CHARGING SOLUTIONS
The BluVein Proving Ground is being used for a simulated underground pilot where the wheelson-track part of the program will be tested in a surface environment for speed and efficacy
consortiums focused on both the BluVein1 underground project and the BluVeinXL project for large , open-pit mining trucks . It also has Rethink Mining , powered by the Canada Mining Innovation Council ( CMIC ), pushing its developments forward .
The company recently constructed a technology demonstration pilot site – the BluVein Proving Ground – at the Hanson Heidelberg Wolffdene quarry , in Queensland , Australia .
This is being used for a simulated underground pilot where the wheels-on-track part of the program will be tested in a surface environment for speed and efficacy , allowing BluVein ’ s engineering team to readily evaluate the BluVein technology and quickly interact with the system as the testing progresses , according to James Oliver , Managing Director of BluVein .
“ To achieve this , BluVein has built an open-air decline with the tunnel simulated using cantilever overhead rail hangers ,” he told IM , clarifying that BluVein rails will be installed on the tunnel ’ s roof when deployed underground .
The track will be 200-m long with extension capability for tight corners to a total circuit of 350 m . Current vehicle plans include the Epiroc MT42- e and Volvo Mining E-Drive FMX platform for BluVein1 , and an analogue version to simulate BluVeinXL on a Komatsu truck .
“ In terms of other testing grounds , we are advancing plans for the next trial in larger scale locations – planned for Australia ,” Oliver added .
As of April , BluVein has started its wheels-ontrack testing that will run for the remainder of 2024 in various formats . It will be testing at speed in rough terrain mechanical connections , electrical connections and power transfer up to full power .
“ In addition , there are a raft of reliability , repeatability , safety and operational simulations involving the entire BluVein System inclusive of Hammer , Rail , guidance and control system , energy management transfer , and on-board / offboard
connections ,” Oliver said .
Battery size and configuration have always been the big talking points for mining trucks of significant scale , and BluVein believes it can significantly reduce the size of batteries used for some of the most energyintensive haulage applications .
“ We have conducted modelling in conjunction with OEMs , and the results indicate a reduction in battery size of up to 18 times over the life of the chassis ,” Oliver said .
With BluVein having recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with Hitachi Energy to fast-track the development of a high-powered , fast and flexible dynamic charging solution for surface mines , underground mines and quarries in Australia and across the globe , now seemed like the opportune time to talk about integration with other solutions .
The MoU announcement said BluVein would focus on its leading-edge e-rail and connection of the truck , which Hitachi Energy would further complement with advanced power electronics and digital solutions to power and monitor the whole system .
Oliver said : “ BluVein is off-board energy agnostic , meaning that it can accept green electrons regardless of their origin . Advanced power electronics technologies offer miners major specific advantages in accessing and managing green energy and connecting these sources to their mine power grid . Combined with BluVein , this enables haulage fleets to be powered with 100 % green energy .
“ Our collaboration with ‘ off-board ’ OEMs is inspired by the simple fact that BluVein offers a truly mobile infrastructure solution for powering haulage fleets ; working with these OEMs will ensure the power electronics feeding the rail is also a complementary solution .”
He concluded : “ BluVein is a universal energy transfer technology compatible with all off-board power technologies .”
Compatible , robust and reliable chargers
Adria Power Systems is well known in underground mining equipment battery-electric charging circles , having pushed for standardised CCS-type charging solutions in the early stages of this evolution and since come up with innovative and more powerful chargers to ensure bigger
batteries can return to their capacity in an optimal fashion .
Jean-Francois Couillard , President of Adria , said 2023 was a very busy year for the Quebecbased company , with 2024 also on track to be an active 12-month period .
“ Since the launch of our new charging platform , we have successfully delivered several of our Libertas ® standalone portable 200 kW charging stations to a variety of OEMs , along with units delivered to Torex Media Luna mine , in Mexico , and Glencore Integrated Nickel Operations , in Sudbury , Canada ,” he said .
Adria has also successfully completed compatibility / functionality testing with OEMs , including the likes of Komatsu , Caterpillar , RDH Scharf , Epiroc , MOOG Construction , MacLean Engineering , Ford , Chevrolet / GM and Hyundai . Testing sessions with more OEMs are currently underway and planned , Couillard added .
“ We notice a very strong interest in our systems from OEMs and mine sites , as our charging stations are still the only true ones based on an internationally recognised charging protocols 100 % developed for mining applications and harsh environments , and that have been proven in the field ,” he said .
Couillard said there has been a shift from some OEMs and end users towards rugged solutions , away from the more commercial / light duty chargers they initially experimented with . “ The trend is shifting as these commercial systems did not offer the reliability required by the mining environment ,” he commented .
Reliability of these chargers is further aided by remote support capabilities , Adria says .
“ We are currently also working on the development of different system configurations that would allow even more flexibility and future scalability ,” Couillard added . “ Our goal is to offer a compatible , robust and reliable system to the mining and construction industries that requires equipment with higher standards than the products that are commercially available , bringing a much appreciated medium-to-longterm value to the owners and operators .”
Adria says it has successfully delivered several of its Libertas standalone portable 200 kW charging stations to a variety of OEMs focused on mining
66 International Mining | MAY 2024