India’s railways are undergoing a green revolution. With the ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030—a full 20 years ahead of its COP27 commitment—the country is embracing transformative technologies to redefine its transportation landscape. At the heart of this bold vision lies the Jind-Sonipat hydrogen train pilot, a groundbreaking project that blends innovation with sustainability to pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.
This pilot is more than a technological experiment; it’s a declaration of intent—a move that signals India’s readiness to lead the global energy transition while tackling the dual challenges of reducing emissions and ensuring operational efficiency in one of the world’s largest railway networks. By retrofitting existing trains with cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cells, India is not just addressing environmental concerns but also setting the stage for sustainable mobility solutions in regions that are hard to electrify.
In this blog, we will delve into the specifics of the hydrogen train pilot, its role in India’s decarbonization journey, and the larger implications for the future of sustainable transport. From innovative technologies to the challenges of green hydrogen production, here’s everything you need to know about this transformative initiative.
Why Hydrogen for Railways?
The Indian Railways, with its massive network, is the backbone of the nation’s transportation system. Its fleet of 14,800 locomotives in India is comprised of about 37% that are diesel-powered, contributing substantially to carbon emissions.
The Indian Railways has taken a number of initiatives to reduce its carbon emissions which include use of energy efficient technologies like completely switching over to production of three phase electric locomotives with regenerative features, use of head on generation (HOG) technology, use of LED lights in buildings and coaches, star rated appliances and afforestation. Further, the key strategies that have been identified for achieving the Net Zero Carbon emission target are procurement of power through renewable energy sources; shifting from diesel to electric traction; promotion of energy efficiency; and afforestation
Amongst its comprehensive commitments towards decarbonization, and electrification therein, lies an elaborate plan of commitments with well-defined goals. Its emission reduction goal includes 100% electrification of railways by replacing all diesel engines with electric ones, a 5% blending of biofuels in diesel fuel for traction networks uses and sourcing a diverse renewable energy mix for both traction and non-traction networks.
While electrification remains a cornerstone of the railways’ decarbonization strategy, hydrogen trains offer a complementary solution for routes that are challenging to electrify, such as heritage and hill areas.
Jind-Sonipat Hydrogen Train Pilot: Key Highlights
The Jind Sonipat hydrogen train pilot that has received significant media coverage since its announcement, all the way leading up to the proposed trial later this month has definitely drummed up a lot of curiosity and excitement.
The Hydrogen for this pilot train in Haryana is to be supplied from a 1-megawatt (MW) polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser that will be stationed at Jind. The electrolyzer supplier will be GreenH Electrolysis which is a JV between H2B2 electrolysis technologies from Spain and the GR promoter group from India, that is owned by the NSE listed G R Infrastructure’s promoter, the Agarwal family.
The electrolyser claims to remain operational round the clock producing approximately 430 kg/day of hydrogen. The refuelling infrastructure at Jind will also have a 3,000 kg hydrogen storage, hydrogen compressor, and two hydrogen dispensers with pre-cooler integration, allowing for quick refuelling of the trains.
The cost of this hydrogen and its impact on the operational and running expenses is not yet very clear.
So what exactly is ‘under the hood’ of this first hydrogen train that will run in India!
The pilot train is a retrofitted Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU). DEMU have conventionally being used in India on short and medium distance routes, often in areas where electric wires are not available. In the DEMU design the coach itself houses the powertrain instead of having a separate engine. The diesel electric power train occupies typically around 50% of the coach space, with the rest being used for balance of plant, controller and the passengers.
The typical 8 carriage DEMU has capability to generate ~1300 BHP traction power and reach top speeds of 100 km/h. The Hydrogen-Powered Design involves retrofitting fuel cells on board the DEMU. The fuel cells are reportedly overseen by Medha Servo Drives who have partnered with the Canadian company Ballard Power Systems to equip the trains with Ballard’s demonstrated advanced fuel cell technology. Each of the train’s eight carriages will be powered by fuel cells enabling them to run entirely on hydrogen The 100 kW FCmove HD+ fuel cells will power each carriage using high purity gaseous hydrogen at 8psig (SAE J2719/ISO 14687:2019 grade D) ensuring zero emissions.
Germany’s TÜV SÜD has been appointed as the third-party safety auditor, ensuring compliance with global safety standards.
Global Context: Learning from International Hydrogen Rail Projects
India’s hydrogen pilot draws inspiration from successful projects globally. For instance:
- Stadler FLIRT-H2 (USA): Holds a Guinness World Record for traveling 2,803 km in 42 hours without refueling.
- Ballard-Powered Trains: Over 500,000 km driven and 600,000 passengers transported globally.
These examples underscore the potential of hydrogen trains in achieving sustainability goals, offering insights into technology, performance, and scalability.
Estimated at ₹80 crore per train and ₹70 crore for route infrastructure, the pilot showcases India’s investment in sustainable transport. Includes advanced refueling infrastructure with compressors and dispensers for efficient operations.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges:
- High Initial Costs: Retrofitting and infrastructure development are capital-intensive.
- Operational Stress: India’s diverse climate and gruelling duty cycles will test the resilience of hydrogen fuel cells.
- Hydrogen Production: Scaling green hydrogen production to meet future demand remains a challenge.
Opportunities:
- Decarbonization of Heritage Routes: The “Hydrogen for Heritage” program aims to operate 35 hydrogen trains on scenic but difficult terrains like hill stations.
- Energy Transition Leadership: The pilot reinforces India’s position as a global leader in sustainable transport innovation.
- Scalable Model: Success in this pilot could pave the way for broader adoption of hydrogen trains across non-electrified routes.
A Green Future for Indian Railways
The heritage trains in India have a special place in the history, tradition and culture of the nation. The steam locomotives running in mountain routes of the Nilgiri’s, the Darjeeling Himalaya and the Kangra valley are UNESCO world heritage sites. The luxury and scenic heritage routes include the fully electrified Palace on Wheels and currently diesel-electric but about to be transitioned to fully electric Deccan Odyssey. These trains continue to provide unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories to both domestic and international tourists.
The hydrogen train pilot on the Jind-Sonipat route is a cornerstone of India’s efforts to make railways a Net Zero emission network by 2030. While the road ahead involves technical and economic challenges, the commitment to renewable energy and sustainable transport is clear.
The hydrogen pilot is not just a technological demonstration but a vision of how railways can become an integral part of a greener future. By blending global expertise with local innovation, India is setting an example for other nations to follow.
References:
- Indian Railways Net Zero Goals
- GreenH Electrolysis Collaboration Details
- Ballard Power Systems Fuel Cell Applications
- Stadler FLIRT-H2 Guinness Record
- TÜV SÜD Safety Audits
Author: Nikhil S Tambe, CEO – The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras
Disclosure:
The author participates and is involved in a number of hydrogen related activities. He has served as committee member in the evaluation of DPRs for the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster as well as an expert reviewer for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (HFC-2023) Program, both for the Department of Science and Technology.
He currently serves as the advisory member for Xynteo’s Energy Leap platform and an Advisory Board member to the Green Fuels Alliance India, an initiative of the Denmark Energy Agency and a collaboration between Denmark and India to promote innovation and partnerships in the green fuels sector.
