By the hydrogen power supply train set to debut on the Indian rail network soon, an expert says it is financially inevitable and technically challenging to keep the trains of hydrogen fuel cells.
As a pilot, the hydrogen train is set to debut in the Indind-Sontap section by renovating the hydrogen fuel cells of the existing diesel electrical unit (Demu). The train price along with land infrastructure is a crown of 111 Rs and is scheduled for launch by May this year. The price is similar to that of the train Vande Bahrat with 16 coaches.
The development of 35 trains based on hydrogen fuels for various inheritance/hill routes was included in the 2023-24 budget at a price of 2800 Rs. Furthermore, the installation of hydrogen infrastructure for inheritance routes is also included at a price of 600 crowns.
Experts are wondering about the high cost associated with the entire hydrogen train project and that the railways have achieved 100% electrification of all 70,000 KM on a wide gauge network, except for mountain trains that are retained for tourism/heritage purposes.
According to estimates by Indian Railways, the starting price of executing a hydrogen fuel train set will be higher, which will subsequently be reduced by increasing the number of trains.
“Green hydrogen is expensive, and reducing costs is necessary to make it competitive with diesel or electrification. Especially in the case of IR, where renewable energy -based electricity can be fed directly to overhead electrical equipment through a network of production, it makes no sense to generate hydrogen and distribute it all, ”said Lalit Chandra Trivedi, a former CEO of Indian Railways.
Wayeleans aim to have hydrogen trains is part of its larger type to reduce carbon emissions and move to clean energy sources.
Thrievali says that running a train system requires a little fuel to be carried to the Lokomotiva ship and further refueling is made at more points located reasonably along the network.
“So, we need to carry liquid green hydrogen on the locomotive board and organize ourselves to transport and distribute multiple points for storing points through the rail network. Minene requires a minimum of 50 such refueling points in hydrogen to serve every km from the grid. High -pressure tank or cryogenic storage requirements increase the complexity and weight of trains, potentially reducing cargo or passenger capacity, “he adds.
While green hydrogen is considered as a futuristic source of energy in the energy intensive sectors, the cost of production and the availability of water for electrolysis are considered key challenges.
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