Experts warn of technical challenges, while neighbors in the eighth region are considering the possibility.
The last frontal system that hit the Biobío Region not only left streets flooded and power outages, but also a question that directly affects thousands of passengers: How to ensure the operation of the Biotrén in the midst of electrical emergencies? The proposal that has emerged as a possible solution: to provide it with autonomy through the use of green hydrogen.
Congresswoman Maria Candelaria Acevedo (PC) recently sent a letter to the State Railway Company (EFE) requesting concrete progress in the exploration of this energy alternative.
“We know about the Biotrén capacity expansion project on Line 2, which contemplates the reinforcement of the power supply, but this does not ensure the continuity of the service. That is why I proposed to accelerate the work with the Ministry of Transport, the National Hydrogen Institute and the company Hydrox, who already signed a second agreement last October to develop hydrogen-powered trains,” he explained.
Green Hydrogen Trains
This type of train not only allows them to operate independently of the electricity grid, but also reduces polluting emissions. Germany, France, Sweden and China already have hydrogen-powered railway systems, which demonstrates their technological feasibility.
From EFE, meanwhile, they pointed out tersely that “regarding the official letter, we will wait to receive it formally and then we will give answer to what is raised or requested there”.
The challenges of hydrogen
However, from the technical field there are also warnings. Andrea Moraga Paredes, manager of the Hydrogen and Sustainability Unit of the Technological Research Institute of the University of Concepción, pointed out that, although the technology already exists in Chile, with a locomotive running partially on green hydrogen, its application is not so simple.
“Hydrogen is not a universal solution. It has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis how convenient and costly it is. For autonomy, it may be feasible, but a stable supply system would have to be ensured. If the hydrogen is produced locally and there is a power outage, it could not be generated either, so it would not work as a backup in emergencies,” he explained.