IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i7p1743-d1624817.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Safety Analysis of Hydrogen-Powered Train in Different Application Scenarios: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Lei Xu

    (CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266111, China)

  • Yankun Li

    (CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266111, China)

  • Wenchao Zhang

    (CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266111, China)

  • Tiancai Ma

    (School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
    Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Xiuhui Jing

    (School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
    Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

Abstract

Currently, there are many gaps in the research on the safety of hydrogen-powered trains, and the hazardous points vary across different scenarios. It is necessary to conduct safety analysis for various scenarios in order to develop effective accident response strategies. Considering the implementation of hydrogen power in the rail transport sector, this paper reviews the development status of hydrogen-powered trains and the hydrogen leak hazard chain. Based on the literature and industry data, a thorough analysis is conducted on the challenges faced by hydrogen-powered trains in the scenario of electrified railways, tunnels, train stations, hydrogen refueling stations, and garages. Existing railway facilities are not ready to deal with accidental hydrogen leakage, and the promotion of hydrogen-powered trains needs to be cautious.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Xu & Yankun Li & Wenchao Zhang & Tiancai Ma & Xiuhui Jing, 2025. "Safety Analysis of Hydrogen-Powered Train in Different Application Scenarios: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-26, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:7:p:1743-:d:1624817
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1743/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1743/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Choi, Minsoo & Jung, Wongwan & Ji, Sangmin & Lee, Jinkwang, 2025. "Optimization and analysis of reliquefaction system utilizing hydrogen as refrigerant for liquid hydrogen carriers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 384(C).
    2. Song Yan & Mingyang Yang & Chuanyu Sun & Sichuan Xu, 2023. "Liquid Water Characteristics in the Compressed Gradient Porosity Gas Diffusion Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Pourrahmani, Hossein & Van herle, Jan, 2022. "Water management of the proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Optimizing the effect of microstructural properties on the gas diffusion layer liquid removal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    4. Chen, Huicui & Zhang, Ruirui & Xia, Zhifeng & Weng, Qianyao & Zhang, Tong & Pei, Pucheng, 2023. "Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell flooding mitigation under heavy loading condition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    5. Zhao, Lei & Yuan, Hao & Xie, Jiaping & Jiang, Shangfeng & Wei, Xuezhe & Tang, Wei & Ming, Pingwen & Dai, Haifeng, 2023. "Inconsistency evaluation of vehicle-oriented fuel cell stacks based on electrochemical impedance under dynamic operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    6. Wang, James & Alkhaledi, Abdullah NFNR & Hughes, Thomas J. & Webley, Paul A., 2025. "Technoeconomic investigation of optimal storage pressure and boil-off gas utilisation in large liquid hydrogen carriers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 384(C).
    7. Offer, G.J. & Howey, D. & Contestabile, M. & Clague, R. & Brandon, N.P., 2010. "Comparative analysis of battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles in a future sustainable road transport system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 24-29, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tingke Fang & Coleman Vairin & Annette von Jouanne & Emmanuel Agamloh & Alex Yokochi, 2024. "Review of Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, April.
    2. Zeng, Ziteng & Hu, Zunyan & Liu, Huize & Zhang, Yifu & Ye, Kang & Li, Jianqiu & Xu, Liangfei & Ouyang, Minggao & Dong, Kan, 2025. "Distribution characteristics and control optimization of anode and cathode water in fuel cells under low humidification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PD).
    3. Das, Himadry Shekhar & Tan, Chee Wei & Yatim, A.H.M., 2017. "Fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles: A review on power conditioning units and topologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 268-291.
    4. Nicolas Muck & Christoph David & Torsten Knöri, 2023. "Integrating Fiber Sensing for Spatially Resolved Temperature Measurement in Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Behiri, Walid & Belmokhtar-Berraf, Sana & Chu, Chengbin, 2018. "Urban freight transport using passenger rail network: Scientific issues and quantitative analysis," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 227-245.
    6. Togun, Hussein & Basem, Ali & Abdulrazzaq, Tuqa & Biswas, Nirmalendu & Abed, Azher M. & dhabab, Jameel M. & Chattopadhyay, Anirban & Slimi, Khalifa & Paul, Dipankar & Barmavatu, Praveen & Chrouda, Ama, 2025. "Development and comparative analysis between battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    7. Tang, Wei & Chang, Guofeng & Xie, Jiaping & Wang, Chao & Shen, Jun & Pan, Xiangmin & Du, Daochang & Liu, Zhaoming & Yuan, Hao & Wei, Xuezhe & Dai, Haifeng, 2024. "A new insight into the in-plane heterogeneity of commercial-sized fuel cells via a novel probability distribution-based method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 368(C).
    8. Teng Teng & Xin Zhang & Qicheng Xue & Baodi Zhang, 2024. "Research of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Modeling on Concentration Polarization under Variable-Temperature Operating Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Mediavilla, Margarita & de Castro, Carlos & Capellán, Iñigo & Javier Miguel, Luis & Arto, Iñaki & Frechoso, Fernando, 2013. "The transition towards renewable energies: Physical limits and temporal conditions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 297-311.
    10. Orsi, Francesco & Muratori, Matteo & Rocco, Matteo & Colombo, Emanuela & Rizzoni, Giorgio, 2016. "A multi-dimensional well-to-wheels analysis of passenger vehicles in different regions: Primary energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and economic cost," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 197-209.
    11. Xie, Shaobo & Lang, Kun & Qi, Shanwei, 2020. "Aerodynamic-aware coordinated control of following speed and power distribution for hybrid electric trucks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    12. Morton, Craig & Anable, Jillian & Yeboah, Godwin & Cottrill, Caitlin, 2018. "The spatial pattern of demand in the early market for electric vehicles: Evidence from the United Kingdom," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 119-130.
    13. Samuel Pelletier & Ola Jabali & Gilbert Laporte, 2016. "50th Anniversary Invited Article—Goods Distribution with Electric Vehicles: Review and Research Perspectives," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(1), pages 3-22, February.
    14. Roberto Capata, 2018. "Urban and Extra-Urban Hybrid Vehicles: A Technological Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-38, October.
    15. Aiman Albatayneh & Adel Juaidi & Mustafa Jaradat & Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro, 2023. "Future of Electric and Hydrogen Cars and Trucks: An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, April.
    16. Krystof Foniok & Lubomira Drozdova & Lukas Prokop & Filip Krupa & Pavel Kedron & Vojtech Blazek, 2025. "Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-64, April.
    17. Lyubov Slotyuk & Florian Part & Moritz-Caspar Schlegel & Floris Akkerman, 2024. "Life Cycle Assessment of the Domestic Micro Heat and Power Generation Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell in Comparison with the Gas Condensing Boiler Plus Electricity from the Grid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
    18. Li, Xiangyi & Castellanos, Sebastian & Maassen, Anne, 2018. "Emerging trends and innovations for electric bus adoption—a comparative case study of contracting and financing of 22 cities in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 470-481.
    19. Chen, Huicui & Zhang, Ruirui & Xia, Zhifeng & Weng, Qianyao & Zhang, Tong & Pei, Pucheng, 2023. "Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell flooding mitigation under heavy loading condition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    20. Offer, G.J. & Contestabile, M. & Howey, D.A. & Clague, R. & Brandon, N.P., 2011. "Techno-economic and behavioural analysis of battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles in a future sustainable road transport system in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 1939-1950, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:7:p:1743-:d:1624817. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.