interview
MODULARITY:
key for hydrogen to become business as usual in mines
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Interview by MELODIE MICHEL Reporter, Energy and Mines
ecause of its versatility, hydrogen is set to change the mining sector dramatically, but opinions differ on the path to commercial viability for this versatile molecule. Energy and Mines speaks to Bernhard Voll, Senior Technical Expert & Platform Manager at SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH, about what is needed for hydrogen to become business as usual in mines. According to him, one way to overcome the economic challenges around hydrogen would be to make this technology modular, following the way paved by the solar industry. “The biggest challenge is that mining companies’ expected return on investment is typically very short, because operations don’t exist forever,” he explains. In Zimbabwe, SMA developed a modular solar solution for a mine with a fiveyear lifetime, so that it could be packed up and taken to the next site at the end of the mine life. “With something like that, you can afford longer return on investment. This would absolutely work with hydrogen: you just have to put everything in containers,” Voll adds. In terms of economics, it is important to consider the versatility of hydrogen in mines. When taking into account that it can work as long-term energy storage, green fuel for trucks and thermal power for mining processes such as steel and aluminium refining, it is much easier to reach a viable business case. 21
