What is hydrogen train and how it will affect transportation scenario in India?

Hydrogen Trains are rail locomotives that use hydrogen as fuel instead of conventional diesel or electric locomotives. Sometimes they are also referred to as Hydrail, though the term encompasses other zero-emission multiple units (ZEMU trains). In this article, we answer the question – What is hydrogen train?

How hydrogen train work?

Although hydrogen can be used as fuel for specialized combustion engines the more reliable and widely used version is that with hydrogen fuel cells. Given below is how hydrogen train works with fuel cells:

• Fuel cells generate electricity using a catalyst to split hydrogen gas at the anode into electrons and protons. 
• While the protons (positively charged hydrogen ions) pass through a membrane towards the cathode, the electrons travel via a circuit and generate current. 
• Then the electron, the hydrogen ion and oxygen combine to produce only heat and water as by-products (there are no carbon emissions).

While a single hydrogen fuel cell produces a small amount of electricity, an arranged stack generates enough electricity to power heavy duty equipment, cars or even trains. With the fuel cell technology getting better and better, more power can be generated with less weight and volume requirements.

First Hydrogen Train in World

The first hydrogen train in the world was introduced in Germany by a French company Astrom in 2016. In just two years in 2018, the first commercial service began with their Coradia iLint trains in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Since the launch of the first hydrogen train in the world, it has expanded to France, Sweden and China. In the InnoTrans 2024, the world's largest train trade fair, both Sweden and China showcased their ventures.

• China debuted its first hydrogen-powered train, the CINOVA H2.
• Sweden signed an agreement with Polish train manufacturers PESA for their prototype SM42-6Dn hydrogen fuel cell shunting locomotive.

Hydrogen Train Germany

The first hydrogen train in Germany was introduced to serve as an alternative to diesel locomotives.

• Marketed for non-electrified lines, it cost 92 million USD for 14 two-car hydrogen trains.
• They have a range of 1000 Km with onboard hydrogen storage.
• They have a projected saving of 1.6 million liters of diesel vastly reducing carbon emissions.

 Since then hydrogen trains in Germany have been facing several issues regarding their operational capabilities and equipment delivery resulting in the closing of train lines or reduced operation.

First Hydrogen Train in India

The Indian government had long hailed hydrogen as the future of alternative resources. The Green Hydrogen Initiative found a new outlet with the first hydrogen train in India which is set to start test runs in 2025.

• The pilot project aims to convert Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) to hydrogen fuel cell Distributed Power Cars (DPCs). Instead of a single engine, each DPC is equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, storage tanks and support systems to generate electricity for locomotion.
• The Jind to Sonipat route in Haryana is chosen for the trial of the first hydrogen train in India as it has modern traffic with well-developed infrastructure providing a good evaluation of the train’s performance, safety and operational capabilities.
• A massive amount of investment was made to not only make the trains but also to build the associated infrastructure. A 3000 Kg hydrogen storage system and high-pressure refuelling platform for rapid refuelling have been proposed along with a hydrogen production capacity of 430 Kg per day.

Hydrogen train speed stats

• Hydrogen train speed in Germany is reported to be 140 Km/h with a power rating of 500 to 600 horsepower.
• Hydrogen train India speed is reported to be 110 Km/h powered by a 1200 horsepower engine.
• The hydrogen train speed in other countries such as Germany is marginally higher than the hydrogen train speed in India. This fits perfectly into Indian needs as trains in India run at much lower speeds than those in EU countries such as Germany owing to infrastructure constraints.

Benefits of Hydrogen Trains

The main benefit of hydrogen trains is they do not rely on the electrification of the railway tracks as they carry their fuel. They also do not produce any carbon emissions in their operation. They are best suited to replace the 5000 diesel locomotives that make up 37% of all trains in the Indian Railways.

Some of the benefits of using hydrogen trains are:

• Hydrogen trains are more eco-friendly and sustainable for the future as hydrogen is a renewable resource.
• There is no need for costly electrification of lines which is especially useful for remote areas. Hills and other topographical constraints might prevent the electrification of train lines.
• Hydrogen production can become effective on a large scale. In the future, It will become much cheaper as diesel prices rise with oil wells depleting.
• Hydrogen trains are much quieter than diesel-powered trains and contribute less to noise pollution as well as air pollution during operation.

Future of Hydrogen Trains

Although there are certain pitfalls associated with the implementation and operation of Hydrogen trains, it is still a promising technology with a lot of hope for the future.

• With advancements in technologies that dictate how hydrogen trains work, they will become more efficient and cost-effective, especially in the green hydrogen production sector. This will enable hydrogen to become a sustainable, carbon zero fuel source.
• With massive amounts of investment via the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Indian government makes Hydrogen a top priority and leads the world in R&D of technologies and infrastructure. They have a clear road map with an aim to reach a production capacity of 5 MMT (million metric tons) of green hydrogen each year by 2030.
• As trains form the backbone of logistics in India both for passenger and freight, the first hydrogen train in India shows a meaningful step towards integrating hydrogen as a source of energy.

 Conclusion

As the fossil fuels that we are heavily reliant on today run dry, hydrogen is set to become the choice for the future and innovative technologies such as hydrogen trains might become the staple for mass transportation and logistics. In answering the question “What is hydrogen train?”, we find an alternative source of renewable energy being utilised efficiently to power the future.