In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint to zero, Indian Railways has awarded a contract to Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives for the retrofitting of one Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake on the Sonipat-Jind line.
In addition, the Railways have finalized a plan to introduce narrow gauge locomotives powered by hydrogen fuel cells on the Kalka-Shimla stretch.
According to the Railways, the contract to develop hydrogen fuel cell-based technology that can be utilized to modify current diesel-powered trains has been awarded to Medha at an anticipated cost of approximately Rs 70 crore.
As hydrogen is less expensive than diesel, the Railways assert that their Rs 70 crore investment in the hydrogen fuel cell project will be returned in less than two years.
Retrofitting a diesel-powered DEMU and converting it into a hydrogen-powered train set will not only save Rs 2.3 crore yearly by converting from diesel to hydrogen, but it will also reduce the carbon footprint (NO2) by 11.12 kilo tons per year and particulate matter by 0.72 kilo tons per year.
The conversion project involves modifying DEMUs along the 89-kilometer Sonipat-Jind stretch. Two hybrid narrow-gauge locomotives will be converted in the future with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion.
Diesel engine, alternator, radiators, auxiliary generator, fuel tank water piping, batteries, and inverters will be removed from the DEMU.
Hydrogen, like electricity, is an energy carrier. Hydrogen does not emit exhaust emissions when utilized as a car fuel.
Hydrogen is the cleanest transportation fuel, thus its use will be a significant step towards reducing pollution from trains. Hydrogen may be easily produced by electrolyzing water using solar energy.
