Renfe, Gas Natural Fenosa and Enagás, in collaboration with Institut Cerdà, ARMF and Bureau Veritas, are preparing the first pilot test of rail traction with liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Europe, and the first in the world for passenger rail transport.
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(05/12/2016)
The project will assess the feasibility of adapting rail vehicles to run with LNG engines and tanks, and the relevant technical, legal, economic and environmental analysis for the Spanish and European rail networks.
The project 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.
2600 Class diesel railcar
The agreement involves a pilot test being carried out with an LNG-powered engine on a two-car diesel railcar along a 20 km metre gauge section in Asturias, in the north of Spain. 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.
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