Williams Advanced Engineering electrification solutions at Bauma

Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), which is wholly owned by Fortescue Metals Group, is showing a range of electrification solutions at Bauma 2022 in Munich, including advanced battery and energy storage technology specifically developed for use in rugged mining and other off-highway applications.

Williams Advanced Engineering is showing a range of electrification solutions at Bauma 2022 . (Photo: WAE)

The technology line-up at Bauma will include:

• Off-highway battery module with a scalable, modular design that delivers sub-30 min pack charge times. The module includes laser-welded cell-to-busbar technology for in-service reliability, a robust alloy frame and optimized cell packaging for maximum energy density.
• Battery management unit designed for pack architectures of less than 800 V. Its advanced state detection algorithms allow for more efficient energy usage, said WAE. It reduces equipment downtime by enabling maximized fast charge rates.
• Cell management unit enabling real-time telematics to maximize cell performance. The unit allows high-precision cell voltage and temperature monitoring, said WAE. Its flexi interconnects enable enhanced durability, and the system’s design reduces manufacturing complexity for high-volume applications.
• DC-DC converter with ruggedized design for deployment in off-highway vehicle applications. This 600 kW 1.5 kV to 1 kV stepdown converter incorporates Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology that delivers efficiency of 98.5%, WAE said. Full power operation takes place at an ambient temperature of 50° C.
• Vehicle control module designed for decarbonized powertrains. It includes a flexible heterogenous MPSoC processor and a versatile vehicle system controller.

Since being aquired by Fortescue in early 2022, WAE has been using its experience in high-performance battery technology to support Fortescue’s transition to a global green renewables and resources company through the decarbonization of its worldwide fleet. In addition, WAE said it is working on a zero-emission “Infinity Train” – a regenerating battery-electric iron ore train project that will use gravitational energy to recharge its battery-electric systems without any additional charging requirements for the return trip to reload.

In June 2022, WAE announced a partnership with Liebherr to develop, supply and integrate its zero-emission power system technologies into Liebherr green mining haul trucks.