A new power system, developed by automation company Schneider Electric and smart technologies provider Wärtsilä, enables sustainable and otherwise impossible lithium mining in areas without grid access, thereby unlocking global market supply.

The uninterrupted power solution is a holistic, fit-for-purpose system that includes tailored power supply consulting and design, power infrastructure build, equipment delivery, installation, digital microgrids operation, and commissioning, available to mining operators worldwide.

The solution, developed over 20 years of collaboration spanning over 200 projects, optimises the efficient delivery and use of energy. It unifies and leverages microgrids, thermal power generation, energy storage, and other renewable energy sources to provide a highly cost-effective power solution with a minimal environmental footprint for the mining industry.

Based on pilot projects, typical results include an average overall capital expenditure reduction of 27% and a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of up to 20%, or 18 500 t/y, per mine. Lastly, adopters stand to gain an energy cost reduction of 40% when switching to the joint Schneider–Wärtsilä solution from local off-grid diesel-generated power.

“The benefits go well beyond lithium mining,” says Schneider Electric’s mining, minerals and metals VP and regional segment leader Vivek Kapoor. “To create a net-zero future, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage must become more affordable and accessible. This solution will enable mining operators to reduce the environmental impact of their sites and reduce the cost of production.”

Renewable energy storage holds potential to power the next generation of technology and ultimately act as the foundation of a net-zero society. Global minerals, metals and mining operators need to decarbonise their operations at speed and to move towards becoming 100% renewable, Kapoor highlights. This solution provides the answers to these challenges, bringing transparency and efficiency to previously opaque operations.

“The increasing global demand for lithium needed for battery storage applications is putting pressure on mining operations to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible,” emphasises Wärtsilä energy director and strategic partnership Jean Nabb. The power supply is a fundamental element of resiliency and reliability. It will not only guarantee a reliable energy supply but will also do so with economic and environmental benefits owing to the increased efficiency of the mining operations.

The design concept of the project extends to the life cycle of the mine, delivering and provisioning for exactly the right level of power to enable a mine’s productivity. As a result, operational costs are reduced and power availability is optimised to reach a mine’s production targets.

Predictability of parts, power supply and maintenance costs reduce the need for working capital within the 24/7 cycle. This solution works for new mines that are currently being designed and also for mining project conversions. In particular, Argentina has the biggest lithium mining potential in the next five years as sustainable uninterrupted power becomes available. 

Schneider Electric and Wärtsilä signed the framework cooperation agreement for the development of the design for mining energy solutions in March 2020. The parties aim to optimise customer benefit in mining projects by offering solutions based on mutually complementary technologies. The business whitepaper was published in March 2021, concludes Nabb.