Siemens introduces electro mobility solutions for underground mining
Published by Angharad Lock,
Digital Assistant Editor
World Coal,
Siemens has introduced a new drive system for underground mining vehicles, providing a dedicated power range and performance for higher levels of productivity, safety and return on investment.
The high-efficiency electric drive system comprises robust and proven propulsion and auxiliary inverters, established control hard and software as well as optional energy storage solutions. This PEM motor achieves a higher efficiency of up to 97% in operating-speed range compared to the efficiency of standard induction motors of similar size.
“To mine raw material, which is situated much deeper below the surface, the current trend is shifting from surface mining to underground mining, thus requiring market-specific solutions that not only ensure a high yield of return on investment, but also ensures added safety for the health of miners,” said Daniel Robertson, Business Manager, Mobile Mining, Siemens. “Our new powertrain offers a greater power to ground ratio, thus providing higher haul truck productivity to transport more tons raw material per energy unit,” said Robertson.
By shifting from a pure diesel-mechanic to a diesel-electric configuration, mine owners and operators can reduce mine ventilation costs. This also increases access to adjacent ore bodies. The conversion from pure diesel trucks to diesel electric trucks should be considered as a necessary precursor to apply fully electric vehicles in underground mining in the not so far future.
The new drive system is currently in development on a 60 t articulated underground haul truck application, yet more than 1000 mining-duty powertrain systems are deployed globally in the open pit mining market which includes all-electric excavators and various haul truck applications.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/product-news/30092016/siemens-introduces-electro-mobility-solutions-for-underground-mining/
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