TIG/m, LLC Delivers Third Hydrogen/Hybrid Streetcar to Aruba Toward Island's 100% Sustainability

LOS ANGELES - July 21, 2015 - PRLog -- TIG/m, LLC, manufacturers of the world’s greenest streetcars for inner-city public transportation, is delivering its third hydrogen/hybrid, pollution-free, heritage-style streetcar to Oranjestad, the capital of the Dutch island nation of Aruba.

“We are very pleased that we are contributing to Aruba’s goal of complete sustainability,” said TIG/m President Brad Read. “We are installing in the island’s capital, Oranjestad, the world’s most advanced inner-city rail-based streetcar system that is operated by using zero polluting green technology.”

The streetcar system in Aruba, which is committed to a fossil fuel free future, will be a groundbreaking example of zero-carbon rail transit. Wind farms on the island will supply power to their grid, which will then supply power to the batteries used on-board TIG/m streetcars, as well as the current used to electrolyse the water for hydrogen isolation, pressurization, storage, and delivery: a genuinely sustainable system.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and, like batteries, is classified as an energy carrier. It can be produced and consumed with zero impact on the environment, and reduces dependence on “traditional” imported fuels. It is safe, and in many cases, safer than the use of gasoline or natural gas.

The first TIG/m streetcar was delivered and has been operational on Oranjestad’s main thoroughfare since December 2012. The second streetcar has been running since July 2013. The third trolley has joined the fleet, taking cruise ship passengers to downtown Oranjestad.

Under the leadership of Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman, Aruba has partnered with the Carbon War Room (CWR), the global entrepreneur initiative founded by Sir Richard Branson and a group of entrepreneurs, at the UN's Rio+20 sustainable development talks in 2012 to transition the island to 100% renewable energy by 2020. The partnership is intended to make Aruba a fully sustainable energy economy, with the Carbon War Room and New America Foundation working together to both devise and implement an integrated strategy for Aruba’s economy-wide transition.  An energy sustainable island nation will be a global first, if successful.

Aruba is a major tourist destination in the Caribbean, with tourism accounting for 80% of its economic activity. The island attracts over 1.5 million tourists per year, 75% of whom travel from the US. All major cruise lines and airlines service Aruba. This year, 650,000 cruise-ship passengers are expected to visit its port-of-call.

About TIG/m, LLC - Modern Street Railways
Formed in 2005, Modern Street Railways www.tig-m.com designs and manufactures pollution-free self-powered streetcars. These custom, state-of-the-art, high capacity, hybrid/electric streetcars are designed for transportation in inner cities as well as in private developments. The streetcars are powered by a uniquely engineered and integrated self-contained power source that combines lithium batteries, regenerative braking, and a hydrogen fuel cell, requiring no overhead wire and generating zero pollutants. The firm provides full infrastructure design and construction administration for their products, including civil engineering of track alignments, track and turnout design, and maintenance facility design.