Hydrogen trains in Italy moved a step closer to reality today with the news FS Italiane and Snam will collaborate on a study promoting hydrogen rail transport.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two companies will evaluate the technical and economic feasibility and consider new business models relating to the development of hydrogen rail transport in Italy.
The agreement is aimed at implementing analyses and feasibility studies and developing joint projects on railway lines that can be converted to hydrogen on the national territory.
In particular, FS Italiane and Snam will set up a working group with the aim of assessing possible pilot projects involving the replacement of fossil fuels with hydrogen.
The companies will experiment with innovative technological solutions related to the production, transport, compression, storage, supply and utilisation of hydrogen to contribute to the development of sustainable mobility, also by taking part in joint initiatives potentially object to financing or public tenders.
“We continue to innovate and develop safe and ecological mobility solutions that will allow new generations to live in a more sustainable and competitive country, according to a model that increasingly places people at the centre,” said Gianfranco Battisti, CEO and General Manager of Gruppo FS Italiane.
“Hydrogen rail transports are a fundamental innovation capable of increasing environmental sustainability for both freight and passengers’ transports on the remaining railway sections not yet electrified.”
Snam’s CEO Marco Alverà added, “With this agreement, we are taking an important step in promoting a hydrogen value chain in Italy starting from sectors that are crucial for decarbonisation such as the transport of people and goods.”
“Thanks to the collaboration between FS Italiane and Snam, we aim to create infrastructure to rapidly convert trains currently powered by diesel in Italy to hydrogen, thus gaining a technological leadership to be capitalised also at an international level.”
