Mitsubishi will R290 systems for German trains
19th September 2024
ITALY: Mitsubishi Electric is to supply 1,350 HVAC systems, based on the refrigerant R290, for the next-generation trains of Germany’s S-Bahn rail system.
The order from Siemens Mobility will be fulfilled by Mitsubishi Electric’s Italian subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Klimat Transportation Systems SpA. It includes 1,170 units for train cabins and 180 units for train cockpits between fiscal 2026 and 2032.
Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH, a public authority, and DB Regio AG, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, are planning to procure the new trains to meet rising passenger expectations.
The system design is optimised for the use of R290 refrigerant to ensure safety of cabins, with multiple small-scale refrigeration cycles ensuring that the refrigerant charge per circuit remains below the flammability limit specified in EN378-1.
This is the first order to have been received by a Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary for train systems using R290. Such systems have traditionally used high GWP refrigerants such as R407C and R134a.
Beginning with the Munich S-Bahn order, Mitsubishi Electric aims to provide R290 HVAC systems for other rail systems in Europe and around the world.
