Improving existing DSM initiatives on mine refrigeration systems for sustainable performance

Nel, A J; Rensburg, J. F. van; Cilliers, Charl

doi:10.23919/icue.2017.8067999

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 16 publications

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“…Plessis et al [8] simulated an energy efficiency strategy to forecast the potential savings of implementing a peak shaving strategy in a real-life mine cooling system and concluded that a decrease of 33% is possible in overall electrical energy consumption. A cooling load management initiative taken in two different South African mines has shown that about 25% of electricity savings is an attainable figure in mine refrigeration [9]. Another energy-saving strategy for a mine cooling system with a power usage of 22 MW resulted in 132 GWh savings, equivalent to 30 million ZAR or 38% of annual refrigeration cost [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Trade-Off between Battery Storage and Ice Thermal Energy Storage for Application in Renewable Mine Cooling System

et al. 2020

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This paper performs a techno-economic assessment in deploying solar photovoltaics to provide energy to a refrigeration machine for a remote underground mine. As shallow deposits are rapidly depleting, underground mines are growing deeper to reach resources situated at greater depths. This creates an immense challenge in air-conditioning as the heat emissions to mine ambient increases substantially as mines reach to deeper levels. A system-level design analysis is performed to couple PV with a refrigeration plant capable of generating 200 tonne of ice per day to help to mitigate this issue. Generated ice can directly be used in cooling deep underground mines via different types of direct heat exchangers. State-of-the-art technology is used in developing the model which aims to decrease the size and cost of a conventional refrigeration system run on a diesel generator. Costs associated with deploying a solar system are computed as per the recent market value. Energy savings, carbon emissions reduction, and net annual savings in employing the system are quantified and compared to a diesel-only scenario. In addition, two different energy storage strategies: an ice storage system and a battery storage system, are compared. A detailed economic analysis is performed over the life of the project to obtain the net cash flow diagram, payback period, and cumulative savings for both systems. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is proposed to highlight the effect of solar intensity on solar system size and the area required for installment. The study suggests that the use of solar PV in mine refrigeration applications is technically feasible and economically viable depending on the sun-peak hours of the mine location. Additionally, the economics of deploying an ice storage system compared to the battery storage system has a better payback period and more cumulative savings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%