structural development

Hydrogen bus in test operation in Görlitz 

We have an exclusive premiere to announce! Görlitzer Verkehrsbetriebe (GVB) started the two-week test operation of a hydrogen-powered bus this week.

At the invitation of the GVB, Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and Lord Mayor Octavian Ursu took part in the premiere drive through Görlitz in order to get an idea of ​​the emission-free drive technology. First, drivers are trained on a bus (photo). Among other things, it is about getting a feel for the driving behavior, range and energy consumption as well as possible effects on the workshop. the GVB are also expecting valuable insights into the “ÖPNV model city of Görlitz”

In the coming week, an articulated hydrogen bus will be used in scheduled services and in rail replacement services between Demianiplatz and Weinberg. This means that all Görlitz residents have the opportunity to get an impression of modern drive technology.

Urbino Hydrogen bus from the manufacturer Solaris is equipped with a fuel cell that acts as a kind of mini hydrogen power plant on board the vehicle. In this way, electrical energy is generated, which then drives the bus's electric motor directly or via a battery. A tank load of 1,560 liters of hydrogen ensures a range of around 350 kilometers. The only products of the chemical reaction in the fuel cell are heat and water vapour, so that the bus runs completely free of pollutants.

How is it that our small town on the easternmost edge of Germany was chosen for such a rare and exclusive test operation?

Thanks to the

Because the test operation takes place as part of the structural change project "Public Transport Model City Görlitz" - and stands for innovative solutions and a modern infrastructure. In connection with the development of a new generation of trams, the entire local transport system in Görlitz is being made fit for the future. In the sense of a real laboratory, the tram offers the basis for research into hydrogen propulsion, digitization, storage of energy and autonomous driving.

Environmental protection through zero-emission transport is the obvious reason for testing this new technology. But there are also important, further and not so obvious backgrounds: it is also about regional value creation and active networking with the surrounding area. The project also results in various advantages and synergy effects for the entire region. In addition to training and jobs in the area of ​​public transport, in the economic area these are above all the expansion of the research landscape in the region and orders in the construction and service industries. This creates more jobs. And last but not least, in the district of Görlitz we are already relying on hydrogen as the drive of the future and are emphatically positioning ourselves well - as not only the lively interest in our hydrogen engines shows. A modern, environmentally friendly and sustainable local transport is attractive for the influx of young people. In addition, the modern public transport network offers the opportunity to advance the urgently needed modernization of the railway network for the region and to take a decisive step towards climate neutrality. The "Public Transport Model City" project plays a key role in the goal of "climate neutrality in Görlitz 2030".

A modern public transport within the framework of the mobility vision 2030+ is also important to us in the ENO, but especially to our proven traffic expert Heike Schleussner , also for many reasons.

Heike Schleussner explains from the point of view of an experienced traffic economist: "An important focus for the implementation of the mobility vision 2030+, have formulated in cooperation with the GVB , the ZVON and many other partners in the network Lausitzcluster Mobility The GVB is taking an important step towards achieving its goals, in which on the one hand the population is taken along by the test offer and introduced to hydrogen technology, but on the other hand an attractive public transport system with the most modern vehicles can be created fuel cell buses, the corresponding hydrogen infrastructure of course also be created in the next step. We, as the ENO, support these activities in principle in the district of Görlitz to create a hydrogen infrastructure and plan hydrogen filling stations in the district of Görlitz".

hydrogen mobility working group at Siemens in Görlitz on September 25th Energy Campus . Here we will discuss the needs for the use of hydrogen and feasible business models with regional transport and logistics companies. Since the hydrogen also has to come from somewhere, we as ENO are also involved in the planning of the national H2 pipeline connection through the study "Hydrogen network Central Germany 2.0" ( we reported ) together with many strong and committed partners." The expert invites all companies in the region to take part in the online study and to register for the hydrogen mobility working group here .

Best regards!

Your Jasna

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This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on. , Solaris hydrogen bus at the depot of the Görlitzer Verkehrsbetriebe after the premiere run.

Picture mobility vision 2030+: Buntbüro Dresden