Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently said that the hydrogen fuel-run train engine developed by Indian Railways has the maximum horsepower in the world.
Key Highlights of India’s Hydrogen Train Engine:
- World-Leading Performance:
- Horsepower: 1,200 HP, surpassing the 500–600 HP engines currently produced by the other four countries (Germany, France, Sweden, and China) in this field.
- Indigenous Development: Designed and developed using local technology, showcasing India’s engineering capabilities.
- Upcoming Trial Run:
- Location: Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
- Purpose: Evaluate the train’s performance and pave the way for widespread adoption.
Green Hydrogen:
- What is Green Hydrogen?
- Produced using renewable energy sources like solar and wind to electrolyze water, yielding hydrogen and oxygen.
- By-product: Water — unlike grey hydrogen, which emits CO₂ during production.
- Benefits:
- Decarbonization: Helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Versatility: Can be used in gaseous or liquid forms across various industries and transportation.
- Sustainability: Integral to achieving the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming.
Challenges:
- Cost Barrier:
- Green Hydrogen: Production costs remain high, making it less competitive than grey hydrogen (USD 1.23–2.47 per kg).
- Requires significant advancements in technology and scaling to reduce costs.
- Current Dominance of Grey Hydrogen:
- Derived from fossil fuels, contributing to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, especially in industries like fertilizer production, steel, petrochemicals, and electronics.
Opportunities for Green Hydrogen Adoption:
- Industrial Transformation:
- Replacement of grey hydrogen in industries such as urea synthesis, steel manufacturing, and petrochemicals can drastically cut emissions.
- Transportation Revolution:
- Hydrogen-powered trains, ships, and vehicles offer a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
- Indian Railways’ hydrogen engine is a game-changer in promoting sustainable transportation.
- Energy and Heating:
- Use of green hydrogen in power generation and heating systems can further reduce reliance on carbon-intensive fuels.
(Source: ET)
