FNM and Alstom presented Italy's first HMU

On 3 October 2023 at EXPO Ferroviaria 2023, FNM and Alstom presented the hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream train, following the agreement signed in November 2020 to supply Trenord with six hydrogen fuel cell trains, with an option for eight more. 

The HMU will enter commercial service in Val Camonica between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, along the non-electrified Brescia - Iseo - Edolo line of FERROVIENORD on which the services are operated by Trenord, as part of the H2iseO project, which aims to create Italy's first Hydrogen Valley in the area of Brescia. The Coradia Stream is the first HMU for Italy equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, with a total capacity of 260 seats and a range of more than 600 km.

In the centre of each five-car unit is a Power Car in which the heart of hydrogen technology is fitted as the main source of energy. The latter is provided by the combination of hydrogen (stored in tanks) with oxygen from the outside air, without emitting CO₂ into the atmosphere. High-performance lithium-ion batteries store the energy, which is later harnessed during acceleration phases to support the action of the hydrogen cells and ensure fuel economy.

The train was created and produced at Alstom's plants in Italy, involving the Savigliano site for development, certification, production and testing, the Vado Ligure site for the outfitting of the power car in which the hydrogen-related part is installed, the Sesto San Giovanni site for components and the Bologna site for the development of the signaling system.

Promoted by FNM, FERROVIENORD and Trenord, H2iseO aims to develop an economic and industrial hydrogen supply chain in Valcamonica, starting from the mobility sector, initiate the energy conversion of the territory, and contribute to the decarbonisation of a significant part of local public transport. The project envisages, among other things, the construction of three plants for the production, storage and distribution of renewable hydrogen without CO₂ emissions (in Brescia, Iseo and Edolo), as well as the commissioning of 40 hydrogen buses to replace the entire fleet used today by FNM Autoservizi.