From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

As investors place greater emphasis on carbon footprints, underground railway control systems manufacturer Battery Electric is ready to assist companies on their decarbonisation journey. Tracy Hancock tells us more.

Tracy Hancock:

Battery Electric has proven that it’s possible to ditch fossil fuels without losing capability by successfully converting a 5 t diesel, hydraulic underground mining locomotive owned by mining major Sibanye-Stillwater into an environment-friendly battery powered electric version.

Battery Electric design engineer Marnus Marais explains that the efficiency, control and safety of the existing machine has been significantly improved and follows two years of development of the company’s diesel machine conversion technology.

Battery Electric design engineer Marnus Marais:

Tracy Hancock:

The Battery Electric locomotive also includes a three-phase inverter and a reduction gearbox, which allows for the system to produce maximum torque and the electric motor to operate in its most efficient range. This is in addition to a sprocket adaptor, human-machine interface, driver speed control unit, high-frequency on-board charger, radiator, cooling pump and the heart of it all, the battery electric vehicle controller.

Battery Electric design engineer Marnus Marais:

Tracy Hancock:

Battery Electric also considered user-friendliness to ensure a smooth transition for operators.

Battery Electric design engineer Marnus Marais:

Tracy Hancock:

Having proven that it can install an intelligent electric drive on a diesel-driven machine, Battery Electric will now look to apply its retrofit technology to other off-highway vehicles with internal combustion engines.

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.