Adif, Renfe and CAF have announced that the FCH2RAIL project has begun testing its bi-mode hydrogen demonstrator train on the Torralba-Soria line in Spain.
This follows its first successful tests on Spain’s General Interest Railway Network (RFIG), which began in May on the section between Zaragoza and Canfranc.
These tests aim to prove the reliability and efficiency of the new vehicle and its technology, which can contribute towards a more sustainable rail transport system.
Specifically, the tests on the Soria line have been designed to evaluate its performance within a greater range of power and energy demand conditions while simulating different commercial services.
The FCH2Rail demonstrator train is powered using fuel cells and battery storage and can also operate under catenary power on electrified sections of the line.
This project is a collaboration between Adif as the infrastructure administrator; Renfe as the operator; and CAF as the manufacturer, who converted the CIVIA 463 train. It also includes participation from the German Aerospace Institute (DLR), Toyota, the National Hydrogen Center (CNH2), Infrastructure of Portugal (IP) and Stemmann Technik (STT).
The project started in early 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. It has a budget of 14 million EUR, which includes 10 million EUR in funding from the European Commission’s Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
