Calpeda.........................................................................................IFC Electric Motors

standards as well as Gold Fields’ requirement for a minimum of 20% renewable power generation for mining operations.” Mr Saffy said the pathways to decarbonisation that held the most appeal for miners currently included:

Hybrid power plants (as mentioned): These combine renewables (e.g., solar, wind) with thermal generation and battery storage, benefiting areas with limited or no access to permanent power. These are generally cost-competitive. Once solar or wind plants are installed, their generation running costs are relatively low and at zero emissions.

Virtual gas pipelines: Gas power generation offers a greener and more cost-effective alternative to diesel and heavy fuel oil. A virtual pipeline is a substitute, and an alternative, for a physical pipeline. Gas is instead transported as LNG or CNG to the point of use by sea, road, or rail. For mines not connected to a physical pipeline and looking to switch to gas from diesel, a virtual pipeline model simply imitates their current supply solution.

For users who are connected to a gas pipeline but are looking to supplement insufficient or unreliable pipeline capacity, the virtual power plant solution has several advantages over diesel. Renewable energy: Renewable energy power systems are an effective way of tapping into natural resources to provide power, such as wind farms, hydro power and solar. The challenge is their reliability on weather, hence why if power is interrupted for any reason it is important to ensure they’re backed by with batteries or a temporary thermal power solution.

A significant future fuel in this space will be hydrogen. Investment in hydrogen is on the rise too because of the role it can play in supporting a global transition to net-zero. Its versatility and compatibility with existing furnaces, engines and generators make it particularly appealing for the mining industry. Businesses around the world are at the beginning of their hydrogen journeys and need to be supported to find the best ways of integrating it into their operations.

Mr Saffy said energy sources likely to become more prevalent in mining during the next 10 years included biofuels (would become less expensive), hydropower, energy storage (such as pumped, mechanical flywheel), and gas generation which runs with a hybrid renewable system. While it is increasingly utilised now as power source, wind and solar power is expected to gain more momentum.

Aggreko is also experimenting with mobile wind solutions, redeployable solar panels and tidal wave power (though tidal wave power might not be for the mining industry yet). The company is also accelerating its investments in hydrogen technology. Trials are underway in Europe on two different technologies, where Aggreko is collaborating with lead customers and partners trialing hydrogen generators and fuel cell battery hybrids.

“It’s a very exciting time in the mining sector, and it will be amazing to see the innovations presented during the next few years as miners and energy companies collaborate and come up with new ideas for a greener future,” Mr Saffy said.

“The key though is to start now – you can embrace renewables now into your energy mix because, done correctly, cost and emission savings can be greatly reduced without compromising reliability.”

Aggreko has its own net-zero goals by 2050 and has a 2030 target to reduce diesel use in its customer solutions by 50%.

Geberit’s water-saving cisterns

Geberit has a range of products that are regarded as sustainable sanitation solutions and which contribute to increased quality of life with low energy and water consumption and with ecologically friendly materials. Noise insulation or simple product disposal are also part of responsible product design. For decades Geberit’s products have been setting standards in terms of economical water consumption and their production plants practice active environmental management with impressive results.

Saving water is an issue of growing importance. One way of saving water in your bathroom is to use a dual-flush system in your toiletcistern. Geberit is offering such water-saving concealed cisterns for all sorts of installation situations.

The Geberit Kombifix is the ideal solution for solid constructions. It is extremely reliable and is designed to carry up to 400 kg. The Geberit Kombifix installation element is installed directly into the wall. The gaps around the Kombifix are filled with bricks to support the element.

The Geberit Duofix offers the fastest installation solution as in can be placed either inside of in front of a drywall. Due to its construction and to the fact that it is self-supporting, it offers highest stability. It is fastened to the wall where it remains firmly anchored, when covered with panels.

The dual-flush system offers adjustable settings between 3 and 7.5 litres and can be triggered bv numerous high-quality actuator plates.

The Geberit Kombifix and Duofix installation elements come in two different product lines: The Geberit Alpha line comprises economically priced cisterns and a small variety of actuator plates, all of them with dual-flush pushbuttons. The make of the Alpha cisterns is reduced and lean, but still offering the lasting quality that Geberit is known for.

The Geberit Sigma line sets the standards in the sanitary business.

There are Geberit Sigma cisterns for all sorts of application fields, offering a wide range of actuator plates, designed for single and dual-flush actuation, made of high-quality plastic, glass or metal. For two actuator designs you have the possibility to customise the surface.

Getting rid of unpleasant odours

For the Sigma concealed cisterns Geberit introduced a new odour extraction module: the Geberit DuoFresh. This module can be installed in all concealed cisterns from the Sigma range. In addition to an air filtration system, it also has an orientation light. Under certain conditions, existing toilet systems can also be retrofitted with the module. Installation is simple and well thought out. The only requirement is a connection to the 230 V power supply system. Apart from a few exceptions, all actuator plates from the Sigma range can be combined with the Geberit DuoFresh module.

Find out more on:

www.international.geberit.com

The Geberit DuoFresh is an oduor extractor that purifies the air.

Geberit Kombifix with Sigma cistern (left) and Alpha cistern (right)

Geberit Duofix with Sigma cistern (left) and Alpha cistern (right)