As calls for an end to fossil fuel continues efforts at creating sustainable clean energy to save the earth from the scourge of climate change fighting back long years of environmental abuse, the world is moving away from diesel and embracing hydrogen. With rail transport quietly embracing hydrogen as replacement for oil, Nigeria, still hoping to reduce oil induced gas emission by 2030, might soon be left behind on the energy scene. Time to develop plans for a Nigeria beyond oil.
The Hydrogen trains are in Europe, Asia and spreading.
Alstom’s CoradiaiLint hydrogen train runs in Sweden
Alstom’s CoradiaiLint passenger train, the first in the world to be powered by hydrogen, made its Swedish debut in Östersund August 25,2021. Alstom teams are presenting the train to a variety of local stakeholders, including regional operators, transport authorities, government decision makers and leading media, to highlight the potential of the CoradiaiLint for sustainable transport in Sweden.
“The CoradiaiLint trains represent a huge opportunity for Sweden to reduce CO2 emissions and even decarbonize rail transport. Thanks to hydrogen-powered public transport, regional operators can be beacons of modern mobility, as experienced recently in Germany, the Netherlands and Austria – that have tested and are implementing (or planning to implement) hydrogen trains.”
Sustainable Mobility Without Compromise
In 2016, the launch of the CoradiaiLint, a CO2-emission-free regional train that represents a true alternative to diesel power, positioned Alstom as the first railway manufacturers in the world to develop a passenger train based on hydrogen technology. The first two 100% H2 iLint trains entered commercial service in 2018 in Germany and have already covered more than 200,000 km. To date, 41 train sets have been ordered in Germany, and successful trials have taken place in Austria and in the Netherlands. In Italy, the operator FNM, confirmed an order for 14,100 percent H2 trains at the end of 2020.
In line with its aim to facilitate a global transition to a low-carbon transport system, Alstom has pioneered several sustainable mobility solutions. The CoradiaiLint is a perfect illustration of Alstom’s commitment to designing and delivering innovative and environmentally friendly solutions: the CoradiaiLint is the world’s first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which produces electrical power for traction. This zero-emission train emits low levels of noise, with exhaust being only steam and condensed water. Its performance matches with regular regional trains with a maximum speed of 140 km/h and comparable acceleration and braking performance. Likewise, passenger capacity is up to 300 passengers and the train has a range of 1,000 kilometres.
The innovative hydrogen technologies implemented by Alstom have been recognized by the industry. In 2021, world’s first hydrogen train CoradiaiLint was honoured with the European Railway Award 2021. Alstom are also doing this to demonstrate that hydrogen is a possible climate friendly solution for trains in general, not just the iLint.
Designed specifically for use on non-electrified lines, the CoradiaiLint enables clean, sustainable train operations. This is of great importance for the environment: replacing one diesel regional train with one hydrogen train will reduce the yearly CO2 emission equivalent to 400 cars.
Despite many electrification projects in several European countries, a significant proportion of the continent’s rail networks will remain non-electrified for the foreseeable future. CoradiaiLint uses the existing infrastructure without the need to invest in electrification.
Alstom is the largest player on the Swedish railway market, with over 1 000 trains delivered.
Alstom is holding several large maintenance contracts and is offering maintenance in 19 local depots, including depots in Motala and Vasteras specialising in heavy maintenance and refurbishment.
The company is also leading the ERTMS[1] rollout in Sweden both onboard and trackside and is delivering the new standard national traffic management system for Trafikverket.
Alstom™ and CoradiaiLint™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group
On Thursday, 15 September 2022, the Alstom CoradiaiLint, the world’s first hydrogen train successfully traveled 1,175 km without refueling its hydrogen tank.
Which country started first hydrogen train?
Germany became the first country to operate the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered passenger train fleet. The German government has informed that 15 diesel trains will be replaced.
These trains were previously being operated on tracks that lacked electric supply in Lower Saxony, Germany. The fleet comprises 14 trains, which use fuel cells to generate power, making it the cleanest-greenest train fleet ever.
Rail transport is the most sustainable mobility solution of all, due to its low energy consumption per passenger kilometre. Electric drive via overhead contact line is particularly efficient and enables emission-free operation of trains, trams and locomotives. Stadler has developed the hydrogen-powered FLIRT H₂ model for routes where diesel trains are still in use today.
Non-electrified railway lines were previously operated using diesel vehicles. Since retrofitting overhead contact lines and substations requires large investment budgets and a lot of time, Stadler has developed zero-emission drives as an alternative. One example is the FLIRT H₂ vehicle, which runs on an electric drive with hydrogen fuel cells as the energy source. This enables the FLIRT H₂ model to replace diesel trains on non-electrified or partially electrified lines for emission-free passenger transport.
Stadler sold the first FLIRT H₂ vehicle in the USA in 2019, delivering the first hydrogen-powered train for American passenger rail transport.
The vehicle concept is largely based on the widely tested FLIRT electric multiple units for operation under overhead contact line. The FLIRT H₂ train is a single-decker, lightweight aluminum model that can be built in two- to four-car train compositions. Just like the traditional FLIRT train, the series-produced FLIRT H₂model can be flexibly and individually adapted to the needs of each client and route network. The FLIRT H₂ vehicle is optionally available with pantographs and a mains transformer so that it can also be operated under an overhead contact line.
