These New Advanced Lithium Batteries Will Power Germany’s New Hydrogen Trains

Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, is collaborating with Siemens Mobility to equip the next gen of Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains in Germany with its advanced Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) traction batteries.

The Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains are a key step towards Germany’s clean energy goals, and Saft’s cutting-edge LTO batteries play a crucial role in their success. These lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries work in tandem with hydrogen fuel cells to power the trains, eliminating the need for overhead power lines and ensuring zero-emission operations over long distances.

“Adopting this innovative technology for traction applications offers significant advantages over previous generations of Li-ion batteries including improved safety and reliability, lower CO2 emissions, an increased lifespan and more power,” said Cedric Duclos, CEO of Saft, in a statement.

One of the standout features of LTO technology is its fast-charging capability. Unlike traditional Li-ion batteries, which use carbon or graphite for the anode, LTO batteries utilize lithium titanate. This difference in chemistry allows for extremely high charge and discharge rates, making LTO batteries ideal for applications requiring quick energy replenishment. In fact, these batteries can be fully charged in under 10 minutes, offering unprecedented operational flexibility.

In addition to rapid charging, LTO batteries also demonstrate remarkable safety features. They can be safely stored at 0 percent State of Charge or even at zero volts without negative impacts, showcasing their resilience. Furthermore, they exhibit a high level of intrinsic safety, behaving predictably in cases of short circuits or mechanical damage. This reduces the need for extensive fire suppression measures, which in turn simplifies the overall system design, allowing for more affordable and efficient battery systems.

Saft’s LTO traction batteries are designed to optimize the performance of the Mireo Plus H trains, where hydrogen is the main source of power. The batteries assist in acceleration, compensating for the limitations of fuel cells, and also play a critical role in braking by recovering kinetic energy. Each train is equipped with two LTO batteries, one for each two-car trainset.

With a projected lifespan of 10 to 15 years, the batteries offer ten times the lifespan of many conventional battery technologies, providing stable and efficient performance over the long term. Their quick charge and discharge rates, combined with the stable electrochemistry of LTO, make these batteries particularly well-suited for traction applications in rail.

Although initially focused on the rail sector, LTO batteries have versatile applications across industries. In warehouses and hospitals, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) use these batteries for fast charging at docking stations, ensuring continuous operation without downtime. In space, LTO batteries are proving valuable in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where their reduced mass, broad temperature tolerance (-30°C to +70°C), and elimination of heaters increase energy efficiency and simplify satellite systems.