MINING ENGINES
‘Alternative power’ is a key theme
influencing the design of engines for
future mining equipment with
incoming regulations and
environmental pressures dictating the
direction of product development.
Dan Gleeson speaks to some of the
key engine players to find out how far
down the road they are with their
clean energy efforts
John Deere Power Systems’
Darren Almond says many off-
highway markets are in the
early stages of electrification,
with “immediate benefits to
those specifically in the
mining industry”
Powering up
he ongoing need for ‘clean’ and ‘green’
power is currently dominating the mining
engines sector.
Whether it is looking to build all-electric
dump trucks, hybrid wheel loaders, hydrogen-
powered mining equipment, trolley assist
installations, or solutions to meet Tier 4
Final/EU Stage V emission regulations, the
internal combustion engine that has dominated
this space for decades is undergoing a period of
massive change.
IM’s Mining Trucks article in May went into
detail on the electrification evolution taking
place in the high horsepower side of the sector,
but it is worth taking the pulse of the engine
manufacturing segment in terms of potential
widespread adoption.
Darren Almond, Manager of Drivetrain
Product Planning, John Deere Power Systems,
which claims to be one of the first companies to
introduce electric drive technology in off-
highway equipment – introducing its 644K
hybrid loader, in 2013, and 944K hybrid loader,
in 2015 – says many off-highway markets are in
the early stages of electrification, with
“immediate benefits to those specifically in the
mining industry”.
He told IM: “Exploring both completely
electric and hybrid solutions as new technology
becomes available could offer original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cost and
efficiency benefits.”
He said general electrification components
and systems were still in their early stages of
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30 International Mining | JULY 2019
development for off-highway equipment, but
this presented an opportunity to “create
customised electrification solutions catered to
mining applications”. He remarked: “This is
what makes electrification exciting right now.
“Plus, advances in battery, power electronics,
drivetrain, generator and motor technology are
being made every week,” he added.
Niklas Thulin, Director Electromobility at
Volvo Penta, agreed with Almond’s assessment,
saying electrification was in its early stages in
the mining engine sector, explaining it was a
“mixed picture” when it came to the pace and
direction of the moves made by OEMs and
miners.
“In some cases, electrification is driven by
operators or even the operator’s customers. In
some cases, we see a
technology push from
progressive OEMs,” he
told IM.
“For us, as a
powertrain solutions
provider, this means we
interact with a wide
range of stakeholders
giving us a good view of
different needs,
challenges and
opportunities with
electrification.”
Volvo Group’s Electric
Site project at the
Skanska-owned Vikan
Kross quarry, which ran for 10 weeks using
predominantly electric-powered construction
equipment (featured in a detailed write up in
IM’s January issue), has given an indication of
where the sector is heading, but Thulin said
Volvo was building its electromobility offering
across all parts of the group.
At Volvo Penta, this has recently seen the
development of a proof of concept material
handling application involving electrifying a
terminal tractor, with the aim of obtaining a
deeper understanding of the challenges and
opportunities of going all-electric.
“At sea, Volvo Penta is engaging in the
Electricity project providing the propulsion
system for Gothenburg’s first all-electric ferry,”
Thulin said. “Both projects demonstrate
Volvo Penta has recently
developed a proof of concept
material handling application
involving electrifying a terminal
tractor, with the aim of obtaining
a deeper understanding of the
challenges and opportunities of
going all-electric