Australian mining giant Fortescue is one of the world’s biggest producers of iron ore, with its rail operations to transport minerals consuming around 82 million litres of diesel each year. According to the company, this diesel consumption and associated emissions will be eliminated once the Infinity Train is fully implemented across Fortescue’s operations, contributing to its target to be diesel-free by 2030.
“The Infinity Train will not only accelerate Fortescue’s race to reach net zero emissions by 2030, but also lower our operating costs, create maintenance efficiencies and productivity opportunities,” said Fortescue founder and chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest.
“The Infinity Train will join Fortescue’s green fleet under development and will contribute to Fortescue becoming a major player in the growing global market for green industrial transport equipment.
“The commercial opportunities are obvious for FFI (Fortescue Future Industries) as it pioneers this technology, captures its value and distributes it globally. Less obvious is that we have an opportunity to not only lower our operating costs, eliminate the cost of diesel from our company but of course eliminate our rail system carbon emissions.”
Fortescue’s studies and development costs for the Infinity Train are expected to be $50m over the next two years. The technology, to be jointly developed by Fortescue and WAE, will address the reduction in emissions in the hard to abate heavy industry sector with opportunities for this technology to be commercialised on a global basis.
“The Infinity Train has the capacity to be the world’s most efficient battery electric locomotive,” said Elizabeth Gaines, Fortescue CEO. “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.”
