A train on batteries that regenerate automatically sounds futuristic, but is exactly what Australian mining company Fortescue and UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) are currently developing. The gravitational energy from the heavy iron ore load will be used to regenerate the batteries while the train is running.
Fortescue completed the acquisition of UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) this week, and with it announced the ‘Infinity Train’ plans. As one of the world’s largest producers of iron ore, Fortescue’s mining infrastructure is connected to several ports in Australia via heavy haul railways. The Infinity Train will use gravitational energy to fully recharge its battery electric systems without any additional charging requirements for the return trip to reload.
As Fortescue explains it: There is a lot of energy behind a train travelling downhill with…