CAF has begun static testing of the FCH2Rail project’s hydrogen-powered demonstrator train at its Zaragoza facility, which is being constructed by a partnership including CAF, DLR, Toyota, Renfe, Adif, CNH2, IP, and FAIVELEY Stemmann Technik.
This idea is based on a contemporary Renfe commuter unit, the Civia series, in which a new power generating system based on the hybridization of energy from hydrogen cells and batteries has been added, integrating with the vehicle’s existing traction system.
As a result, the business claims, it will be one of the first railway demonstrations of a bi-mode vehicle with a hydrogen cell, an emission-free vehicle idea that will be able to circulate in electric mode in electrified infrastructure while being used in hybrid mode in parts lacking catenary.
The unit will be ready for dynamic testing on an external track after this testing phase at CAF Zaragoza is finished, which is expected to begin in the summer of this year.
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership, an agency of the European Commission committed to encouraging the development of hydrogen and fuel cells, has contributed 10 million euros to the project, which has a budget of 14 million euros.
