Vancouver Canada based Ballard Power Systems has announced a fuel cell module order from leading rail system integrator Medha Servo Drives, who has been contracted by Indian Railways to develop India’s first hydrogen powered trains. The two retrofitted diesel-electric commuter trains will integrate 8 units of 100 kW FCmoveTM-HD+, Ballard’s latest fuel cell technology, which offers improved efficiency and power density than previous module generations.The contract to provide the hydrogen-powered trains was awarded to Medha as a first step in Indian Railways’ path to achieve their net zero ambitions. The fuel cell modules are expected to be shipped in 2023, with trains scheduled to go into service in 2024, with potential for additional retrofits following the initial deployment.Indian Railways estimate their investment in the hydrogen fuel cell project to have a payback of less than two years as the cost of hydrogen is now less than diesel. These conversions are not only expected to be more economic than their diesel counterpart, but also reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 11 metric tons and eliminate nearly a metric ton particulate matter per year.Medha is an R&D focused company dedicated to design, development, manufacture, supply and service of Railway products. It has been established in 1984 and has been supplying various products to Indian Railways since 1990. Medha has designed and manufactured various world-class high-tech electronics products for application on locomotives, trainsets, coaches, railway stations and yards. Medha’s strength lies in designing, customizing and integrating systems that involve multiple functional domains such as control electronics, power electronics, fail safety and mechanical construction.
Vancouver Canada based Ballard Power Systems has announced a fuel cell module order from leading rail system integrator Medha Servo Drives, who has been contracted by Indian Railways to develop India’s first hydrogen powered trains. The two retrofitted diesel-electric commuter trains will integrate 8 units of 100 kW FCmoveTM-HD+, Ballard’s latest fuel cell technology, which offers improved efficiency and power density than previous module generations.The contract to provide the hydrogen-powered trains was awarded to Medha as a first step in Indian Railways’ path to achieve their net zero ambitions. The fuel cell modules are expected to be shipped in 2023, with trains scheduled to go into service in 2024, with potential for additional retrofits following the initial deployment.Indian Railways estimate their investment in the hydrogen fuel cell project to have a payback of less than two years as the cost of hydrogen is now less than diesel. These conversions are not only expected to be more economic than their diesel counterpart, but also reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 11 metric tons and eliminate nearly a metric ton particulate matter per year.Medha is an R&D focused company dedicated to design, development, manufacture, supply and service of Railway products. It has been established in 1984 and has been supplying various products to Indian Railways since 1990. Medha has designed and manufactured various world-class high-tech electronics products for application on locomotives, trainsets, coaches, railway stations and yards. Medha’s strength lies in designing, customizing and integrating systems that involve multiple functional domains such as control electronics, power electronics, fail safety and mechanical construction.
