The world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train is officially launched this week made by Alstom, a French transport company. These train named 'Coradia iLint' will operate without the noise and air pollution in Germany starting next year.
This eco-friendly trains scheduled to operate and serve the routes of Buxtehude-Bremervorde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Its testing procedures will be implemented by the end of this year and access to the public will be opened in December 2017.
 |
| Coradia iLint Hydrail. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eKYxw) |
The train is powered by the giant lithium ion battery. Those batteries are powered by the hydrogen fuel tank mounted on the roof of the train. These energy storage devices become the pride of the developers, because it is controlled by an intelligent energy management system. There are also plans to provide plants that produce hydrogen are needed along the train route.
 |
| How the technology works. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eKYxw) |
"We will build a supply system suitable for the trains so they can refuel," said Jens Sprat, head of the department of urban transport in the company.
With the fully hydrogen tank (ie 94 kg/wagon), the trains named Hydrail can operate all day, or can cover a distance of up to 800 km with a maximum speed of 140 kph. Additionally, the Hydrail capable of carrying 300 passengers at a time, and will be fully hydrogen powered trains that serve long-distance service.
 |
| Coradia iLint Hydrail compartment atmosphere. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eKYxw) |
And best of all, Hydrail only produces water vapor and carbon emission free, so it do not pollute the air. Mean, this train offers an alternative vehicle with zero emissions to replace over more 4,000 German diesel trains.
According to the German newspaper, Die Welt, the transport authorities in Lower Saxony have so far ordered 14 units of iLint trains from Alstom. If the train proved successful, it is guaranteed there will be a lot more iLint trains are milling around the area of the country. Not surprisingly, because Germany is being intensively implement renewable energy use in all industry sectors. ••• [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ALSTOM | SCIENCEALERT]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
