Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP has purchased four battery-electric locomotives for use at the company’s Western Australia Iron Ore rail network, part of the company’s 2050 net zero target.
BHP announced on Monday that it would trial the battery-electric locomotives – two of which will be supplied by BHP’s current provider, Caterpillar company Progress Rail, and another two from American rail giant Wabtec.
Deliveries of the four locomotives are expected for late-2023 with BHP set to immediately undertake trials to test their performance and emissions reduction capabilities in delivering iron ore from its Pilbara mines to the Port Hedland export facility.
The trials will be the first step in BHP’s larger plans to electrify its iron ore fleet of more than 180 locomotives, a transition that would reduce BHP’s WA iron ore diesel-related carbon emissions by approximately 30% annually.
Additionally, BHP’s trials of the locomotives will also test their energy recapture opportunities using the rail network’s natural topography, which is hoped to further reduce the trains’ overall power demand.
Specifically, as the trains journey to port they will be able to brake on downhill slopes to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost and use that recaptured energy to help power empty trains back to the Pilbara.
“WA Iron Ore is significant within BHP’s global operations, and I am pleased we can play a leading role in helping to develop new and innovative solutions with potential to shape our business for a cleaner future,” said Brandon Craig, BHP asset president Western Australia iron ore.
“Rail is the fundamental link in our pit-to-port value chain, and the power required to deliver fully-laden iron ore wagons from the Pilbara to Port Hedland is significant. Trialling battery-electric locomotives in collaboration with Progress Rail and Wabtec has great potential to support our operational emissions reductions targets and goals.”
BHP has committed to achieving net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050 and has also set a medium-term target to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% based on 2020 levels by 2030.
A short target is also within reach, of maintaining the company’s operational greenhouse gas emissions for the financial year-2022 at or below its 2017 levels while nevertheless continuing to grow the business.
“We are excited to support BHP with our EMD Joule locomotives for deployment on its Pilbara railway,” said Progress Rail President & CEO, Marty Haycraft.
“Equipped with the latest technology, our 8-axle, 14.5-MWh battery capacity locomotives provide optimal levels of energy regeneration and will play a pivotal role in helping BHP reach its sustainability goals.”
“The FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive represents the future of sustainable rail operations,” added Wabtec President of Freight, Rogerio Mendonca.
“The rail and mining industries are on the cusp of technological advancements to equip customers with zero-emission locomotive fleets. The FLXdrive is a major step toward eventually achieving that vision. It will provide BHP with the tractive effort, fuel savings, emissions reductions and reliability to cost effectively run their rail operations.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.