hydra-EN – Hydra

Antofagasta Region, Minera Centinela, Antofagasta Minerals.

Hydra

The Hydra project aims to replace the conventional diesel engine with a modular plug-in system made up of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries.

About the project

Hydra aims to use a hydrogen fuel cell-based powertrain for heavy machinery in mining. This will allow the replacement of diesel to achieve the decarbonization goals of the mining industry.

To achieve this goal, various workflows will be carried out, including a pre-feasibility and engineering study of a propulsion system, and the renewable hydrogen value chain. This includes the design, manufacture of a prototype composed by a 60 kW fuel cell and 140 kWh battery which will be tested under mining conditions (altitude, dust, temperature, etc.).

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The project is divided into 4 phases

Phase 1

Validate Business Case

During 2018-2019, a conceptual study to evaluate the business case for a H2 mining truck solution, was successfully completed.

Phase 2

Co-create the Solution

Along 2021-2022, the project will carry out the pre-feasibility study and engineering for the H2 mining truck solution, including the H2 supply chain.

In addition, a prototype will be built to evaluate the performance of the FC + Battery powertrain under specific mining conditions.

Both activities will allow us to validate the business case in further detail.

Phase 3

Proof of Concept

By 2023, we expect to be demonstrating the H2 mining truck solution at the scale of 1 truck, by swapping the 2MW diesel engine of a mining truck with a fully electric fuel cell + battery powertrain.

The renewable hydrogen will be produced through an electrolysis plant powered by renewable energy.

Phase 4

Scale-up

By 2025, we expect to scale up the H2 mining truck solution,
changing an entire fleet of trucks at a specific mining site.

This will allow the mining company to reach its decarbonization targets, while it would also trigger the development of renewable hydrogen in Chile, a first crucial step towards becoming a potential renewable H2 exporter.

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News

March 5th 2022

Green hydrogen commitments continue: new projects in the mining industry

January 26th 2022

Hydra Consortium completes construction of the hydrogen green prototype for mine vehicles

October 7th 2021

Antofagasta Minerals will participate in a pilot plan for the use of hydrogen in mining equipment.

April 15th 2021

Hydra consortium confirmed – Mining and technology leaders join forces in Hydra consortium to drive decarbonisation in mining.

August 6th 2020

ENGIE and Mining3’s renewable hydrogen powertrain project receives funding support from Chilean economic development agency.

July 29th 2020

Corfo will support a new project to promote the massive use of green hydrogen in mining.

“Mining3 has already identified a number of projects that are aligned with both ENGIE's strategy and the present and future needs of the mining industry. We believe these are just a small sample of what can be done in this collaborative space, and we are excited to develop an energy roadmap for our members that is diverse and progressive”.

“These solutions will help industry players to achieve their carbon neutrality goals, as well as help to reduce emissions in countries where mining is a key sector such as Australia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Africa, where we are developing Hydrogen projects”.

Do you want to be a sponsor of Hydra?

If you want to collaborate in the decarbonisation of the mining industry, get in touch with us.