Australian mining company Fortescue Metals Group is making its operations eco-friendly by 2030 while developing green solutions it can sell to others. Fortescue is investing a lot of money into green tech through a subsidiary called Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), which has recently completed the acquisition of UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering. On March 1, the two companies announced their first project together; the world’s first electric “Infinity Train” designed to transport tons of iron ore without ever needing to be charged.
Elizabeth Gaines, the CEO of Fortescue, said:
The Infinity Train has the capacity to be the world’s most efficient battery-electric locomotive. The regeneration of electricity on the downhill loaded sections will remove the need for the installation of renewable energy generation and recharging infrastructure, making it a capital-efficient solution for eliminating diesel and emissions from our rail operations.
The company has provided few details at this time. However, it seems that for one or more of Fortescue’s mining sites, there are sufficient downhill slope and braking opportunities in the loading direction to charge the battery. And, once the train is unloaded, it will be so much lighter than the battery can take it back to the mine and start the journey all over again without needing to be recharged.
It is a fascinating project, but there are still so many questions that remain unanswered. For example, will the Infinity Train work in wetter, lower-friction areas than the West Australian desert? Is this something that could roll out to a broader market, or is it a highly-specific single-use case? And finally, would it be economical in situations where some charging is needed during loading and unloading?
The Infinity Train is one of FFI’s impressive and growing list of green-tech undertakings. Last November, FFI announced it would have the world’s first ammonia-powered ship in operation by the end of this year, along with ammonia-fueled trains and hydrogen fuel cell mining trucks. But that’s not all! It’s also establishing itself as a significant global player in green hydrogen production and distribution, on top of beginning construction on an Australian factory that will more than double the world’s present electrolyzer production capacity.
