EcoPower Mate offers a new approach to temporary power

Remote mining operations requires power beyond the production area.

Exploration camps, temporary offices, communications equipment and construction support facilities often operate with limited access to the power grid.

Their location and electricity demand can also change as projects develop.

Diesel generators currently are the main source of energy for the facilities, but their operation requires The post EcoPower Mate offers a new approach to temporary power appeared first on International Mining .

Remote mining operations requires power beyond the production area.

Exploration camps, temporary offices, communications equipment and construction support facilities often operate with limited access to the power grid.

Their location and electricity demand can also change as projects develop.

Diesel generators currently are the main source of energy for the facilities, but their operation requires fuel transportation and storage, regular maintenance and the management of noise and local emissions.

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation and battery storage can help reduce generator runtime while supporting the power requirements.

GCL System Integration Technology Co Ltd (GCL SI), based in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, developed EcoPower Mate for temporary and remote industrial worksites.

The relocatable solar power platform integrates with a battery energy storage system (BESS) and existing diesel generators, which are coordinated by the energy management system (EMS).

Potential applications include camps, temporary offices, lighting, communications equipment and surveillance systems.

EcoPower Mate can also serve selected auxiliary loads at exploration sites, drilling support areas and road construction projects.

Load profiles vary across these facilities.

Offices may consume most of their electricity during the day, while lighting and monitoring equipment may need to operate overnight.

EcoPower Mate can be configured to meet each site’s power demand and backup power requirements.

Remote mining operations requires power beyond the production area.

Exploration camps, temporary offices, communications equipment and construction support facilities often operate with limited access to the power grid.

Their location and electricity demand can also change as projects develop.

Diesel generators currently are the main source of energy for the facilities, but their operation requires fuel transportation and storage, regular maintenance and the management of noise and local emissions.

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation and battery storage can help reduce generator runtime while supporting the power requirements.

GCL System Integration Technology Co Ltd (GCL SI), based in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, developed EcoPower Mate for temporary and remote industrial worksites.

The relocatable solar power platform integrates with a battery energy storage system (BESS) and existing diesel generators, which are coordinated by the energy management system (EMS).

Potential applications include camps, temporary offices, lighting, communications equipment and surveillance systems.

EcoPower Mate can also serve selected auxiliary loads at exploration sites, drilling support areas and road construction projects.

Load profiles vary across these facilities.

Offices may consume most of their electricity during the day, while lighting and monitoring equipment may need to operate overnight.

EcoPower Mate can be configured to meet each site’s power demand and backup power requirements.

When solar power is available, PV generation can supply site loads, with surplus power available to charge the battery.

The battery can discharge when PV output is insufficient, while diesel generators provide additional power as required.

The EMS coordinates PV generation, battery charging and discharging, and generator operation according to site demand and system settings.

This arrangement allows mine owners and operators to introduce PV generation and battery storage while retaining their existing diesel generation infrastructure.

A temporary camp with relatively low overnight demand illustrates how this arrangement can work.

Battery storage could supply selected lighting and communications loads for part of the night, allowing the generator to shut down where battery capacity, inverter capability and control settings allow the system to operate without the generator.