Hydrogen Trains in Russia
Russia is creating its first-ever passenger train using hydrogen fuel cells. The project is seen as one of the promising steps to reduce the carbon footprint of transport and develop more environmentally friendly technologies in the railway industry.
The power unit will be based on hydrogen fuel cells with a proton exchange membrane. In such a system, hydrogen enters into an electrochemical reaction with oxygen to generate electrical energy and by-product water, as a result.
Hydrogen-powered transport is a promising area since it does not produce harmful emissions, has high energy capacity and is able to quickly refuel compared to the long battery charging process. However, such projects are hampered by the high cost of producing, storing and transporting hydrogen so far.
Experts believe that the technology could initially be tested on a pilot site with limited infrastructure and a small number of trains. If the solution is proved to be efficient, hydrogen-powered trains could be used in other regions across Russia, primarily on non-electrified railway lines. With further growth of outputs and related infrastructure, such trains could occupy a separate niche in Russia’s transport.
