Empowering Optimal Operations with Renewable Energy Solutions for Grid Connected Merredin WA Mining Sector

Abstract

Mining sectors require a continuous and reliable power supply; however, reliance on traditional grid utilities results in high costs and disruptions and increases extreme carbon emission. The Merredin WA sector seeks to resolve critical energy challenges affecting mining operations in Western Australia. Thus, this research proposes an optimal solar PV system with battery storage and backup generation for the mining sector to ensure a stable and cost-effective power supply that reduces harmful environmental effect. A hybrid data-driven long short-term memory (LSTM)-classical optimization framework is designed here, thereby optimizing PV-battery storage operational cost savings and energy usage. The optimization results indicate that approximately 57% of load demand can be fulfilled by the proposed optimal PV system with future cost savings of USD $8627.53 per annum. The optimization method also resulted in the lowest computation time of 1.153 s and highest accuracy 99.247% when compared with other existing algorithms. Furthermore, the integration of renewable energy (RE) technologies within mining operations substantially reduces carbon emissions by 67%, thus contributing to broader global sustainability purposes. The study presents a sustainable and economically viable energy solution for mining operations, setting a precedent for RE adoption in remote and energy-intensive industries.