Cando Rail & Terminals, a Canadian rail operator, has announced that it is developing a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery-powered switching locomotive. The locomotive will also be zero-emission and will be able to perform all of the same tasks as a traditional diesel-powered locomotive and it is hoped will transform the rail switching industry.
The project is being funded by the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta's (ERA’s) Industrial Transformation Challenge. Cando’s project was selected through a competitive review process involving multiple experts from various fields including science, engineering and greenhouse gas quantification.
The $2 million grant will help Cando to retrofit a legacy locomotive with a battery propulsion system.
Once the retrofit is complete, the locomotive will be tested in a real-world switching environment in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. and is expected to be completed in 2025.
"This is a significant milestone for Cando Rail & Terminals," said Steve Bromley, chief commercial officer for Cando Rail Terminals. “The government of Alberta funding through Emissions Reduction Alberta is critical to help Cando Rail & Terminals develop a battery-powered locomotive customized for industrial switching operations. This industry-transforming initiative could drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping rail service providers and industrial companies moving product by rail meet sustainability goals faster”, he added.
It is hoped that developing a Li-Ion battery propulsion system will provide a scalable solution which can also be customised for specific situations alongside being able to complete closed loop switching operations. The new locomotives zero-emission output it is hoped will help fuel savings and provide critical industry knowledge for future development within the sector.
Cando Rail Terminals operate across the North American continent, providing specialised rail services and terminal infrastructure including industrial switching, handling and transload and train assembly.
Photo: Cando Rail and Terminals
