Multiplying benefits with hybrid projects

by Melodie Michel, Reporter, Energy and Mines

Dave Manning, Director of Global Hybrid at juwi Renewable Energy, tells Energy and Mines about the company’s latest projects, how combined environmental and cost benefits are set to bring mining’s energy transition further, and what he expects the next milestones to be.

Energy and Mines: What are the next steps for constructing the 13.6 MWp solar farm for APA at the Gruyere Gold Mine?

Dave Manning: The EPC contract was recently signed and juwi is currently finalising design and procurement. On-site construction will commence in a few months for overall project completion by the end of the year.

E&M: You are also realizing a solar project for Pan African Resources in South Africa. What makes this project special?

DM: Three things stand out really. Firstly, the solar photovoltaic plant at the Evander Mines of Pan African Resources is one of the first projects in South Africa to move forward with a generation license for renewable energy. Secondly the 9.975 MW solar farm will provide an estimated 30% of the power needed by the Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant and materially reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions by an estimated 26,000 tonnes per year.

Thirdly as Kobus Loots, the CEO of Pan African Resources states: “By reprocessing waste rock and tailings to remove gold left behind after the initial mining process we reduce environmental impact while maintaining tailings dams.” I think this is a great example of a triple win and can be a blueprint for the future of mining: renewable energy, plus environmental improvement, while reducing costs at the same time.

E&M: In addition to Gruyere and Pan African Resources you have just signed another landmark hybrid for Centamin’s Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt. Can you tell us more about this project?

DM: We are very excited indeed about the solar battery hybrid project for Sukari. Centamin has contracted us to design, build and integrate the world’s largest solar hybrid project at an off-grid mine. The 36 MW PV power plant and its 7.5 MW battery system maximise solar power with bifacial solar modules and a single-axis tracking system. With this and the seamless integration of juwi Hybrid IQ, Centamin will be able to take full advantage of the very high irradiance at site. juwi Hybrid IQ micro-grid technology will also support the operation of the existing power station and provide Sukari’s operation and management teams with data to track their KPIs.

The benefits of the hybrid power solution at Sukari include:

• Reducing heavy-fuel oil consumption by an estimated 22 million litres-e per year;

• Lowering carbon emissions by an estimated 60,000 tCO2-e per year;

• Reduction of all in sustaining costs;

• Reduced exposure to fuel price volatility;

• Increased reliability of the power system.

This global flagship project highlights significant benefits that African mines can unlock with solar battery hybrid solutions powered with juwi Hybrid IQ.

E&M: In addition to these three projects you have another three utility-scale hybrid projects currently under construction in Australia including: Esperance (Horizon Power), Jacinth Ambrosia (Iluka Resources), and Jabiru (NT Government). For Australian mines in particular, what would you say is driving this acceleration in renewable energy hybrids?

DM: Certainly, first and foremost price is driving the acceleration in new projects. In addition however, we feel that reference projects like Degrussa and Agnew are giving our clients the confidence that not only is the concept a reality, but also that it is now proven and reliable. ESG is also becoming more of talking point, and hybrid projects are delivering on the requirement for decarbonization.

E&M: How are gold mines addressing the issue of life-of-mine vs. project payback as this can often be the stumbling block for renewable hybrids?

DM: This indeed requires a fresh approach. For more and more gold mines, the benefits of solar hybrids are compelling even when they only have a confirmed mine life of 7 to 10 years. In Africa, EPC remains the preferred solution and often unlocks the lowest cash operating costs. We also work with independent power producers that can offer flexible tenors or even leasing options for power purchase agreements.

E&M: Solar has always been the technology of choice for Australian mines but, with Agnew, for example, we’re starting to see more interest in wind — why do you think wind is finally gaining traction for mining hybrids in Australia?

DM: Solar has indeed been the first choice, but when we look at a mine site we also analyse the wind potential. We often find that the lowest cash operating costs can be achieved by combining solar, wind and battery. This brings CO2 savings to a whole new level.

As we showed at Energy and Mines last year, solar and wind often complement each other during night and day and throughout the seasons. Agnew Gold has proven that 50% coverage from renewable energy is profitable and reliable.

With juwi Hybrid IQ, we help mines push these boundaries even further. Dependable hybrid power systems can now be built where solar, wind and battery cover 70%, 80% or even more of a mine’s electricity demand. With the ever increasing electrification at mines, solar and wind will become the pillars of the future energy supply of mines.

E&M: What would you like to see as the next milestone for renewable energy hybrids for Australian mines?

DM: The next milestone we would like to see is a megawatt project with more than 70% of the electricity coming from wind or solar. Alternatively a hybrid project where we deploy our solar or wind solution with energy stored for four or more hours. This can be in batteries, with hydrogen or other storage solutions.