Loop Energy and Hydrogen In Motion (H2M) are planning to collaborate on converting a Southern Railway of BC owned and operated diesel electric switcher locomotive to hydrogen electric.

The two British Columbia-based companies will use locally developed technology, including Loop Energy’s 50kw eFlow fuel cell system and a low pressure solid state hydrogen storage tank developed by H2M. The project signifies the first instance of Loop supplying its products for use in a rail transport application.

"This is an exciting phase for the hydrogen fuel cell industry as this proves that it is technically and economically feasible to convert diesel-powered switcher locomotives to hydrogen fuel cell-based power systems," said Grace Quan, CEO of Hydrogen-in-Motion. "The introduction of a hydrogen infrastructure into railyards reduces air contaminants and greenhouse gases and brings clean technologies, job growth and innovation to local communities."

In conjunction with Loop Energy, H2M will be working with the University of British Columbia Okanagan School of Engineering (UBCO) and Southern Railway of BC (SRY). Under this collaboration, UBCO’s research component will conduct computational modeling of H2M low pressure tanks, comparing the hydrogen electric powertrain performance characteristics and operational functionality with those of the previous diesel electric locomotive. SRY has committed to demonstrating this hydrogen powered switcher locomotive in order to prove out viability and demonstrate GHG and other community impacts.