Amaravati and SRM Institute of Science and Technology on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Integral Coach Factory(ICF) under the Ministry of Railways situated at Chennai for creating a Fuel Cell-based Train Prototype.
According to the Memorandum, "Fuel cells have higher efficiency than fossil fuel engines. These also operate silently, compared to internal combustion engines. Hydrogen-based Fuel cells can also eliminate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels since they do not produce carbon dioxide when they are in use".
SRM is responsible for conceptualizing and creating the energy storage systems including the fuel cells, Batteries, supercapacitors, DC/DC converters and control systems.
On the other hand, Integral Coach Factory shall develop equipment beyond the DC link for the switcher in the coaches.
Further, the proposed cell powered train will have Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell coupled with lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors.
"Hydrogen-based PEM Fuel Cell is one of the best renewable energy sources with increasing efficiency and with zero carbon dioxide emissions. Parallel development of fuel cell powered switcher coach of 100 horsepower as locomotive will be developed along with the passenger train with two coaches. Each coach of 65 passenger capacity operating at a speed of 75 km per hour", says Dr. D. Narayana Rao, Pro VC, SRM University, AP Amaravati.
The main prototype is expected to be developed and in place by December 2018 and the fuel cell-driven passenger train is expected to operate for public transportation by December 2019.
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