Solar Hybrid Power for Mining Operations
Solar Hybrid Energy Setup
In the past 10 years, there has been an increase in the use of renewable energy as a means to create a more sustainable society to live in for the years to come. Hence scientists and engineers have been trying to figure how out to use solar energy in a way that is financially feasible for large energy projects such as mines and or power stations. Discover a new take on energy.
How does solar energy work?
The concept of how solar energy works is that it takes light (the heat rays) that strike PV (photovoltaic) panels on solar panels. The energy captured from the panels is then converted into electricity, which can be used immediately or stored in batteries.
Different types of solar systems:
- Grid-tied solar panel systems
- Grid-tied systems
- Off-grid solar systems
The problem with conventional solar energy systems and mines
Mines are large operations that require a lot of energy and cannot afford to have power outages or have a short supply of electricity. The nature of the work on the mines means it would lead to losing money, machines being destroyed, or even the death of employees. Historically speaking, the main problem with implementing renewable energy, particularly solar energy into energy projects is that you cannot rely on them 24 hours a day because the sun is not always available.
What are hybrid solar systems?
Hybrid solar systems are systems that do not rely on solar alone. In hybrid systems, your solar panels are still connected to the grid’s power lines or generator and you have a backup battery system to store excess power. The energy absorbed by the solar panels from the sun is converted into usable electricity by an inverter. Electricity is then routed to your mine, your battery, or the grid.
What are the pros and cons of a Hybrid solar system?
Pros
- They are lower maintenance.
- They offer mines a more financial beneficial situation when it comes to using electricity electricity off peak times
- Offers reliable energy.
- Lower fuel costs over time as energy load is devided between solar and fossil fuels.
Cons
- Solar batteries need regular replacing and maintenance.
- High start-up costs
USP&E has 24+ years of hybrid experience for mines world wide
At USP&E we offer a multitude of hybrid solutions such as but not limited to solar EPC, hybrid equipment, HFO generators, diesel generators, natural gas generators and operation and maintenance on solar and hybrid systems.
Click here for more information on our solar hybrid options.
Hybrid power for mining operations: how the pieces fit
A mine cannot stop when the sun sets, so solar for mines nearly always means a hybrid system. Solar PV supplies daytime energy without fuel, a battery smooths cloud cover and load steps, and gas or diesel generation carries the night and the base load. A control system decides which source runs and keeps enough reserve for crushers, mills and hoists.
Off-grid power systems for mines
Off-grid power plants for mines are sized around the worst case, not the average: the largest motor start, the longest cloudy spell and the loss of the biggest generator. The main choices are:
- Solar share, set by land, budget and how much fuel the mine wants to displace.
- Battery size, set by the reserve and ramp support the generators need, not only by night-time storage.
- Generation type: gas turbines or gas engines where gas is available, diesel where it is not.
- Expansion path, so the plant can grow with the mine plan.
See how this works with trailer PV for mining camps, containerised hybrid microgrids and gas engine stations beside mobile solar, or ask USP&E about a hybrid plan for your mine.
Mining hybrid power questions
Can solar power a mine on its own?
Rarely. Mines run around the clock and have large motor loads, so solar is combined with batteries and with gas or diesel generation that supplies the night load and the reserve.
What does a battery do in a mining hybrid system?
It covers short drops in solar output, supports large motor starts and holds reserve, so the generators can run at an efficient load instead of idling.
Is a gas solar hybrid system better than diesel and solar?
Where gas is available, it usually cuts emissions and simplifies fuel logistics compared with diesel. Where it is not, diesel with solar and storage remains the practical choice.