Sizing and Performance Analysis of Hydrogen- and Battery-Based Powertrains, Integrated into a Passenger Train for a Regional Track, Located in Calabria (Italy)

Petronilla Fragiacomo, Francesco Piraino, Matteo Genovese, Lorenzo Flaccomio Nardi Dei, Daria Donati, Michele Vincenzo Migliarese Caputi and Domenico Borello
Additional contact information
Petronilla Fragiacomo: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Francesco Piraino: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Matteo Genovese: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Lorenzo Flaccomio Nardi Dei: Trenitalia Spa, Piazze della Croce Rossa, 00161 Rome, Italy
Daria Donati: Trenitalia Spa, Piazze della Croce Rossa, 00161 Rome, Italy
Michele Vincenzo Migliarese Caputi: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Domenico Borello: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: In order to decarbonize the rail industry, the development of innovative locomotives with the ability to use multiple energy sources, constituting hybrid powertrains, plays a central role in transitioning from conventional diesel trains. In this paper, four configurations based on suitable combinations of fuel cells and/or batteries are designed to replace or supplement a diesel/overhead line powertrain on a real passenger train (the Hitachi Blues) tested on an existing regional track, the Catanzaro Lido–Reggio Calabria line (Italy), managed by Trenitalia SpA. (Italy). The configurations (namely battery–electrified line, full-battery, fuel cell–battery–electrified line, and fuel cell–battery) are first sized with the intention of completing a round trip, then integrated on board with diesel engine replacement in mind, and finally occupy a portion of the passenger area within two locomotives. The achieved performance is thoroughly examined in terms of fuel cell efficiency (greater than 47%), hydrogen consumption (less than 72 kg), braking energy recovery (approximately 300 kWh), and battery interval SOC.

Keywords: hydrogen; fuel cell-based powertrain; battery vehicle; railway decarbonization; performance analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/16/6004/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/16/6004/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:16:p:6004-:d:892081

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().