By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Chennai, SRM University – AP, Amaravati and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) of Indian Railways have signed a MoU in Chennai on Saturday to jointly develop a fuel cell-based train prototype.

D Narayana Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, SRM University AP Amaravati and B Chandrasekhar, Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer, Integral Coach Factory, Chennai have signed the MoU.Several technical challenges will arise while designing and developing the hydrogen-powered train and will be overcome by the continuous efforts of ICF engineers and SRM faculty and students. This exciting and challenging project on switcher coach is expected to be completed by March or April 2019 and operate between loco, shell and furnishing units of ICF.

The fuel cell driven passenger train is expected to operate for public transportation by December 2019. The proposed fuel cell powered train will have Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) coupled with lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors.

Hydrogen-based PEM Fuel Cell is one of the best renewable energy sources with increasing efficiency and with zero carbon dioxide emissions. Parallel development of fuel cell powered switcher coach of 100 horsepower as locomotive will be developed along with the passenger train with two coaches. Each coach of 65 passenger capacity operating at a speed of 75 kmph.