AUSTRALIA: Fortescue Metals Group’s green technology division Fortescue Future Industries is developing what it says is a ‘world leading’ battery electric train concept.
The project was disclosed on January 24 when Fortescue announced it had agreed to acquire UK-based motorsports technology company Williams Advanced Engineering, saying the deal would provide critical technology and expertise for high-performance battery systems for rail, mine haul and heavy equipment applications.
Fortescue and WAE have been working together since early 2021 to design and build a prototype battery system to power an electric mining haul truck. Fortescue said it aims to position WAE as a ‘major player’ in the production of battery and hydrogen fuel cell power units for rail and heavy mobile equipment.
‘FFI and WAE will work together to decarbonise Fortescue — and in turn the global heavy industry and hard-to-abate sectors — for the good of our planet, and the benefit of our shareholders’, said Fortescue founder and Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest. ‘Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to remove fossil fuel powered machinery from our operations and to replace it with zero carbon emission technology, powered by FFI green electricity, green hydrogen and green ammonia.’
The company said further details of the rail project would be announced early this year.
