The world's first (and second) hydrogen-powered trains have entered service in northern Germany. Two Coradia iLint trains, made by Alstom, have begun working a line just west of Hamburg. Until now, the nearly 100 km-long line has been serviced by diesel trains, but will now play host to near-silent engines.
The hydrogen tank feeds a fuel cell that generates energy, which is then pushed to an electric drivetrain. A very small battery helps maintain power continuity, as well as storing energy saved from regenerative braking.
Railways need a clean energy revolution and electrification is the obvious choice, but the costs are prohibitive, especially on regional lines that may not have the passenger volumes. Batteries have their own issues, with their heavy weight and high cost making it difficult, right now, to make them cost effective for heavy trains.
Hydrogen's strong energy density and relative ease of generation and transportation makes it ideal for heavy loads. And while its currently not a clean material in Germany the plan is to make H2 (via the electrolysis of water) from 100% renewable electricity in the future.
Australia with its ample potential for solar and wind energy could export renewable hydrogen to Europe (and other countries with less scope for renewable electricity) as CSIRO has come up with a strategy for the long-distance, bulk transport of hydrogen (see below).
Read more:
- World’s first hydrogen train takes to rails in Germany. The Driven, September 27, 2018.
- The world’s first hydrogen train is now in service. Engadget, September 18, 2018.
- Don’t write off hydrogen as a storage of renewable energy for transport. Using Renewables, October 24, 2017.
- CSIRO cracks barrier to export hydrogen fuel to power cars [and other transport]. RenewEconomy, August 8, 2018.
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