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Anglo American fuel cell mine locomotive in South Africa
NEWS FEATURE
Anglo American fuel cell mine locomotive in South Africa In South Africa, Anglo American Platinum has unveiled a prototype fuel cell powered mine locomotive, at a public launch event in Rustenburg in early May. This is the first of five fuel cell locomotives, and will undergo above-ground testing over the next several months. The prototype fuel cell powered locomotive will be tested for underground use at one of Anglo American Platinum’s mines. The locomotive fleet is ultimately intended for use in transporting equipment underground at mining sites. The South African mining giant Anglo American Platinum has delivered this industry leading sustainable mining project in collaboration with US-based Vehicle Projects, Trident South Africa, and Battery Electric.
mine during the third quarter of 2012. After the initial testing period, the fuel cell powered locomotives will be integrated as part of a mining operation. ‘Fuel cell power systems in commercial production can increase the energy efficiency of our mining operations, make efficient use of by-product hydrogen in South Africa, and provide growth in global platinum demand,’ says Neville Nicolau, CEO of Anglo American Platinum.
Multinational project
Underground fuel cells
Vehicle Projects is the prime contractor, responsible for engineering design, fabrication, and testing of the fuel cell power plant and reversible metal hydride storage system [FCB, iLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä£Ó]Ê«{R°ÊÌÃÊ ÞLÀ`ÊvÕiÊViÊ«ÜiÀÊ plant employs PEM fuel cell stacks supplied by Ballard Power Systems and lithium-ion batteries from K2 Energy. Trident South Africa is providing the surface test track facility for the fuel cell locomotive integrated into a Trident 10-tonne New Era locomotive, with project integration support for the electronics from Battery Electric. Surface testing of the fuel cell powered locomotive is planned to take place at the
In 2011 Anglo American Platinum identified uses for fuel cells in its own operations. Mining locomotives were identified as an ideal opportunity, with the new technology offering an environmentally friendly and safer means of underground transportation. ‘The platinum-based hydrogen fuel cells, used to power the locomotive we are unveiling today, offer one of the most exciting opportunities for South Africa in the green economy,’ says Cynthia Carroll, chief executive of Anglo American Plc and chair of Anglo American Platinum Ltd. ‘We believe that with platinum at its heart, a South African fuel cell industry would support the
country’s drive for jobs and help to meet its energy challenges.’
Fuel cell opportunity Last autumn Anglo American Platinum took delivery of a 150 kW PEM fuel cell power plant supplied by Ballard’s subsidiary Dantherm Power [FCB, November 2011, p6]. The unit was initially used to supply power to the local grid during the COP17 climate change summit in Durban [FCB, January 2012, p9], before deployment at a mining operation. Anglo American is also partnering with Ballard to work on several early-stage stationary and motive power fuel cell applications in the South African market [see page 10]. Anglo American Platinum is the world’s leading primary producer of platinum group metals. It is working with the South African Departments of Mineral Resources and Science & Technology to encourage and support greater local beneficiation of platinum. The partnership with government seeks to understand and highlight the key levers to the development of the fuel cell industry, as well as develop a roadmap for successful implementation. This collaboration is intended to enable the development of a local fuel cell manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and servicing industry which will be globally competitive. The Platinum Group Metals Development Fund established by Anglo American Platinum is working towards expanding industrialisation and beneficiation of platinum group metals (PGMs). The fund works in partnership with innovators and entrepreneurs in PGM technologies, and has identified opportunities in fuel cell technology. Anglo American Platinum Ltd: www.angloamericanplatinum.com Vehicle Projects Inc: www.vehicleprojects.com Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com K2 Energy: www.k2battery.com Trident South Africa (Pty) Ltd: www.tridentsa.co.za
The prototype fuel cell powered mine locomotive, developed in a project led by Anglo American Platinum in South Africa, will undergo above-ground testing over the next several months.
12
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Battery Electric (Pty) Ltd: www.batteryelectric.co.za Platinum Group Metals Development Fund:
May 2012
Anglo American fuel cell mine locomotive in South Africa In South Africa, Anglo American Platinum has unveiled a prototype fuel cell powered mine locomotive, at a public launch event in Rustenburg in early May. This is the first of five fuel cell locomotives, and will undergo above-ground testing over the next several months. The prototype fuel cell powered locomotive will be tested for underground use at one of Anglo American Platinum’s mines. The locomotive fleet is ultimately intended for use in transporting equipment underground at mining sites. The South African mining giant Anglo American Platinum has delivered this industry leading sustainable mining project in collaboration with US-based Vehicle Projects, Trident South Africa, and Battery Electric.
mine during the third quarter of 2012. After the initial testing period, the fuel cell powered locomotives will be integrated as part of a mining operation. ‘Fuel cell power systems in commercial production can increase the energy efficiency of our mining operations, make efficient use of by-product hydrogen in South Africa, and provide growth in global platinum demand,’ says Neville Nicolau, CEO of Anglo American Platinum.
Multinational project
Underground fuel cells
Vehicle Projects is the prime contractor, responsible for engineering design, fabrication, and testing of the fuel cell power plant and reversible metal hydride storage system [FCB, iLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä£Ó]Ê«{R°ÊÌÃÊ ÞLÀ`ÊvÕiÊViÊ«ÜiÀÊ plant employs PEM fuel cell stacks supplied by Ballard Power Systems and lithium-ion batteries from K2 Energy. Trident South Africa is providing the surface test track facility for the fuel cell locomotive integrated into a Trident 10-tonne New Era locomotive, with project integration support for the electronics from Battery Electric. Surface testing of the fuel cell powered locomotive is planned to take place at the
In 2011 Anglo American Platinum identified uses for fuel cells in its own operations. Mining locomotives were identified as an ideal opportunity, with the new technology offering an environmentally friendly and safer means of underground transportation. ‘The platinum-based hydrogen fuel cells, used to power the locomotive we are unveiling today, offer one of the most exciting opportunities for South Africa in the green economy,’ says Cynthia Carroll, chief executive of Anglo American Plc and chair of Anglo American Platinum Ltd. ‘We believe that with platinum at its heart, a South African fuel cell industry would support the
country’s drive for jobs and help to meet its energy challenges.’
Fuel cell opportunity Last autumn Anglo American Platinum took delivery of a 150 kW PEM fuel cell power plant supplied by Ballard’s subsidiary Dantherm Power [FCB, November 2011, p6]. The unit was initially used to supply power to the local grid during the COP17 climate change summit in Durban [FCB, January 2012, p9], before deployment at a mining operation. Anglo American is also partnering with Ballard to work on several early-stage stationary and motive power fuel cell applications in the South African market [see page 10]. Anglo American Platinum is the world’s leading primary producer of platinum group metals. It is working with the South African Departments of Mineral Resources and Science & Technology to encourage and support greater local beneficiation of platinum. The partnership with government seeks to understand and highlight the key levers to the development of the fuel cell industry, as well as develop a roadmap for successful implementation. This collaboration is intended to enable the development of a local fuel cell manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and servicing industry which will be globally competitive. The Platinum Group Metals Development Fund established by Anglo American Platinum is working towards expanding industrialisation and beneficiation of platinum group metals (PGMs). The fund works in partnership with innovators and entrepreneurs in PGM technologies, and has identified opportunities in fuel cell technology. Anglo American Platinum Ltd: www.angloamericanplatinum.com Vehicle Projects Inc: www.vehicleprojects.com Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com K2 Energy: www.k2battery.com Trident South Africa (Pty) Ltd: www.tridentsa.co.za
The prototype fuel cell powered mine locomotive, developed in a project led by Anglo American Platinum in South Africa, will undergo above-ground testing over the next several months.
12
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Battery Electric (Pty) Ltd: www.batteryelectric.co.za Platinum Group Metals Development Fund:
May 2012