The HydroFLEX will showcase how hydrogen can be used to power a train that retains the ability to operate across existing electric routes, on either 3rd rail or 25kV overhead power. — Photo courtesy Porterbrook
Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) recently announced that it has received a purchase order from Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook"; http://www.porterbrook.co.uk), a leading participant in the rail leasing market, for an FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell module and related support to power a HydroFLEX train in the U.K.
Earlier this year U.K. Rail Minister, Jo Johnson MP, challenged the rail industry to develop decarbonisation plans, with the objective of removing diesel-only trains from the network by 2040. HydroFLEX is an innovative response to this challenge from Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham's "Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education" (BCRRE), bringing together industry and academia in partnership to deliver the U.K.'s first-in-class clean energy passenger train.
Porterbrook will provide a Class 319 electric train for conversion by BCRRE's technical and research experts into a HydroFLEX hydrogen-powered train. The train will utilize Ballard's power module and Ballard will also provide system controls development, mechanical integration of sub-systems and other components.
The HydroFLEX will be the U.K.'s first fully sized hydrogen demonstrator train. It will showcase how hydrogen can be used to power a train that retains the ability to operate across existing electric routes, on either 3rd rail or 25kV overhead power. Testing and demonstration runs are planned for the summer of 2019 at RailLive, which will take place at Long Marston in Warwickshire.
Stephen McGurk, Porterbrook Chief Commercial Officer said, "I am delighted that BCRRE has chosen to work with Porterbrook on this exciting fuel cell project. We have also engaged Ballard, a leading fuel cell company, to supply a fuel cell module and support services. The HydroFLEX will not only showcase rail innovation, it will also demonstrate how the private sector railway can effectively partner with educational bodies to jointly deliver real benefits to passengers, train operators and the communities our railways serve."
Jesper Themsen, President and CEO of Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S added, "We are pleased to work with Porterbrook and BCRRE on the HydroFLEX rail program. As evidenced by this activity in the U.K., along with our work on fuel cell rail programs in Germany and China, momentum is rapidly building behind the development and deployment of Heavy Duty Motive fuel cell solutions for both inter-city trains as well as intra-city trams. Ballard is now actively working with a number of the world's most important players in the rolling stock sector, including Porterbrook, to meet this growing requirement."
Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) provides clean energy products that reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve difficult technical and business challenges in their fuel cell programs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
Forward looking statements apply.
SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.
