Rio Tinto Mining Company transports iron ore in one-and-a-half-mile long trains across the vast Australian Outback. Each train comprises three diesel locomotives, and 240 rail cars. The system works well, except it pumps carbon into the atmosphere. And that as we know must come to an end for the sake of our planet. Yahoo Finance posted a report on October 20, 2023, revealing more details about the Rio Tinto battery electric loco trial.
More About Rio Tinto’s Carbon-Free Battery Electric Locomotives
Wabtec Corporation is supplying four 7MWh FLXdrive battery-electric locos for the project. However, those units will only produce approximately half the energy of the diesels, suggesting nothing is cut-and-dry at this stage. Especially as they are the world’s first all battery trains.
“It’s about us helping the manufacturers and the developers get to a solution that suits us. Because if we don’t run in, no one will do it,” insists managing director Richard Cohen. Cohen is responsible for the iron ore unit’s rail, port, and core services.
The project forms part of Rio Tinto’s overall goal to transition to net zero emissions for its entire fleet of rail locomotives. Cohen explains that the Rio Tinto battery electric loco pilot could make a significant contribution to halving company emissions by 2030.
Achieving Those Goals With Battery Electric Locos
The 7MWh FLXdrive battery-electric locos, “… provide the power, fuel savings and emissions reductions to cost-effectively run rail networks in the mining industry,” says Rogerio Mendonca, President of Freight Equipment for Wabtec.
Liquid-cooling thermal management systems are at the heart of the locos, optimizing energy output and battery life. It almost goes without saying there will be in-mission regenerative brake charging, and fast battery charging via stationary pantographs.
More Information
An Infinity Train That Could Recharge Itself
Build a Battery-Power Electric Train
Preview Image: FLXdrive Battery Compartment
YouTube Share Link: https://youtu.be/pu9nGLy3Ah4?si=uInCLEiMhVnbolxh
Announcement by Rio Tinto Company
