SA accelerates towards zero-emission public transport with train and bus trials

Sunday, 30 July 2023

The State Government will showcase a clean, green public transport future with hybrid trains and hydrogen buses to join a full-battery electric bus as the latest technology to be trialled across the network.

A ground-breaking, two-year hydrogen bus trial will involve two vehicles based at the Morphettville bus depot deployed on routes across Adelaide from late August.

The first of these hydrogen buses has arrived in Adelaide, wrapped in a striking green decal.

In collaboration with Foton Mobility, BOC and H2H Energy, operator Torrens Transit will then begin internal testing of two Foton Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses from the Morphettville depot before being released for operation.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses (HFCB) represent a rapidly emerging, green alternative technology.

HFCB trials and fleet implementations are increasingly occurring across public transport networks globally from London to Beijing and Cologne – which has a similar population size to Adelaide.

The benefits of hydrogen-powered vehicles over battery electric buses include faster refuelling and greater range, which may be critical to delivering services to the outer metro areas and into the regions.

Hydrogen complements battery electric vehicle technology by providing a viable cleaner, greener, emissions-free technology that can power buses, trains or other heavy vehicles carrying heavy loads.

Hydrogen fuel carries significantly more energy than the equivalent weight of batteries, which is important as the State Government evaluates future technology options, including powering trains on the Belair, Outer Harbor lines and Grange and Port Dock connections.

Initial testing of a prototype hybrid-diesel railcar is progressing well, with a second railcar fitted with the new Energy Storage and Recovery System. These railcars have been coupled together and the testing of the two-car train set is now underway.

This two-car train set is the first of 44 diesel railcars expected to be fitted with the hybrid system, with the trains to run on the Outer Harbor, Grange and Belair lines.

This new system works by storing kinetic energy generated when the train brakes to an onboard battery, converting it into electrical energy to power normal train operations – decreasing stress on the engine and fuel consumption by approximately 16 per cent.

The battery will also be used instead of the diesel engine to supply auxiliary loads (power for lighting and air-conditioning, for example) at the train platform within Adelaide Railway Station to reduce noise, emissions and air pollution.

The first train is expected to be introduced into passenger service in coming weeks.

Installation of the Energy Storage and Recovery System on the remaining trains will be progressively rolled out, with all trains expected to be in passenger service with the new system by mid-2024.

Once fully installed, Adelaide Metro will save an estimated 2,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Adelaide Metro also continues to make significant steps towards a zero-emissions future across its bus fleet, with testing of the state’s first full battery electric bus already well underway.

As well as being better for the environment, full battery electric buses offer a range of benefits for passengers. They offer more space and better comfort and accessibility, while eliminating noise and fuel-based pollution.

A further five full-battery electric buses are on order, pending the results of this trial.

Adelaide Metro is committed to transitioning to a zero-emissions public transport system to support the State Government’s net zero emissions by 2050 target.