Plans for Italy's first hydrogen trains announced by Alstom
Renowned transport company Alstom has announced plans to supply six hydrogen fuel cell trains to Italian transport group Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM)
We’ve seen the importance of renewable energy for our future throughout the news in the past few weeks and Alstom are continuing this with their recent announcement. The trains will be Italy’s first powered by hydrogen and will be worth approximately £143M in total, with an option for eight more trains.
The hydrogen trains will use the same fuel cell propulsion technology that was introduced by the Coradia iLint – the world’s first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. This zero-emission train emits low levels of noise, with exhaust being only steam and condensed water.
The iLint is special for its combination of different innovative elements: clean energy conversion, flexible energy storage in batteries, and smart management of traction power and available energy. Specifically designed for operation on non-electrified lines, it enables clean, sustainable train operation while ensuring high levels of performance.
Alstom’s Coradia iLint has already been in passenger service in Germany and the Netherlands, with trials conducted in Austria.
The Italian order follows the announcement that Deutsche Bahn will trial a new hydrogen regional train and fuelling station, in partnership with Siemens Mobility.
The project will feature the newly designed train and specially-developed refuelling and maintenance infrastructure. This will involve a trial in 2024 in the region around the city of Tübingen, where a diesel-powered service between Tübingen, Horb, and Pforzheim will be replaced by the hydrogen train.
The Italian trains are expected to match the operational performance of diesel trains and will match the high standard of comfort of the electric version.
Alstom Europe senior vice president Gian Luca Erbacci stated:
“This development confirms Alstom’s role in defining the future of mobility. These trains, together with the Coradia iLint that have already proven themselves in commercial service in Germany, represent another major step in the transition towards global sustainable transport systems. I take this opportunity to congratulate FNM for demonstrating that they are a leader in this area.”
Prime minister Boris Johnson also backed hydrogen transport in his ten-point green plan earlier this month.
