China's first converted hydrogen-powered locomotive rolls off the line at CRRC

The "Ningdong", China's first hydrogen-powered locomotive converted from an internal combustion engine, rolled off the line at the CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC), on June 15. The locomotive is now one of the world's most powerful hydrogen-powered locomotives.

The successful delivery marks a new peak for China's hydrogen energy application and conversion technology, and it means the country is able to transform diesel locomotives into green and intelligent locomotives.

With new technologies, new businesses, and new models, CRRC works to conduct in-depth research on products, innovations, and technologies, and continues to provide China and the world with green and intelligent technologies and solutions.

To replace the diesel locomotives in service on the Ningdong Railway, the CRRC Datong subsidiary - the designer and manufacturer of the hydrogen-powered locomotive, established the Xichuang Hydrogen Power Technology Collaboration Alliance with Ningxia Ningdong Railway Co., Ltd. and other enterprises. Thanks to the multi-party cooperation, the "Ningdong" hydrogen-powered locomotive came into being.

China's first hydrogen-powered locomotive "Ningdong".

The converted locomotive contains the largest fuel cell of any train around the world, with a capacity of 800kW. The power can increase to 2,000kW for different needs with various fuel cell types.

The power battery is compatible with lithium titanate, lithium iron phosphate and other battery types, and can be flexibly configured according to operating conditions as well as users' economic and performance requirements.

The locomotive has a hydrogen storage system capable of holding a maximum of 270 kilograms of hydrogen supply that can be refueled in two hours. It could run continuously for up to 190 hours. It is environmentally-friendly, and it emits no carbon dioxide or other pollutants with water being its only discharge.

Since it runs with a better mute effect, it improves the comfort of drivers and passengers. Also, compared to the traditional locomotive with an internal combustion engine, the hydrogen-powered locomotive is also more efficient in energy conversion.

Through the renovation and repair of the old diesel locomotive body, bogie and other components, the life of components has been extended. After the expansion configuration, 90 percent of diesel locomotives can be converted to hydrogen-powered locomotives, greatly extending the service period of a locomotive.

In addition, as hydrogen-powered locomotives can operate without pantograph-catenary, it will save the cost of electrification transformation and construction for users.