China tests hydrogen-powered locomotive

China’s first-ever high-power hydrogen-powered locomotive smoothly started its operation test in CHN Energy Xinshuo Railway Company.

It marks a significant breakthrough in the market-oriented application of high-power hydrogen energy power equipment for heavy-haul railways in China.

The gaps in the domestic industry were filled. Aiming at peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 (Dual Carbon Goals), this milestone advanced useful exploration and successful practice for the green revolution of production mode in heavy-haul railway on the fast track.

CHN Energy Group takes the lead in the pilot for the railway transport hydrogen-powered industry by making progress in the development of hydrogen-powered equipment for heavy-haul railways.

Xinshuo Railway Company and CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. jointly developed a high-power hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive, the first of its kind in China.

Modular, standardized and generalized design is utilized, while a scalable hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive technology platform is set up. In echo with different traction usage demands, a variety of power supply modes (hydrogen fuel supply, lithium battery and hybrid power supply) and different energy output strategies are realized.

With the designed speed of 100 km/h, instantaneous power at the wheel rim up to 2,400 kW and a maximum starting traction force of 560 kN, this locomotive is geared to the maximum traction load of 10,000 tons on the straight road and 5,000 tons on the ramp at slope gradient of 4‰.

With a total hydrogen capacity of 5,880L, under a full load of hydrogen, this locomotive could run continuously for more than 12 hours, with an endurance mileage of 800 kilometres. In the operation course, only water is emitted.

The locomotive could reduce fuel consumption by 164 tonnes/year and carbon dioxide emissions by 508 tonnes/year.

After all 21 shunting locomotives are upgraded by Xinshuo Railway Company, the annual carbon emissions could be reduced by 10,676 tons, which is equivalent to planting 584,000 trees. Positive contribution is