Supply Side: Alstom, Brandt
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Pictured: Stéphane Kaba, Smart and Green Mobility Director, Alstom; Frédéric Dejean, Industry Director, Hynamics; and Yves Schlumberger of EDF sign a partnership agreement on hydrogen-powered trains. (© EDF/N.Revelli-Beaumont/Sipa)
Alstom and Hynamics are teaming to improve hydrogen-powered train refueling. In addition, the Brandt Group of Companies is providing aid for flood recovery efforts in British Columbia.
Alstom and Hynamics, the hydrogen business unit of EDF (Électricité de France) Group, have signed a partnership agreement to reduce the time needed to refuel hydrogen-powered trains.
The companies are already carrying out joint modeling, calculation and simulation work, which will be tested in 2022 at EDF Lab Les Renardières, one of three EDF research and development centers. “A hydrogen production station, a compressor up to 450 bars and several storage racks will be mobilized to recreate the filling circuits at real size and to evaluate the behavior of the equipment under optimal observation conditions,” the companies reported.
Ultimately, Alstom and Hynamics aim to “define an international refueling standard that will make it possible to limit the immobilization of hydrogen-powered trains during refueling, which is a major issue for both railway companies and passengers, while complying with the regulations and safety rules in force.”
The Brandt Group of Companies, based in Regina, Saskatchewan, is committing $60,000 alongside the John Deere Foundation for a total $120,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross for B.C. flood recovery efforts. (On Nov. 16, flooding cut off Vancouver from rail and road service.)
The Group comprises Brandt Road Rail; Brandt Tractor Ltd., one of the largest privately owned John Deere Construction & Forestry equipment dealers; Brandt Agricultural Products; Brandt Engineered Products; Brandt Equipment Solutions; Brandt Positioning Technology; Brandt Truck Rigging & Trailers; Brandt Finance; Brandt Developments Ltd.; Brandt Road Technology; and Brandt Mineral Technology.
“Stepping up when our employees, customers and the community needs us most is part of who we are at Brandt,” said Shaun Semple, CEO of Brandt, which has 13 branch locations in B.C. “As a family-owned company, we are proud to support the many families in the communities that support us in this time of need.”
In related developments, CN and Canadian Pacific (CP) are donating $100,000 apiece to the Canadian Red Cross to support recovery.
