photo: Talgo press materials/Repsol and Talgo to jointly build a hydrogen-fueled train
The Spanish companies Repsol and Talgo have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of fuel rolling stock technology.
Repsol is the leading supplier of hydrogen in Spain. In November 2020, the company announced a strategic plan according to which the installed capacity of its hydrogen production facilities should reach 400 MW by 2025 and exceed 1.2 GW by 2030.
Repsol plans to use organic waste to produce biogas in its plants, which are expected to produce hydrogen. To this end, it is planned to put into operation two electrolysis plants with a capacity of 100 MW at the company's plant in Cartagena. Petronor, 86% owned by Repsol, will supply industrial complexes with hydrogen from renewable energy sources.
Talgo is already working on hydrogen trains. The Vittal One concept proposed by it is a modular solution based on which such trains can be developed for suburban and regional services.
In November 2022, the company plans to launch a demonstration of the Vittal One train. It will be powered by traction motors powered by fuel cells that generate electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen oxidation. The trains will operate on low-traffic lines that are not equipped with a catenary. Their implementation will allow avoiding harmful emissions of carbon compounds with minimal investment of time and money to build infrastructure.
The cooperation between the two companies will provide a complete solution to the problem of introducing hydrogen-powered rolling stock in Spain. Talgo is responsible for the design, production, and commissioning of new trains. Repsol is adapting its infrastructure to supply them with clean hydrogen produced by environmentally friendly technologies.
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