The first hydrogen-powered train in the UK had its first mainline runs at the end of September. The train, known as HydroFLEX, was developed under a project headed by the University of Birmingham under the UK government’s Department for Transport.
Hydrogen-powered trains do not emit harmful gases but rather use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. The technology in the HydroFLEX train will be available by 2023 to retrofit existing diesel-powered trains and thereby de-carbonize the rail network and make train travel greener and more efficient.
The UK has ambitious plans for the use of hydrogen technology. The Department of Transport plans to publish a master plan in January that will outline how green hydrogen could power buses, trucks, rail, maritime, and aviation transport across the UK.
The HydroFLEX trial is taking place in Tees Valley in northeastern England and the plan is for that area to become a Hydrogen Transport Hub that will include the world’s largest versatile hydrogen refueling facility. The plans for Tees Valley involve academia, industry, and government participants. The next stages of the HydroFLEX project are well underway with the University of Birmingham developing a hydrogen and battery-powered module that can be fitted underneath a train to allow for more space for passengers in train cars.
The UK government’s Hydrogen for Transport Program is also funding a green hydrogen refueling station and 19 hydrogen-powered garbage trucks in Glasgow, Scotland.
The UK plans to switch to a net zero economy and their current program increasingly embraces hydrogen technology to provide more sustainable, greener forms of transportation.
***********
Web Links
UK embraces hydrogen-fueled future as transport hub and train announced
Photo, posted May 15, 2019, courtesy of Jeremy Segrott via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
Leave a Reply