LATEST BATTERY INNOVATIONS FOR MINING POWER MANAGEMENT AND ELECTRIFICATION
Battery technologies have come a long way in the last few years, and commercially viable time-shifting of renewable energy is closer than ever. Rowan Evans, Head of Sales at Toshiba Australia, discusses how the latest energy storage innovations can support mining decarbonisation.
RECOGNISING INNOVATION IN MINING AND ENERGY
ROWAN EVANS
ENERGY AND MINES: What are the latest developments in energy storage for mining applications?
Toshiba’s SCiB™ LTO battery technology stands at the forefront, offering exceptional durability, rapid charging, and outstanding thermal stability—making it an ideal choice for extreme mining conditions.
ROWAN EVANS: Recent advancements in energy storage for mining are centred around three key areas: electrification, renewable energy integration, and enhancing the safety and longevity of battery technologies. Mining fleets increasingly adopt high-power, fast- charging solutions to support electric trucks and equipment. This shift reduces reliance on diesel and opens the door for cleaner, more efficient operations. Battery chemistries are also evolving. Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries are gaining traction due to their longer cycle life and improved safety features. These newer chemistries offer extended durability and reduce fire risks, critical for high-risk mining environments. In terms of safety, stricter standards and certifications, like UL 9540A thermal runaway testing and IEC guidelines, are becoming more common across the industry as it pushes towards safer and more reliable storage solutions with regional safety guidelines tailored to high-risk environments.
MAY 6 TH , PERTH
E&M : What are the most cost-effective storage solutions to firm renewable power for mines?
RE: When it comes to cost-effectiveness, choosing the right Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for mining operations depends on several factors. These include duration of storage, how quickly the battery needs to be charged-discharged, the number of cycles per day/ year, and the environmental conditions where the system will be deployed. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, especially since every mining operation comes with its own unique set of challenges. What mines need are systems that are durable, flexible, and capable of handling high-utilisation applications, particularly in harsh or remote environments. To achieve this, owners must match the unique features of different battery technologies and match them to the specific needs of their application.
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