Development of innovative mine energy systems

一些研究预测，在未来十年，经济和监管因素将要求采矿业大幅降低能源强度和温室气体排放。目前，采矿业是碳足迹最大的能源密集型行业之一。它对电力的巨大需求主要由化石燃料发电（通常是煤和柴油）来满足。在加拿大，一个典型的地下金属矿是由500至1000立方米/秒的新鲜空气通风，这取决于环境和操作条件。为了防止地下矿井在冬季冻结并因此损坏设备，必须预热该进气气流，这将花费200万至700万美元的天然气（或丙烷）。此外，在夏季，在深地下矿井（深度超过1500米）中，预冷却新鲜空气是一种常见的做法，其对于制冷设备而言的前期（资本）成本为4000万至5000万美元，以及每年100万至300万美元的运营（电力）成本。它还几乎完全依赖化石燃料（主要是天然气，丙烷和废油）供暖。在依赖柴油发电的偏远采矿作业中，这种化石燃料的依赖性甚至更重。在加拿大，柴油发电成本通常占离网贱金属露天矿运营成本的15%。能源成本已经占加拿大矿山运营成本的很大一部分（14%至21%）。此外，矿山开始延伸到目前标准以外的深度，其能源需求甚至越来越高。最后但并非最不重要的是，新兴碳税法规的剩余成本的出现。加拿大矿业公司认识到转向更节能、碳排放更低的技术的重要性。拟议的研究计划旨在解决加拿大采矿业务面临的主要挑战，反映了三个关键方面：创新，HQP培训和可持续发展。它将采取综合和跨学科的办法，在以下三个关键研究主题内开发新的矿山能源系统。I.地热系统在矿井通风中的应用;* 二.储能系统在矿井通风中的应用;*iii.远程采矿作业中应用的废热回收系统的开发。

Several studies predict that over the next decade economic and regulatory factors will require the mining industry to significantly reduce its energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, mining is one of the most energy-intensive industries with a large carbon footprint. Its significant need for electric power is mostly satisfied by fossil-based power generation (usually coal and diesel). In Canada, a typical underground metal mine is ventilated by 500 to 1000 m3/s of fresh air, depending on the ambient and operational conditions. To prevent the freezing of underground mine and the consequent damage to equipment during winter, pre-heating this intake air flow is a necessity which would cost between $2 to 7 million of natural gas (or propane). Also, during summer in deep underground mines (deeper than 1500 meters), pre-cooling the fresh air is a common practice which comes at an up-front (capital) cost of $40 to 50 million for a refrigeration plant as well as $1 to 3 million per annum of operating (electricity) costs. It also relies almost entirely on fossil fuels (mostly natural gas, propane and waste oil) for heating. This fossil fuel dependency is even heavier in remote mining operations where reliance on diesel power dominates. Diesel power costs usually make up to 15% of the operating costs of off-grid base metal open pit operations in Canada. Energy cost already represents a significant part of the operating costs of Canadian mines (14% to 21%). Furthermore, mines are beginning to extend to depths beyond current norms and their energy demand is growing even higher. Last but not the least is the emergence of surplus costs of emerging carbon tax regulations. Canadian mining companies recognize the importance of turning to more energy efficient technologies with lower carbon emissions. The proposed research program aims to address key challenges faced by Canadian mining operations, reflecting three key perspectives: innovation, HQP training and sustainable development. It will adopt an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to develop new mine energy systems within the following three key research themes.***i. Application of geothermal systems in mine ventilation;***ii. Application of energy storage systems in mine ventilation; ***iii. Development of a waste heat recovery system for application in remote mining operations.