Renewable energy is needed to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The problem is, many aspects of renewable energy rely on mining, which is a significant source of carbon emissions.
Global Technology company ABB may have the solution. Their new program, ABB Ability eMine, is helping with the transition to make mining carbon neutral.
The implications of such an improvement are huge across the mining and carbon credit industry, as it can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the globe.
ABB’s eMine consists of electrification technology that uses digital applications and services within the mining process. This can optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and improve performance.
One part of ABB’s Ability eMine program is ABB Ability eMine FastCharge, which provides high-powered electric charging for haul trucks. It can be installed anywhere and charge an electric truck up to 600 kW. Depending on the battery capacity, the charging time could be as short as 15 minutes.
The technology is currently in its pilot phase, but ABB expects a 2022 release.
ABB is also hoping to incorporate the ABB Ability eMine Trolley System, reducing diesel consumption up to 90%.
According to Max Luedtke, ABB’s Global Mining Head, “The global mining industry is undergoing one of the most significant and important transformations of our generation – and that is to become zero-carbon.”
Since the mining industry generates between 1.9 and 5.1 gigatons of carbon emissions annually, a significant transformation is an understatement!
Technological innovations such as ABB’s, along with increased regulation and the carbon offset industry, are precisely what the world needs. It will be great to see how ABB’s eMine, FastCharge, and Trolley System programs will transform the mining industry moving forward.
Luedtke said, “Mines can become ever more energy efficient with vastly reduced levels of carbon dioxide emissions while staying competitive and ensuring high productivity.” The more projects created to reduce and offset carbon, the better.
With ABB celebrating 130 years in the mining industry, this announcement can propel them further into the future.