Leveraging Hydrogen Integration to Optimise Wind Energy Utilisation and Minimise Fuel Costs in Remote Mines

The integration of hydrogen technology into microgrids represents a significant advancement in sustainable energy strategies for the mining industry, which is increasingly pivoting towards renewable resources due to escalating fuel costs and stringent emissions regulations. This paper discusses the application of a microgrid combining solar PV, wind, gas engines and advanced energy storage systems, including hydrogen and batteries, to minimise renewable energy curtailment, fuel costs and Operational Expenditures (OPEX) at remote mining sites. The study leverages a mixed integer linear programming model to assess the effectiveness of integrating electrolysers for hydrogen production using curtailed wind energy and using it in gas engines to reduce natural gas consumption costs, which has a larger share in OPEX. The findings illustrate that hydrogen and additional battery storage are robust storage mediums capable of managing the microgrid’s energy surplus with minimal losses. In addition, hydrogen integration plays a pivotal role in decreasing OPEX and improving the mine’s environmental footprint by reducing natural gas consumption and providing a clean power supply.