Ampcontrol Charges Through To The Next Phase Of The Global Charge On Innovation Challenge

Ampcontrol, together with Tritium, have been announced as one of the 21 companies across the globe to be shortlisted for the Charge On - Innovation ChallengeBHP, Rio Tinto and Vale have collaborated as founding patrons of the worldwide Charge On - Innovation Challenge, to solve one of the biggest challenges in mining today, to decarbonise mining operations. Facilitated by Austmine, the open Innovation Challenge launched in May 2021, inviting technology innovators from across the globe to submit concepts that specifically addressed climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions towards a zero-emissions target. The scope for this Challenge was to uncover novel, tangible solutions to large-scale haul truck electrification systems, to assist the mining sector in lowering the consumption of diesel fuel and significantly lessening emissions from surface mine operations. The Challenge asked vendors to present interoperable solutions that can safely deliver electricity to large battery-electric off-road haul trucks in a way that maintains or improves current productivity levels. Specifically, innovations were sought that identified mechanisms capable of producing 400kWh of electricity to each truck within a haul cycle (i.e. load, travel, dump, return, queue). The delivered electricity is to charge a battery, and if applicable, directly propel the truck. Ampcontrol and Tritium are honoured to be shortlisted alongside international vendors such as Hitachi Group, Shell Consortium, Siemens, Mitsui & Co. with Forsee Power and AVL. Ampcontrol Managing Director & CEO Rod Henderson said, "Technological breakthroughs are vital to our decarbonisation journey as we work toward zero emissions. Collaborative partnerships with organisations such as Tritium are critical to our research and development as they bring together innovative thinkers to deliver safer, cleaner, electrically operated solutions to the mining industry." "Tritium has a strong history of developing innovative solutions to difficult problems, whether it's fast charging technology for sub-arctic temperatures and the hottest deserts, or battery management systems for deep sea exploration," said James Kennedy, Tritium Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. "That's why we built our DC fast charging technology with sealed enclosures and liquid cooling, to better protect our chargers in dusty, hot, corrosive and other industrial and harsh environments. Through this partnership with Ampcontrol, we will be applying our expertise in power electronics and high-power DC charging in harsh environments to develop a reliable technology solution to reduce emission in the sector." The next phase of the Charge On Innovation Challenge will  comprise of a pitch session followed by an in-depth look into the innovative solution proposed by Ampcontrol and Tritium to reduce carbon emissions in mining operations around the world. For more information about the challenge, visit the Charge On – Innovation Challenge website. Download the full media release below.