The Fekola Mine, which currently relies on conventional liquid fuels for its power, will benefit from Wärtsilä's energy storage and hybrid energy system. The significant cost savings and improved power reliability it offers, were key considerations in the award of the contract.
Fekola is the first mine in the region to add energy storage and solar to their operations. Wärtsilä's GEMS technology will not only control the new energy storage system, but will also control a new 30 MW solar plant currently under construction. In addition, it will continuously optimise energy production for the entire mine. This will ensure the lowest levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for the mine, while at the same time securing grid stability and maximising uptime.
Hybrid systems with energy storage are ideal for providing energy stability and an overall improvement in operations for remote mining locations where the conditions are often challenging. The payback time on such investments is typically short, since the cost of supplying fuel to remote locations can be excessive.
The hybrid system is created through a combination of renewables and an energy storage control system to form an environmentally sound and cost-efficient power source. GEMS, now in its sixth generation, will utilise artificial intelligence (AI), and automated decision-making based on real-time and forecasted data, including load demand and weather, to optimally operate the system's assets and maximise efficiencies.
