Cavotec’s rise within the mine electrification area was inevitable. Its origins as a designer and supplier of connection and electrification options in ports and industrial purposes offered an apparent analogue for a mining sector looking out for such expertise.
On prime of this, its electrification, energy distribution and automation programs have beforehand been employed by the likes of BHP, Codelco, Pilbara Minerals, Rio Tinto and Vale, amongst others. It has additionally labored with OEMs similar to Epiroc, Caterpillar, FAM, FLSmidth, Pleasure World (Komatsu), TAKRAF, Sandvik, Aumund Group, Caterpillar, Normet and Metso, amongst others, on creating options.
Since securing an order in 2022 that signalled its entry into industrial battery charging for heavy-duty automobiles for a mining software in Australia, Cavotec has gone on to launch its ultra-fast Megawatt Charging System (MCS) to offer as much as 3 MW of energy from a single connector. This turnkey DC charging answer with grid-to-inlet performance helps the decarbonisation of {industry} together with mining, heavy automobiles and ships.
The MCS can be a modular answer, that includes both handbook or automated connection to the car inlet. It has three totally different energy ranges (350 kW, 1 MW, 3 MW) with an lively connector and cable cooling system (included in 1 MW and three MW chargers) and a car inlet included within the 3 MW charger.
A specified connector measurement and minimal weight is used relying on the facility stage whereas a sophisticated energy administration system incorporates consumer dashboards and controls the charging course of.
We spoke with Cavotec’s Chief Expertise Officer, Jim Andriotis, to seek out out extra forward of his look at The Electrical Mine 2024, in Perth, Western Australia, going down on the Crown Perth Advanced, on Might 21-23.
IM: Clearly Cavotec serves a number of industries trying to electrify their operations throughout the globe; how would you say the necessities from mining differ from the opposite verticals you commonly cope with?
JA: The important thing variations we see are the necessity for flexibility of set up and automation.
With the frequently altering footprint of mines, it was vital that our gear is straightforward to maneuver in case the charging connection must be carried out in a unique location. By containerising the facility electronics and related gear, the mine operator can transfer the gear by fork-lift or with the shovel bucket when altering places.
Automation is essential within the mining market, particularly within the purposes the place high-powered charging is required. There’s a sturdy development in mining in the direction of autonomous operation. It’s vital that charging stays as a part of this development and permits mines to take away personnel from high-risk areas whereas sustaining operational effectivity.
IM: How have you ever confronted these necessities? Has the involvement of organisations like CharIN on world requirements for charging batteries in purposes like mining helped cope with these?
JA: Cavotec has now been part of CharIN for 4 years and we’re proud to have supported the transfer to standardisations similar to MCS. The mining {industry} had been on the lookout for an ordinary connector for charging already. The MCS answer and requirements, with their accompanying energy ranges, have been the precise match. The great thing about the MCS normal is that it creates a typical interface and communication protocol whereas nonetheless permitting Cavotec to specify supplies and development to satisfy the robustness wanted within the industrial setting we play in.
With an ordinary interface, Cavotec was capable of concentrate on ensuring the remainder of the charging bundle met the wants of the mining {industry} figuring out that the gear that we develop can be utilized throughout a number of purposes and producers. That’s the biggest benefit that MCS brings to the {industry}; the flexibility to develop an industry-driven answer however give the area to make it scalable.
IM: Out of your expertise coping with the mining sector up to now, do you see many open-pit mining purposes the place static charging and using options similar to your MCS could possibly be suited? Conversely, the place is dynamic charging of batteries wanted in floor mining?
JA: Most open-pit purposes could have gear that has to maneuver between pits, or pits to base. The big haul vehicles are the prime instance the place they’ve a repetitive cycle and a ready time the place they will rapidly tackle power. That is completely suited to the high-power charging system.
After we take a look at shovels, excavators and floor drill rigs, there could also be a small share which is able to transfer to battery electrical however the majority will stay tethered by cable reel as they’re staying primarily within the pit and solely shifting bigger distances throughout main format modifications.
Ultimately, electrification of those massive haul vehicles and pit gear will want a wide range of options. The dynamic charging programs in place work very properly however are suited to bigger, extra mature mines the place these throughways are fastened completely (or virtually completely). Ultimately, each options have a spot in mining, together with collectively in some purposes.
IM: The presentation you’re as a result of give at The Electrical Mine 2024 references a “collaborative journey” with the MCS. How have you ever discovered the mining sector in relation to collaborating on options to beat the challenges related to electrifying mining fleets?
JA: All through this journey, we now have labored carefully with OEMs and finish customers to make sure that the wants of the mining {industry} are heard and addressed. From the start, inputs similar to energy necessities, robustness wants, automation wants and communication protocols have been mentioned and shared with the bigger CharIN group and the {industry} has been completely satisfied to offer this.
There are additionally teams beneath CharIN which were created particularly to satisfy the wants of mining and this has been straight pushed by the main {industry} gamers. So, the {industry} is in full help of this transfer to standardisation and accelerating the evolution of electrification.
IM: Along with what you might have already mentioned, what can attendees sit up for listening to about?
JA: The {industry} must know that the expertise and capabilities are there to drive future electrification ahead. We’ve got had improbable help and collaboration from the {industry} in creating these new requirements and initiatives. I wish to thank them for that. Together with cable reels and dynamic charging, the addition of high-power charging is the final piece of the puzzle in bringing full electrification to a mine website.
Cavotec is a Gold Sponsor of The Electrical Mine 2024, with the corporate having a serious indoor show within the exhibition corridor. Jim Andriotis can even be presenting, ‘Remodeling mining fleets: The collaborative journey with the Megawatt Charging System’ throughout Day 2 of the occasion. Discover out extra about The Electrical Mine 2024 by going to www.theelectricmine.com
