Indian Railways has teamed up with Germany’s TUV-SUD to conduct a safety audit for the country’s first hydrogen train. This initiative marks a significant step forward, with trial operations expected to commence in December 2024. According to a report from The Economic Times, this innovation will position India as the fifth nation worldwide, joining Germany, France, Sweden, and China in deploying hydrogen-powered trains.
Development of Maintenance Vehicles
In addition to the hydrogen train, five maintenance vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells are under development, each projected to cost around ₹10 crore. An official stated that Indian Railways (IR) aims to have 35 trains as part of the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative, with an estimated cost of ₹80 crore per train. This initiative also includes an additional investment of ₹70 crore in ground infrastructure per route, focusing on various heritage and hilly routes.
Successful Tests and Pilot Projects
The official further mentioned that successful tests for the System Integration Unit battery and the synchronisation of two fuel units have already been conducted. Furthermore, a pilot project is currently underway to retrofit a Hydrogen Fuel Cell onto an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake, along with the necessary ground infrastructure.
Operational Plans
The hydrogen train is set to operate along the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway. The integration of the prototype train is scheduled to take place at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.
Hydrogen Supply and Refuelling Infrastructure
For the hydrogen supply in Haryana, a 1-megawatt (MW) Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyser will be installed in Jind. GreenH Electrolysis has announced that this electrolyser will operate continuously, producing approximately 430 kg of hydrogen daily. The refuelling infrastructure at Jind will feature a 3,000 kg hydrogen storage unit, a hydrogen compressor, and two hydrogen dispensers integrated with a pre-cooler, ensuring efficient refuelling of the trains.
