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

KEY PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Project Scope & Objective

• Part of India’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions and increase renewable energy usage.
• Hydrogen as a cleaner fuel to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Implementation & Design

• Initiated by Northern Railway Zone (2020-21).
• Components:
  ▪ Conversion of two 1600 HP diesel power cars to hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars.
  ▪ Establishment of hydrogen storage & fuelling station at Jind, Haryana.

Operational Details

• Train to run between Jind–Sonepat (356 km, 2 round trips).
• Storage capacity: 3,000 kg hydrogen at Jind facility.
• Fuel carriage: Each power car holds 220 kg hydrogen at 350 bar pressure.

Cost & Engineering

• Project cost: ₹136 crore.
• RDSO handling design/testing; ICF Chennai & Medha Servo Drives, Hyderabad involved.
• TÜV SÜD (Germany) as third-party safety auditor.

Safety Provisions

• Safety systems:
  • Leak/flame/temperature detection
  • Pressure relief valves, ventilation systems

HYDROGEN AS A FUEL

• Exists in compounds (e.g., water); requires energy-intensive extraction.
• Colour-coded sources
  • Grey: Fossil fuels
  • Blue: Fossil fuels + carbon capture
  • Green: Electrolysis using renewables
• Green Hydrogen Benefits
  • Decarbonizes heavy industries
  • Utilizes surplus renewable energy

NATIONAL GREEN HYDROGEN MISSION (NGHM)

• Approved in 2023 under MNRE.
• Targets:
  • Energy independence by 2047
  • Net Zero by 2070
  • Production capacity: 5 MMT/year by 2030
• Aims: India as global Green Hydrogen hub