Ontario Government has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for concept design work on the integration of a hydrogen fuel cell system into a Bi-level Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train.
Ontario is electrifying the GO rail network to transform railway system around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), and is seeking design concepts for Hydrogen-powered trains as an alternative to conventional overhead wires. Through the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program, Ontario will deliver faster and more frequent electrified rail service on core segments of the GO rail network and UP Express.
As part of planning the electrification, Ontario is undertaking a feasibility study on the use of hydrogen fuel cells. The Hydrail Feasibility Study is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017, with a decision on electrification technology to follow. The Hydrogen Rail (Hydrail) Feasibility Study will inform a decision on how Ontario will proceed with the electrification of GO rail services.
Recent advances in the use of hydrogen fuel cells to power electric trains in other jurisdictions makes it important that Ontario consider this clean electric technology as an alternative to conventional overhead wires.
A number of rail vehicle manufacturers will be commissioned to prepare designs and to demonstrate the impact that incorporating hydrogen fuel cells into bi-level trains would have on the performance of the GO rail network. This work is an important part of studying the feasibility of hydrail.
GO RER will bring more two-way, all-day service to commuters and families across the GTHA, increasing the number of weekly trips from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2025. It will provide faster and more frequent service across the GO rail network and is the largest commuter rail project in Canada.
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