Mining giant Fortescue purchased WAE (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering) in January 2022, with the two having previously collaborated on the development of a battery electric mining haul truck. According to Fortescue, the new 13,500m2 Banbury site will focus primarily on manufacturing of electric/zero-emission powertrain systems for heavy industry, providing automated assembly for battery modules and packs, assembly of power conversion and power systems, as well as truck and train production support. It’s claimed the new facility will employ over 120 engineers, technicians, apprentices and graduates.
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“With Fortescue’s investment, British engineering will be at the cutting edge of the green energy economy with WAE’s battery systems providing world leading technology to the entire global industrial sector,” Dr Forrest said.
In March 2022, shortly after Fortescue purchased WAE, the pair announced they were working together on a concept called Infinity Train, a regenerating battery electric iron ore train project that uses gravitational energy to fully recharge its battery systems. At the time, Fortescue’s rail operations included 54 operating locomotives that haul 16 train sets, together with other on-track mobile equipment.
Each train set is about 2.8km in length and has the capacity to haul 34,404 tonnes of iron ore in 244 ore cars. Fortescue’s rail operations consumed 82 million litres of diesel in financial year 2021 accounting for 11 per cent of Fortescue’s Scope 1 emissions. The company claims 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 new Banbury facility will operate alongside Fortescue’s other Oxfordshire facilities including its Kidlington factory which will open later this year. Fortescue is targeting its first prototype build for July/August 2023 with the first mining haul truck module due for completion in August 2023.
The Banbury site will officially open in 2024. WAE is recruiting now across all disciplines. Those interested in applying can visit: https://wae.com
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