HYDRAIL: Fuel Cell Solutions for Rail Applications

Editor's Notes

• #3: Globally, hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric rail propulsion (hydrail) is being developed to reduce air pollution in smog-choked cities and rail yards. Hydrail technology is essentially self-electrified railway propulsion using fuel cell motive modules integrated with electric powertrain propulsion. Electric power offers substantially better energy efficiency, lower emissions and lower operating costs. Fuel cell propulsion offers the environmental benefits of an electric powertrain with the lower infrastructure cost of diesel.
• #4: Hydrail is simply rail that uses hydrogen to carry energy onboard. Other than the installation of hydrogen refueling stations, no additional infrastructure needs to be built. The track system already exists. Hydrail eliminates the need to electrify rail track networks that deliver electricity to locomotives pushing trains across the countryside. The incremental electrification of just one mile of track in the U.S. is likely to cost $12m. This means that if the U.S. diverted the cost of electrification for just 100 miles of planned High Speed Train electrification, we'd have $1.2bn in R&D to spend on developing wireless alternatives.
• #5: World’s first commercial fuel cell tram line in Gaoming district of Foshan, China Ballard FCveloCity®-XD200 modules delivered in 2016 Route operation of 8 trams to begin late 2017 to early 2018Preliminary tram specifications • Maximum speed = 70km/h • Refill time = 3 minutes • Range = 100km
• #6: Suitable rail applications for fuel cell power include: Light rail and trams in urban environments Commuter and regional trains operating on non-electrified tracks Shunt locomotive in rail yards Specialized trains for underground mining
• #7: The fuel cell locomotives replace diesel powered in a one-to-one relationship. The same range and running times for diesel-powered trains apply to their fuel cell replacements, yet they deliver all the propulsion needed without generating carbon emissions or disruptive engine noise. Communities downwind also benefit. 
• #9: Covers applications from 20kW to 200kW
• #10: Working closely with train and tram manufacturers, Ballard designs and manufactures FCveloCity® fuel cell modules for use in rail applications.  Ballard's FCveloCity® motive modules provide up to 200 kilowatts of power for rail applications and are designed and tested to railway standards. Ballard motive modules are powering the world's first hydrogen fuel cell powered fixed rail electric tram in China.
• #14: Ballard has participated in a number of rail fuel cell applications: USA 1st shunt locomotive delivered with 2 x P5 bus units to BNSF (240 kW net fuel cell) South Africa 6 mine locomotives powered by FCvelocity-9SSL fuel cell stacks (17 kW gross fuel cell) India 2 shunt locomotives fitted with 2 kW APUs Another 20 APUs delivered and under integration Indian Railway has issued a tender for 2 fuel cell powered shunt locomotives. Ballard expects to win the tender Japan JR East integrated and evaluated a commuter train
• #15: These rail yards are located near the hearts of most port cities or at the crossroads of major rail distribution hubs. This also happens to be the centre of most cities and adjacent high-density populations. Diesel-powered rail has become a point of contention, as residential areas downwind from rail yards tend to have elevated air pollution levels. Zero-emission commuter rail propulsion policies are being adopted in many jurisdictions around the world.
• #16: A shunter locomotive moves railroad cars over short distances or within a rail yard Residential areas downwind of rail yards have elevated air pollution levels associated with diesel fuel combustion Electricity generated by the fuel cell modules is stored in batteries or fed directly to the locomotive’s high-voltage propulsion system Locomotives are refueled with hydrogen at a filling station located in the rail yard Development of a prototype fuel cell powered shunt locomotive for urban rail applications A public-private project partnership comprised of Vehicle Projects Inc, BNSF Railway Company, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ballard Operational fuel cell locomotive prototype 300-500kW gross power, 60kg hydrogen at 350 bar stored on-board
• #17: Facts about hydrogen: Hydrogen is a clean and safe energy carrier Hydrogen gas and infrastructure are commercially available Hydrogen can be produced from natural gas, biogas, and electricity (including renewable sources)
• #18: Fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen. This electricity is stored in batteries or fed directly into a locomotive’s high voltage propulsion system. The locomotives are refuelled with hydrogen using on-site refilling station – the only additional infrastructure element required. Many installations worldwide : @ bus depot and FEVC stations (> 50 in US; > 50 in Germany ; > 100 in JP) H2 can be delivered through pipelines (Germany, Holland, Texas…) On site production: electrolyser and natural gas reformer Suppliers of Infrastructure: Air Liquide, Linde, ITM, NEL…
• #19: Established in 1983
• #21: Mabufacturing focus: Continue to expand CCM/MEA production capability to support mass commercialization Maintain mid-volume stack and module assembly Outsource high-volume stack and module assembly where we see commercial benefits of Proximity to end market Mitigation of freight, tariffs and duties Low labour cost benefits Sharp focus on the continuous improvement of process yields, throughput and material costs
• #22: Ballard values Listen and Deliver. We listen to our customers, understand their business, and deliver valuable solutions for lasting partnerships. Quality. Always. We deliver quality in everything we do, without exception. Inspire Excellence. We inspire excellence through leadership, empowerment and consistent demonstration of integrity, urgency, and passion. Row Together. We achieve success through collaboration, respect, and trust. Own it. We step up, take ownership for our results, and trust others to do the same.
• #24: we believe that FC will be part of the electrification of transportation (30by30) but we will have to do it together => we have the Power to Change the World Check our new website