Angel Trains, the UK’s largest rolling stock company, has partnered with the University of St Andrews to support the hydrogen train project.
On Friday 29 September, an event was held to celebrate the donation of a hydrogen electrolyser to the University by Angel Trains. This will form an integral part of ongoing, cutting-edge green hydrogen research based at the Eden Campus. A ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded the event, with industry professionals and government officials hearing speeches from Malcolm Brown (CEO of Angel Trains), Dr Paul Webb (University of St Andrews), and Professor John Irvine (University of St Andrews) on a greener future and how the electrolyser would support research at the University.
CEE Member and lead-researcher on the Hydrogen Train project, Professor John Irvine said: “It’s wonderful to get the chance to thank Angel Trains for their generous contribution and celebrate the continued research this has allowed us to carry out.”
“To ramp-up the deployment of zero emission technologies, it is imperative that we collaborate with commercial organisations who are making decisions about long-term assets. I’d like to commend Angel Trains for actively engaging with us in our efforts towards achieving a more sustainable rail sector”.
The donation of the hydrogen electrolyser follows the support that Angel Trains provided to the University, and other industry partners, in delivering Scotland’s first zero-emission hydrogen-powered train. The project entailed the conversion of a three-car Class 314 train to a hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain. The electrolyser was key to enabling the trial to successfully demonstrate how a green-energy fuel cycle would work, which is a major step in getting hydrogen-powered trains off the ground.
The Zero Emissions project also marked a significant step forward for the industry in laying the foundations for the future of rail travel, creating cleaner transport, and supporting the drive to achieve net zero targets by 2045.
