INDIA: Medha Servo Drives has awarded Ballard Power Systems a contract to supply eight fuel cell modules for two hydrogen trains it is developing for Indian Railways.
The project involves retrofitting two diesel-electric commuter multiple-units with Ballard 100 kW FCmoveTM-HD+ fuel cells.
The modules are expected to be delivered in 2023, with the trains scheduled to re-enter service in 2024. There is the potential for additional retrofits following the initial deployment.
Announcing the order on September 6, Ballard said Indian Railways estimates that the conversions will have a payback time of less than two years, as hydrogen is now cheaper than diesel. As well as being chaper to run, the converted trains are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 11 tonnes/year and eliminate nearly 1 tonne/year of particulates.
‘With leading technology and strong project economics, we are optimistic about the future of zero emission rail transport’, said Kasyap Reddy, Managing Director of Medha Servo Drives.
Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer David Mucciacciaro said ’our progress in decarbonising the rail market is just beginning, as we work with leading rolling stock manufacturers, integrators and operators globally’.
- Subscribers can read an in-depth article on Indian Railways’ hydrogen strategy by Bharti Jain of Rites Ltd which appeared in the December 2020 issue of Railway Gazette International magazine.
