A foreign technology company has won a tender for several resources developments in Australia.
UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) recently secured a contract to begin converting Fortescue Metals Group’s (FMG’s) haul truck fleet into electric-powered heavy vehicles.
WAE will design, build, test and integrate a prototype electric mining haul truck into one of FMG’s existing Komatsu trucks.
Regenerative and fast-charging
The technology is promised to regenerate the bespoke battery electric powertrain while the 240-tonne vehicle moves downhill. It will also feature a fast charging unit that accepts renewable energy produced at FMG’s Pilbara Energy Connect Network.
The battery will be built at WAE’s facility in Grove, Oxfordshire before being shipped to Perth. The power cell will be integrated and performance tested at various FMG mines across the Pilbara region.
Climate change
FMG revealed the project was inspired by an environmental theory that burning fossil fuels creates carbon emissions, which can influence long-term weather patterns
“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the planet and Fortescue is committed to tackling this challenge head on through our industry leading target to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2040,” FMG chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said in a public statement.
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The proponent confirmed the truck conversions would help reduce its overall carbon footprint by up to 26 per cent sometime in the year 2030.
“With around a quarter of these emissions attributed to our mobile haul fleet, this represents a significant opportunity to drive our pathway to being diesel free,” Gaines said.
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