Tag Archives: Nic Beutler

ABB set for eMine truck fast charging leap

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

ABB is working on a new fast charging solution under its eMine™ ecosystem that will represent a 10-fold increase in capacity compared with its previous 600 kW solution, Nic Beutler, Global eMine Solutions Manager, told IM this week.

Speaking on the sidelines of a trip to Boliden’s Rävliden mine in northern Sweden, Beutler said ABB is extending the capability of eMine FastCharge, explaining the previous solution it showcased in 2021 with MEDATech Engineering and Staubli would be far surpassed by this.

This 600 kW eMine FastCharge charger requires no machine operators to charge up the vehicle. Drivers station their vehicles next to the charger, the FastCharge system senses its presence and then moves the connection pin into position, inserting it into the receptacle and charging the vehicle. The solution was demonstrated on a Western Star 4900XD-e machine that MEDATech’s ALTDRIVE division had retrofitted with a battery (see below).

“What we’re working on is a more than 10-fold increase in charging power from the 600 kW fast charge solution we have previously showcased whilst keeping interoperability and flexibility in mind,” Beutler said.

“The increase in power is representative of how fast the industry has moved in these three years. Where we were once looking at charging battery vehicles in the 100-t-class and below, we’re now looking at supplying charge to vehicles with payloads of 240-280 t with a 6C charge rate.”

The news also comes on the back of Staubli announcing that it would present a charging connection device built for 7.5 MW capacity chargers at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2024, in Las Vegas, next month.

While Beutler couldn’t provide further specifics on the exact charging capacity and charge time, he did acknowledge the new fast charger would retain the containerised and modular nature that ABB established for the original 600 kW pilot system.

“There will be more containerised components than what we previously highlighted,” he said.

“It will require a larger footprint and some further application engineering depending on the site conditions, but the modularity element remains to also allow the integration of various manual and automated connection interfaces.”

ABB and MEDATech team up to tackle mine decarbonisation

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , ,

ABB says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MEDATech to jointly explore solutions to decarbonise mining operations through charging solutions and optimised electric drive systems in battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for heavy-duty applications.

The two companies will share expertise and collaborate in bringing solutions to market that will reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with heavy machinery in mining, they say.

Technology provider ABB and MEDATech bring complementary expertise to designing and building electric heavy mobile equipment. The collaboration could involve exploring further development and possible technologies for high power and automated charging and connector systems to facilitate the adoption of BEVs in industries with heavy machinery.

“We are very excited to be working with ABB in this new and dynamic field of electric vehicles and will bring our advanced drive train technology to the forefront alongside ABB’s advanced charging technology,” Rob Rennie, Founder and President of MEDATech, said. “Collaborating to accelerate the adoption to emission-free transport systems enabling cleaner operations is truly at the heart of our company.”

The collaboration with MEDATech, which largely works across the mining, construction and energy sectors, is the latest in a series that ABB is developing with OEMs and technology innovators to accelerate the transition to all-electric mines.

Mehrzad Ashnagaran, ABB’s Global Product Line Manager Electrification & Composite Plant, said: “Within the ABB Ability™ eMine framework, ABB is increasingly working with OEMs and technology innovators to fast-track the development of new emissions-reducing systems through the electrification and automation of the whole mining operation. Strategic collaborations, such as with MEDATech, provide solutions that support responsible mining operations. The aim of our combined solutions is to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of customer businesses, contribute to the reduction of CO₂ and the realisation of a sustainable society.”

Nic Beutler, ABB’s Global Product Manager Power System & Charging Solutions, added: “The mining sector has set clear and ambitious targets to decarbonise operations for a more sustainable future. To meet or even exceed productivity targets while not compromising on safety, new thinking and technological solutions are required. ABB and MEDATech are an ideal match for exploring the steps needed to reach net zero emissions for heavy-duty industrial machinery.”

ABB recently launched ABB Ability eMine, an approach, method and integrated portfolio of electrification and digital systems designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of the mining sector. Included within this was the eMine FastCharge solution (prototype pictured) and eMine Trolley System.

MEDATech, meanwhile, recently launched what it says is the “Deswik of underground fleet electric vehicle electrification” with its Electric Vehicle Fleet Optimization Software (EV-FOS).

The agreement with MEDATech will complement ABB’s engineering and technology expertise on-board and off-board mining vehicles and allow for much needed and lasting solutions for the industry, it said.

MEDATech provides its ALTDRIVE drivetrain technology to OEMs and end users while consulting and developing optimisation tools to realise the efficient and cost-effective implementation of electric fleets, according to ABB.

Based in Ontario, Canada, it has built extensive know-how and expertise in designing, building and testing of prototype systems and vehicles since 2003. It launched the 100% electric mining haul truck, the Western Star 4900XD (pictured below), which has ultra-fast charging capability, accepting a charge power of 600 kW.

With ABB’s charging capability matching charging cycles to the production, charging times of less than 15 minutes can be achieved, according to the company.