Applying Autonomous Electric Fueling on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Mining Operations

Abstract

At present, an urgent issue is the reduction of energy consumption during work in mines. The paper presents investigate the possible reduction of energy and economic costs when replacing diesel loaders used in mining on electrical analogs and introducing a self-contained power plant based on solid oxide fuel cells as a source of current for charging. The using electric drive loaders would result in a reduction of ventilation costs by 162,000 rub/year. Charging vehicles from the power plant on solid oxide fuel cells can save amount to 215 thousand rubles in a year.