Zero emission freight technology shares DfT’s innovation grant

A hydrogen-based steam turbine system aimed at providing freight locomotives with emission-free technology is among 25 projects that will be sharing a total of

£9.4 million in the fourth round of the Department for Transport and Innovate UK’s First of a Kind competition.

Steamology’s system generates steam using energy stored as compressed hydrogen and oxygen gas in tanks. Highpressure superheated steam is used to drive a turbine to generate electricity.

Hydrogen is the subject of another winner, with the University of Birmingham awarded £400,000 to develop the detailed final production design and testing of its HydroFLEX train - a converted Class 319 which is said to be the world’s first bi-mode electric/hydrogen train. The set is due to start main line testing imminently.

Other winners include areas such as: dynamic capacity management; heated concrete platform copper slabs to reduce the risk of passengers slipping on ice; retrofit packs to cut emissions on diesel units; train axle crack monitoring; highspeed cryogenic blasting for rail cleaning; processing of toilet waste; detection of obstructions on the track; and investigating train-mounted water sprays to improve adhesion.

“The winners of this year’s

First of a Kind competition will support better, more environmentally friendly journeys,” said Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps.

“From clever technology on platforms to prevent icy surfaces, new ‘seat-switching’ apps and improved 5G WiFi connections, harnessing innovation will be crucial to modernising the network and making our railways greener and cleaner, as we build out of COVID-19.”