Hasta La Ideas

Australian mining company Fortescue acquired Williams Advanced Engineering and together they have announced the Infinity Train, an electrically-powered locomotive that can move loads of iron ore without needing to be charged by an external source. Because the train travels downhill, there’s enough momentum and braking opportunities to regenerate power in the battery without ever needing an external source. Then, when the train travels uphill, it does so after being unloaded and is thus lighter, which supports the whole system. “The Infinity Train has the capacity to be the world’s most efficient battery electric locomotive,” says Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines. “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.” Learn more about it at New Atlas.

Image courtesy of Fortescue Metals Group