https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/07/09/this-could-be-a-watershed-year-for-renewables-in-the-mining-sector/
[The same logic could apply to any remote community, well apart from the
hydrogen fallacy bit. Pumped storage and flow batteries have much
better round-trip efficiency numbers and pricing.
This story also hints at something I have been saying for a long time:
if you want industry to leave fossil fuels in the ground, provide a less
expensive alternative. Wind and PV are now both at that point.
links in online article]
This could be a watershed year for renewables in the mining sector
As one of the most energy-intensive industries, the ‘resource sector’ is
getting serious about adding cheap solar and wind energy into its mix,
to boost returns. Although still predominantly underpinned by gas or
diesel, mine operations are increasingly deploying hybrid solutions,
highlighting the potential of renewables – particularly as momentum
builds for green hydrogen to play a role in future microgrids.
July 9, 2019 Marija Maisch
While the majority of mining operations continue to rely on conventional
power – mainly fossil fuel energy from the grid, piped gas or off-grid
diesel – momentum is building for an energy transition. Beyond
signalling an intent to reduce emissions from fossil fuel operations or,
as is the case with Rio Tinto, abandoning coal completely, mining
companies are getting serious about integrating renewables into their
energy mix to reduce expenditure.
“Mines are most interested in solutions that can reduce costs and carbon
emissions,” said Dave Manning, global head of hybrid for renewables
developer Juwi. “The most advanced options to deliver this are hybrid
systems that integrate solar, wind and batteries with diesel, gas or
heavy fuel oil generators, without compromising reliability or power
quality.”
Last month, Juwi’s landmark Australian project at the DeGrussa mine
achieved its annual generation target a month early. The Sandfire
DeGrussa facility consists of a 10.6 MW tracking PV project and a 6 MW
battery coupled with a hybrid control system which Juwi developed and
built and which it has been operating and maintaining since 2016. “This
confirms that hybrid systems reduce costs without compromising power
system reliability and safety,” said Manning.
A new solution
In the Australian mining sector, the deployment of renewable energy
hybrid systems appears to be gaining momentum. Only last month, plans
were unveiled for two major hybrid microgrids powered by solar, wind and
batteries in remote locations on the fringe of Western Australia’s
electricity grid. One of them is the Agnew hybrid microgrid, to be
deployed at a gold mine in the northern Goldfields and consisting of a 4
MW solar farm, 18 MW wind facility and 13 MW/4 MWh battery storage
alongside a 16 MW gas-fired power station. The project will be delivered
by distributed energy developer EDL with Juwi.
Against a backdrop of mounting pressure from consumers, investors and
regulators pushing for an energy transition, the main factor supporting
the economics for hybrid microgrids at mines – as well as across the
commercial and industrial landscape – is the rapidly falling cost of
renewables and storage. “In the absence of carbon pricing or robust
support schemes for renewables in mining; solar, wind and battery had to
stand on their own feet commercially right from the start,” said Juwi’s
Manning.
As mining microgrids develop in size and complexity, the seamless on
site integration of renewables is presenting less of a barrier to
adoption. At the Energy and Mines Australia Summit in Perth last month,
the German developer launched the Juwi hybrid IQ, which enables
renewables, batteries and new technologies such as hydrogen to be
integrated into mining operations. At the core of the system is a
micro-grid controller and SCADA system that incorporates generation and
distribution assets from solar, wind and battery to gas, diesel, heavy
fuel oil and even hydrogen generators. On top of that, the Juwi hybrid
IQ also includes enabling technologies such as cloud and wind forecasting.
While its new solution is designed to integrate hydrogen into mining
microgrids, Juwi still sees obstacles ahead. “Right now, however, the
costs of electrolyzers and fuels cells are too high to compete with
traditional fuels or batteries,” added Manning. He said there is also a
lack of experience in using hydrogen with other fuels in reciprocating
engines or gas turbines.
Green hydrogen in mines
Nonetheless, the case for hydrogen has long been known, with Australia
among the nations most favorably placed to turn the hype into reality.
Declaring 2019 a critical year for hydrogen, the International Energy
Agency said the fuel was enjoying unprecedented momentum around the
world and could finally be set on a path to fulfilling its longstanding
potential as a clean energy solution. Adding to that momentum, the
Council of Australian Governments meeting between state and national
elected members last week released consultation papers on a national
hydrogen strategy and is seeking submissions from industry and the
community.
In the mining sector, hydrogen has massive potential, including for fuel
substitution, renewables integration and power supply. According to Gus
Nathan, director of the Center for Energy Technology at the University
of Adelaide, one of the key, potentially high value applications is in
the displacement of diesel in underground mines.
In such operations, Nathan said, hydrogen would bring a double benefit –
displacing diesel and reducing ventilation costs. “However, while some
of these vehicles are now emerging onto the market there is limited
experience in establishing complete systems with proven reliability,” he
said. He believes a key milestones for hydrogen in mines will be the
demonstration of reliable, operating systems and deeper understanding of
the full value chain.
--
Darryl McMahon
Freelance Project Manager (sustainable systems)
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