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With its Arizona proving grounds outside Tucson, Ariz., serving as a backdrop, Caterpillar has demonstrated its first battery-electric 793 model large mining truck as it announced an investment into the campus as a sustainable testing and validation hub of the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development of the 793 prototype came with support from key mining customers participating in Caterpillar\u2019s Early Learner program. Participants of the program with definitive electrification agreements include BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont Corporation, Rio Tinto and Teck Resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur global team came together to develop this battery truck at an accelerated pace to help our customers meet their sustainability commitments,\u201d said Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson. \u201cThis demonstration is a significant milestone, and we are excited for these trucks to get to work at customers\u2019 sites around the world in the near future.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Early Learner program, launched in 2021, focuses on accelerating the development and validation of the OEM\u2019s battery electric trucks at participating customers\u2019 sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis approach supports the individual commitments each Early Learner participant has made to reduce and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their operations,\u201d the company said, adding that its main objective is to collaborate more closely with customers as the industry undergoes transformational change through the energy transition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Early Learner customers convened at the proving grounds to witness a live demonstration of Caterpillar\u2019s prototype battery truck on a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) course. During the event, Caterpillar monitored over 1,100 data channels, gathering 110,000 data points per second, to validate simulation and engineering modeling capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fully loaded to its rated capacity, the truck achieved a top speed of 60 km\/h (37.3 mph). The loaded truck traveled 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) up a 10% grade at 12 km\/h (7.5 mph). The truck also performed a 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) run on a 10% downhill grade, capturing the energy that would normally be lost to heat and regenerating that energy to the battery. Upon completing the entire run, the truck maintained enough battery energy to perform additional complete cycles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prototype, also built at Caterpillar\u2019s Tucson Proving Ground, is part of its investment to transform to a working, sustainable \u201cmine site of the future\u201d by installing and utilizing a variety of renewable energy sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe transformation of the Tucson Proving Ground allows Caterpillar to demonstrate our energy transition commitments and serve as a stronger advisor to customers as we navigate the changes together. We know it will take an integrated, site-level solution for miners to achieve their carbon-reduction goals, and we\u2019re here to help as they redefine the way they mine for generations to come,\u201d Johnson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the transformation of the site, Cat will install sustainability technology advancements such as green hydrogen production, natural gas and 100% hydrogen reciprocating engine power generation, fuel cell power generation and expanded energy storage systems, along with leveraged use of renewable power sources including wind, solar and hydrogen for powering the facility and products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe transformation of the facility will also serve as a learning platform for optimizing charging and energy management integration,\u201d Johnson noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n