E&M: What are some of the key considerations for mining companies looking to transition to hybrid energy solutions while meeting their sustainability goals including fleet electrification? MS: Implementing renewable energy solutions requires multiple steps to be economic. It is best to start quickly and implement the “low-hanging fruit” applications, while resolving the more complex aspects at a later stage. Mining companies can also benefit from the experience and lessons learned in other projects, so that they may leapfrog some of the early stages and proceed to larger and bolder types of solutions instantly. It is also very helpful to look at the different schemes to implement this, either outsourcing the investment to an IPP and signing on a long-term power purchase agreement or investing yourself and using an EPC turnkey contractor or even self-perform. We have supported all schemes with different mining companies.
I expect that going forward, larger renewable systems will be implemented. Reference projects that are now up and running, and are performing to expectations are providing comfort to other mining companies to implement similar solutions. It is worth noting that Dornier Suntrace will have implemented four PV and BESS Hybrid projects by end of 2024, all of them at off-grid mine sites for our clients B2Gold, Kinross and Endeavour Mining, totaling >140MWp PV and >60MW of BESS, with B2Gold already implementing a Phase 2 at the Fekola mine site. I expect that even grid-connected mines will be required to move forward by implementing renewable energy solutions themselves to achieve targets, instead of waiting for utilities to “green” their grids. Electrification of mine sites will increase the electric load at the mines even more, while reducing the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Electrification will only make real sense when renewable electricity is used, both to reduce carbon emissions and to cut operating costs.
Bruce Power is a crucial part of Ontario’s clean energy grid, past, present, and future. Today, Bruce Power generates 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity with zero emissions, produces cancer-fighting medical isotopes, and is lighting the path to a clean energy future.
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