ISBN 9783843947121

978-3-8439-4712-1, Reihe Energietechnik

Kateryna Pollack
Implementation of Renewable Energy into the Mining Industry

212 Seiten, Dissertation Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Sachsen) (2020), Hardcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

Mining operations require a large amount of energy. In the case of metals mining, energy costs are frequently in the range of 30 %–35 % of total costs. Prospects for integrating RE into mining settings are emerging thanks to improvements in supply security and the reliability of renewable energy (RE) sources, the reduction of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and regulations to cut CO2 emissions. For mining companies, a partial switch from a fossil-fuel system to a RE system is the result of a further decision-making process. Several pilot projects are being introduced in major mining countries. These projects supplement conventional energy systems or present as a hybrid energy system (HES) replacing them.

The purpose of this research is (i) to develop a practical decision-making tool based on the cash flow approach in order to compare fossil-fuel systems and HESs; (ii) to carry out a comparative analysis of a HES for energy generation; (iii) to develop a mathematical model and apply it to four scenarios; and (iv) to evaluate the data from a survey conducted among experts and non-experts on RE and the mining industry. The mathematical model was developed to assess alternative means of energy generation which reduce CO2 emissions and costs, evaluating economic characteristics and technical specificities.

The findings of the thesis enable fossil-fuel and hybrid RE systems to be compared in mining settings in terms of the year of no return. The research outcomes show that the years of no return vary for each scenario, depending on the PV yield, the degradation of solar PV modules and the impact of CO2 emissions. Moreover, the results show the break-even times for each scenario and the years of no return for the two systems in each scenario. Consequently, this model may be applied as a decision-making tool to help stakeholders, policymakers and managers choose a feasible technological, economic and environmental solution to power the mining industry.