Demonstration of Alstom's Coradia iLint: America's first hydrogen-powered passenger train

/ RAIL / GREEN TOURISM / ELECTRIC VEHICLES /

Demonstration project of a first hydrogen passenger train with zero direct carbon emissions, adapted to the needs of the Charlevoix tourist region.

A PROJECT OF

Réseau Charlevoix operated the world's first hydrogen passenger train, Alstom's Coradia iLint, in the Charlevoix territory, managed by the Chemin de Fer de Charlevoix. This demonstration project is a showcase for Quebec, the first jurisdiction in North America to operate a hydrogen passenger train.

It is the result of a partnership between Alstom, initiator of the project and manufacturer of the train, Harnois Énergies, supplier of the green hydrogen produced at its Quebec City site, Réseau Charlevoix, operator of the Train de Charlevoix, Chemin de Fer de Charlevoix, owner of the network, and Accelera by Cummins, supplier of the fuel cell, as well as the Government of Quebec, a financial partner.

Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which produces electrical energy for all equipment including traction, this train with zero direct carbon emissions emits only water. Specially designed for non- or partially-electrified lines up to 1,000 km, it entered commercial service for the first time in Germany in 2018, and has to date traveled more than 220,000 kilometres in eight European countries. From June to October 2023, the Coradia iLint provided service between Quebec and Baie-St-Paul on the private Chemin de fer Charlevoix network.

This experiment combines economic development and technological innovation while positioning the leadership of the province and the Charlevoix region in transport decarbonization. Indeed, the industrial partners were able to establish and test the development steps necessary to set up a green-hydrogen-focused rail transport ecosystem, while allowing Réseau Charlevoix and Chemin de fer Charlevoix (owned by Groupe Le Massif) to strengthen the attractiveness of this tourist-oriented region by offering travelers a sustainable and quiet transport solution.

Project objectives

Technological:

• Develop and demonstrate a green and safe mobility solution powered by green hydrogen for passenger rail transport in Quebec;
• Consolidate Quebec expertise in the production, handling and distribution of green hydrogen;
• Have an agile green hydrogen refueling system;
• Have a solution that can be replicated elsewhere;
• Demonstrate that green-hydrogen-based technology can integrate well into the rail sector without disrupting diesel train operations;
• Demystify and improve the social acceptability of green hydrogen.

Economic and environmental:

• Encourage the development of private railway networks in Quebec;
• Introduce people to the Charlevoix tourist circuit.

Project partners*

• Alstom – Solution developer in rail transport and supplier of the train
• Harnois Énergies– Producer and distributor of the hydrogen supplying the train
• Réseau de Charlevoix – Management of public equipment whose flagship product is the Train de Charlevoix
• Chemin de fer Charlevoix – Private railway of local interest that has belonged since 2009 to the Le Massif group, the host operator where the experiment took place
• HTEC – Implemented the mobile hydrogen refueling solution
• Accelera by Cummins – Supplier of the fuel cell during the pilot project
• Hydrogen Research Institute of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières – expertise and analysis of the experiment results
• Government of Quebec – financial partner and regulatory authority

* The interview for this fact sheet was conducted with Réseau Charlevoix, Chemin de fer Charlevoix, Alstom and Harnois Énergies

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1. Project methodology

PILOT PROJECT – MAIN STAGES

1. Exploratory phase – design of the project in Quebec

Alstom had to find an experimental framework and the necessary stakeholders to carry out this project.

Following discussions with Réseau Charlevoix and Harnois Énergies, several scenarios were studied, requiring approaches and tests, for the final selection of the demonstration site and the green hydrogen supplier and distributor.

2. Installation and configuration

A prototype of the train was imported from Germany by Alstom to carry out the experimental project in Quebec. Since it was a demonstration project, the objective was to test the train's operation while making as few modifications as possible. The main configured elements, such as the addition of a second driver's seat, were carried out in order to meet provincial railway transport regulations.

3. Training and safety

• Alstom hosted and trained four Réseau Charlevoix drivers at its Salzgitter site in Germany as well as a group of managers in Germany to familiarize them with the train technology and the rolling stock mechanisms. The operation of the Coradia iLint requires more verification procedures because several elements that were formerly mechanical are now electronic ;
• Numerous meetings and presentations were held with municipal stakeholders by the project partners (the train's operating area crossed two regional county municipalities) ;
• In collaboration with the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, training on workforce safety around green hydrogen was specifically developed for operators ;
• A new emergency plan specifically adapted to hydrogen was also developed to train response services in Charlevoix ;
• Following the presentation of the Coradia iLint safety file, the MTQ granted Chemin de fer de Charlevoix authorization to operate the Coradia iLint train on its private network.

4. Train commissioning

2. Financing

The project cost is $8M, of which $3M was financed by the Government of Quebec.

3. Results obtained*

• In partnership with Réseau Charlevoix, Chemin de fer Charlevoix and Harnois Énergies, Alstom carried out this first North American experiment as a proof of concept under real operating conditions for hydrogen trains (bringing multiple advantages, notably the absence of carbon emissions and noise reduction) ;
• Over a total of 130 trips and 10,660 kilometres traveled between Chute-Montmorency and Baie-Saint-Paul stations: Réseau Charlevoix was able to save approximately 8,400 litres of diesel, the equivalent of 22 tonnes of CO2 compared with the rest of its diesel fleet ;
• It was also demonstrated that different technologies can coexist since the Coradia iLint had no impact on the other diesel trains operated by Réseau Charlevoix and Chemin de Fer Charlevoix ;
• Early feedback from train users was very positive: passengers were very curious and receptive to the technology and its environmental impact. More than 10,000 passengers were able to test the train during the project ;
• The project benefited from great notoriety: 34 delegations from North America visited ;
• The development of a new 450-bar green hydrogen offering, enabling reaching more customers ;
• Improvements to mobile hydrogen refueling stations that can now be installed in just two days.

*The quantitative data and results were estimated, provided and validated by the various project partners.

4. Lessons learned

Success factors

• Having a spirit of collaboration among stakeholders ;
• Having support from senior management ;
• Having a common goal ;
• The flexibility, agility, openness, and adaptability of stakeholders to respond to encountered challenges (deadlines, procurement, testing, breakdowns) ;
• Rigorous planning, taking into account multiple scenarios including risk management plans ready to be deployed quickly ;
• Réseau Charlevoix’s pioneering spirit, which acquired three European diesel light trains in 2010. Putting these trains into service allowed it to gain significant experience in managing a different railway technology, and opened the door to Coradia iLint technology 12 years later ;
• Alstom brought two operators from Germany for the duration of the pilot project to intervene in case of breakdowns, ensure maintenance and document the prototype's behavior, as well as two Montreal-based experts in operations and maintenance.

5. Challenges and practical advice

The challenges encountered during a pilot project, and the solutions developed following testing phases and collaboration between stakeholders.

Availability of parts related to green hydrogen

Hydrogen propulsion technologies, not yet having reached the maturity level of battery-powered ones, require more maintenance. Added to this were two constraints: the limited availability of certain parts and emerging infrastructure (only one electrolyzer was in Quebec). Contingency plans had to be deployed to avoid disrupting the train's operational activities.

Regulatory framework

Alstom relied on existing regulations and determined what new action would be necessary in the implementation of a new technology. Subsequently, Alstom, in consultation with Harnois Énergies, added a fence around the refueling station, although it was not mandated.

For Réseau Charlevoix, it was also necessary to work with two government bodies for the project's regulatory framework: at the federal level, with Transport Canada, and at the provincial level, with the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD, formerly MTQ).

The Coradia iLint hydrogen train was certified according to the highest European standards and Alstom worked jointly with the MTMD to ensure it met all safety and regulatory requirements to allow operation of a hydrogen train with passengers.

Two MTMD officials also traveled to Alstom's facilities in Germany to better understand the technology, and significant work on the regulatory framework was carried out with Réseau Charlevoix to ensure the train's testing in Quebec. A list of twenty-one requirements issued by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the global leader in railway industry regulation, research and technologies, had to be addressed.

This included adapting a horn system and the front light of the train to meet regulatory requirements.

The scale of the project combined with the diversity of partners

A major challenge in multi-partner projects involving companies of different sizes is aligning the various decision-making processes. A larger team with more levels means communication between stakeholders must be adapted.

Driven by a common goal and passionate about innovation, the partners in this pilot project were able to meet this challenge thanks to their communication efforts, collaboration, flexibility and the generally good working atmosphere within the team.

6. Next steps for stakeholders

Hydrogen-powered rail mobility requires putting in place a fast and agile system of production, storage and distribution. North America is in its infancy in establishing this type of ecosystem. Increased investments, as well as adaptation of regulatory standards, are essential to move forward.

This experiment, which ended in September 2023, represents an important milestone in this regard. The stakeholders continue their respective activities and can capitalize on the project's benefits thanks to the many lessons learned, all with a view to developing new opportunities.

Train de Charlevoix/Chemin de fer Charlevoix:

• Evolve the sustainable transport and tourism offering within the region through showcase technology projects like this one ;
• The train model is designed to operate on the final segments of routes. One objective is to be able to develop the technology to travel on regional lines (Amtrak, Via Rail), as well as to be able to expand and connect these lines around the Quebec City region.

Harnois Énergies:

• Decarbonization of operations and energy offerings.

Alstom:

• Finalization of the report by the Hydrogen Research Institute of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières ;
• Collaborate with regulatory authorities to evolve standards and draw conclusions from the demonstration ;
• Develop an ecosystem around green technologies to support customers in their transition to green propulsion ;
• Develop strategic partnerships.

Resources

Deepen your knowledge of the project:

The world's first hydrogen passenger train, Alstom's Coradia iLint, arrives in Quebec – YouTube

The American saga of Coradia iLint in Quebec – Episode 1 – YouTube

The American saga of the Alstom Coradia iLint in Quebec – Episode 2 – YouTube

The American saga of Coradia iLint in Quebec – Episode 3 – YouTube

The American saga of Coradia iLint in Quebec – Episode 4 – YouTube

Project contact person

• Alstom – Solution developer in rail transport and supplier of the train
• Harnois Énergies– Producer and distributor of the hydrogen supplying the train
• Réseau de Charlevoix – Management of public equipment whose flagship product is the Train de Charlevoix
• Chemin de fer Charlevoix – Private railway of local interest that has belonged since 2009 to the Le Massif group, the host operator where the experiment took place