The first hydrogen fuel cell locomotive, a converted SD40-2F dubbed H2 0EL for “hydrogen zero-emissions locomotive,” will roll under its own power by the end of the year and then enter test service the following year.
A grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta, which will fund the conversion of a switcher and a high-horsepower unit, has matched CP’s $15 million investment in the project this month.
An electrolysis plant will produce hydrogen from water at the Calgary facility, with electricity provided by CP’s solar array. A small-scale steam methane reformation system will be installed at the Edmonton plant to extract hydrogen from natural gas produced in the energy-rich province. The facility will be designed to house greenhouse gas-capturing equipment.
