Hydrogen power for the Isle of Wight?

It was fascinating to read Philip Haigh’s advocacy of investigating clean, hydrogen fuel-cell technology for rail vehicles ( RAIL 838), which Alstom is already testing.

It shows how fast the idea has gained currency since we won ‘first runner-up’ prize in 2013 at the inaugural Green Transport Awards, for our integrated waste-to-fuel (to hydrogen fuel-cell) sustainable transport solution.

Our concept was for low-cost, zero-carbon emission, ultra-light rail vehicles to provide affordable public transport for medium-sized towns and cities. It was informed by Philip’s cited source, Dr Andreas Hoffrichter, and other Birmingham University scientists.

In his article, Philip does not mention ‘biohydrogen’, which can be produced via anaerobic digestion of (for example) the organic component of a local authority’s collected waste. This was a major part of our prizewinning, sustainable local-transport solution. Our study showed that local waste could provide more than sufficient biohydrogen to assist batteries to power innovative, local rail transport.

With battery technology also moving on apace, our zerocarbon emission concept could now be the ideal solution for the Isle of Wight line - low-cost, bespoke, battery-powered, ultra-light rail vehicles with biohydrogen fuel-cell top-up for all-day working. No need for Chris Garnett’s expensive tram catenary, and no third rail.

It encapsulates the ‘sustainable’ answer required of the new South Western Railway train operating company by the DfT. Will TOC owners, FirstGroup/MTR, embrace and adopt it? Prof Frank Chambers (with Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce), Gloucester