Indian Railways is working with TUV-SUD to test a hydrogen train in December 2024. This is an important step towards cleaner transport. Indian Railways has partnered with Germany’s TUV-SUD to conduct a safety audit for the nation’s first hydrogen train. Trial operations are expected to begin in December 2024. This will make India the fifth country to deploy hydrogen-powered trains.
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5 Maintenance Vehicles to cost around Rs 10 Crore
Five maintenance vehicles powered by H2O fuel cells are being developed. Each unit is -expected to cost around Rs 10 crore.
Hydrogen for Heritage initiative
An official said that Indian Railways will have 35 trains under the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative. Each train will cost Rs 80 crore. There will also be Rs 70 crore investment in ground infrastructure per route. The official said that tests for the battery and two fuel units have been done.
Hydrogen fuel cell in existing diesel train
A pilot project is also underway to add a H2O fuel cell to an existing diesel train. The train will run on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway. The prototype train will be made at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. In Haryana, a 1-megawatt electrolyser will supply H2O for the train. GreenH Electrolysis said this electrolyser will run all the time, making about 430 kg of hydrogen a day.
GreenH Electrolysis said the refuelling station at Jind will have a 3,000 kg hydrogen tank, a compressor, and two dispensers with a pre-cooler, so the trains can be refuelled quickly.
The Jind-Sonipat hydrogen train trial-An important step
Hydrogen trains are increasingly important in India. The Indian government and the public are paying attention to them. The Jind-Sonipat H2O train trial is an important first step in showing how these trains can replace diesel and electric trains, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Indian government has funded 28 billion rupees to this project
Locomotive deliveries to Africa will start in 2025. The Indian government has given 28 billion rupees (about 340 million USD) to support this project. The budget will be used to make 35 H2O trains, showing the government’s commitment to a sustainable future. The government budgeted 6 billion rupees (about 73 million USD) for building the infrastructure to maintain these H2O trains.
Medha Servo Drives (MDS), partnered with Canadian company Ballard Power Systems
The Indian company Medha Servo Drives (MDS), partnered with Canadian company Ballard Power Systems to equip the trains with fuel cell technology for the project. Each of the train’s eight carriages will run on H2O.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Ballard in the development of India’s first hydrogen powered trains. Rail transportation is a critical piece of infrastructure across India and we are proud to be taking the first steps to decarbonize this facet of our economy. With leading technology and strong project economics, we are optimistic about the future of zero emission rail transport,” said Mr. Kasyap Reddy, Managing Director of Medha Servo Drives.
“Our progress in decarbonizing the rail market is just beginning, as we work with leading rolling stock manufacturers, integrators and operators globally. This announcement with Medha exemplifies the growing need and progress being made to decarbonize global mobility. We are excited to grow our fuel cell business in India, and to power the first hydrogen powered, zero emission passenger trains in the Indian market,” said David Mucciacciaro, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer in Ballard’s official website.
India- 5th nation to adapt H2O trains
India is the 5th country to operate hydrogen trains following Germany, France, Sweden, and China.
