Many mining sites worldwide are in remote areas. The downside is that often these sites do not have access to electric grids and therefore rely on fossil fuels to power the site and its equipment. An upside of their remote location is that there is space to accommodate solar PV, battery storage and wind generation facilities onsite. Once installed, these renewable resources can minimize reliance on fossil fuel generators, reducing fuel-related costs and carbon emissions.
The key to stabilizing renewable power production so that 100% renewables can be used to power industrial sites is having a microgrid controller that can balance the various energy sources. Such a controller can manage power flow to seamlessly switch to traditional generation sources when wind and solar are limited and energy storage is depleted, and maximize renewable output when conditions are favorable.
In an EnergyTech article, PXiSE’s Head of Commercial Development Andy Miller discusses how microgrid controllers can automate the management of a hybrid fuel/renewable-based microgrid and deliver consistent, reliable power suitable for mining applications.
> Read more: “How Economics and Proven Technology Are Paving the Way for Reduced Carbon Emissions in Mining”
