DeepSummary
Kelly Kreiderman, The Globe's energy reporter, recently took a ride on a hydrogen-powered train in Calgary, operated by the railway company CPKC (the newly merged Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern). The train runs silently and emits only steam, making it a potential eco-friendly alternative to diesel trains. Hydrogen fuel cells on the train convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity to power the locomotive.
CPKC is currently testing these hydrogen trains, which have been retrofitted from existing diesel trains, to see if they can haul heavy freight through the Rocky Mountains as effectively as traditional diesel trains. The project, driven by environmental concerns and backed by CPKC's largest investor, aims to eventually convert a significant portion of the company's western Canadian fleet to hydrogen power if successful.
While hydrogen is abundant and can be produced from various sources like natural gas, its production process can be energy-intensive and emit greenhouse gases. The company is exploring carbon capture technologies to mitigate emissions from hydrogen production. The hydrogen train project is part of a broader effort to find cleaner energy solutions for transportation and combat climate change.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- CPKC is testing hydrogen-powered trains as a potential replacement for diesel locomotives in hauling freight across western Canada.
- Hydrogen trains run silently and emit only water vapor, making them a more environmentally-friendly option compared to diesel trains.
- A major upcoming test will be seeing if the hydrogen trains can effectively haul heavy freight over the challenging terrain of the Rocky Mountains.
- While hydrogen is abundant, producing it from sources like natural gas can be energy-intensive and result in greenhouse gas emissions.
- CPKC's hydrogen train project is driven by environmental concerns and pressure from investors to pursue green initiatives.
- Carbon capture technologies are being explored to mitigate emissions from hydrogen production.
- The hydrogen train project is part of broader efforts to find cleaner transportation solutions and combat climate change.
- Transitioning to new energy sources like hydrogen presents technological and economic challenges that need to be overcome.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If we were sitting in a regular diesel train, what would be the difference? It would essentially have this low hum and you would have this gentle shake within the cab that would make you under it realized that the engine was running, and in this case, it is virtually quiet.“ by Kyle Mulligan
- “But this summer will come the big test, and that is carrying heavy freight through the Rocky Mountains. You can imagine it's much different going along flat ground than it is going up and down the very steep grades of the Rockies, which, you know, were the greatest challenge to build roads and railways through.“ by Kelly Kreiderman
- “The other interesting part about this is this is a push by the company and its largest investor, Sir Christopher Hahn. He's a huge hedge fund manager in London, England, and he is known for his activism both when it comes to companies and when it comes to the climate file.“ by Kelly Kreiderman
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Episode Information
The Decibel
The Globe and Mail
5/16/24