BATTERY AND ELECTRIC MACHINES
latest technology into solutions that drive sustainability , a reduced operational footprint , zero harm , minimised CO₂ and increased profitability , according to Mehrzad Ashnagaran , Global Product Line Manager – Electrification & Composite Plant at ABB .
ABB has recently been helping the industry to achieve these goals by , for example , providing e- drivetrains to Epiroc for the OEM ’ s secondgeneration battery-powered machines , delivering electrical infrastructure for a trolley assist trial at Boliden ’ s Aitik copper mine , and developing electrification and automation solutions at the LKAB-led Sustainable Underground Mining project .
On top of this , it is collaborating on several machine electrification retrofit projects , including the conversion of a diesel-powered Western Star 4900 XD truck with MEDATech Engineering and Tardif and helping Volvo Trucks , Kaunis Iron and partners construct and test an all-electric Volvo FMX truck prototype in the Arctic conditions of northern Sweden .
Nic Beutler , Global Product Manager – Power System & Charging Solutions at ABB , explains some of these electrification interactions with the industry : “ We are trying to put vendor-agnostic systems forward and have open-communication standards across these separate systems as they interact within a platform . The key challenge is to harmonise these interfaces across vendors so we
ABB previously provided electrical infrastructure for a trolley assist trial at Boliden ’ s Aitik copper mine in northern Sweden
can facilitate and support the customer during the operation of them .”
The industry may have made significant progress on its journey towards the all-electric mine , but it lags in its broader automation move , according to Ashnagaran .
“ Compared to mine automation , the all-electric mine is still behind ,” he told IM . “ The key is achieving electrification across the fleet . Once miners realise the benefits that come with , say , more reliable electric motors with less maintenance , the drive will be accelerated .”
Miners also need to realise that the whole ownership model of new-generation electrified machinery is changing .
Solutions providers are looking to reduce risk by offering ongoing service options that change the dynamic from a capex to an opex item .
Beutler says ABB can help clients understand such changes , as well as the future infrastructure requirements that may come with employing electrification solutions today .
“ We can walk the client through the options of getting rid of diesel ; understanding the constraints imposed by power availability , operational planning , process and assets , both mobile and stationary ,” he said . “ We , as ABB , are proposing together with the BEV-OEM coordinated and optimised electrical solutions ; mapping the constraints and matching the technology , thus trading off between a charging process , versus a trolley and even going a step further versus a hoist , and conveyor system , for example , will be key for a successful decarbonisation .
“ We can allow them to get a feel of the expenditure associated with all these solutions .” As previously discussed , ABB has been front
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