Ballard Power Systems has received a purchase order from Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited for a FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell module and related support to power a HydroFLEX train in the UK.
The HydroFLEX will be the UK’s first fully sized hydrogen demonstrator train, which will showcase how hydrogen can be used to power a train that retains the ability to operate across existing electric routes, on either third rail or 25kV overhead power.
Earlier this year UK Rail Minister, Jo Johnson MP, challenged the rail industry to develop decarbonisation plans, with the objective of removing diesel-only trains for the network by 2040.
The HydroFLEX train was a response to this from Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham’s “Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education” (BCRRE). Porterbrook will provide a Class 319 electric train for conversion by BCRRE’s technical and research experts into a HydroFLEX hydrogen-powered train.
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