Hydrogen Train– Good news for train travellers. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has given a good news on Friday. The first hydrogen-powered coach (driving power car) has been successfully tested at Chennai-based ICF. The Railway Minister said that India is developing a 1200 HP hydrogen train. This will make India one of the leading countries in hydrogen-powered train technology. This initiative is being considered a big step towards taking India’s railway sector towards green energy.
Five months ago, the Railway Minister had told the House that Indian Railways has initiated work on a cutting edge project to develop the country’s first hydrogen train, which will be one of the longest and maximum power hydrogen trains in the world. Along with the train, an integrated hydrogen production-storage-distribution facility has been envisaged for refilling hydrogen.
Indian Railways has initiated a cutting edge project for development of the first hydrogen train on a pilot basis by retrofitting hydrogen fuel cells on Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes. Let us tell you, hydrogen-powered trains generate electricity using hydrogen fuel cells. This electricity is used to run the train’s motors, making it much less polluting than diesel or coal. The only emission from hydrogen fuel cell trains is that of water vapor, making them a carbon-free transport option.
Advantages of hydrogen train
Hydrogen-powered trains will prove to be extremely beneficial for the environment. These trains emit only water vapor. Hydrogen trains do not emit any polluting gases, they only release water vapor, which keeps the environment safe. Moreover, hydrogen is naturally available and can also be produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, making it a sustainable fuel.
These trains require very little refuelling time, making them easier to operate. Their engine technology is more efficient, which reduces fuel consumption and improves performance. These trains run almost silently and do not produce any kind of sound or visible pollution.