Asked by: Stewart, Kevin (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen Central)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the use of hydrogen-powered trains in Scotland.
Answered by Martin, Gillian - Minister for Energy and the Environment
As set out in our Hydrogen Action Plan, hydrogen in the transport sector could act as a complementary energy source alongside electrification, providing an option to parts of the transport sector such as parts of the rail network, when full electrification is challenging.
Transport Scotland has encouraged the use of hydrogen-powered trains in Scotland by continuing to engage with train fleet owners on the subject, with sector working groups developing the understanding of the safe and economically viable means to deploy hydrogen trains, and with other parts of Scottish Government and agencies including Scottish Enterprise, in developing understanding of potential demand and possible transition scenarios.
Mentions:
1: Katherine Fletcher (Con - South Ribble) The line that the trains use stops at Ormskirk, because buffers have been put up. - Speech Link
2: Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) The Government are supporting the development of battery and hydrogen technology in rail through innovation - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Bill Wiggin (Con - North Herefordshire) There will never be an electric digger that is even half as good as the hydrogen-powered JCB backhoe. - Speech Link
2: Bill Wiggin (Con - North Herefordshire) to deliver better public transport.And now for trains: oh, dear! - Speech Link
3: Bill Wiggin (Con - North Herefordshire) I will, before I steam on to trains. - Speech Link
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to explore green hydrogen as a solution to railway emissions.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Transport Decarbonisation plan has committed to delivering a net zero rail network by 2050, with an ambition to remove all diesel-only trains from the network by 2040. While Government expects electrification to remain the dominant zero emission technology, the government supports the deployment of alternative traction such as battery and hydrogen to decarbonise the network where it makes operational and economic sense.
Through the First of a Kind competition, the Department granted £750,000 to facilitate trials of the UK's first hydrogen-powered train, HydroFLEX, to enable a better understanding the operational feasibility of hydrogen trains. The government welcomes further innovation of hydrogen technology for the railway and will keep this under review. The Department will continue to work with the Great British Railway Transition Team to develop future options to decarbonise the railway.
Mentions:
1: Gavin Newlands (SNP - Paisley and Renfrewshire North) to be the dominant fuel source for aviation beyond SAFs, we also need hydrogen infrastructure. - Speech Link
2: Sarah Edwards (Lab - Tamworth) Surely, that incompatibility will result in HS2 trains running slower and in fewer trains per hour for - Speech Link
3: Barry Sheerman (LAB - Huddersfield) Will the ministerial team stop briefing against hydrogen combustion engines? - Speech Link
4: Mark Harper (Con - Forest of Dean) I have looked at the fantastic work that is being done developing hydrogen. - Speech Link
Feb. 27 2024
Source Page: Boost for UK hydrogen as government backs world-leading industryFound: Boost for UK hydrogen as government backs world-leading industry
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the roll-out of (a) hydrogen and (b) battery power technologies on emissions from trains.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Battery and hydrogen trains can play an important role in decarbonising the rail network. As set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, published in July 2021, both hydrogen and battery trains will be considered alongside electrification and we will look to deploy the most suitable technology for each rail line considering capability and value for money. The government is supporting the development of alternative traction technologies through innovation funding and research, including working with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to better understand safety and other operational and technical considerations to enable smooth entry of battery and hydrogen trains to the network.
Written Evidence Apr. 16 2024
Committee: Transport Committee (Department: Department for Transport)Found: RRB0050 - Scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill Angel Trains Written Evidence
Mentions:
1: Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) Nevertheless, we expect substantial continued demand for new trains. - Speech Link
2: Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) Let me be clear: the order for HS2 was for 54 trains. - Speech Link
3: Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) up in Derby—South Western trains and East Midlands trains—and they are good-quality trains. - Speech Link
4: Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) As I have mentioned, it has a share in the order for the 54 HS2 trains. - Speech Link
5: Greg Smith (Con - Buckingham) or hydrogen trains that are fit for the modern age. - Speech Link
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to draw on academic expertise to help deliver financially sustainable rail infrastructure in developing countries.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO funds academic research into transport in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Rail examples include 1) the High-Volume Transport programme supporting modelling on the viability of hydrogen engines for rail lines in Africa and research into more resilient infrastructure and systems, including rail; and 2) the ieConnect programme evaluating mobility impacts of rail construction in Dakar, Senegal. Both programmes' research includes safety and accessibility of trains for women, girls and people with disabilities.
The Green Cities and Infrastructure Centre of Expertise will use this evidence to advise partner governments on infrastructure policies and investments in large scale urban infrastructure projects.