Raglan Mine Integrated Wind-Storage-Diesel Energy

6 MW of wind power.

3 MW of energy storage.

4 million liters per year of diesel saved.

Environmental Excellence Award, Towards Sustainable Mining - 2016

Challenges

The remote mining project aimed to reduce energy costs, reliance on diesel fuel, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The project would integrate wind power into the mine's energy mix in such a way that grid power quality and stability is maintained.
Though the project would need to overcome Arctic conditions and severe wind power variability, its success would prove that the energy storage technology used is suitable for Arctic conditions and high wind power penetration.

Introduced utility-scale wind turbine with energy storage integrated with diesel generators at the mine.
Project evaluated three technologies: flywheel, lithium-ion battery, and electrolyzer with fuel cell and hydrogen tanks.
Designed and implemented the Hatch Microgrid (HμGrid), which monitors demand for wind power and supply variations, and economically dispatches the charger and discharge from energy storage units to smooth out wind power variations and displace diesel generation.

2019 Mercuriades Award of Excellence in sustainability development strategy.
First-of-its-kind project.
Engineering and construction were fast-tracked to be completed within the short Arctic summer construction window; the project was completed within budget.
Successfully worked with the power plant operators who operate both gensets and wind power in order to maintain the grid stability.
18,000 site hours with zero lost-time injuries.

10 million liters of diesel displaced by wind power
45,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions saved
97% wind power availability