable reduction in CO₂ emissions
Implementing the energy transition and benefiting sustainably

Emission-free rail transport

Green hydrogen enables completely emission-free rail transport on the Heidekrautbahn across the entire value chain.
And what is left over? The only by-product is water.

Better quality of life

Operating hydrogen-powered vehicles reduces noise and particulate pollution and avoids CO₂ emissions in regional transportation.
Approximately 2,500 tons of CO₂ and 840,000 liters of diesel can be saved per year.

Transport and energy transition

The development of a regional hydrogen infrastructure promotes the transport and energy transition in equal measure.
The hydrogen trains increase the attractiveness of regional rail transport for commuter traffic and tourism and support the expansion of environmentally friendly green mobility in the region.

About ENERTRAG

As an independent energy company, ENERTRAG generates electricity and heat exclusively from renewable sources and supplies secure, affordable renewable energy for all areas of life. With over 30 years of experience, ENERTRAG combines all the expertise required for successful operation and efficient maintenance, for citizen-centered planning, reliable construction of energy plants and grids through to complete integrated power plants.

Learn more

Flagship projects

The goal: 100 percent fossil-free – worldwide. To achieve this, ENERTRAG is turning pioneering ideas into sustainable, viable solutions.

Hyphen: Project for green hydrogen in Namibia

Nominal Power 3.5 GW

Operating Since

Location Namibia

Status TBA

Hyphen: Project for green hydrogen in Namibia

Green hydrogen and ammonia: In Namibia, ENERTRAG is making a contribution to achieving the global decarbonization targets.

ENERTRAG_Spatenstich_Elektrolyseur_Osterweddingen_20240513v4.jpg

Osterweddingen hydrogen plant

Nominal Power 10 MW

Operating Since 2025

Location Osterweddingen

Status under construction

Osterweddingen hydrogen plant

A hydrogen plant in Osterweddingen near Magdeburg will supply local industries with green hydrogen. A 10 MW PEM electrolyser will produce 900 tonnes annually, stabilizing the grid by balanc...

PV field Kreuz Uckermark

Nominal Power 20 MW

Operating Since 2023

Location Gramzow

Status in operation

PV field Kreuz Uckermark

The Kreuz Uckermark solar field generates 20 million kWh annually and has a 3.4 MW battery for network stability and emergency supply.

Battery storage Tantow

Nominal Power 60 MW / 120 MWh

Operating Since 2026

Location Tantow

Status planned

Battery storage Tantow

The Tantow battery storage facility (60 MW, 120 MWh) will stabilize the grid by storing surplus renewable energy and supplying it when needed. Built on 1 hectare with 32 battery containers, ...

Wind farm Dunowo, Poland

Nominal Power 186 MW

Operating Since

Location Poland

Status in operation

Wind farm Dunowo, Poland

One of the largest wind projects in Poland: With the Dunowo project, ENERTRAG has put its largest project into operation to date.

Electrolysis corridor in Eastern Germany

Nominal Power 185 MW Elektrolyse

Operating Since

Location Germany

Status planned

Electrolysis corridor in Eastern Germany

Integrated and networked projects are the only way to achieve an efficient hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe. This is accurately what the ENERTRAG project ‘Electrolysis Corridor East Ge...

Verbundkraftwerk Pasewalk

Nominal Power 60 MW

Operating Since 2029

Location Pasewalk

Status planned

Verbundkraftwerk Pasewalk

Verbundkraftwerk Pasewalk is an IPCEI project producing green hydrogen using regional renewables, with energy supplied by ENERTRAG and transport via pipeline and trailers.

Verbundkraftwerk Anklam

Nominal Power 240 MW

Operating Since 2029

Location Anklam

Status planned

Verbundkraftwerk Anklam

The Verbundkraftwerk Anklam produces green hydrogen and e-methanol from wind and solar energy, saves 182,000 tons of CO₂ per year and strengthens the regional energy transition.