FCAB to transform locomotives to green hydrogen
FCAB initiative would also contribute to the use of green hydrogen in other means of transport, such as trucks.
The Antofagasta Railroad has been working on the initiative to run diesel-based locomotives on 100% hydrogen.
FCAB initiative has been selected in a contest promoted by the Green Hydrogen Accelerator of the Chile Energy Sustainability Agency. If successful, the railroad could greatly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to tackling climate change, and become the first freight transport company in South America to have hydrogen locomotives.
The proposal involves starting the reconditioning of the locomotives of FCAB’s Mejillones Railway Terminal in Chile, which provides services to different mining companies in the area. This project seeks to include freight locomotives as a new player in the Hydrogen market and, at the same time, accelerate the use of green hydrogen in the FCAB and the region. The potential use of hydrogen in the company train and truck fleets would reduce emissions by 88,936 tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to taking 9,881 cars off the road.
Katharina Jenny, GM of FCAB, said, “This would generate an early development in the Hydrogen market, creating the need to accelerate the manufacture of hydrogen locomotives, as well as the generation of green hydrogen.”
The Green Hydrogen Accelerator contest led by La Acceleradora H2V aims to support institutions and companies that are exploring the use of green hydrogen in transport and pilot projects. Some thirty companies participated in the agency initiative. The other selected companies for stage 2 (specialised support and possible co-financing) are the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, GNL Quintero, Kalmar, H2 Sur, and the Port of Valparaíso.
