Low-load gensets are a game changer in mining for solar–diesel hybrid solutions

THEnergy and danvest

A new study titled, “Low-load Gensets for Solar–diesel Hybrid Plants in the Mining Industry” from Danvest/THEnergy finds that low-load gensets almost double the solar penetration rate in solar–diesel hybrid systems and that low-load diesel gensets are more efficient in hybrid plants, all this without the use of batteries or other storage systems.

This straightforward solution has the potential to considerably lower the operational costs of mines. The fast spinning reserve of the low-load diesel systems in all its operations modes ensures the power supply in any case of variation of demand or of PV production losses, for example from shading, the study said.

The demand for raw materials has slowed down and prices have decreased recently. The mining industry is facing substantial challenges. Reducing the costs of operations such as energy expenditures has become an important competitive factor.

One of the game changers could be low-load diesel hybrid power plants giving maximal room to locally produced inexpensive solar and/or wind energy. Even at the current low oil prices, optimized hybrid technologies normally beat the current conventional diesel based electricity prices.

The additional investment including the PV system has usually a pay-off period in the range of 4 to 7 years, says Dr. Thomas Hillig, CEO of THEnergy.

According to Hillig, there is huge market potential for low-load gensets – especially in the mining industry as power demand is high and the market develops new dynamics – several companies report large pipelines of upcoming projects.

Rajani Baburajan

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