Spain funds plan to develop world’s first hydrogen-electric hybrid train capable of speeds of over 250km/h
Ten companies collaborate to retrofit high-speed tilting train with H2 fuel cells for parts of rail network without overhead lines
A plan to retrofit a high-speed tilting train with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries so it can operate on parts of Spain’s rail network without overhead lines has been given the green light after the Spanish government offered a multi-million pound grant supporting the project.
Stay ahead on hydrogen with our free newsletter
Once built, the train would be the world’s first hydrogen-enabled high-speed train, project developers claim, capable of reaching speeds of up to 250km/h (155mph).
The Talgo 250 has two “technical end cars” containing diesel generators which supply electricity to the propulsion system on sections of rail without overhead lines (also called catenaries).
One of these two cars would be replaced with a car containing hydrogen fuel cells and batteries — although no details have been released on how big these may be.
The Talgo 250 is currently used on Spain’s vast 3,200km high-speed rail network, which is the second largest in the world and capable of accommodating trains travelling at speeds of up to 310km/h.
The funding will also support the development of two green hydrogen refuelling stations, comprising a mobile unit built by Spanish oil company Repsol and a stationary supply depot built by H2 vehicle retrofit specialist Golendus.
The train will then be tested by engineering firm Sener, which will also “simulate” the operation of the service.
Under the terms of the two funding calls under the Incentive Programme, totalling €106m, winners must contribute at least €500,000 of investment to each funding award.
Among the companies involved in Hympulso are train-maker Talgo, which is leading the project, Repsol, Golendus and research and development house Tecnalia. Spain’s state-owned rail infrastructure company Adif will also act as an observer on the hydrogen refuelling stations specifically.
So far, most hydrogen trains trials have been exclusively on smaller branch and regional lines, which can be difficult or expensive to fit with overhead power lines. However, the use of hydrogen trains even on these networks has had chequered record.
Talgo supplies high speed trains to the Spanish network, as well as to Saudi Arabian operators for the high-speed line between Mecca and Medina. It also supplies high speed trains to operators in Denmark and Germany.
(Copyright)