Why in NEWS
Indian Railways has tested its first hydrogen-powered coach under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” project at ICF Chennai.
Key Concepts and Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen Fuel Cell | A device converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, with water as byproduct. |
| Green Hydrogen | Hydrogen produced using renewable energy (e.g., solar/wind) via electrolysis. |
| Kavach | Indian Railway’s Automatic Train Protection system. |
| Electronic Interlocking (EI) | Automated system for controlling railway signals and routes. |
| Bio-toilets | Toilets using anaerobic bacteria to treat human waste without open discharge. |
Indian Railways: Hydrogen Coach Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai |
| Project | “Hydrogen for Heritage” |
| Conversion | 2 diesel power cars → Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based |
| Refuelling Station | 3,000 kg capacity at Jind, Haryana |
| Developer | Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) |
Why Hydrogen is a Game-Changer
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| High Energy Density | Ideal for long-distance, heavy-duty transport. |
| Zero Emissions | Only water vapor is emitted when used in fuel cells. |
| Supports Renewable Energy | Stores excess solar/wind power as hydrogen for later use. |
| Decarbonizes Hard Sectors | Useful in steel, cement, refining, etc., where electrification is tough. |
Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cell
| Sector | Use Case Example |
|---|---|
| Transport | Trains, cars, buses, trucks, drones |
| Stationary Power | Homes, data centers, backup power |
| Portable Power | Remote charging for devices |
| Industry | Forklifts, cranes in factories |
| Space Exploration | NASA spacecraft (e.g., Apollo missions) |
Other Tech Innovations in Indian Railways
| Area | Key Development |
|---|---|
| AI & Automation | ‘Gajraj’ elephant detector, AI surveillance in Namo Bharat |
| Safety | Kavach system, Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) |
| Signalling | Electronic Interlocking (EI), Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) |
| Sustainability | DRDO-developed bio-toilets on trains |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “Hi-GEN”
- H: Hydrogen Fuel Coach
- I: ICF Chennai
- G: Green Hydrogen Goal
- E: Emission-Free Travel
- N: National Hydrogen Mission
Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. What is the byproduct of hydrogen fuel cells?
a) CO₂
b) Methane
c) Water vapor
d) Nitrogen oxide
Q2. What is the purpose of Kavach in Indian Railways?
a) Improving sanitation
b) Detecting train wheel defects
c) Preventing train collisions and overspeeding
d) Managing station crowd
Q3. Green hydrogen is produced by:
a) Electrolysis using fossil fuels
b) Steam reforming
c) Electrolysis using renewable energy
d) Hydrogenation of natural gas
Prelims Answer Key with Explanation
| Qn | Ans | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c | Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water vapor and heat. |
| 2 | c | Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection system to avoid collisions. |
| 3 | c | Green hydrogen is produced via electrolysis using renewable energy sources. |
