THUNDER BAY – The world of hydrogen powered rail is continuing to move forward. A debriefing on the Seventh International Hydrail Conference, held in Birmingham, England on July 3rd and 4th, was recently presented to the Board of Directors of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce. The hydrail debriefing was part of the Board’s regular monthly meeting. Due to the international content, the media was invited.
The Liberal Party of Ontario, in September 2007 stated in a press release, “The hydrogen commuter train is exactly the type of initiative envisioned when the Ontario Liberal government created the new $650 million Next Generation Jobs Fund, McGuinty said. Ontario Liberals want to expand the Fund by a further $500 million after the October 10th election”.
“Ontario Liberals think Ontarians can – and should – lead the development of hydrogen alternatives for the world,” Premier Dalton McGuinty said.
The UK Hydrail Conference was convened in collaboration with the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education. The Hydrail Conference series is a long-term environmental and energy project of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber in collaboration with Appalachian State University’s Energy Center.
Its function is to promote hydrail technology: hydrogen fuel cell railway propulsion, used in lieu of diesel-electric to reduce pollution and climate impact.
The Chamber’s Board approved two resolutions (Attached.) – one expressing appreciation to the University of Birmingham and a second honoring the University’s Locomotive Design Team for demonstrating Europe’s first hydrail locomotive in England and Germany.
Mooresville’s and “App State’s” previous Hydrail Conferences have been held in Denmark, Spain, Turkey and the US.
“Very few Chambers the size of ours have had the success we have enjoyed on the global stage with our Hydrail Conference series,” said Tom McCrae, Chairman.
On September 17th at the H2Moves Scandinavia European Hydrogen Road Tour in Hanover, Germany, Chamber volunteer Stan Thompson will represent Mooresville.
Donations from Chamber member Merino’s Home Furnishings and from Schieneflieger— a wind-powered hydrail project near Hanover, Germany—have enabled the Chamber and Appalachian State to represent their joint project in Europe.
RESOLUTION
To Express Appreciation to the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England and Especially to the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education; and Appalachian State University and to the University’s Energy Center for Hosting the Seventh International Hydrail Conference
WHEREAS, the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce conceived and originated the International Hydrail Conferences and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the International Hydrail Conferences is to raise awareness of, and promote hydrail – hydrogen railway propulsion, as the sustainable and logical alternative to fossil-fuel and external propulsion in railways and streetcars; and
WHEREAS, the transition to hydrail will significantly reduce the worlds reliance upon fossil-fuels, reduce CO2 emissions and eliminate the need for costly, resource-intensive electrification schemes; and
WHEREAS, hastening the transition to hydrail by one year is estimated to save 3 billion barrels of oil and forestall the emission of over 200 million tons of CO2; and
WHEREAS, to these ends government, university and industry representatives were convened by the University of Birmingham, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education in Birmingham, England on July 3rd and 4th 2012 in collaboration with the Energy Center at Appalachian State University and the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, expresses great appreciation for the efforts of the University of Birmingham and the Conference organizers: Dr. Stuart Hillmansen; Dr. Clive Roberts; Doctorial Candidate Andreas Hoffrichter; Programme Administrator Joy Grey of the University’s Masters Programme in Railway Systems Engineering and Administration; and Appalachian State University’s Energy Center and Research Analyst Jason Hoyle.
Adopted, this the 22nd of August, 2012. ________________________________
Thomas McCrea, Chairman
RESOLUTION
To Recognize the Locomotive Design Team, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England Upon the Successful Design, Construction and Demonstration of Europe’s First Hydrail Locomotive
WHEREAS, the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce created the word hydrail to represent the concept of hydrogen powered locomotive traction; and
WHEREAS, England is the birthplace of mechanically powered railways; and
WHEREAS, the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, England successfully demonstrated Europe’s first hydrail locomotive as a novel and innovative entry to the Institution of Mechanical Engineer’s “Railway Challenge 2012”; and
WHEREAS, the BCCRE Loco Design Team successfully designed, constructed and demonstrated its hydrail locomotive, overcoming many obstacles and challenges through teamwork and collaboration between faculty and students; and
WHEREAS, the Loco Design Teams successful demonstration at the Seventh International Hydrail Conference in July of 2012 led to an invitation to demonstrate its hydrail locomotive in Hanover, Germany in September 2012 at the H2Moves
Scandinavia European Hydrogen Road Tour;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, expresses thanks and congratulations to the Birmingham Centre of Railway Research and Education at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England and most importantly to the Loco Design Team: Dr. Stuart Hillmansen, Faculty Advisor; Duncan Coombe, Mechanical Design Engineer and Technician; Rory Dickerson, Mechanical Engineers and Trouble-Shooter; Mani Entezami, Instrumentation Engineer; Peter Fisher, Hydrogen Fuel Specialist; Andreas Hoffrichter, Systems Engineer and Logistics Manager; Stephen Kent, Project Manager and Mechanical Design Lead; Daniel Reed, Hydrogen Fuel Specialist; Hamed Rowshandle, Mechanical Engineer; Kevin Sperin, Technician; Edd Stewart, Financial Manager; Jon Tutcher, Electrical and Control System Design Lead; Graeme Yow, Electronics Specialist and Adnan Zentani, Technician
Adopted, this the 22nd of August, 2012. ________________________________
Thomas McCrea, Chairman