Ningdong, the first hydrogen locomotive in China converted from a diesel engine, was launched at CRRC’s subsidiary Datong on June 15.
Ningdong is touted as the world’s most powerful hydrogen locomotive, with the potential to replace most fossil fuel-powered engines currently in use, according to SCMP. It can carry 270 kg of hydrogen and operate continuously for up to 190 hours.
Hydrogen locomotive converted from a diesel engine. (Photo: Weibo/SCMP)
The new locomotive is equipped with a hydrogen storage system that can refuel in two hours and operates at a lower cost, according to Liang Zhenzhong, the deputy general manager and chief engineer of CRRC Datong. “Hydrogen is a clean, renewable energy source. The operating cost of hydrogen-powered locomotives is only about half that of diesel engines,” he stated.
China has over 7,800 diesel locomotives powered by fossil fuels, accounting for 36% of the country’s total locomotives. CRRC’s technology has the potential to replace more than 90% of these engines.
Hydrogen holds great potential for reducing emissions because, unlike fossil fuels, it does not produce pollutants or greenhouse gases. The only byproducts emitted by hydrogen-powered vehicles are heat and water.
The hydrogen locomotive operates when hydrogen interacts with oxygen in a fuel cell, a reaction that generates steam and electricity. The fuel cell and hydrogen tank are typically placed on the roof of the train.
Hydrogen can be produced from various sources such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable energy. When produced from renewable energy sources, hydrogen is referred to as “green hydrogen”, making the entire process clean and sustainable.
The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train began commercial operation in Germany in 2018 and has traveled over 220,000 km across 8 European countries as of January, according to the train manufacturer, the French company Alstom.
China plans to promote the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles, aiming for 50,000 fuel cell vehicles by 2025, according to the National Development and Reform Commission’s plan from March 2022. The country also aims to build hydrogen refueling stations and produce 100,000 to 200,000 tons of green hydrogen annually by 2025.
In December 2022, CRRC unveiled a hydrogen-powered train in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwestern China. The local newspaper Chengdu Daily introduced it as the fastest train of its kind in the world, with a speed of 160 km/h. The train’s fuel cell allows it to travel 600 km—sufficient for a day’s use without refueling.
