The Lower Saxony line will in the beginning have to use a hydrogen by-product of certain industries such as the chemical sector. The 93 million euro ($92.3 million) deal has been struck by state subsidiary Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LVNG), the owners of the railway, and Alstom, builders of the Coradia iLint trains. In the light of the UKs ambition of doing away with diesel-only trains altogether by 2040, the Hydroflexs forthcoming springtime test on the tracks makes it perhaps one of the most keenly anticipated arrivals in the country. 24 August 2022 - Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, is proud to announce that the world's first hydrogen train, the Coradia iLint, reached another historical milestone today in Bremervrde, Lower Saxony, Germany. Presently they are testing with the DMUs. Rail electrification projects have been ongoing, while industry players have been looking for green fuel alternatives that will allow trains to continue running autonomously. Hydrogen is the simplest known element. First Two-Story 3D-Printed House in the US, Worlds Oldest Mouse? The Coralia iLint is the first fully hydrogen-powered passenger train. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Hydrogen can be produced using other methods and from renewable energy sources, e.g. Hydrogen is of course extremely flammable, but on the Hydroflex it is stored in four secured high-pressure tanks, one of a range of measures to ensure passengers safety. Designed in the southern French town of Tarbes and assembled in Salzgitter in central Germany, Alstoms trains called Coradia iLint are trailblazers in the sector. The choice between batteries or fuel cells to replace diesel depends on factors like the length of the tracks, frequency of service and number of stops. Did you encounter any technical issues? Fourteen hydrogen trains powered by fuel cell propulsion will exclusively run on the route in Bremervrde, Lower Saxony. We are constantly looking for the right talents to solve real-world mobility challenges and invent the transport systems of tomorrow. On Thursday, 15 September 2022, the Alstom Coradia iLint, the world's first hydrogen train successfully traveled 1,175 km without refueling its hydrogen tank. Why Sign In? The sooner they would become familiar with the technology, the sooner they would feel safe, they reasoned. First serial production of 14 iLints, Alstom's hydrogen powered train, will start operating in 2021 in Lower Saxony. The worlds first fully hydrogen-powered train line has officially begun running in Germany. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. News & Reviews News Wire Worlds first hydrogen trains enter regular passenger service, Alstom-built equipment begins operation on regional line in Germany. Fusion power is a long way off, but the news is major progress toward a powerful, clean energy source. The Coradia iLint train will run along the St. Lawrence River as it travels from Montmorency Falls station in Qubec to the city of Baie-St-Paul, resting for about a four-hour layover (Baie-St-Paul has the most art galleries per capita in Canada! Enjoy moving trains in breathtaking scenes across the country, all year long. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. That current can be created using energy from renewable energy sources, but it has yet to be done outside of small test demonstrations. At Alstom, we value curious and innovative people who are passionate about working together to reinvent mobility, making it smarter and more sustainable. The challenge is, at the moment hydrogen is made as a byproduct of chemical processes, says Helen Simpson, innovation and projects director at Porterbrook. That front coupler looks enormous. The Coralia iLint is the first fully hydrogen-powered passenger train. This "zero emission" light train is as silent as an electric train and emits only water vapour. Why and how does Future Planet count carbon? Engineers working on the Hydroflex say that hydrogen-powered trains could be the answer to decarbonising the UKs rail system without incurring the high cost of electrifying its track. Text 2018 -2023 NewsForKids.net, unless otherwise noted. Fuel cells have been developed for other applications, but now is the time to get this done in the railway sector. A fuel cell is like a battery that never runs down as long as it has hydrogen. Don't miss this look at the history of America's most influential builder of locomotives. A recent report sponsored by the US Energy Department and Federal Rail Administration notes that while powering freight trains with hydrogen is more technically challenging, it would ultimately have the highest societal value. https://lnkd.in/gqAADfcF. Thats because even though theres plenty of hydrogen on Earth, the hydrogen is almost always part of something else. The emissions from travel it took to report this story were 0kg CO2: the writer interviewed sources remotely. The contract is a . Once the required level of reliability is achieved, a big public opening ceremony and inauguration by the Governor of the state of Lower Saxony is planned for later this year. When diesel fuel is burned, it creates carbon dioxide and other polluting gases. But Alstoms competitors are ready to give it a run for its money. The first hydrogen-powered urban train jointly developed by #CRRC and Chengdu Railway Group rolled off the assembly line at the CRRC Changke production base | 29 comments on LinkedIn Bremervrde is around 40 miles southwest of the city of Hamburg. Europe will definitely be the main market, Alstom Chief Executive Officer Henri Poupart-Lafarge said Wednesday during a company webinar, citing France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. as countries with large diesel fleets. When the train brakes, the fuel cells are almost completely powered down, saving on hydrogen consumption. The electrons are then forced through a circuit that generates an electric charge that can be stored in lithium batteries or sent directly to the trains electric motor. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership! On November 15, the United Nations reported that the number of people on Earth had grown to eight billion. Fendt shows first hydrogen tractor at German Hydrogen Summit. A hybrid light rail train mainly powered by hydrogen fuel cells made its debut on Thursday in Baoding, Hebei province, after it was completed by a local company. Emission free mobility is one of the most important goals for ensuring a sustainable future, said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstoms CEO, in a statement. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The future of environmentally friendly travel might just be here and its Germany thats leading the charge, with the first ever rail line to be entirely run on hydrogen-powered trains. Currently, most trains run on diesel power. Access is and will always be free of charge. Ensure a safe, slow approach from others with this railroad-themed logo mask! Worlds first hydrogen trains enter regular passenger service. Alstom is making progress on its Coradia iLint train, the worlds first hydrogen-powered passenger train, expected to launch in Germany this year. Discover how we move the world. Visit our career website to search our job openings or to create an account in our candidate database. LNVG has ordered a total of 14 of the hydrogen-powered trains, which are expected to replace 15 diesel-powered trains by the end of the year. A fleet of 27 hydrogen-powered trains were due to enter service in Frankfurt am Main in central Germany in December 2022, but manufacturer Alstom was unable to deliver more than six of the trains on time, citing supply-chain problems because of the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. Skip to main content LinkedIn. We are a group of passionate, dedicated people who love working together as problem-solvers and trouble-shooters. The way hydrogen powers a train like the Hydroflex is quite simple. Fuel supply and infrastructure need to be expanded, he said, but the trains are ready.. The world's first hydrogen-powered passenger trains are here. Another is natural gas reformation, which involves combining methane contained in natural gases with high-temperature steam. A comprehensive portfolio of mobility solutions. George, yes its a fully automatic. The new system will be needed as more and more missions to the moon are planned. Alstom unveils hydrogen-powered train . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 1. You know we make trains move. But, despite the attractive prospects, there are real barriers to a big expansion with hydrogen, Charpentier said. This could also be extended to the rail industry to replace diesel train engines. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. The future of environmentally friendly travel might just be here and its Germany thats leading the charge, with the first ever rail line to be entirely run on hydrogen-powered trains, starting from Wednesday. Germany currently has around 4,000 diesel trains on its non-electrified tracks. The company hopes the train could be highly marketable to rail operators looking to replace their DMUs on non-electrified lines. However, the remaining 58% of UK track is not yet electrified, so diesel trains are still needed to keep those areas connected by rail. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! A fleet of 14 trains provided by French industrial giant Alstom to the German state of Lower Saxony has replaced diesel locomotives on the 100km (60 miles) of track connecting the cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude near Hamburg. The train recovers energy from braking and stores this in the battery, as well. Bremervrde is around 40 miles southwest of the city of Hamburg. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Will be interesting to follow on many levels reliability, cost, maintenance. Switzerland has opened a massive water battery that will help store energy for Europe. The name of this epoch making train is the Coradia iLint, manufactured by French train manufacturer Alstom. The French research institute IFP specialising in energy issues says that hydrogen is currently 95 percent derived from the transformation of fossil fuels, almost half of which come from natural gas. We are delivering significant market advantage with a design and integration strategy utilizing existing (best of) technology and tried, tested and widely available chassis, electric motricity, fuel tanks, fuel cells and a balance of systems. The first test run of an iLint prototype took place at Alstoms Salzgitter facility in March 2017, and trials have been ongoing since. The trains are emissions-free and low-noise, with only steam and condensed water issuing from the exhaust. Alstom draws on its technological expertise and innovative capabilities to meet the current and future needs of operators and passengers. The train cost $86 million, according to a report by Fuel Cell Works, and will begin by transporting passengers between two stops just outside of Hamburg. Twenty-seven more Alstom iLINT trains will enter service on regional routes west of Frankfurt am Main in December this year. This category only includes cookies that ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Two Coradia iLint engines will replace diesel trains on the 100-kilometer (62-mile) route linking the towns of Cuxhaven and Buxtehude, with 14 other hydrogen trains set to be introduced. The Coradia iLint is the world's first passenger train with electric traction powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Aside from its clean output, iLints key advantages are its smart power management and flexible energy storage. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In August, the world's first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains debuted outside of Hamburg, Germany. Researchers hope that in the future it may be feasible to extract lithium from seawater instead using solar power, but the idea remains experimental. By 2035, around 15 to 20 percent of the regional European market could run on hydrogen, according to Alexandre Charpentier, a rail expert at consultancy Roland Berger. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. The train was first showcased back in 2016 at InnoTrans in Berlin and entered commercial service in Germany in 2018. Leading the way to sustainable and smart mobility - naturally. TOKYO -- JR East showed off Japan's first hydrogen-powered hybrid train Friday, touting a zero-emissions system developed with Hitachi and Toyota Motor. Meanwhile, leading gas company Linde will supply hydrogen for the new trains and erect the first-ever hydrogen filling station for trains in Bremervrde. They are owned by the state of Lower Saxony and leased to the concession operator Eisenbahn und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser (EVB), also owned by the State of Lower Saxony, which operates both passenger and freight train service on its own 150-mile network and elsewhere. But that can cost a lot of money and isnt always the best solution. 2. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. As the world looks to curb carbon emissions, rail operators continued focus on diesel has put a spotlight on the industry. European Union lawmakersreached a dealthis week to make the blocs ambitious climate goals legally binding, and stronger rules are expected to affect industries ranging from transport to energy production. Any cookies that may not be absolutely necessary for the website to function or are used specifically to collect personal user data via analytics, ads, other embedded content are termed as non-necessary cookies. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The hydrogen is used in roof-mounted fuel cells to generate electricity, which is either used directly for traction or stored in onboard batteries. LVNG had been looking for diesel alternatives since 2012, according to a press release, and in 2018, Alstom ran a two-year trial of the trains. The train's exhaust emits only steam and condensed water. Regional rail operator LNVG said the fleet, which cost 93 million euros ($93m), would prevent 4,400 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year. Theres a hydrogen station on the line to refuel the trains. Even though the only direct waste product of hydrogen fuel is water, obtaining this form of power is not squeaky clean. For longer distances and areas where we need more power, hydrogen has an advantage, he said. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The trains hydrogen power system produces sufficient power to take the train 50 to 75 miles. Each prize-winner won $1.2 million for their efforts. Over 56 Thousand, Emirates Team New Zealand is using hydrogen to decarbonise the Americas Cup Hycap, Honda To Start Producing New Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Co-Developed with GM, Giants of Industry, Manufacturing and Finance Back UK Green Hydrogen Pioneer Geopura with 36m Investment. The German Coradia iLint was the world's first hydrogen-powered locomotive (Credit: Getty Images). The European Space Agency is working with NASA to create a shared time system for the moon. Don't be shy, get in touch. Hydroflex runs on a hydrogen produced using natural gas but its supplier, BOC, says it is looking into renewable options. Alstoms 14 Coradia iLint passenger trains will ply a regional line between Buxtehude, outside Hamburg, and the beach town of Cuxhaven. Reliability, ownership and servicing costs of First Hydrogen's utility van will be second to none. Hydrogen trains have potential to be particularly useful in areas with large distances to cover and lower passenger demand (Credit: Getty Images). Currently, about one out of two regional trains in Europe runs on diesel. In one of its cars, passengers were encouraged to perch around four hydrogen fuel tanks, a fuel cell and two lithium batteries. The first hydrogen powered train was launched in Germany on the 16 th of September, 2018. Billed as a zero emission mode of transport, the trains mix hydrogen on board with oxygen present in the ambient air, thanks to a fuel cell installed in the roof. Engineers who developed the new train, from the University of Birmingham and British rail company Porterbrook, wanted passengers to sit alongside the trains hydrogen fuel cells. 2023 Cable News Network. Get great snapshots of railroading history in Art Petersons newest book. The train passes through seven coastal towns, and its hydrogen will be produced by Harnois nergies in Qubec City. The French group has inked four contracts for several dozen trains between Germany, France and Italy, with no sign of demand waning. BTW, batteries are charged off the local grid, which means the same mixture of wind, solar, nuke, and fossil fuel as any other consumer of electricity anywhere in Niedersachen state. Its rival Siemens AGis also developinghydrogen trainsand the European market is estimated to grow to tens of billions of dollars in the coming years as emissions rulesget tougher. Science, Adsensys Brings 1MW Electrolyser to The Netherlands, Preparing For Take-off: Aviation Embraces Clean Hydrogen Ryze Hydrogen, How many Hydrogen Passenger Vehicles Have Been Sold So Far? With our current hydrogen storage technologies, hydrogen takes up significantly more space than [equivalent] fossil fuels do. Even though hydrogen is typically compressed, its still not as efficient per unit volume as fossil fuels. Germany will also have to import massively to meet its needs. We offer extensive range of proven and modular components for all types of railway vehicles. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Agence France-Presse Germany on Monday rolled out the world's first hydrogen-powered train, signalling the start of a push to challenge the might of polluting diesel . The two products of this chemical reaction are electricity, which is used to power an electrical traction drive controlling the trains movements, and water, which is emitted as steam. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The first hydrogen-powered passenger trains built byAlstom SAareset to debut in Germany and establish a toehold forthetechnologyin Europe. Test operation on the EVB line began in 2018, and since then, the two prototype trains have been tested and displayed all over Europe. Above, one of the trains stops at Bremervrde. Did You Know? Reference: Why generate electricity twice ? Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstoms CEO, in a statement, said: Emission free mobility is one of the most important goals for ensuring a sustainable future. Currently, lithium processing takes a major toll on the surrounding environment. Separating out the hydrogen requires some energy. They will also be making a stop in Italy, where six trains have been commissioned for use in the northern Lombardy region, and in France, where 12 trains will be shared across four regions. The entire sector, whether it be road vehicles or aircraft, not to mention heavy industry such as steel and chemicals, is eyeing hydrogen to slash CO2 emissions. Alstom University is a learning powerhouse sharing knowledge and a means for its employees to continuously upgrade themselves, their skills and competencies. Climate change means the way the worlds weather has changed over a long period of time. The worlds first hydrogen trains have begun running in Germany. The leftover part of the hydrogen molecule reacts with oxygen at the cathode and becomes the waste product water. The stored hydrogen passes through the anode, where it is split into electrons and protons. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But the engineers emphasise that Hydroflex is not just a demonstration of hydrogen-power technology it is set to become a viable commercial train, with mainline testing expected to begin in March or April this year. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Ambitious climate protection goals and the expense of electrification could help bring the iLint to other European countries in the future. The fired Google engineer who thought its A.I. The plan is that hydrogen will be produced onsite via electrolysis and wind energy at a later stage of the project. The 93 million euro ($92.3 million) deal has been struck by state subsidiary Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LVNG), the owners of the railway, and Alstom, builders of the Coradia iLint trains. Political leaders will have to decide which sector to prioritise when determining what the production of hydrogen will or wont go to, Charpentier said. The fuel cell supplies electrical energy by combining hydrogen, which is stored in tanks on board, and oxygen from the outside air. They will also be making a stop in Italy, where six trains have been commissioned for use in the northern Lombardy region, and in France, where 12 trains will be shared across four regions. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. India is set to unveil its first hydrogen-powered train this year, which will generate its own electricity using hydrogen, eliminating the need for overhead wires along railway tracks. The only thing it gives off is water, which comes out as steam. This will make Qubec the first jurisdiction in North America to operate a zero-emission passenger train powered by green hydrogen. These space constraints are one reason that Porterbrook chose to retrofit older train models with the hydrogen fuel power system, rather than construct entirely new vehicles like the Alstom did in Germany the existing trains were already made to measure for the tunnels they had to pass through. You can also book the train with a tour guide and a wine tastingand samples of cheese, dry sausage and other spirits(and a free tote bag!) Each train can operate around 620 miles on a full set of hydrogen cylinders, weighing about 1,600 kilograms (3,530 pounds). Instead, the hydrogen is fed into a fuel cell that produces electric energy to run the train. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. The train, called Hydroflex, is the UK's first to be powered by hydrogen. Hydrogen-powered trains like Hydroflex are emissions free - provided their hydrogen comes from a renewable source (Credit: University of Birmingham). For more details, please see the blog post. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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There is a huge challenge in terms of developing the infrastructure to supply the hydrogen to the railway, says Hillmansen. The project benefits from the support of the German Ministry of Economy and Mobility and the development of the Coradia iLint was funded by the German government as part of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP). The new trains are part of a $92.5 million project by LNVG (Regional Transport Society of Lower Saxony). It was being shown off to the public in June 2019 for the first time on the tracks at the Quinton Rail Technology Centre, a test facility at Long Marston, near Stratford-upon-Avon, in England. Its also very common 74% of the universe is made of hydrogen atoms. This technology exists, but there will need to be an uplift in the scale of these operations.. On Thursday, 15 September 2022, the Alstom Coradia iLint, the world's first hydrogen train successfully traveled 1,175 km without refueling its hydrogen tank. It seems that battery trains could have an advantage for short distances, but we need to sort this out.. Humans Can Understand Signals Used by Apes, Biden Visits Ukraine Nearly a Year After War Started, 4-Day Work Week Good for Companies & Workers, testing an early model of the hydrogen-powered trains, News Roundup: Kinshasa Floods, Korean Ages, & a Tough Test, Fusion Progress: Scientists Gain Energy for the First Time, Switzerlands Giant Water Battery Starts Working, Many Upset Over Changes to Roald Dahl Books. For starters, trains are not the only means of transport hungry for the fuel. A Pocket Mouse Named Pat, EU Parliament Says Gas, Diesel Cars Must End by 2035. Regardless, the company aims to mitigate CO2 emissions from hydrogen production through the use of wind energy. HI-FIVED's unmanned hydrogen train simulation seen from above. LNVG has been testing an early model of the hydrogen-powered trains since 2018. All rights reserved. Image licenses vary by source. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Starting June 17, the Coradia iLint will run from Wednesdays to Saturdays until September 30. Check out photos of the world's first hydrogen-powered train. Dj vu! However, the French rail giant has claimed that the first iLint could be tested on the network as soon as the first quarter of 2018. A fleet of 14 trains were. Alstom has been promoting trains that runon fuel cells for more than five years as an alternative to carbon-emitting diesel engines. We will not buy any more diesel trains, said Carmen Schwable, speaking for LNVG. During the test phase, hydrogen has been sourced from industrial emissions. You can get unlimited summer travel for $9.50 a month in this European country. In an announcement Sunday, the French business said that the Coradia iLint used fuel . Alstom has pledged that it will make things easier for operators by providing maintenance services and hydrogen infrastructure in particular, filling stations alongside its partners. According to the description on the HI-FIVED website, the ship, named H-USV, will have a tonnage of 4.5 tons, move at a speed of 4 knots and can operate continuously from 40 to 60 days.