Abstract
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies as power sources in the heavy industries is one of the main climate change mitigation strategies. The carbon footprint in mining is related to its inherent extraction process, its high demand of electric power and water, and the use of diesel. However, considering its particular power requirements, the integration of microgrids throughout the whole control hierarchy of mining industry is an emergent topic. This paper provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges derived from the synergy between microgrids and the mining industry. Bidirectional and optimal power flow, as well as the integration of power quality have been identified as microgrid features that could potentially enhance mining processes. Recommendations pertaining to the technological transition and the improvement of energy issues in mining environments are also highlighted in this work.
Highlights
S INCE 2015 the Paris agreement [1] has encouraged developed and developing nations to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, in order to keep the global average temperature two degrees above the pre-industrial levels
In 2020, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting recognized that net-zero emissions is not a simple goal for heavy industries, such as mining and energy generation, and encouraged policy-makers to promote the insertion of renewable energy sources (RES) and to generate demand for low-carbon products [2]
OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS This paper has examined the mining process and microgrid control structures and aims to advance the academic discussion by exposing current issues and challenges and proposing research opportunities that could contribute to the integration of microgrids in this heavy industry
Summary
S INCE 2015 the Paris agreement [1] has encouraged developed and developing nations to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, in order to keep the global average temperature two degrees above the pre-industrial levels. Some vendors provide solutions to connect this type of generation to industrial power networks, key pieces from the microgrid concept, such as distributed controllers at low levels of the control hierarchy and energy and demand management systems at the top, are not common in industrial environments. Because mining is a non-avoidable economic activity, it is imperative to find techniques and technologies that enable its operations to become cleaner and safer In this sense, the proper integration of microgrids in this heavy industry includes information from auxiliary processes, promoting an optimal management of electric power, and of water and land, reducing the overall fossil fuel consumption and mitigating its net carbon footprint. These deviate the frequency or voltage setpoints depending on the demand for active or reactive power, emulating the synchronous generator’s behavior and increasing the microgrid inertia [15]
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