Climate protection has been one of the core corporate strategies of DB. To achieve emission reduction objectives and to become a "leader of climate protection", DB has taken mainly the following three measures: increasing the proportion of green power, improving energy efficiency, and gradually eliminating the use of fossil energy.
(1) Increase the proportion of green power. For one thing, keep extending cooperation with hydropower plants and wind power plants to ensure green power supply. DB is the largest power consumer in Germany with an average annual power consumption of about 10 TWh. In the next few years, DB will invest EUR 50 million to further increase the proportion of green electricity (i.e. electricity produced by renewable energies) in the energy structure. DB signed three green power purchase agreements in 2020 to ensure a green power supply of 780 GWh per year. For another thing, provide customers with green transport products with zero carbon emission. Since April 2013, DB has operated all the ICE or IC long-distance trains with electricity produced by renewable energy for the passengers with BanhCard and registered company customers. Ordinary passengers without Bahncard may choose to buy "environment-friendly" products with another 1 euro when purchasing tickets.
(2) Improve energy efficiency. DB achieves decarbonization and emission reduction mainly by increasing the proportion of regenerative braking and promoting energy-saving driving modes. In terms of regenerative braking, DB continues to increase the adoption of trains with regenerative braking, with a ratio up to 16.5% in 2020. In terms of energy-saving driving modes, DB requires to maximize the energy-conservation of train operation on the premise of safety and punctuality. It has implemented the "energy-saving operation" project since 2001 and has trained drivers on energy-saving optimized operation methods via driving simulators, with tens of thousands of train drivers managing to be qualified up to now. In recent years, DB has successively promoted the application of auxiliary driving systems such as FASSI, LEADER, and RESY, reducing the energy consumption by over 9% than ever.
(3) Eliminate the use of fossil energy. Currently, DB uses ICE locomotive traction for a few short-distance passenger and freight lines only, and hopes to achieve decarbonization by means of low-cost upgrade. First, promote the EcoTrain transformation project in the field of short-distance passenger transport. DB Regio has initiated a research project of "Eco Train" to modify BR642 EMUs, i.e. to install high-power lithium ion batteries based on ICE traction, which function as the foundation for further R&D of a modification technological platform for modular hybrid rolling stock. In the initial stage, such a hybrid kind of vehicle is expected to cut carbon emissions by 35%, and finally zero carbon emission will be achieved. The train can be charged from the OCS through installed pantographs, thus achieving the goal of diesel substitution.
Second, promote the use of hybrid shunting locomotives in the freight field. In 2013, DB, Alstom and German rolling stock leasing company signed a contract for cooperation in the H3 hybrid transmission shunting locomotive project, including the manufacture of five H3 series hybrid transmission shunting locomotives and the verification of their availability. The project is funded by the Bavarian State Government with EUR 600,000. In this project, Alstom, as the equipment manufacturer, was responsible for the design and manufacture of shunting locomotives; DB and the equipment leasing company, as users, proposed equipment requirements and jointly participated in the equipment design process, and DB was also responsible for the availability verification of shunting locomotives. At the same time, DB cooperated with a Japanese rail vehicle manufacturer - Toshiba to redesign a new shunting locomotive model. After DB fully tested the new locomotive model and optimized the parameters, Toshiba was finally granted an order of 50 locomotives. In addition, DB has placed a trial order of six hybrid locomotives in line with European specifications from CRRC. These locomotives are regarded by DB Netz AG as multi-functional "technical experts" and will be used at the construction sites and tunnel sections of the suburban railways in Berlin and Hamburg in the future. The hybrid locomotives are equipped with both diesel generators and lithium titanate batteries, which enables the recovery of 80% of the braking energy released during train braking and can be charged through the third rail of the suburban railway, paving the way for zero emission at the tunnel construction site.
Third, promote the research and development of hydrogen powered trains. The next generation of hydrogen fuel cell traction system - a complete system consisting of hydrogen-powered trains and hydrogen refueling stations - is designed and developed jointly by DB and Siemens Mobility, in order to fully replace the diesel traction on the non-electrified lines. The joint development project is called "H2goesRail". In the project, DB is responsible for developing new hydrogen refueling stations and providing the green power necessary for the generation of hydrogen. Siemens is responsible for developing hydrogen fuel cell MUs.
