Energy is one of the biggest expenses for mining companies, constituting approximately 30 percent of total cash operating costs. A report by Deloitte notes that mine operators have the opportunity to reduce costs by up to 25% in existing operations and 50% in new mines by integrating renewable generation sources coupled with stationary storage.
Off-grid mining operations are often conducted in remote and challenging environments, requiring reliable, long-duration power to maintain continuous productivity. However, traditional power solutions for off-grid operations, such as natural gas and diesel generators, come with significant drawbacks—ranging from high fuel costs and logistical challenges to emissions and environmental risks. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries present fire hazards and performance issues in the extreme conditions typical of mining sites.
Alsym Green batteries offer a game-changing solution for the mining industry, designed to enhance operational safety, improve energy efficiency, and support the growing use of renewable energy at mining sites. With their ability to perform in harsh environments, offer long-duration power, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, Alsym Green batteries are ideal for modernizing power infrastructure in mining operations.
Health and safety
Safety is paramount in mining environments, where extreme conditions such as high temperatures, mechanical vibrations, and dust are common. Lithium-ion batteries pose significant safety risks due to their flammability and potential for thermal runaway, especially when exposed to heat or physical damage. In underground mining operations, fire risks are even more concerning due to limited ventilation and the difficulty of firefighting in confined spaces–especially miles below the surface.
Alsym Green addresses these safety challenges with its non-flammable chemistry, which eliminates the risk of thermal runaway and resulting fires. Additionally, Alsym Green operates reliably in a wide temperature range without the need for complex, energy-intensive cooling or heating systems, further enhancing safety and operational simplicity. For mine owners and operators, Alsym Green provides a safer, more reliable energy storage solution that minimizes fire risks and enhances worker safety when used alongside heavy equipment and explosives.
Alsym Green battery systems also improve health and safety in mining environments by reducing the need for noisy, polluting diesel generators, which are known to emit harmful exhaust. Systems using Alsym Green can also help lower exposure to diesel fumes and reduce noise pollution, creating a healthier and safer working environment in both surface and underground mining operations.
High performance
Mining operations demand energy storage solutions that can withstand harsh conditions while delivering continuous, reliable power. With 2x to 10x the energy density of competing non-lithium technologies, Alsym Green is capable of storing up to 1.7 MWh of energy in a 20-foot BESS container and discharge for 2 to 110 hours, making it ideal for mining applications that require extended, off-grid power.
A single 20′ Alsym Green container can dispatch up to 850 kW per hour to meet the diverse power needs of mining equipment, from drills and crushers to ventilation and cooling systems. Furthermore, Alsym Green boasts a high round-trip efficiency (RTE) of 92%, ensuring that a large percentage of the stored energy is available for use, minimizing energy losses and maximizing cost savings. This high efficiency is particularly valuable in mining operations, where every percentage of energy savings can significantly impact operational costs.
Alsym Green’s fast charge capability, fully charging in as little as 4 hours, ensures rapid energy replenishment, allowing mining operations to maximize uptime and maintain continuous operations even during periods of intermittent power generation or peak demand. This fast recharge time minimizes downtime, enabling quicker transitions between power cycles, which is crucial for operations in remote areas with limited energy access.
Its ability to operate efficiently across a wide temperature range, coupled with minimal maintenance requirements, makes Alsym Green a cost-effective and high-performing solution for mine operators looking to reduce downtime and optimize energy use. The system’s low levelized cost of storage (LCOS) helps lower overall operational costs, making it an economically viable option for long-term use in challenging environments.
Reduced fossil fuel reliance for off-grid operations
A growing number of mining operations are located in remote areas with no grid connectivity, making reliable, independent power sources critical. Diesel fuel is often the single largest operating expense for these mines. Alsym Green batteries are perfectly suited to support micro-grids at remote mine sites, enabling the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. This helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which are expensive to transport, environmentally harmful, and subject to price volatility.
Alsym Green’s long-duration energy storage capabilities allow it to store renewable energy generated during the day and release it during periods of high demand or when renewable sources are unavailable. By smoothing the variability of solar and wind power, Alsym Green enhances micro-grid stability, ensuring continuous power for mining operations. The system’s non-flammable design and durability in extreme conditions make it particularly well-suited for remote micro-grid applications, providing reliable power even in the harshest mining environments. This supports energy autonomy for mining operations while reducing fossil fuel costs and emissions.
Use cases
Alsym Green’s versatile, high-performance capabilities make it an ideal solution for various mining applications:
- Generator Replacement/Hybridization: Off-grid mines rely on LNG and diesel generators for power, which can be expensive to maintain and environmentally harmful. Mining operations often experience spikes in energy demand during peak periods, leading to higher LNG and diesel consumption. Alsym Green enables hybridization of power systems by integrating battery energy storage with existing generators. Batteries can be used to power partial loads, or avoid bringing additional generators online when demand is more than one can provide but less than generated by two. This reduces fossil fuel consumption, lowers emissions, and cuts fuel transportation costs. In some environments with abundant sun and wind Alsym Green can potentially replace diesel generators entirely, providing a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient power solution. This is especially valuable in mining environments where energy consumption is a major operational expense.
- Mine Shaft Ventilation: Ventilation systems in underground mines are critical for worker safety, ensuring that harmful gases are removed and fresh air is circulated. These systems include primary ventilation for large-scale airflow and secondary ventilation to direct fresh air to localized areas. Secondary systems, often located below ground and powered by diesel generators, can produce harmful emissions, requiring additional filtering to maintain air quality. Alsym Green can provide reliable, long-duration power for both primary and secondary ventilation systems without the need for frequent fuel deliveries or costly diesel generator maintenance. By reducing diesel emissions, Alsym Green helps maintain safer air quality in underground environments.
- Cost Savings: Mining companies are increasingly adopting renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint and comply with sustainability goals. Alsym Green’s long-duration energy storage allows mines to integrate renewable energy, such as solar and wind, into their power systems, reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels. This not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions but also cuts the logistical costs associated with transporting fuel to remote sites.
- Energy Arbitrage: Grid-connected mining operations can take advantage of energy arbitrage by storing energy when electricity prices are low and using or selling it when prices are high. Alsym Green’s high energy retention and wide discharge range make it ideal for energy arbitrage, allowing mining companies to optimize their energy use and reduce costs in fluctuating electricity markets.