Hello Hydro: Recognition For Rail Industry Green Innovation

Just a few days ago I was talking about solar cars which, when not in use, give back energy to power people’s homes. Genius technology? Clever yes but driven by common sense.

Clean, environmentally friendly, serving a purpose and doing it more efficiently and powered by nature — sustainability is, quite literally, the driving factor for solar-powered cars.

This week we welcome the news that Hydrogen-powered trains, arguably the greenest trains ever to lay wheel on track, are now live. Testing has begun and so begins a new era for rail.

These Hydroflex trains have been described as mini power stations on wheels. The good news is, they don’t emit harmful gases. Hydrogen and oxygen produce electricity, water and heat for this new-generation green rolling stock, and, if things go to plan, they’ll leave diesel trains in the sidings.

While they’re not fully ‘green’ they are a giant step forward, and their design is destined to be developed and refined until their environmental credentials are of the highest order.

There are challenges still outstanding. The hydrogen tanks, fuel cell and batteries sit inside a carriage that should be carrying people or goods. The earliest mobile phones had batteries carried in a separate briefcase: it cannot be inconceivable that technology to solve these issues will be developed fast.

We’re not there yet, but we are going the right way.

A quarter of the UK’s trains run solely off diesel and the government wants them gone by 2040. The argument that trains are greener has to work harder if we’re to convince people to ditch their fossil-fuelled cars for fossil-fuelled rail. This new technology, when it eventually comes online widely, makes it harder to deny the green trade off when we ditch the car for the train.

However. There is the technology and infrastructure outside the train to consider.

Diesel-powered trains are a necessity in the UK where two thirds of our rail lines do not have overhead cabling required by electric trains.

Our trains have to run off electricity where there are overhead cables and diesel the rest of the time. It’s not the best solution for the environment, but it will be around until hydrogen comes along.

The hope is that the new hydro-trains will be carrying passengers in the UK in two years.

I also hope that the rail industry gets a public pat on the back for its innovation and determination when so often it is criticised. Here is an industry looking at what is wrong, how to fix it and going for it. It has to be sustainable for its business to survive.

We all do.