In Kryvyi Rih, the Central Mining and Processing Plant has implemented an energy efficiency project at the Gigant-Gluboka mine, which will save 1 million kWh of energy per year.
The mine carried out a technical re-equipment of the cage unit of the B-4 shaft, which also systematized the work of the main transportation complex, Metinvest Media reports.
It is noted that this unit is designed for lowering and lifting workers who service drainage systems. Employees use it for descent and ascent only 7 hours a day, and the rest of the time it was in standby mode.
The report explained that the plant was powered by a generator, whose powerful main drive, according to technical specifications, cannot be stopped more than once a month. At the same time, the synchronous drive consumed 163 kW of electricity per hour at idle. Therefore, the specialists of the energy management department of the Central Mining and Processing Plant proposed to modernize the plant.
It is noted that the generator-motor has been replaced with a thyristor converter-motor, which can stop the DC drive during standby.
"This innovation will allow us to save 1 million kWh and achieve an economic effect of UAH 4.6 million per year. The idea is entirely our own. We hope that this pilot project will be a successful start for new energy-efficient innovations at the Central Combine," said Maksym Strilets, head of the energy management department of the Central Power Plant.
The start-up of the cage installation at the mine is carried out as differentiated as possible. So, in order to reduce the cost of consumed electricity, descents take place at the time when the tariffs are the lowest, namely after 11:00 PM at night and after 12:00 AM during the day shift.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, Metinvest Group CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov stated that the company's green transition strategy despite the full-scale war remains unchanged.
