Title :
Cost-effective methods for automisation of a mine pumping systems to realise energy cost savings
Author :
Schoeman, W. ; Van Rensburg, J. ; Bolt, G.
Author_Institution :
Center for Res. & Continuing Eng. Dev., North-West Univ., Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract :
The electricity supply constraints in South Africa necessitated the implementation of Demand Side Management, (DSM), projects. The focus of this study is to determine the most cost effective load management strategy on an underground mine de-watering system. The mining sector was selected as it is one of the largest electricity consumers in South Africa. A substantial amount of energy is used to de-water the mining shafts of fissure and service water. Improved load management will result from automating the de-watering system. Load management makes it possible to reduce energy usage during the Eskom peak periods. This will result in financial savings for the mine, while creating the climate for a more reliable supply of electricity from Eskom.
Keywords :
demand side management; energy conservation; mining; power system economics; power system reliability; shafts; DSM; South Africa; cost effective load management strategy; demand side management; electricity consumer; electricity supply constraint; electricity supply reliability; energy cost saving; fissure mining shaft; mine pumping system automisation; underground mine dewatering system; Educational institutions; Energy management; Fasteners; Instruments; Microstrip;
Conference_Titel :
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy (ICUE), 2011 Proceedings of the 8th Conference on the
Conference_Location :
Cape Town
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4577-1745-1
Electronic_ISBN :
978-0-9814311-6-1