Ampcontrol and Tritium Shortlisted in Global “Charge On Innovation Challenge” to Decarbonise Mining Operations

September 15, 2021

Partners pioneer innovative technology solutions to electrify large-scale haul truck systems
Research and development to deliver safer, cleaner, electrically operated solutions
21 companies shortlisted for global challenge to reduce carbon emissions in mining

BRISBANE, Australia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ampcontrol, in partnership with Tritium, has been announced as one of just 21 companies across the globe to be shortlisted for the “Charge On Innovation Challenge.” Competing against international vendors such as Hitachi Group, Shell Consortium, Siemens, and Mitsui & Co., Ampcontrol and Tritium are honoured to be announced as one of the shortlisted innovators to further research and develop innovative electrical mining solutions.

Facilitated by Austmine, Australia’s leading industry body for the mining equipment, technology and services sector, and sponsored by founding patrons BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale, the worldwide “Charge On Innovation Challenge” aims to solve one of the biggest mining challenges today: the decarbonisation of mining operations.

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.”

The scope for the challenge was to uncover novel, tangible solutions to large-scale haul truck electrification systems, reduce the consumption of diesel fuel and significantly lessen 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 to identify mechanisms capable of producing in the order of 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.

“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.”

Focused on the sustainability of our environment, Ampcontrol and Tritium worked together to pitch for the challenge to help find a joint solution that can change the shape of the mining haul cycle forever.

Shortlisting the submission by Ampcontrol and Tritium in this competitive, worldwide challenge acknowledges both firms as pioneers in innovative global solutions in the electrical engineering, manufacturing and energy sectors.

The next phase of the “Charge On Innovation Challenge” will comprise a pitch session followed by an in-depth review of the innovative solution proposed by Ampcontrol and Tritium to reduce carbon emissions in mining operations around the world.

For more information, visit the Charge On Innovation Challenge website.

About Ampcontrol

Ampcontrol is Australia’s largest privately-owned electrical engineering company leading advanced global manufacturing of award-winning innovations, products, solutions and service to the resources, infrastructure, and energy sectors. From humble beginnings founded by four friends in a small shed in Newcastle in 1968, Ampcontrol has grown to over 850 employees, 6 member companies and 30 operations worldwide. Australian owned and operated, locations including New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, ACT and South-East Asia. Built on a foundation of innovation, agility and ingenuity, the talented people of Ampcontrol energise our world by designing and developing integrated electrical solutions and technology that make a meaningful improvement to people’s lives and communities across the globe. For more information visit www.ampcontrolgroup.com.

About Tritium

Founded in 2001, Tritium designs and manufactures proprietary hardware and software to create advanced and reliable DC fast chargers for electric vehicles. Tritium’s compact and robust chargers are designed to look great on Main Street and thrive in harsh conditions, through technology engineered to be easy to install, own, and use. Tritium is focused on continuous innovation in support of our customers around the world.

As announced on May 26, 2021, Tritium has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation II (NASDAQ: DCRN, DCRNW), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), that would result in Tritium becoming a publicly listed company. Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2021.

For more information, visit tritiumcharging.com.