Hydrogen not a substitute for electrification - IMechE

By Andy Roden
|
7 February 2019
News

Investment in hydrogen trains is vital to improve air quality but must not be seen as an “easy replacement” for electrification schemes, says The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

In The Future for Hydrogen Trains in the UK, published on February 7, the organisation says the Government must rethink its cancellation of electrification programmes and move forward with a more innovative and “long-term, rolling programme” approach.

However, it also urges the rail industry to encourage the development and deployment of hydrogen trains and their fuelling and servicing facilities, and that the technology is developed in industrial areas where hydrogen production already occurs and can support the wider transport system (such as hydrogen-powered buses).

The report also questions whether the production of hydrogen means it is truly environmentally friendly, with just 4% of the global total produced by electrolysis.

For the FULL story, read RAIL 873, published on February 27, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle from February 23.

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Author: Andy Roden

Contributing Writer, RAIL

Andrew joined RAIL in 2000 as a news and features writer. He has written four books, covered the UK and international rail industries, and led 2005’s successful campaign to save the ‘Night Riviera’ sleeper train. He is also a regular commentator on rail matters on television and radio for RAIL.

Comments (4)

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AndrewJG8918 - 08/02/2019 01:34

Around 100 Class 321s are due for conversion into Hydrogen multiple units that Alstom are to upgrade them with new Hydrogen engines and components. Aswell Vivarail to convert the Class 230 into Hydrogen powered trains.
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John Gilbert - 10/02/2019 12:48

But the problem is getting the I.Mech.E's message over to Mr Grayling.....and the forever parsimonious British Treasury. It is quite utterly ridiculous that a major British city , Bristol, is to remain (apparently permanently) unconnected to the GWR electrification which surrounds that city. Quite nonsensical. (But.....perhaps .........typically British?) The same can be said for Cardiff to Swansea - and yes, I know that the new (concrete-seated) Hitachi trains are bi-modes. But that facility is intended to enable projection beyond main through routes, not to stop wiring short on those major through routes!
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Manchester Mike - 12/02/2019 15:47

Hydrogen power is a niche application, and requires much more energy than it provides in transport power.
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Anomynous - 17/02/2019 23:06

I think that Hydrogen trains for the UK is actually a brilliant idea. And the Government wants to stamp out the diesel trains by 2040. I actually like how Hydrogen trains will benefit for the enviroment.
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