Mining giant Fortescue has taken delivery of a monster of an electric power system designed to power an equally monstrous 240-tonne mining truck.

Developed by WAE Technologies – formerly Williams Advanced Engineering, an offshoot of Williams Formula One team, and acquired by Fortescue Future Industries in 2022 – the massive 1.4MWh prototype power system will be installed in a prototype haul truck being developed by Fortescue and Liebherr, the German-Swiss equipment manufacturer.

Fortescue says the system weighs 15 tonnes, measures 3.6m long, 1.6m wide and 2.4m high, and comprises eight sub-packs, each with 36 modules, all individually cooled and each with its own battery management system. It has the the ability to fast-charge in 30 minutes and capacity to regenerate power as it drives downhill.

The battery is currently at Fortescue’s workshop in Perth and will be assembled and installed before its transported to the Pilbara for testing on site in 2023.

Fortescue says the battery will be integral to its decarbonisation strategy to help eliminate fossil fuels from its iron ore operations, which includes replacing its existing diesel-fuelled fleet with battery electric and green hydrogen powered haul trucks.

“Today marks the latest milestone in the rapid development of state-of-the-art zero emission technology for Fortescue’s mining trucks,” said Craig Wilson, WAE Technologies. “This high-performance power system not only boasts the highest energy storage of its kind but will also be the first to offer 30 minute fast charging.

“This system is the first of many technologies that can help enable Fortescue to realise its industry leading 2030 net-zero target. Powered solely by renewable energy, it will help prevent enormous amounts of fossil fuel from being used in the mining industry, with the goal to not compromise the vehicle’s load capacity.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (February 2023) 

1 March 2023