Hydrogen powered Light Rail in the Okanagan: Challenges, Solutions & Next Steps

Clean Energy Research Centre Seminar

Population and tourism growth has increased congestion, collisions, climate harming emissions, and transport inequities in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Surveys indicate a willingness among residents to switch from cars to public transit featuring better service levels and connections. We conducted an analysis on the economic feasibility of an Okanagan Valley Electric Regional Passenger Rail (OVER PR) powered by zero-emission (ZE) Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid Rail (Hydrail) technology along a 342-km route between Osoyoos, B.C., at the US Border and Kamloops, B.C., the Canadian VIA rail hub. Hydrail passenger light-rail has operated successfully since 2018 in Germany and was demonstrated in Quebec, Canada, in 2023. Technical analyses have confirmed the feasibility in B.C. on steep Highway (Hwy) 97 grades and mountainous weather, with mode shift forecasts in the range of 30%. OVER PR economic analyses were also favorable, with net present value (NPV) = CAD 40 billion (CDN, base year 2023), benefit–cost ratio (BCR) = 9:1, and Return on Investments (IRR) = 33% over 30 years. Subject to additional stakeholder consultations and final design reviews, these results were tested against risks using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and Reference-Class Forecasting (RCF), including worst-case risks such as 70% cost over-runs. OVER PR promises an economic transition to clean energy, sustainable transportation, and more livable communities, benefiting all Valley communities through greater transportation equity.

Presenter Biography:

Dr. Holger Busche, is an expert in the field of sustainable transport and has been working on Hydrail technology for many years. He has just recently stepped down from his role as Transport & Energy Policy Advisor in the German parliament to organize traffic and construction sites of a railroad company in Northern Germany. Holger played a pivotal role in the analysis, review, and roll-out of the world’s 1st hydrail passenger train, the Alstom iLint Coradia, which launched in 2018. He has been collaborating with UBCO’s Gord Lovegrove on hydrail research for the past 5 years.

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