India Launches Hydrogen-Powered Train
The Indian Railways successfully tested a hydrogen-powered train developed at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. This train will soon operate between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana. It is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The mission supports India’s goal of net zero emissions by 2070.
Hydrogen Train Technology
The train uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. Hydrogen is produced by a 1-MW polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser in Jind. This electrolyser splits water into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources. The hydrogen is stored and used in fuel cells on the train. The fuel cells convert hydrogen back into water, producing electricity to power the train’s motors. This process emits zero carbon dioxide.
Electrolyser and Fuel Cell Mechanism
Electrolysers use electricity to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. A polymer membrane allows only protons to pass through, separating hydrogen and oxygen gases. In the fuel cell, the reaction reverses. Hydrogen molecules split into protons and electrons. Protons pass through the membrane and combine with oxygen and electrons to form water. The electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity to run the train.
Green Hydrogen Production
Green hydrogen requires electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind. This ensures zero carbon emissions in hydrogen production. India plans to expand renewable energy capacity to meet the National Green Hydrogen Mission targets. Innovative methods such as microbial electrolytic cells are also being explored. These use microbes to generate hydrogen from organic waste, offering a sustainable alternative.
Cost and Material Challenges
Current catalysts used in electrolysers and fuel cells include expensive metals like platinum and iridium. Research is ongoing to replace these with cheaper materials such as nickel, cobalt, and iron. Early successes include nickel-based electrodes developed by Indian scientists, which perform comparably to platinum. Such advancements could lower costs and make green hydrogen more viable.
Significance and Future Prospects
India will become the fifth country after Germany, France, Sweden, and China to deploy hydrogen-powered trains. The new train on the Jind–Sonipat route can carry 2,638 passengers and reach speeds of 110 km/h. It is powered by a 1,200 HP engine. The government has allocated Rs 2,800 crore to develop 35 hydrogen trains by 2024-25. This initiative marks step towards sustainable transport and India’s zero-carbon emissions target by 2070.
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