ATCO to build hydrogen production, fueling stations for CP locomotives

Rail News Home Canadian Pacific 5/5/2022 Rail News: Canadian Pacific
CP announced in December 2020 it would design and build North America's first line-haul hydrogen-powered locomotive using fuel cells and batteries to power the locomotive's electric traction motors. Photo – cpr.ca

ATCO Group announced yesterday it has agreed to provide Canadian Pacific with engineering, procurement and construction services for two hydrogen production and refueling facilities in Alberta, Canada.

The hydrogen infrastructure at the CP fueling stations in Calgary and Edmonton will include a 1-megawatt electrolyzer, compression, storage and dispensing capabilities for locomotive refueling. In Calgary, the electrolyzer will be powered in part by renewable electricity from CP's existing 5MW solar power facility co-located at CP's headquarters.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the production and supply of hydrogen to locomotives starting in 2023, ATCO officials said in a press release.

"The Calgary and Edmonton fueling stations will be essential to bringing zero-emissions hydrogen locomotive propulsion into reality as part of CP's commitment to sustainable and responsible operations," said Kate Mulligan, CP's assistant vice president of operations technology.

The hydrogen facilities will advance a hydrogen locomotive program at CP, which aims to build North America’s first line-haul hydrogen-powered freight locomotive. The program has been supported by CA$15 million in funding awarded last year by Emissions Reduction Alberta.

ATCO is developing several hydrogen projects in Canada and Australia to help drive down emissions and transition to sustainable energy. The company has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.