Renfe, Gas Natural Fenosa, Enagás plan first LNG railroad traction pilot in Europe
Renfe, Gas Natural Fenosa and Enagás, in collaboration with InstitutCerdà, ARMF (Association for the Reconstruction of Railway Material) and Bureau Veritas, are preparing the first pilot test for locomotives powered by LNG in Europe, and the first in the world for passenger rail transport, in order to verify the feasibility of a solution with potential environmental and economic advantages for traffic currently running on diesel power. This innovation project will assess the feasibility of adapting locomotives to run with LNG engines and tanks, and the relevant technical, legal, economic and environmental analysis for the Spanish and European rail network.
The project, coordinated by InstitutCerdà and also involving ARMF as rail integrator and Bureau Veritas as the specialist inspection and certification company forms part of the Strategy for the promotion of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) in Spain 2014-2020, in line with the purpose and scope of Directive 2014/94/EU on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in Europe.
The agreement involves a pilot test being carried out with an LNG-powered engine on a locomotive from the Feve diesel train depot (2600) along a 20 km section between Trubia and Baiña stations, extending to Figaredo, in Asturias. For this purpose, the diesel engine on one of the two paired locomotive units will be replaced with one powered by natural gas, and tanks for storing LNG will be fitted, alongside other necessary auxiliary equipment.
The test will allow the results obtained for both diesel and gas technology to be compared, given that a locomotive running on each type of fuel will be used on the same train. This track test will be used to draw conclusions on technical requirements for space, weight, refrigeration, and autonomy for running on natural gas, as well as other considerations and comparative variables in emissions and operating economy.
Spain has had wide experience in LNG management, and its logistics system is being considered under the frameworks of action developed by the Ministries of Industry and Development under European directives, factors that may guarantee the security of supply for this potential market.
Renfe, Gas Natural Fenosa and Enagás are also assessing the possibility of presenting a second phase in this project for the CEF European funding, intended to support the financing and subsidising of innovation projects for the environmental improvement of transport systems along the core European rail network corridors.
https://www.ngvjournal.com/renfe-gas-natural-fenosa-enagas-plan-first-lng-railroad-traction-pilot/