Hydrogen-powered rail merits study
Re Metrolinx officials raised concerns about hydrogen rail project, June 18 Across the globe, we see job opportunities and economic development, with virtually all industries and regions benefiting, from the growing world market for safe, secure hydrogen and fuel cells. The latter are proving highly efficient and cost effective in heavy-duty machinery, materials handling, mass-transit, light-duty vehicles, and, yes, rail traffic.
Hydrogen bridges nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas, diesel, renewables, mobility and storage, working to support both batteries and clean energy.
Toronto’s only risks with hydrogen are waiting too long to jump in, paying too much, or both.
Hydrogen can be complex, but carbon reduction and national energy security are absolute benefits. Education is needed at all levels. But the reality is that investors and industry are already moving on hydrogen, as are other cities. Andrew W. Bermingham, CEO of Hydrogen Partners LLC, Denver, Colo. It seems to me the Star and certain Metrolinx officials are making a mountain out of a molehill. The government called for a study of hydro- gen, not an order to execute it. As such it would be “folly” not to consider hydrail, given the potential environmental benefits.
As far as I can tell from your article, that’s all the province proposed. Paying manufacturers to develop concepts is eminently sensible.
Why all the drama? David Lowe, Toronto Every rapid rail network in the developed world, including the most modern of the world’s high-speed trains, is run by electrified engines. The technology has been around for more than 100 years and has become the most efficient, the least costly and noisy, the most adaptable to high-speed transit and the cleanest environmentally. All that’s needed to run the system is electricity, which Ontario has in abundance.
Where was Steven Del Luca living when he was Ontario’s transportation minister? Asleep in a cave like a Rip Van Winkle?
Choosing hydrogen — a costly and untested technology that still emits exhaust into the environment — when a suitable alternative already exists is off-the-track thinking. Mario Godlewski, Toronto