TÜV Rheinland is currently working on behalf of a Chinese rail vehicle manufacturer on the safety assessment for a H2 fuel cell drive, which will be installed in urban transport systems running in China in the future. The H2 fuel cell traction power unit is basically composed of an energy converter (stack), a fuel cell system with control unit, a hydrogen tank including a pipe system, an energy storage device and an electric motor.
For this task, TÜV Rheinland applies the approach of product design verification and certification. At first, the experts focus on the respective norms, standards and directives that are already being applied in the automotive sector. Subsequently, they identify requirements and necessary modifications for the application to the urban transport sector. Moreover, within the scope of the independent safety assessment for the H2 fuel cell drive, the necessary proof and evidence is set to be reviewed for conformity with the relevant basis of assessment.
The main task is to examine this H2 fuel cell drive as a generic application with regard to the safety aspects, so that the manufacturer will be able to use it as a pre-certified vehicle component within series production. Afterward, the interfaces to a modular vehicle concept, which will be manufactured under license agreement in China, will be considered in the safety assessment approach. This covers e.g. running dynamics, braking technology, vehicle superstructure / strength, fire protection, EMC, RAMS and safety at work.
