“TECNALIA will carry out safety assessments, leak analyses and CFD simulations of hydrogen dispersion, and ATEX classification for the new hydrogen train”
TECNALIA is working in collaboration with Talgo, Golendus, Ingeteam, Optimus3D, Repsol, Sener, Comillas Pontifical University and Adif to bring hydrogen propulsion to high-speed trains.
The HYMPULSO initiative is aimed at designing and building a renewable hydrogen fuel cell-based propulsion system for high-speed trains. Led by Talgo, the consortium aims to electrify the rail network with energy generated entirely from renewable sources, even on routes without overhead lines. TECNALIA will carry out safety assessments, leak analysis and CFD simulations of hydrogen dispersion, as well as ATEX classification for the new hydrogen train.
Dual-hybrid drive from hydrogen batteries
The goal is to develop, manufacture and test the dual-hybrid hydrogen-battery drive on a Talgo 250 train branch line, intended for long-distance operations on mixed sections: partially electrified and non-electrified. These trains have two power cars (CET by its Spanish acronym) each, which are currently used to generate electricity to power the drive units. They currently use diesel on the sections without overhead lines. Under this initiative, one of these diesel CETs will be replaced by one equipped with fuel cells and batteries, which will supply electricity to the locomotives from renewable hydrogen. The project will activate the entire renewable hydrogen value chain, from generation to consumption, in the railway system. It will also make it possible to analyse the impact that the future transition will have on different railway infrastructure assets. Hympulso is part of the “Value chain: design, demonstration and validation of hydrogen-powered mobility” call, one of the Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE by its Spanish acronym) for renewable energies, renewable hydrogen and storage (ERHA). **The HYMPULSE project has received funding from the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme.
