India

Indian Railways To Convert Trains To Run On Hydrogen; How Green Is It?

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Railways on Saturday invited bids to convert its diesel-powered trains to hydrogen-based fuel-cell technology. The first such retrofitting project will be carried out on Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) in 89 km Sonipat-Jind section in north India.

The Railway Ministry has said that retrofitting of diesel-powered DEMU and converting it into hydrogen fuel-powered train set will save ₹2.3 crore and carbon footprint (CO2) of 11.12 kilo tons per annum along with particulate matter of 0.72 kilo tonnes per annum.

The Ministry intends to convert diesel trains if this is found feasible.

The Ministry said that hydrogen can be produced by electrolyzing water using solar energy.

Is Hydrogen Green?

However, many experts do not consider hydrogen to be a completely green fuel as to produce hydrogen from water requires too much energy. German Prof. Maximilian Fichtner, Director of the Helmholtz Institute Ulm for Electrochemical Energy Storage has said that hydrogen has “very poor energy efficiency well-to-wheel”. This is because most of the commercial hydrogen being produced is from natural gas and the process generates CO2. Also, energy is consumed in pressurizing and transporting the gas.

A report on railway-technology.com points out a common criticism that instead of producing hydrogen using electricity, why not use overhead electric lines for the trains directly. This is a more efficient method and the author pointed out that electrification costs may not be justified in rural areas where rail traffic is low.

Germany, UK, France and Poland are the nations which have tried hydrogen trains.

Also Read: CSIR Conducts Trial Of 250 Km Range Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car; Is Hydrogen The Future?

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Election To Rajya Sabha Vacancies In Odisha & 3 Other States Next Month

Bhubaneswar: Elections to fill six vacancies in Rajya Sabha, including one from Odisha, will be…

November 26, 2024

Series Loot At 4 Temples In Odisha’s Bhadrak; Gold & Silver Ornaments Stolen

Bhadrak: Unidentified miscreants looted gold and silver jewellery and other valuables from four temples in…

November 26, 2024

Pakistan On The Boil Again: ‘Shoot At Sight’ Ordered As Rally For Imran Khan’s Release Turns Deadly

Islamabad: The Shehbaz Sharif government on Tuesday deployed the Army in Islamabad along with 'shoot…

November 26, 2024

Marine Fishing Ban In Odisha’s Puri For Navy Day Celebrations

Puri: All fishing activities have been banned in the sea in Odisha’s Puri district for…

November 26, 2024

Deep Depression Likely Over Bay In 12 Hours; Check Possible Track & Intensity

Bhubaneswar: The Depression over southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and…

November 26, 2024

Odisha Assembly Adjourned Till 12:25 PM Amid Ruckus Over Mango Kernel Deaths

Bhubaneswar: The winter session of Odisha Assembly began on a stormy note as the House…

November 26, 2024

President Murmu Unveils Rs 75 Commemorative Coin; Significance Of ‘Samvidhan Diwas’ On Nov 26

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu released commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination and stamp dedicated…

November 26, 2024

Income Tax Officials Raid Mining Company Offices In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Income Tax Department officials conducted simultaneous raids on multiple locations linked prominent mining company…

November 26, 2024