GE debuts hybrid dump truck

LONDON, UK - We have seen the advent of hybrid cars, hybrid trains and even hybrid tanks. Now General Electric (GE) has announced that it has successfully tested a giant hybrid dump truck.

Writing on the GE Global Research blog, Tim Richter an engineer in the conglomerate's hybrid vehicle team, said that the haul truck had been fitted with a hybrid system based on the same battery technology used in the hybrid locomotive the company demonstrated last year.

Haul trucks are huge dump trucks typically used to transport ore at open pit mines.

Richter said the new 600hp hybrid battery pack worked in much the same as a conventional hybrid car engine, capturing energy lost during brake to re use as the vehicle accelerates.

"When the driver calls for acceleration or power to climb a hill, the energy that was captured from the wheel motors during braking is released from the battery," he explained. "The energy is used to supplement the engine and reduce fuel usage or provide a power boost to increase speeds."

He added that the company plans to continue testing the new vehicle as it seeks to optimize the batteries and assess how reliable they prove in the harsh environment in which mine haul trucks operate.

Richter also predicted that the company can expect to see growing interest in hybrid technologies from a range of industries. "These technologies continue to gather interest and value against the continuing increase in fuel prices and price pressures on manufacturers and distributors," he observed.

Related News

california wild fire

California Utility Cuts Power to Massive Areas in Northern, Central California

LOS ANGELES - California utility Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) has cut off power supply to hundreds of thousands of residents in Northern and Central California as a precaution to possible breakout of wildfires.

PG&E confirmed that about 513,000 customers in many counties in Northern California, including Napa, Sierra, Sonoma and Yuba, were affected in the first phase of Public Safety Power Shutoff, a preemptive measure it took to prevent wildfires believed likely to be triggered by strong, dry winds.

The utility said the decision to shut off power was "based on forecasts of dry, hot and windy weather including potential…

READ MORE
Newfoundland Consumer Advocate

NL Consumer Advocate says 18% electricity rate hike 'unacceptable'

READ MORE

nrc power plant

US NRC streamlines licensing for advanced reactors

READ MORE

RBC agrees to buy electricity from new southern Alberta solar power farm project

READ MORE

Power Co-Op Gets Bond Rating Upgrade After Exiting Kemper Deal

READ MORE