Dow Chemical Powers Texas Facility with Hybrid Locomotives
 

Source: GreenBiz.com
 

MIDLAND, Mich., March 28, 2006 - The Dow Chemical Company has is applying hybrid technology to fuel locomotives at the company's Freeport, Texas, facility. The use of this technology was made possible through a Dow partnership with the State of Texas and switching contractor RailServe.

Reducing fuel consumption from 30% to 50%, the "hybrid locomotives" were converted from traditional diesel locomotives and now use approximately one quart of oil per month, or 0.1% of the 220 quarts per week used by a conventional locomotive. The use of this equipment will enable substantial fuel savings, reduced maintenance expenses and extensive emissions and noise reduction at Dow's largest production facility in the world.

"Dow is firmly committed to reducing our environmental impact and being good stewards of the communities in which we operate," said Brad Gray, Dow's global purchasing director. "Sustainability is an integral part of Dow's corporate strategy, and this project is a great example of how our Supply Chain and Site Operations groups work together in their continual pursuit of new opportunities to support Dow's strategic priorities."

Dow took initial delivery of five 1000 horsepower hybrid locomotives, called "Green Kids," beginning in November 2005, and has an agreement for two larger 2000 horsepower locomotives, or "Green Goats," to be in operation at the facility by March 2007. The locomotives are used for switching, or inside-the-facility transport of shipments coming in or going out of plants.

Through the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP), Dow worked with locomotive owner and switching contractor RailServe to secure a grant to convert the former diesel locomotives to hybrids. By agreeing to a five-year contract with its supplier, Dow helped RailServe meet a State requirement for the subsidy, facilitating the use of state money to help pay for the conversion costs of $500,000 to $750,000 per locomotive.

"We are very pleased that Dow has engaged with us on this exciting new project," said Tim Benjamin, co-president of RailServe. "Working with TERP and a great partner like Dow made the decision to purchase these locomotives an easy one."

The locomotives were built by taking an old diesel locomotive with a sound base structure and completely rebuilding the top to accommodate batteries, a generator and a small diesel engine. The diesel fuel in the engine is used by the generator to produce energy, which is then stored in the batteries and used to power the locomotive.

"We believe this environmentally responsible technology holds great promise for helping to reduce the dependence of the chemical industry -- and industry in general -- on traditional fuel sources," said Scott Noesen, Dow's Director of Sustainable Development. "We all need to do our part to find solutions."

GreenBiz.com is a program of The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation.
Copyright © The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation. All Rights Reserved.