Two Dutch ministries and several companies and research organizations revealed on December 22 the establishment and funding of a public-private partnership to develop hyperloop.

The public-private consortium will explore the potential of hyperloop as a high-speed, zero-emissions transport solution that could play a significant role in the climate transition, while simultaneously deliver economic growth.

The Hyperloop Development Program (HDP) is a joint research and development program for the development of hyperloop and has been designed as an inclusive ecosystem where companies and institutions can collaborate equally to accelerate the development of hyperloop as an efficient way for both people and goods to travel in vehicles through low-pressure tubes.

The 3-year program aims to demonstrate that hyperloop is a safe, sustainable and commercially viable solution to transport challenges in Europe and around the world. Hyperloop’s potential as an industrial development project that creates new companies, jobs and economic growth will also be assessed during this initial phase. As will its implications for the digitization and connectivity of industry.

“A global infrastructure project such as hyperloop can only be achieved when public and private parties cooperate in complementary ways,” said Jeroen in ‘t Veld, Chairman of the Hyperloop Development Program.

Government support
Since 2017, The Netherlands has established itself as a natural leader in this field. An ecosystem of more than 20 relevant companies has already been established and has developed and validated crucial hyperloop technologies such as the hyperloop lane-switch, crucial for network implementation. In recognition of this, the Minister of Infrastructure & Water Management and the State Secretary of Economics & Climate have announced that both ministries will award grants to support the jointly developed program. With a budget of €30 million, the industry partners will provide €22.5 million, which would make up the bulk of the program’s budget, the Dutch province of Groningen has agreed to contribute €3 million towards a test facility and both ministries will award a total of €4.5 million in grants to the Hyperloop Development Program.

Last October, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, and Mona Keijzer, State Secretary of Economics and Climate sent a letter to Parliament to update on the ministries’ joint efforts in the field of the hyperloop and the intention to support the HDP.  In the letter, they stress the importance of investing in the knowledge economy and to investigate the export potential of hyperloop technology: “It is important that, while we are experiencing the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak, the Netherlands investigates possible investment options for this new technology, which could make a significant contribution to our future earning capacity”.

By offering substantial financial backing and active involvement in the hyperloop development program, the national government of The Netherlands takes a leading role in the development of hyperloop worldwide.

“The technology of the hyperloop is impressive: it is important that we follow developments closely and capitalize on opportunities for the Netherlands”, minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen emphasizes.

Besides the support of both ministries and the Dutch Province of Groningen, the following parties are involved in the program: ADSE, Balance, Royal BAM Group, Delft Hyperloop, Dutch Railways, EuroTube, Hochschule Emden/Leer, Hardt, Institute of Global Innovation Economics and Logistics, Royal IHC, NEVOMO, POSCO, Recaro, Royal Schiphol Group, Schweizer Design Consulting, Tata Steel, TÜV Rheinland, Vattenfall.

Hardt Hyperloop vision for hyperloop network in Europe:

credits: Hyperloop Development Program /Hardt Hyperloop