Zero Emissions Rail Propulsion: Electrification, Batteries or Hydrogen?

Trains have always offered greater energy efficiency than air or highway travel. New technologies, however, offer the possibility of even greater efficiency, and with net-zero carbon emissions. The three main new options are powering trains with hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, or electrified lines. We heard from experts at Deutsche Bahn about these technologies, and which work best in different contexts.

Speaker Bios

Jorge Rios, Vice President, Deutsche Bahn E.C.O. North America, Project Director CHSRA Early Train Operator

Mr. Rios is an Electronic Engineer, Master in project management and is certified by the Project Management Institute (PMP). He started his career as a Signaling and Train Control Engineer. During his 27 years of experience Mr. Rios has directed railways and mobility projects in the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Germany and USA. He has been working for technology, operating, maintenance and rail Infrastructure development companies such as Deutsche Bahn, Bombardier, Sytecsa, Siemens, NEC and IBM. Currently Mr. Rios is Vice President of DB Engineering Consulting and Operations North America and was appointed as the Project Director of the CHSRA Early Train Operator in 2017.

Mohamed Hegazi, PhD, Senior Consultant, Deutsche Bahn E.C.O. North America, Center for Net Zero Transformationin Rail and Transit

Mohamed Hegazi is a Senior Consultant at the Center for Net Zero Transformation in Rail and Transit with DB E.C.O. North America Inc. Dr. Hegazi holds a PhD in civil engineering and 8 years of academic research experience focusing on the use of hydrogen for locomotive propulsion. Dr. Hegazi and researchers at the University of British Columbia are currently working on the retrofit of a switcher locomotive to operate using hydrogen in close collaboration with Natural Resources Canada. He is also involved in developing codes and standards for hydrogen powered locomotives.