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The Scottish Hydrogen Train project Arcola Energy recently presented an overview of the Scottish Hydrogen Train project, Gordon Stewart explores the role played by one of its consortium partners, Arup, in assessing the role and opportunities hydrogen-powered rail traction
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he project aims to prove that hydrogen can be safely and effectively used as a sustainable alternative to diesel trains in rural areas not planned for electrification.
Project overview Arup is part of a supply chain consortium tasked to deliver a production-ready and safety certified hydrogen powered train in time for COP26 in Glasgow later this year. Here Scotland will be showcasing a range of low-carbon innovations and technologies, including those in passenger transport – a traditionally challenging sector to decarbonise. Arup is providing several areas of expertise to the consortium, including specialist rail engineering to inform the safety case for the hydrogen train, and a Route to Market assessment for the integration of hydrogen trains on the Scottish passenger network. Overall, the project aims to prove that hydrogen can be safely and effectively used as a sustainable alternative to diesel trains in rural areas not planned for electrification. The project closely aligns with the Transport Scotland Rail Decarbonisation Services Action Plan, which sets out the challenge to remove diesel trains from the network by 2035. Arup’s involvement builds on the firm’s work with the Rail Safety and Standards Board to develop a roadmap for the entry into service of hydrogen trains on the UK rail network. The project is focused on converting a decommissioned Class 314 a train into hydrogen fuel cell train based at Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway. Hydrogen fuel cell power packs deliver zero-carbon emission performance, offering a replacement for diesel engines with uncompromised performance, improved efficiency, and quieter operation. Evidence from services abroad, such as in Germany, indicate that the high energy density of hydrogen enables long distances to be covered between refuelling. The conversion is intended to demonstrate the potential of using existing rolling stock to deliver future zero-emission passenger services through conversion, as opposed to the manufacture of new units.
The consortium, appointed by Transport Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the Hydrogen Accelerator (St Andrews University), is made up of industry-leaders in hydrogen, rail consulting and rail safety, including Arcola Energy, Arup, AEGIS and Abbott Risk Consulting. How does it work? The train will be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell – Arcola’s ‘A-Drive’ technology – which Arcola Energy have already deployed in other modes of transport including buses
and HGVs. The train will carry its energy on board, rather than relying on overhead lines, addressing the cost concerns inherent with electrifying rural routes. Energy is provided to power the train through the reaction between hydrogen (in the onboard tanks) and oxygen (in the ambient air). The only by-product of this reaction is water vapour, resulting in a clean, zero carbon at point of use alternative to the diesel trains currently in operation. Depending on the route characteristics, long distance journeys can be completed without refuelling. For longer
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