Exploring the progress made in developing green hydrogen-powered locomotives in countries around the world.
Here’s a post from TOI including the following:
- Germany plans to replace 2,500-3,000 diesel locomotives with hydrogen, France aims to ditch diesel entirely in next decade, UK is setting its sights on 2040.
- India to launch its first hydrogen powered train to Shimla by end of 2023.
- 35 hydrogen trains under its ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ project, in India.
There are several key challenges and limitations of hydrogen trains compared to diesel trains:
Range
- Hydrogen trains currently have a lower energy density than diesel, limiting their range. Diesel trains can travel further on a single tank of fuel.
Refueling Infrastructure
- Hydrogen production, transport and storage facilities are expensive to construct.
- There is a lack of hydrogen refueling stations along railway networks currently. Diesel trains can refuel at existing stations.
Cost
- Hydrogen trains are more expensive to purchase than diesel trains currently. The fuel cell technology is still maturing.
- Producing and transporting hydrogen fuel is costlier than diesel fuel. Economies of scale have not been achieved yet.
- The high capital costs of hydrogen refueling infrastructure adds to the overall expense.
Other Limitations
- Storing enough hydrogen onboard to match the range of diesel trains requires large pressurized tanks, taking up valuable space.
- Hydrogen production today is often not emissions-free, reducing the environmental benefits.
Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
Green Hydrogen Locomotive Design by SERA: Sierra Northern Railway unveils hydrogen-powered switching locomotive to reduce emissions, backed by $4m funding from California Energy Commission. Ammonia-Hydrogen Engine by Deutsche Bahn and Fortescue: Green Railways Deutsche Bahn and Fortescue are experimenting with an ammonia-hydrogen engine based on a modified diesel engine to utilize green ammonia and hydrogen. Hydrogen Trains in UK: Alstom’s Emission-Free Innovation: Alstom’s hydrogen trains to replace diesel locomotives in Britain by 2022, offering emission-free, quiet travel with a 1,000 km range and 140 km/h speed.
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