Roy Hill Sets New Course with Purchase of FLXdrive Battery Locomotive
September 13 2021 - 7:00PM
Business Wire
FLXdrive is the world’s first 100%
battery-powered, heavy-haul freight locomotive
Roy Hill announced the purchase of Wabtec’s (NYSE: WAB) FLXdrive
battery-electric locomotive, the world’s first 100-percent battery,
heavy-haul locomotive for the region and the mining industry.
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“We are committed to transforming the next generation of
transportation by adopting advanced technologies that improve
energy efficiency, lower operating costs and improve our rail and
mining network,” said Gerhard Veldsman, CEO of Roy Hill. “The
FLXdrive locomotive will be the first for the region and the first
for the mining industry and will improve our rail operations from
the mine to Port Hedland.”
Roy Hill will receive the newest version of the FLXdrive
battery-electric locomotive in 2023 with an energy capacity of 7
megawatt hours (MWh). It is an upgrade from the 2.4-MWh prototype
that was successfully tested in revenue service with a Class 1
railroad in the United States earlier this year. Based on the route
and Roy Hill’s rail operations, the FLXdrive is anticipated to
reduce the company’s fuel costs and emissions in percentage by
double digits per train. The ongoing use of the FLXdrive will also
reduce ongoing operational costs through maintenance spend.
“Our analysis with Wabtec confirms the FLXdrive locomotive is
ideally suited for our rail network,” said Simon Pascoe, General
Manager of Engineering for Roy Hill. “It has the horsepower to
operate in a heavy haul train consist pulling loaded wagons with
35,000 tonnes of iron ore, while at the same time reducing the
entire train’s fuel consumption. The FLXdrive also is designed to
function in the extreme heat of the Pilbara region.”
Today, Roy Hill uses four Wabtec ES44ACi “Evolution Series”
diesel-electric locomotives in a consist to pull trains that are
typically 2,700 meters (1.6 miles) in length. The FLXdrive will
replace one of the diesel locomotives to form a hybrid consist, and
recharge during the trip through regenerative braking. The FLXdrive
manages the overall train energy flow and distribution through its
Trip Optimizer system, an intelligent cruise control system
programmed through artificial intelligence to respond to every
curve and grade of the track in the most energy-efficient way
possible. It is also designed with a special liquid cooling system
to withstand the Pilbara heat, where temperatures can reach 55°C
(130°F).
“This order demonstrates Roy Hill’s progressive and
forward-thinking approach to the mining industry,” said Wendy
McMillan, Regional Senior Vice President Australia and New Zealand
for Wabtec. “By adopting this revolutionary technology in region,
Roy Hill is pioneering new approaches to its operations that will
benefit the company’s bottom line. The FLXdrive is a continuation
of our growing partnership and shared vision to bring more
efficient solutions to mining and rail industries.”
Wabtec’s goal is to develop the next generation of zero-emission
locomotives. The company has a clear path to power new locomotives
– and repower existing locomotives – with batteries, hydrogen
internal combustion engines, and hydrogen fuel cells. It is part of
Wabtec’s vision for the rail industry to play a key role in
building a clean energy economy and will enable the reduction of up
to 300 million tons of global carbon emissions.
“Controlling emissions is critical in the fight against climate
change,” said Rogerio Mendonca, President of Freight Equipment for
Wabtec. “The FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive is a bold step
toward a low-to-zero-emission locomotive future. We continue
working on solutions that cut the overall carbon footprint of the
industries we serve through the development of low-emitting
locomotives like the FLXdrive, and the use of alternative fuels
such as bio-diesel, renewable diesel and hydrogen.”
About Roy Hill
Roy Hill is a world-class iron ore operation and the largest
single ore mine in Australia. Situated 344km south east of Port
Hedland in Western Australia’s mineral rich Pilbara region, Roy
Hill is an independent iron ore operation with local majority
ownership and chaired by Mrs Gina Rinehart. With integrated mine,
rail and port facilities producing more than 62Mtpa, Roy Hill is
one of the world’s major resource-based operations, which will
deliver enormous benefits to the broader community for many years
to come. Roy Hill’s first shipment of iron ore departed from Port
Hedland on 10 December 2015 and has since loaded multiple shipments
to its key markets in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. Roy Hill
achieved many firsts including for its largely Greenfield project,
the largest mainland resource debt funding in the world, from 19 of
the world’s largest banks, and five Export Credit Agencies. Roy
Hill operates some of the largest equipment in the world and in
addition to having the fastest ramp up to more than 62Mtpa in the
Pilbara, has maintained a focus on safety excellence.
About Wabtec
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is focused on creating
transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The
company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital
solutions and value-added services for the freight and transit rail
industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets.
Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 150 years
and has a vision to achieve a zero-emission rail system in the U.S.
and worldwide. Visit Wabtec’s website at: www.wabteccorp.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210913005884/en/
Katherine Savage, Roy Hill katherine.savage@royhill.com.au or
+61 437 400 459
Tim Bader, Wabtec Tim.Bader@Wabtec.com or +1 682-319-7925
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