Train of the future!
Hydrogen multiple unit unveiled by Alstom
ALSTOM has launched its hydrogen-powered emission-free train at InnoTrans, the industry trade fair that ran in Berlin from September 20-23.
The Coradia iLint, which uses on-board hydrogen fuel cells to produce electrical power for traction, was presented as the company’s solution to the expense of electrification projects.
And as the iLint’s only bi-products are condensed water and steam, Alstom says it presents a far more environmentally-friendly alternative to any further deployment of diesel traction, as well as lower noise levels for passengers.
“If offers a carbon dioxide-free option, and allows you to better the benefit of electrification without the associated capital expenditure,” said Alstom’s Managing Director for UK & Ireland Nick Crossfield.
“My view at the moment is that electrification is very expensive and, at the current trajectory, there will need to be a debate. The capital costs are only appropriate for key arterial routes, and we will need to look at something different for other lines. And this is a great solution.”
The launch of the first of two pre-production iLint units, which have the same bodies and bogies as a conventional diesel-powered Coradia Lint 54 multiple unit, is the culmination of a funding agreement struck with German federal authorities in 2014 and formally signed at the last outing of InnoTrans two years ago. The regions of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, BadenWurttemberg and Hesse have each part-funded the development of an emission-free train as Germany looks to cut back on the 4,000 diesel cars the country currently operates, and enforce stricter emissions targets in train procurement.
The two iLint’s will begin testing in 2017 at the Velim test track in the Czech Republic, to gain
approval from the German Federal Railway Office. Alstom then hopes to receive the first orders for deployment on German regional services by the end of next year - they will be manufactured at Alstom’s Salzgitter manufacturing facility, near Hannover.
Germany’s Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who officially launched the train alongside Alstom president Henri Poupart Lafarge, said: “The electrification of German railways is a process that is continuing. But we also know that it is an expensive process, which makes this an important project to close that gap. We know that a lot of technology and innovation has been included, which is why I am delighted to present it today, and I’m sure this will be a great success.”
In response to claims that the rail industry has been slow to act in incorporating fuel cell technology, when compared with the advancements made recently by automobile manufacturers such as Tesla, Poupart Lafarge added: “I think it will revolutionise railways. There are long-term drivers to develop cleaner railways, and the difficulty we have with electrification is investment, which is better used to optimise rolling stock than on infrastructure.
“It looks like a normal train, but what’s different is inside. A lot has been happening outside the industry which has been a wake-up call, but trains are more advanced than cars. When I say that 50% of the German rail network is electrified, you have practically 0% of cars. So I think there is a communication issue.”