CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NYSE:GE) – GE unveiled that its breakthrough energy storage technology, the Durathon Battery, has successfully powered GE Mining’s Scoop, an underground vehicle that transports mining materials, at Coal River Energy, LLC in Alum Creek, West Virginia. This trial is a major milestone for GE Mining and represents a long-term commitment to developing market-leading solutions featuring increased productivity, availability, reduced maintenance costs and improved performance.
GE Mining and GE’s Energy Storage, two businesses within GE Transportation, collaborated to combine the Durathon battery, an ecomagination-qualified product, with GE’s Invertex underground propulsion system to develop a more advanced and efficient mining scoop.
“We’re encouraged by the test at Coal River Energy and see GE’s Durathon battery technology as a long-term solution for our mining customers,” said Prescott Logan, general manager of GE Energy Storage. “With the Invertex underground propulsion system and our state-of-the-art energy storage solution, GE Mining will deliver higher efficiency and productivity to mining customers worldwide while lowering fuel use, emissions and life-cycle cost.”
GE’s Durathon battery technology features a number of benefits that make the technology faster, cleaner and better than traditional batteries, including at least 40 percent more operating range. The battery is 25 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than traditional batteries, enabling more energy to be stored in a smaller space. The battery-powered scoop operates more effectively in extreme temperatures and requires no cooling and minimal maintenance.
Additionally, the battery contains no lead acid materials. This eliminates the release of gases when charging, removes explosive fuel sources underground and reduces mineworker exposure to diesel particulate matter – three key safety priorities for the mining industry.
“The Durathon battery powered scoop further underscores GE Mining’s progress towards bringing the next generation of superior underground mining equipment to the industry,” said Geoff Knox, CEO of GE Mining. “We are encouraged by this rigorous testing and look forward to the future benefits this technology will bring to our customers.”
GE Mining, which continues to drive the industry with breakthrough propulsion system innovations, acquired Fairchild’s underground mining equipment in 2012. Following the acquisition, GE Mining initiated a program to combine the Fairchild underground mining scoop together with GE’s Invertex underground propulsion system and Durathon battery technology into a state-of-the-art underground mining solution.
“The scoop performed well and we are eager to see the final product,” said Carl Estep, maintenance manager at Coal River Energy, LLC. “The lightweight, high density battery’s ability to reduce maintenance and charging time while allowing for easier maneuverability will provide advantages over today’s lead-acid scoops.”
GE Mining will continue testing this technology to ensure it meets customer needs. The Durathon battery powered scoop is expected to be available in 2014.
About GE Mining
GE Mining makes mining work. Every day we help our customers solve their biggest challenges by helping them become safer, more productive, more energy efficient and deliver better returns on their investment. The businesses that comprise GE Mining - Mining Equipment and technology from the Fairchild and Industrea product teams, Propulsion Systems and Mining Solutions - work together to provide integrated power, water, productivity and service solutions across the mining industry, globally. To learn more visit http://www.ge.com/mining.
About GE’s Energy Storage Business
GE Energy Storage, a unit of GE Transportation, works to enable safer, efficient and cost effective storage, distribution and utilization of energy where it’s needed and when it’s needed. As a global technology leader and supplier of advanced battery energy storage systems, we provide Durathon Battery modules and complete energy storage solutions to the Telecom, Energy Management, Power Generation, Grid Operation, Backup and Motive power industries. GE Energy Storage is headquartered in Schenectady, New York, U.S.A. To learn more visit www.geenergystorage.com.
About GE Transportation
GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), solves the world’s toughest transportation challenges. GE Transportation builds equipment that moves the rail, mining and marine industries. Our fuel-efficient and lower-emissions freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for rail, marine and stationary power applications, signaling and software solutions, drive systems for mining trucks, underground mining equipment, energy storage systems, and value-added services help customers grow. GE Transportation has approximately 13,000 employees. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.