BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hydrogen-powered trains are proving to be a "viable alternative" to fossil fuel-driven locomotives following the successful completion of the first hydrogen train trials in Spain and Portugal, Beatriz Nieto, head of the Engineering Unit at the National Hydrogen Center, said on Monday.

"The tests have confirmed that the technology is viable, and in the future, we may see hydrogen trains running across Spain, aligning with the goals set out in the country's hydrogen roadmap," said Nieto.

The Spanish commuter train, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, is the centerpiece of the FCH2Rail project backed by a consortium of European companies from Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal. The consortium includes major industry players such as CAF, DLR, Toyota, Renfe, Adif, CNH2, IP, and Stemmann-Technik.

"Hydrogen is an exceptional energy carrier - not only for the rail sector but for industry as a whole - playing a key role in decarbonization and supporting sustainability targets," Nieto added.

Testing of the hydrogen train began in mid 2022, initially on closed tracks to optimize the new system and equipment, before the project was authorized for testing on the Spanish national rail network.

The bulk of the trials took place in Spain's northern regions of Aragon and Galicia, with a significant milestone reached when the train crossed into Portugal for testing on its national rail network.

According to Nieto, hydrogen is "a perfect alternative" for rail routes that are not yet electrified.

"While many sections of railway in Spain and Europe are electrified, there are areas where, for technical or economic reasons, electrification is difficult or impossible. In such cases, hydrogen presents a highly viable replacement for diesel," Nieto explained.

Beyond decarbonization, Nieto highlighted hydrogen's environmental benefits, emphasizing its ability to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

Despite the positive results, Nieto cautioned that significant development is still required before hydrogen trains can become widespread. One of the primary hurdles is the need to establish refueling infrastructure across the rail network. ■