CN first announced its partnership with Progress Rail and REG in 2022. The three firms are working together to test the use of high-level renewable biofuel blends in rail operations. According to CN, these types of fuels present an immediate opportunity to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and help it meet its ambitious science-based emission targets.
The main objective of the pilot project is to evaluate the feasibility and impacts of using biofuels in CN’s locomotives, including in cold weather.
The first year of testing on the Bessemer and Lake Erie portion of CN’s network, in Pennsylvania, is already a success, testing different blends of biodiesel and renewable diesel without having any impact on customers’ traffic, including during cold weather operations.
Over 2023-2024, CN and its partners will continue to closely monitor the impact of these tests on the locomotives and compile all results at the end of the project to better understand the implications of using renewable biofuels across the network.
“This initiative demonstrates once again that CN is committed to playing a key role in the transition to a low-carbon economy and the importance of collaboration,” said François Bélanger, senior director of sustainability at CN. “The partnership between CN, a locomotive manufacturer and a biofuel producer is a clear signal that the rail industry is working together to lower the carbon intensity of our supply chain.”
Paul Denton, senior vice-president at Progress Rail, added, “As part of our commitment to make a meaningful, positive impact on the environment, Progress Rail provides a wide range of products and services that offer fuel flexibility. Progress Rail was the first major locomotive manufacturer to approve up to 20% biodiesel across our existing fleet, which represents the highest fleet-wide blends of biodiesel in global revenue service. We are proud to work with CN to help support their sustainability goals with this immediate, cost-effective solution, and look forward to working together on the next generation of alternative fuels.”
Todd Ellis, vice-president of sales at Chevron Renewable Energy Group, concluded, “The high-percentage biodiesel and renewable diesel blend testing, in close collaboration with CN, is furthering the conviction of the role of biofuels as an immediate lower carbon solution that can be implemented with minimal impact to infrastructure or operations.”
CN is a sustainability leader in the North American rail industry, consuming approximately 15% less locomotive fuel per gross ton mile than the industry average.
In its April issue, Electric & Hybrid Rail Technology magazine spoke exclusively to leading railroads and locomotive manufacturers in the US, including Progress Rail and Chevron, about how they are achieving near-term emission reduction goals through the use of bio and renewable fuels. Click here to read the full story.