Recently, Indian Railways successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.

About the Hydrogen-Powered Train Project

• Components: 
  • The conversion of two conventional 1600 HorsePower (HP) diesel power cars into hydrogen fuel cell-powered traction system
  • Setting up a hydrogen fueling station at Jind, Haryana.
• Developed by: Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and manufacturing by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
• Budgetary Outlay: ₹136 crore 
• Hydrogen fuelling facility: The 3,000-kg hydrogen fuelling facility at Jind will provide the required hydrogen for the operation of the hydrogen-powered train.
  • The facility will be operated and maintained in accordance with the standards and specification of Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
• Operational Plan: The hydrogen-powered train will consist of 10 coaches with a passenger capacity of over 2,600 and is planned to run two round-trips (total 356 km) between Jind and Sonepat station.
• Built-In Safety Systems: Given hydrogen’s high flammability, the train includes pressure relief valves, leak and flame detection sensors, temperature monitoring, and structured ventilation systems.
• Significance: The project is significant for the Railways as it is one of the key project in India’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix

Hydrogen fuel cell-based traction systems

• Hydrogen fuel cell-based traction systems refer to propulsion technology in which hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity to power electric traction motors that drive the train
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells combine hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) to produce electricity, with water and heat as the only by-products.
• This electricity powers traction converters and motors, propelling the train.
• Battery systems store excess energy or energy produced during regenerative braking  which can be utilised for peak load requirements.

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