Energy demand and emission production comparison of electric, hydrogen and hydrogen-hybrid light rail trains

This article focuses on whether hydrogen-power technology is suitable for light rail operation and how a hydrogen-powered train’s energy use and emission production compare with a conventional electric light rail train. The results of the simulations indicate that a hydrogen train and a hydrogen-hybrid train are technically feasible for operation on the Blue Line Extension light rail project. Both concept trains complete a round-trip journey quicker than the electric train and have similar power-to-weight ratios. Due to increased mass and volume requirements, the hydrogen and hydrogen-hybrid trains require additional energy at the wheels for propulsion, 10.1% and 10.7% more, respectively. The electric train, due to improved efficiencies throughout the energy pathway, uses substantially less feedstock energy. The hydrogen and hydrogen-hybrid trains produce 162% and 85% more CO2 emissions per year, respectively, than the electric train. Overall, while operational performance is comparable, the hydrogen or hydrogen-hybrid train does not meet the energy use and emission production standards necessary for adoption of a renewable technology at this time.