Cement Energy Environment

26 Along with solar PV, energy storage (ES) is a frequently mentioned technology. While already commercially viable for certain markets and applications, Energy Storage is expected to continue decreasing in cost. This will be a game changer for renewables integration, as it has the potential to offset much of the need for base load power. Energy storage is often treated as synonymous with batteries, but it also includes Pumped-Hydro Energy Storage, Compressed-Air Energy Storage, Flywheels, etc. Energy storage can provide several advantages to mines, including • Smoothing renewable intermittency • Lowering peak demand • Providing backup power/increasing reliability Renewable energy, especially achieved through large-scale systems, is attractive not just for active mines, but for legacy mines as well. Major considerations are • Mining leases having large areas, not immediately utilised, can be provided for generation of renewable energy. • The backfilled areas can also be utilised. • Old Mine have a large amount of unused land with limited direct economic value, and sites during the reclamation process • Grid connected sites will give excess transmission capacity to help wheel power away, for which the mine can be compensated. • Development of renewable resources offers value in asset conversion by providing a second productive life to closing mine sites. • Mines can simultaneously explore power purchase agreements (PPA). Generally, PPAs and VPPAs reduce project risk (because a third party builds, owns, and operates the renewable system, which may be located on- or off-site), but increase project costs to cover the third party’s margins. Large companies with concentrated operations may find these to be an attractive option with only a small premium. Sites typically have a range of applicable technologies that can be developed, allowing a degree of flexibility in matching various electricity markets’ demands and constraints. However, for the greatest chance of a successful project, renewables on a legacy site need to be considered and planned well before the expected mine closure. Mining companies are able to lower their carbon emissions through process changes along with use of electricity in mine operations, with inclusion of design to increase efficiency by obtaining and leveraging data to make their operations more efficient. Few actionable suggestions are listed below, to save resources and achieve net zero targets for emissions • Advanced Maintenance Planning – Preventive & Planned Maintenance of HEMMs prevents failures and lowers overall operational costs. • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, for pit and stockpile measurements and quantity assessments, mine surveying, and operations planning for blasting and rehabilitation. This is helpful in a quick, cheap, and safe manner. • Optimisation of Haul roads and mine layouts. • Accurate Planning of Mine to avoid wastage of resources i.e. Man, Machinery and Material etc. • Reducing water stress – Mining companies can reduce the water intensity of their mining processes. Also recycle used water and reduce water loss from evaporation, leaks, and waste. • Mining companies can prevent evaporation by putting covers on small and medium dams. • Companies can also rely on so-called natural capital, like wetland areas, to improve groundwater drainage. Improving mining processes Process Improvements New technologies which are more efficient & represent novel ways of accomplishing the same task is available, which can be used in mining • Upgradation of Mine Lighting from Metal-halide lamps to LEDs • Installation of variable-frequency drives (VFDs) at crushers and conveyor belts. Technological Improvements