Hydrogen Trains and Energy Sustainability - Research Paper

Introduction

The modern world is on a general trend towards energy sustainability. Oil has been the fundamental source of energy to run transport vehicles and machines in industries. The declining oil reserves and increasing concerns on the environmental safety of fossil fuels have caused nations such as Germany to explore other sources of energy. In 2018, Germany introduced the Carodia iLint, a hydrogen-powered train. The train seeks to replace the old diesel trains that have been proven to pollute the environment through exhaust fumes. The hydrogen train cuts the emissions by up to 100% since the fuel used is renewable and burns to yield water vapor. Evaluation of the technical, environmental and social impacts of using hydrogen trains reveal their key strengths and fundamental weaknesses that countries might face in phasing out the old diesel trains. Hydrogen trains are the future of rail transport since they are cheaper to maintain, faster and safe for the environment since they run on renewable energy.

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Hydrogen trains are better than conventional diesel trains in technical analysis. Hydrogen trains such as the Carodia iLint in Germany are faster than conventional diesel trains. They produce much lower noise levels and can achieve considerably high speeds of up to 140km per hour (Alstom 2019). The invention of the diesel engine was a significant milestone for the development of the ancient world. Diesel engines were revolutionary and came at a time when the world needed efficient and cheaper means of transport. The steam engine was the primary energy source for trains in the early 19th century. However, steam trains were hugely inefficient. They would require tonnes of coal to run and emitted heavy fumes of carbon oxides. Diesel trains were faster and more powerful. However, the trend towards renewable energy caused the world to roll out their prospect as a means of future transportation.

Electric trains are the standard in most developed countries. However, they require power lines and a steady supply of high voltage to run their electric motors. Most countries that have power shortages cannot effectively run electric trains on their often-overloaded power grids (Urban Transport News, 2019). Alstom Rail produced the revolutionary Carodia iLint hydrogen train that eliminated the need for electric trains since modern trains would use hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogen train beats its diesel and electric trains counterparts in technical analysis. It can travel more than 1000 kilometre without the need to refuel.

Furthermore, hydrogen fuel is less bulky and uses up little space on board. Train companies will thus have more space to stack their cargo passenger seats. Moreover, the hydrogen train prototype has more accessibility and convenience than electric and diesel trains. The fuel cells are packed on its roof allowing it to have a low chassis (Urban Transport News, 2019). The low ground clearance will enable people on bicycles and wheelchairs to board the train with ease.

Hydrogen trains have a lesser adverse effect on the environment than trains that run on fossil fuels and electricity. Hydrogen fuel burns to form water vapor as the end product. Water vapor is safe for the environment as it rises and condenses in the atmosphere to form precipitation (Schlapbach, 2009). Traditional steam trains emitted harmful gases that sometimes leaked off the exhaust masts into the coaches. The incomplete oxidation of carbon from coal used in steam engines contributed to the destruction of the ozone layer and global warming (Railway Technology. 2018). Diesel trains would emit harmful gases such as oxides of carbon and nitrogen that contribute to air pollution. Hydrogen trains are emission free are their use in line with the global goal of enhancing the use of renewable energy.

Hydrogen trains are safer for the environment compared to electric trains. Electric trains often require huge loads of electricity to power their equipment and motors. The electricity is mostly obtained from hydroelectric and nuclear power plants (Jain, 2009). The two sources of electricity lead to adverse effects on the environment since their production destroys the natural aesthetic beauty of a landscape. Moreover, accidents sometimes happen and harmful pollutants such as radioactive isotopes are emitted to the environment. The hydrogen fuel cell solves all that because hydrogen exists as a free radical in the earth's atmosphere. Tapping and concentrating it in laboratories is less tedious and safer than having nuclear power stations to power electric trains (Urban Transport News, 2019). The Carodia iLint also has batteries that store electric current for use when the fuel cells are powered off.

Furthermore, diesel trains would occasionally emit free radicals into the atmosphere through the use of low-quality diesel containing heavy metals such as lead (Jain, 2009). Global environmental safety organizations had to initiate campaigns that created awareness on the dangers of using leaded fuel in the late 2000s. Most countries heeded the call and banned low-quality diesel from their diesel automobiles. Hydrogen trains allow an overhaul of the transport sector to more environment-sensitive strategies. However, further research is needed on the safety of the fuel on board and the means of refuelling.

Societies all over the world are bound to embrace hydrogen trains in the transport sector since the trains would enhance rail safety. Trains are one of the oldest modes of transport known to human civilization. Safety and infrastructure are the major factors to consider in the social analysis of hydrogen trains (Hoffrichter et al., 2015). The trains can be engineered to fit certain gauges in specific countries to prevent the need to make entirely new railways. Moreover, various nations may agree to use a standard gauge hydrogen train that rides on the preexisting rail network.

Hydrogen powered trains can be of great use in developing countries. The electric trains that are often used in developed countries such as Japan and China require power lines above the railway tracks. In developing countries such as India, power lines are scarce, and the only option is to use diesel trains (Staffell et al., 2019). However, hydrogen trains are the cheaper alternative since they do not require power lines to run but rather carry fuel onboard. Hydrogen trains can thus traverse jungles and underdeveloped areas particularly due to their high fuel range. The trains can reach deep rural areas and be used to tap into agricultural and mining hinterlands. Such social factors make hydrogen trains the best alternative to replace the diesel engine in rail locomotives.

Bimodal hydrogen-electricity trains could be used in countries where some of the rails are electrified (Staffell et al., 2019). These trains would switch between electricity and hydrogen depending on the sections of rail networks. For example, the United Kingdom faces challenges electrifying some of its rail networks due to tunnels and bridges where overhead cables are not practical. Bimodal trains would switch to hydrogen power in such sections and revert to electricity after clearing the tunnels and bridges. The move would eliminate the expensive need of re-engineering tunnels and bridges.

The only aspect of concern in using hydrogen fuel besides its storage is its production. There are various ways used to produce hydrogen fuel cells. Some methods of production such as steam methane forming produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct (Scott-Quinn, 2019). Carbon monoxide is toxic to humans and animals and must never be released into the environment. The gas is mostly pressurized and stored in cylinders for use in other industries. Hydrogen fuel cells can also be produced through electrolysis. However, the electrolytic cells would only be economical when run continuously to mass produce hydrogen (Scott-Quinn, 2019). The sustainability of hydrogen trains is thus reliant on the methods used to produce the fuel cells and management of byproducts.

Hydrogen trains are sustainable in the long run since they use renewable energy. They can be adopted in other countries after consideration of technical, environmental and social factors. They are more environmental-friendly than diesel trains and can travel faster with more range. Hydrogen trains require less infrastructure than electric trains and are thus the perfect option for developing countries. Hydrogen trains promote the global trend towards energy sustainability and the elimination of environmental pollution. Hydrogen is a clean fuel whose use is bound to heal the world off the adverse effects of energy pollution. More research and advancements in technology will make hydrogen fuel cells a competitive replacement for diesel and electricity powered trains.

References

Alstom. (2019). Coradia iLint - The world's 1st hydrogen-powered train. Retrieved from alstom.com/our-solutions/rolling-stock/coradia-ilint-worlds-1st-hydrogen-powered-train

Hoffrichter, A., Hillmansen, S., & Roberts, C. (2015). Conceptual propulsion system design for a hydrogen-powered regional train. IET Electrical Systems in Transportation, 6(2), 56-66.

Jain, I. P. (2009). Hydrogen the fuel for 21st century. International journal of hydrogen energy, 34(17), 7368-7378.Doi: 02/765-6612

Railway Technology. (2018). iLint: The World's First Hydrogen-Powered Train. Retrieved from https://www.railway-technology.com/features/ilint-worlds-first-hydrogen-powered-train/

Schlapbach, L. (2009). Technology: Hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Nature, 460(7257), 809.

Scott-Quinn, B. (2019). Hydrogen Trains are Coming - Can they get rid of Diesel for Good? The Conversation, Jan 30 2019. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/hydrogen-trains-are-coming-can-they-get-rid-of-diesel-for-good-110450

Staffell, I., Scamman, D., Abad, A. V., Balcombe, P., Dodds, P. E., Ekins, P., ... & Ward, K. R. (2019). The role of hydrogen and fuel cells in the global energy system. Energy & Environmental Science, 12(2), 463-491.

Urban Transport News. (2019). Hydrogen Train: Technical Information, Features, Design, Technology and Updates. Retrieved from https://urbantransportnews.com/hydrogen-train-technical-information-features-design-technology-and-updates/