Electricity Microgrids For Mines

Rolls-Royce will exhibit its MTU Onsite Energy portfolio of energy systems including microgrid solutions for mines, in Hall A4, stand 337.

These solutions combine renewable energy sources with a battery storage system; both diesel and gas generator sets; and a central controller. They allow mine operators to rely on a sustainable energy supply system that can be operated in remote regions independently of public power grids.

MTU Onsite Energy is renowned for diesel and gas gen-sets but the new solutions now include battery containers combined with photovoltaic and wind power plants in autonomous power grids. Thanks to a smart energy management system any excess renewable energy can be stored in the batteries and then made available whenever it is needed. At the same time, fluctuations in power generated from renewable energy sources due to weather conditions and the time of day are compensated for with reliable diesel and gas generator sets, in addition to battery storage systems.

“For mine operators, energy costs, which account on average for 15 % of the overall operating costs of mine, are a key factor,” said Lars Kräft, vice president Industrial Business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “And with a demand for electric power of 50 to 100 MW per mine, sustainability, efficiency and the reliability of the energy supply are now becoming increasingly important in the industry. We have identified our customers’ needs and, with our microgrid systems, are now offering them a solution tailored to their specific requirements.”