PITTSBURGH — U.S. Steel has begun using two battery-electric locomotives, converted from diesel-electric switchers, at its Mon Valley Works, the company has announced.
The conversions were performed by Innovative Rail Technologies, a Washington, D.C.-based company that provides lithium-ion power systems for the locomotive market, and are working at two of the four facilities that make up the Mon Valley Works: the Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pa., where basic steel production takes place, and the coke-manufacturing Clairton plant in Clairton, Pa. U.S. Steel spent more than $2.3 million on the conversions, with additional funding coming from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The locomotives move steel, coke, scrap metal, iron ore, and other materials needed in the production process. U.S. Steel says they are expected to reduce airbone particulate matter by .385 tons, equivalent to the emissions from 7,000 gasoline passenger vehicles, and will reduce the facilities’ use of diesel fuel by 40,000 gallons annually.
“Mon Valley Works is the first industrial site to deploy this technology to reduce small particulate matter emissions from its locomotive fleet,” Scott Buckiso, senior vice president and chief manufacturing officer, U. S. Steel, said in a press release. “Advancing our ‘Best for All’ strategy means producing solutions that benefit our customers and communities, people and planet. This includes investing in technological advancements at our facilities.”
IRT, established in 2019, offers customers its ATLAS (Advanced Technology Lithium-ion Adaptive System) power technology and works through a national network of locomotive remanufacturers. It can also provide ATLAS kits directly to customers for in-house rebuilds. More information on the company is available at its website.
The U.S. Steel locomotives were unveiled at an Oct. 30 event at the Mon Valley Works’ Clairton Plant.
They look just like the old Green Goat switcher conversions…
Does it reduce airborne particulate matter by .385 tons (1/3 of a ton) or reduce airborne particulate matter by 385 tons?
And how is this different from fireless steam engines?
Energy is produced off the locomotive and stored on board until used; then it must be periodically recharged.
They will be parked within three months…unreliable junk.
Any evidence for your claim?
Thus, U. S. Steel pioneers battery-powered locomotivand reinforces commitment to sustainability and community. Well done folks!
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