Image: Fortescue
Iron ore miner Fortescue has been awarded $A10 million in government funding to develop the massive 6 megawatt (MW) fast charger units that will be used for the hundreds of massive 240 tonne haul trucks it has agreed to buy in a landmark $4 billion deal.
The 6 MW fast charger – which would be by far the most powerful in the world – is already under development by Fortescue Zero, its technology arm, and the $10 million from The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will support the building, testing and validation of multiple test units before full production begins late next year.
The mention of the 6 MW fast chargers stunned the EV world when it was announced at a mining expo in September because it is twice as big as the 3 MW prototype that had been built, and significantly bigger than any other electric truck charger to date.
The chargers are needed for the 1.9 megawatt hour batteries that drive the power systems for the massive 240 tonne battery electric haul trucks that the company has agreed to buy for Leibherr. Fortescue says it will be able to do that in just half an hour.
In a statement on Tuesday, Fortescue said the 6MW fast charger will be compatible with a wide range of battery electric heavy mining equipment and designed to meet all operational requirements.
“As part of our decarbonisation plan, we intend to roll out around 250 fast chargers of varying capacities across our iron ore operations before the end of this decade,” Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto said.
“Not only will this project serve as a catalyst for demand from external heavy industry customers, but it will also enable a significant reduction in emissions.”
Fortescue aims to reach “real zero” terrestrial emissions for its operations at its giant Pilbara mines, which means ceasing the burning of fossil fuels for power generation, transport and mining operations by the end of the decade.
Fortescue Zero CEO Ellie Coates, says the new chargers are being developed for the challenging conditions of the Pilbara, and will be equipped with robotic connection options.
Both charger test and early production units will be assembled and undergo factory acceptance testing at Fortescue Zero’s Research and Development facility in Perth prior to their deployment on site.
The facility was visited on Tuesday by assistant minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, who said: “Heavy haulage trucks are integral to the function of Western Australia’s mining operations but at present are reliant on fossil fuels, which means unwanted pollution, cost volatility, and energy insecurity.”
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.
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Why one earth would we give 10 million to a billion dollar company. This is a silly idea and waste of tax payers money. It says they were already developing it.
I'm not sure the current incumbents are making a stellar go of the RE transition. Not to diminish the challenge of changing the grid and shifting to EVs, but a lot of obvious mistakes could be avoided.
It is a good idea if it materially assists in getting the tech to a usable standard AND easily accessible by other businesses. Lots of sillier things have money spent on them And is this a gift or a loan ? Or with conditions on access to the tech?
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The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will support the building, testing and validation of multiple test units before full production begins late next year.
There is something in it for them no doubt, the knowledge gained may speed up the rollout of chargers to the heavy trucking industry.
That have been powered by gas to charge them
Perhaps to signal to others that there are grants available as a form of stimulus?
Giles, you wrote, "The chargers are needed for the 1.9 megawatt hour batteries that drive the power systems for the massive 240 tonne battery electric haul trucks that the company has agreed to buy for Leibherr." Did you mean "agreed to buy from Liebherr"?
Cheaper than fossil fuel rebates.
Helps if you can check out what fuel tax at 20 billion a year pays for schools hospitals.
Your electric car will have to pay for that
No brainer. Solar on site plus stationary storage. Zero diesel bills and almost zero maintenance. Repairing heavy diesel machinery is a nightmare. This avoids all that.
24-7 operation so no solar.
70 trucks being charged in a 24hr period.
Lots of maintenance on electric trucks as the maintenance is drive wheels breaks shocks are the main 3.
Power from charging is from gas power.
You probably still think cars need tune ups that they have not required since the 90s.
One day you might realise that there are these things called batteries that store solar power. There is also this other thing called wind power, which does in fact generate at night. Thus there is no need to power these trucks from "gas".
How is the energy for the fast chargers produced?
Solar would be the obvious choice
24/7 operation so no charging the trucks 4 times a 34hr period.
It will be gas or diesel.
Fortescue currently have $1.14 billion allocated to renewable energy projects. This Includes green hydrogen which will be used to provide 24/7 power
Most of the energy will come from solar and wind, then be stored in batteries for use when there is insufficient wind or solar. Green hydrogen likely will be used for deep storage, but not for a daily energy storage as it is too inefficient compared to batteries for these type of use case.
They are also going to use wind power.
Paid by tax payer powered by gas
This is classic "Research and Development" money.
We all win with the reduced emissions.
That's a great idea. I hope it can be adapted more broadly beyond the mining sector eg aircraft
The challenge with aircraft is not the charging speed, but the energy density of the cells in the plane.