Renewables, Storage and Hydrogen

RENEWABLES, STORAGE AND HYDROGEN TO LEAD ON RESOURCE SECTOR’S ENERGY TRANSITION IN AUSTRALIA

Major and mid-tier mining operators are investing in renewable energy and storage and beginning to explore the potential of hydrogen to play a role in affordable, reliable, and sustainable power. Ongoing cost declines for renewable energy, combined with rising energy costs and a growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, are driving new projects and partnerships between Australian resource companies and alternative energy providers.

In minerals processing, ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) recently announced $490,000 in funding for WA-based Element 25 to explore whether electrolytic manganese metal can be produced with renewable energy, without reducing the quality of the finished product. This groundbreaking project will be presented by Element 25’s Executive Director Justin Brown at Energy and Mines Australia Summit taking place June 18-20 at the Westin Perth. (SEE FOLLOWING ARTICLE). The possibilities of renewables in the decarbonization of high-temperature processing is also explored in this issue here.

The E25 project is just one of the latest examples of mining and metals companies investing in renewables to control energy costs and address environmental concerns. Other major and mid-tier Australian mines have recently announced or finalized renewables investments including Gold Fields, IGO, and Image Resources. Lion One Metals also recently announced its investment in a solar-diesel hybrid at its Tuvatu Gold Project on the South Pacific island of Viti Levu in Fiji. In the last 6 months, more than a dozen similar projects have been announced or commissioned.

As mining companies continue to invest in renewable energy, hydrogen is becoming a growing area of interest to support energy and sustainability goals. The technology has the potential to address energy and carbon goals including as a zero-emissions fuel for heavy haulage equipment and machinery; as a means of firming renewable electricity and providing back-up power generation, and as a source of high-grade heat for mineral processing.

Major and mid-tier mining leaders are currently assessing the applicability and economics of hydrogen but there are, however, a variety of challenges that need to be addressed including infrastructure, costs, and safety standards. Commercialization of hydrogen technologies and hydrogen infrastructure development initiatives are rapidly gaining momentum in Australia and this could present significant opportunities for resource companies looking to explore the use of hydrogen for transport, power and processing applications.

Mining leaders are preparing to discuss these topics in depth and meet with renewables, storage, hydrogen and finance experts in Perth on June 18-20th. This is the 3rd annual Energy and Mines Australia Summit which focuses on addressing the opportunities and challenges for affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for mines. ARENA CEO Darren Miller is a keynote presenter at the Summit which also features a full-day on hydrogen applications for the mining sector.

“Australia is a global centre for energy innovation in mining where we expect to see new milestones in terms of renewables integration and testing hydrogen applications,” Energy and Mines’ Director Adrienne Baker said. “This market is where we have seen the highest number of new renewables projects by mines over the last year and we expect that to continue with increased innovation in terms of the technologies deployed.”