<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/trucks-chargers-batteries-and-green-energy-fortescue-throws-ai-and-data-centres-into-mix-in-pursuit-of-real-zero/>
"Fortescue says AI is playing an increasingly important role as it rolls out
its fleet of electric trucks and mining equipment, EV charging, big batteries
and green energy to power its own iron ore operations and third party data
centres too.
The mining and emerging green energy giant says it is now the biggest builder
of solar farms in the country, with more than one gigawatt under construction
at its Turner River and Solomon Airport projects, and it has rapidly increased
the installation rate from 3,500 solar panels a day to more than 6,000.
It is also about to erect the first of its wind turbines, which will be the
most powerful in the country at eight megawatts each, and the tallest too – at
188 metres thanks to the unique self-lifting turbine technology that was
developed by Spain’s Nabrawind, which Fortescue now owns.
CEO Dino Otranto said in a market briefing accompanying the company’s full year
results that the turbine technology will mean quicker and cheaper
installations.
It expects to complete commissioning of the 132 megawatt (MW) Nullagine wind
project next year, and plans a total of around 900 MW of new wind capacity, 1.5
GW of solar, and up to 5 GWh of battery storage as part of its goal to reach
real zero emissions by 2030 to support its mining and emerging green iron
technology.
Fortescue is also spending another $US680 million to expand its green grid to
deliver 200 MW of firm power to third-party customers, most likely data centres
looking for low cost and zero emissions power supplies.
“This is not an experiment, or a PR exercise. We are serious about this,”
Otranto said at a later analysts briefing.
He described some of the power supply decision in remote Western Australia,
including areas were LNG is trucked more than 1,000 kms before being burned in
a gas turbine, as “insane”, particularly when compared to the wind, solar and
battery technology options than can be deployed now."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
