Saudi Arabia will start testing the first hydrogen train in the Middle East, the country’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Sunday, according to a Reuters report.
“It will likely be on trial for the upcoming several months starting the following week. During the UN MENA Climate Week in Riyadh, a government official announced, “We will have the first hydrogen train in the Middle East.
A unique type of train known as a hydrogen train uses hydrogen fuel cells to produce energy and power its motor system. Compared to standard diesel-powered trains, these ones are more ecologically friendly because they emit no pollutants when in operation.
How Do They Work?
A response sets everything in motion. In hydrogen fuel cells, energy is generated by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Inside hydrogen trains, high-pressure tanks are used to store the hydrogen gas.
In the fuel cell, the stored hydrogen reacts with airborne oxygen to produce electricity, with the sole waste being water vapor. This electricity powers the electric motors that turn the train’s wheels.
The locomotive is propelled by its electric motors, which allow the train to move. Similar performance and speed levels may be reached by hydrogen trains compared to diesel or electric ones.
How far a hydrogen train can go depends on the amount of its hydrogen tanks. Hydrogen trains are suitable for long-distance transportation since they can be refueled similarly to diesel trains.
The fundamental advantage of hydrogen trains is that their emission is limited to harmless water vapor, which has no negative impacts. They are thus a safe and responsible option for train transportation.
Hydrogen trains are becoming increasingly prevalent in areas attempting to lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote cleaner transportation choices. They are especially useful in places where it is impractical or expensive to install overhead wires or third rails to electrify railway tracks.
But the infrastructure for generating, storing, and transporting hydrogen has to be improved if hydrogen trains are to be widely used. The first Middle Eastern hydrogen train will be tested by Saudi Arabia next week, which is a huge step in the right direction.
The First Train Made Entirely Of Hydrogen
The “Coradia iLint” was the first passenger train to ever travel on a hydrogen-only fuel source. It was developed and is currently operated by the French multinational rail transportation company Alstom.
In reality, its debut in 2016 marked a turning point in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology for trains. Depending on the model and circumstances, the train can travel 600 miles (about 1,000 kilometers) on a single tank of hydrogen today. It is intended for regional and commuter rail service, so it can usually carry a comparable number of passengers to traditional diesel trains.
