As part of COP26, the University of St Andrews’ hydrogen train project was showcased to invited guests from around the world.
Visitors came to Bo’ness’s rail heritage centre, where the train is based, to see progress on Scotland’s first hydrogen train which is being developed by a consortium including the University of St Andrews, Arcola Energy, Arup, Aegis, Abbott Risk Consulting and Angel Trains.
The project, part of the University’s school of chemistry Hydrogen Accelerator study, entails the conversion and re-use of a 40-year-old three car class 314 train to a hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain.
University of St Andrews quaestor and factor, Derek Watson, said: “It’s good to open the eyes of the world to show that hydrogen is a viable fuel for the future.
“We have to help drive society towards a more sustainable future, eliminating or replacing carbon wherever we can, and that is in all aspects of our lives whether that is in transport, in buildings or in what we buy – sustainability is key.”
The project is funded by Transport Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. It is designed to showcase the reuse of existing rolling stock, creating new supply opportunities and skills creation for the emerging green economy, while reducing emissions from the Scottish rail sector.
Professor John Irvine, of the school of chemistry at the University of St Andrews, who is leading the project, said: “This is a real demonstration of clean energy – it’s showing how we can make an energy transition.
“I’m particularly proud that we are developing a hydrogen train using an old vehicle rather than creating a brand-new hydrogen train.
“As the intention is to use this train on lines in Scotland where there is no possibility of electrification, lines that are not heavily used, we might never regenerate the energy we put into building a new hydrogen train, whereas by converting trains to hydrogen we are showing vision and saving energy.”
The Scottish government has set a target date to decarbonise passenger rail transport by 2035. Hydrogen is being proposed as a replacement fuel for trains where it is uneconomical to electrify rail routes. Hydrogen also has the potential to replace diesel as a fuel for buses and other vehicles.
Furthermore, the University of St Andrews has set a target of being net zero by 2035.
