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Indian Railways recently trialled the first hydrogen-powered coach, taking a step towards ultimately building enough hydrogen-powered trains for a decarbonised system by 2070.
What to expect from hydrogen trains in India. (Photo Credits: X)
In a stepping stone towards ultimately building India’s first hydrogen-powered trains, Indian Railways successfully trialled the first hydrogen-powered coach recently. Emerging as a promising alternative and innovation in a world that is gradually looking to shift towards decarbonisation, these Hydrogen-powered trains could be a game-changer. Particularly for Indian Railways, one of the world’s largest rail networks.
According to reports, the Indian Railways has ambitions to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 on its tracks and play a part in the country’s push to decarbonisation. While the traditional diesel-electric locomotives still dominate the railway network, an effective deployment of hydrogen fuel trains could be a climate-friendly alternative with zero carbon emissions.
A Green-Sustainable Transport Alternative
Hydrogen trains run on electricity with an onboard power source, which makes them stand apart from conventional electric trains that extract power from overhead wires. The key to their effective and green functioning is the Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology, which generates energy via the electrochemical reaction of compressed hydrogen with atmospheric oxygen. It emits water vapour as the sole byproduct in a zero-carbon emission mechanism.
In hydrogen trains, electricity produced by the fuel cell is stored in batteries. It gives the train additional power for acceleration and to climb inclines. These trains also employ regenerative braking technology that captures the kinetic energy in use during braking and converts it into electricity that further recharges the onboard batteries.
The green hydrogen, produced by the electrolysis of water using renewable energy with near-zero GHG emissions, is integral to the Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. It will ensure they provide a truly green and sustainable form of transportation.
Other advantages of the hydrogen trains include the elimination of smoke emissions from fuel combustion, which leads to reduced air and noise pollution. They bring greater operational flexibility in deployment by operating on both electrified and non-electrified routes. They are considered particularly suitable for routes where catenary electrification is unfeasible or prone to damage. Hydrogen trains can also be refuelled in around 20 to 25 minutes only.
Cost Involved
A major consumer of fossil fuel, these hydrogen trains present a decarbonisation path to Indian Railways. Following the successful trial of a 1200 HP hydrogen-powered train coach in Chennai, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the project’s strategic value. Vaishnaw confirmed the Railways’ plans to roll out 35 hydrogen trains, each costing Rs 80 crores, along with Rs 70 crores spent on infrastructure on routes.
For the inaugural route, the Jind-Sonipat corridor under Northern Railway has been chosen. The route covers 356 kilometres in two daily round-trip. It will allow for a comprehensive testing period to gather important data based on performance, efficiency and fuel economy.
The engineering and retrofitting work for each of the hydrogen trains in action will be carried out by Medha Servo Drives at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. Trains will boast of hydrogen fuel engines at both ends and have eight conventional coaches in between, capable of carrying 2,600 passengers at a time.
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