BluVein has officially kicked off testing of its fourth generation BluVein1 dynamic charging system at Australia’s largest bluestone quarry, with a retrofitted Epiroc Minetruck MT42 Battery now being put through its paces.
Following extreme condition electrical testing at KEMA Labs in Germany – which subjected the slotted rail and vehicle mounted collector system, known as the Hammer, to voltage withstand, impulse, arc and short circuit tests – the Hammer has been fitted to this donor vehicle at the BluVein Proving Grounds, situated just outside the southern pit of Heidelberg Materials’ Wolffdene quarry.
Over the next six months, BluVein will move through a staged sequence covering mechanical testing, vision systems, truck to rail envelope validation and full power testing with the truck on rail. This phase will focus on a dedicated section at the proving grounds, situated on a 1:7 grade ramp to simulate conditions in a typical underground mine. Demonstration of BluVein1 at Heidelberg Materials’ Wolffdene quarry is being progressed with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) alongside contributions from industry partners.
Beyond the testing at the Heidelberg Materials quarry, the company’s expected move into TRL 7 territory by the end of 2026 is intended to pave the way for a mine site trial of the BluVein1 system in 2027. The company has already signed an MoU for this trial.
BluVein is expected to share more on developments during The Electric Mine 2026, which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 5-7.
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