The First Hydrogen Train on the Spanish Railway Network
The Spanish tracks’ testing phase started with the first test run on the Zaragoza-Canfranc line, in the Aragonese Pyrenees. It will continue on lines in Madrid and Galicia.
The FCH2Rail project, in which a bi-mode demonstrator train with hydrogen fuel cells is being developed, has achieved an important milestone. It’s obtained authorisation to run in tests on the Spanish National Railway Network and has completed the first of the routes planned with the unit’s arrival at Canfranc station.
The demonstrator train is the first hydrogen train to achieve this milestone. This is an outstanding highlight because the Canfranc line is a particularly demanding line due to its steep and high gradients. They are a great challenge for new power generation systems.
To this end, the demonstrator train, a Renfe’s Civia commuter unit, has run on the Zaragoza-Canfranc line in electric mode, electrified area, and hybrid mode
To this end, the demonstrator train, a Renfe’s Civia commuter unit, has run on the Zaragoza-Canfranc line in electric mode, electrified area, and hybrid mode. This is done by combining energy from hydrogen fuel cells and batteries in the non-electrified sections.
A new stage of on-track testing is now underway to test the new technology in a wide range of power and energy demand conditions, simulating different commercial services.
To this end, the train is scheduled to run on lines of the Spanish Railway Network, mainly in Aragon, Madrid and Galicia. The test scenarios include running under different climatic and operating conditions.
This will allow a more complete characterisation of the new on-board technology
This will allow a more complete characterisation of the new on-board technology, for the subsequent evaluation of the competitiveness of the new bi-mode hybrid propulsion solution with hydrogen fuel cells as a sustainable alternative to the diesel traction currently used on many lines.
The FCH2Rail project is being carried out by a consortium of companies formed by CAF, DLR, Toyota, Renfe, Adif, CNH2, IP and Stemmann-Technik. The demonstrator train is based on one existing Renfe commuter train. CAF has installed a new power generation system that combines energy from hydrogen fuel cells and batteries.
This new power system has been integrated into the vehicle’s existing traction system. After the static testing phase at the CAF’s plant in Zaragoza and the first hydrogen refuelling, the dynamic tests began in mid-2022 on a closed track. It has served to optimise the new power system before the current testing phase on representative lines of the Spanish Railway Network.
The start of this new testing phase has meant the first authorisation from Adif for the circulation in tests of a hydrogen train on the Spanish Railway infrastructure
The start of this new testing phase has meant the first authorisation from Adif for the circulation in tests of a hydrogen train on the Spanish Railway infrastructure. It has passed all the risk analysis and safety validation processes inherent to the testing of new technologies.
At the same time, the train drivers and train managers from Renfe have received the necessary training to drive the CIVIA train converted to a bi-mode hydrogen train.
The success in developing this project confirms and reinforces the commitment of the companies. Those that make up the FCH2Rail consortium to the development of environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
Likewise, the project counts during this stage of the tests on the invaluable collaboration of companies such as IBERDROLA, in terms of the supply of green hydrogen for the train tests, SHIE-ARPA, providing a high-pressure hydrogen dispensing solution, and Ercros, a producer of green H2 for mobility applications, which has facilitated the use of its facilities in Sabiñanigo during the testing stage between Sabiñanigo and Canfranc.
