Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed on Wednesday that India will have its first hydrogen train built and constructed locally by December 2023 on the historic Kalka-Shimla route. Despite the fact that hydrogen-powered train technology is still in its infancy, with only a few countries employing it on a limited scale, India’s early acceptance is seen as a significant step toward green efforts.
“Before 2014, only 3 km of track was laid every day; this year, it has grown to 12 km of track per day, with the goal of 16 km of track each day for next year,” he added, according to ANI.
Vande Metro will be the name given to the upcoming hydrogen-powered trains. It would first run on historic, narrow-gauge routes like as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Kalka Shimla Railway, Matheran Hill Railway, Kangra Valley, Bilmora Waghai, and Marwar-Devgarh Madriya, making travel more environmentally friendly.
What exactly are hydrogen trains?
Hydrogen trains employ hydrogen fuel cells instead of standard diesel engines. By converting hydrogen and oxygen, the hydrogen fuel cells generate energy, which is then utilized to power the train’s engines.
Because hydrogen trains do not release hazardous pollutants like CO2, NOx, or particulate matter, they are a more environmentally friendly option than typical diesel trains. Another advantage is that hydrogen can be created utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower, resulting in a clean and renewable fuel supply for these trains.
Limitations to overcome before reaching full potential
The high cost of hydrogen trains is a significant barrier to their widespread adoption. According to the research and ratings organization ICRA, green hydrogen (hydrogen produced using renewable energy) costs roughly INR 492/kg in India. As a result, the operational cost of a hydrogen engine powered by fuel cells will be 27% more than that of a diesel engine. There will also be additional costs for fuel cells and storage.
Before implementing the technology on a large scale, safety concerns must be addressed.
