TALGO is to lead a consortium of 10 Spanish companies and organisations which have formed a joint venture to develop the world’s first hydrogen-powered high-speed train. The Hympulso project will be based on the existing Talgo 250 bi-mode, with the addition of a new hybrid power car, combining hydrogen fuel cells and batteries.
The project has been awarded a grant of €6.5m from the Incentive Programme for the Innovative Value Chain and Knowledge of Renewable Hydrogen, part of Spain’s national Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
Hympulso aims to produce a working prototype bi-mode gauge-changing train that can run on conventional as well as high-speed lines, using hydrogen and battery power as well as overhead electrification where available.
The existing Talgo 250 design will be modified so that one of the two diesel-electric propulsion vehicles located at the end of each train will be replaced by a new one that combines battery and hydrogen technology.
Other partners in the programme include Golendus and Repsol, which are responsible for developing static and mobile hydrogen supply plants, respectively. Ingeteam will design and manufacture reversible high-power converters, capable of charging the batteries from catenary, while Optimus3D will develop new, more efficient and durable materials. EPowerlabs will focus on electric traction system development.
Sener will be responsible for overall risk analysis and operational simulation. Comillas Pontifical University and Tecnalia will collaborate with the development team, while infrastructure manager Adif will take on the role of observer and also develop specifications for safety-related requirements for all parts of the project.
The likely overall cost of the Hympulso project and a detailed development timescale have not yet been revealed.
