Germany now has a hydrogen fuel cell-powered train, which is a world’s first. The trains are officially called as Coradia iLint, and these will operate in northern German towns.
This is the first time in the world that commercial trains being powered by hydrogen-based cells have gone into use for passengers.
The train was manufactured by Alstom, which is one of Europe’s largest railway manufacturers and the service officially started on September 16, 2018.
The idea with these hydrogen based trains is to move away from diesel based systems, which cause more pollution emissions. These will replace the current diesel fleet on the train line and help reduce emissions.
Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions. Excess energy is stored in ion lithium batteries on board the train.
A 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.
Alstom is betting on the technology as a greener, quieter alternative to diesel on non-electrified railway lines – an attractive prospect to many German cities scrambling to combat air pollution.
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