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Context
India’s first hydrogen train, developed by the Integral Coach Factory, is a 10-coach trainset operating on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. It converts compressed hydrogen and oxygen, using hydrogen fuel cell technology, into electricity, with no harmful emissions of water vapor. It fast tracks India’s green mobility and net zero targets.
Understanding Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
A hydrogen fuel cell combines compressed hydrogen and air’s oxygen, using an electrochemical reaction. This reaction generates a constant electric current to power the train’s electric motors.
- The Reaction: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O + Electricity
- Fuel cell anatomy: Anode, Cathode and electrolyte membrane.
- Emission: There is no polluting gas or vapor emitted from the train exhaust.
Salient Features of India’s First Hydrogen Train
This is the world’s longest hydrogen train on a broad gauge and an indigenous 10 car train, which is a first in the world.
- Power & Speed: It features two driving power cars that generate a total of 2400kW. It can reach an operational speed of 75 km/h.
- The train runs on the Jind-Sonipat route, which is approximately 89 km long, and has two trains per day.
- Fuel Consumption: The train uses about 300kg of compressed hydrogen every day; and it carries 440kg of compressed hydrogen.
- Safety First: All safety equipment is in place, including flame sensors, leak detectors and 24-hour monitoring at the refueling stations.
Significance for Indian Railways
Deploying hydrogen trains acts as a vital tool in decarbonizing the massive Indian rail network.
- The “Hydrogen for Heritage” Initiative: The Union Budget previously announced plans to deploy 35 hydrogen trains across India’s fragile, ecologically sensitive hill and heritage routes (e.g., Darjeeling Himalayan Railway). This is to help minimise air and noise pollution in these sensitive areas.
- Rural Connectivity: These trains are used on non-electrified local routes in place of older and more polluting diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains and do not need the costly overhead electrical wiring to support modern transit.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: By indigenously designing these trains and setting up indigenous hydrogen storage facilities at Jind, India decreases reliance on imported green tech.
Challenges and the Way Forward
While hydrogen trains show immense promise for a green future, there are significant economic and logistical bottlenecks.
- High Capital Costs: Cost of initial set up is high, currently producing “green hydrogen” (hydrogen produced using renewable energy) is expensive. Heavy investment is needed to upgrade the ground infrastructure, including high pressure storage and dispensing stations.
- Hydrogen production losses: This method of electrolysing water and then converting it back to electricity in a fuel cell consumes a lot more energy than overhead electrification.
- The Future Path: For hydrogen trains to succeed commercially across India, economies of scale must reduce production costs. This pilot project is going on well in Haryana which will help in making future decisions about scaling up and drafting of policies.
Source: The Indian Express
UPSC Practice Question
Q. Consider the following statements about Hydrogen-powered trains:
- Unlike conventional electric trains, hydrogen trains generate electricity onboard without the need for overhead cables.
- The only byproduct emitted at the point of operation is water vapor.
- India’s first hydrogen train was tested to run on a Narrow Gauge (NG) heritage route.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
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