Systems models are an important tool for policy and energy planning decisions. These models gener... more Systems models are an important tool for policy and energy planning decisions. These models generally fall into one of three modelling paradigms: energy economy, capacity expansion or power sector planning. Recent work seeks to combine these paradigms into an integrated framework to leverage the benefits of different model types. There is also interest and research in representing more system interactions to expand the modelling nexus. However, this increases model complexity and risks creating more black box models that are not well understood or trusted by users or policymakers. To understand the trade-offs and best practices of using combined models, we review current modelling practices, including an overview of the different modelling paradigms in the literature, how combined modelling has been applied to date and how the nexus has been represented in different modelling applications. Building on the literature review, we held a series of expert elicitation workshops to gain in...
Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located... more Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located far from the grid, due to considerable spending on fuel and fuel transportation. The mining industry is also increasingly aware of the need to shift towards cleaner energy sources in order to reduce its environmental impact. As a reliable source, capable of delivering very high availability factors, geothermal is an important, though often overlooked, energy option for the mining industry. For mines that are located in areas of high geothermal potential, geothermal energy can provide for parts of a mining operation's electrical power needs. Geothermal fluids are utilized in a variety of ways during the operational life cycle of a mine. In the production stage, hot fluids are used directly in applications such as raffinate heating in copper production and enhanced heap leaching for the extraction of gold and silver. Underground mines in areas of high geothermal potential must deal wi...
Background: There have been many studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy syst... more Background: There have been many studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy systems, land use, water use and climate adaptation and impacts. These studies have filled a gap in the literature to allow for more effective policymaking by considering the trade-offs between land use, energy infrastructure as well as the use of water for agriculture and providing energy services. Though these studies fill a significant gap in the modelling literature, we argue that more work is needed to effectively consider policy trade-offs between the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to avoid missing important interactions.Results: We examine the 17 SDGs to determine if it should be included in a modelling framework and the challenges of doing so. We show that the nexus of climate, land, energy and water needs to be expanded to consider economic well-being of both individuals and the greater economy, health benefits and impacts, as well as land use in terms of bot...
BackgroundThere have been numerous studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy sy... more BackgroundThere have been numerous studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy systems, land use, water use and climate adaptation and impacts. These studies have filled a gap in the literature to allow for more effective policymaking by considering the trade-offs between land use, energy infrastructure as well as the use of water for agriculture and providing energy services. Though these studies fill a significant gap in the modelling literature, we argue that more work is needed to effectively consider policy trade-offs between the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to avoid missing important interactions.ResultsWe examine the 17 SDGs individually to determine if it should be included in a modelling framework and the challenges of doing so. We show that the nexus of climate, land, energy and water needs to be expanded to consider economic well-being of both individuals and the greater economy, health benefits and impacts, as well as land use in...
Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2015, Melbourne, Australia., Apr 2015
Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located... more Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located far from the grid, due to considerable spending on fuel and fuel transportation. The mining industry is also increasingly aware of the need to shift towards cleaner energy sources in order to reduce its environmental impact. As a reliable source, capable of delivering very high availability factors, geothermal is an important, though often overlooked, energy option for the mining industry. For mines that are located in areas of high geothermal potential, geothermal energy can provide for parts of a mining operation's electrical power needs. Geothermal fluids are utilized in a variety of ways during the operational life cycle of a mine. In the production stage, hot fluids are used directly in applications such as raffinate heating in copper production and enhanced heap leaching for the extraction of gold and silver. Underground mines in areas of high geothermal potential must deal with higher ventilation loads; these can be partially provided for by in-situ geothermal power generation. Geothermal fluids can also provide energy for space heating, typically a substantial load for northern mines. In the closure and post-closure phases of a project, hot water irrigation can enhance reclamation rates, while an operating power plant that is turned over to the local community results in jobs creation, and can support community development through projects such as geothermal district heating. In addition, geothermal energy helps reduce a mine's environmental impact and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and improves its reputation within local communities, while "greening" its portfolio and contributing to sustainable development and the process of acquiring and retaining a social license to operate. The main factors affecting the successful integration of geothermal energy in a mining development are: the presence of a proven, accessible, and extractable resource; the relative price of alternate energy options; the distance from/to the grid; the potential for coproduction and/or minerals extraction; and the availability of communities and other industries in the vicinity of the mine. This paper outlines the synergies between mining and geothermal energy, and explores the ways in which geothermal energy can contribute to the development and operation of a mine.
Systems models are an important tool for policy and energy planning decisions. These models gener... more Systems models are an important tool for policy and energy planning decisions. These models generally fall into one of three modelling paradigms: energy economy, capacity expansion or power sector planning. Recent work seeks to combine these paradigms into an integrated framework to leverage the benefits of different model types. There is also interest and research in representing more system interactions to expand the modelling nexus. However, this increases model complexity and risks creating more black box models that are not well understood or trusted by users or policymakers. To understand the trade-offs and best practices of using combined models, we review current modelling practices, including an overview of the different modelling paradigms in the literature, how combined modelling has been applied to date and how the nexus has been represented in different modelling applications. Building on the literature review, we held a series of expert elicitation workshops to gain in...
Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located... more Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located far from the grid, due to considerable spending on fuel and fuel transportation. The mining industry is also increasingly aware of the need to shift towards cleaner energy sources in order to reduce its environmental impact. As a reliable source, capable of delivering very high availability factors, geothermal is an important, though often overlooked, energy option for the mining industry. For mines that are located in areas of high geothermal potential, geothermal energy can provide for parts of a mining operation's electrical power needs. Geothermal fluids are utilized in a variety of ways during the operational life cycle of a mine. In the production stage, hot fluids are used directly in applications such as raffinate heating in copper production and enhanced heap leaching for the extraction of gold and silver. Underground mines in areas of high geothermal potential must deal wi...
Background: There have been many studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy syst... more Background: There have been many studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy systems, land use, water use and climate adaptation and impacts. These studies have filled a gap in the literature to allow for more effective policymaking by considering the trade-offs between land use, energy infrastructure as well as the use of water for agriculture and providing energy services. Though these studies fill a significant gap in the modelling literature, we argue that more work is needed to effectively consider policy trade-offs between the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to avoid missing important interactions.Results: We examine the 17 SDGs to determine if it should be included in a modelling framework and the challenges of doing so. We show that the nexus of climate, land, energy and water needs to be expanded to consider economic well-being of both individuals and the greater economy, health benefits and impacts, as well as land use in terms of bot...
BackgroundThere have been numerous studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy sy... more BackgroundThere have been numerous studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy systems, land use, water use and climate adaptation and impacts. These studies have filled a gap in the literature to allow for more effective policymaking by considering the trade-offs between land use, energy infrastructure as well as the use of water for agriculture and providing energy services. Though these studies fill a significant gap in the modelling literature, we argue that more work is needed to effectively consider policy trade-offs between the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to avoid missing important interactions.ResultsWe examine the 17 SDGs individually to determine if it should be included in a modelling framework and the challenges of doing so. We show that the nexus of climate, land, energy and water needs to be expanded to consider economic well-being of both individuals and the greater economy, health benefits and impacts, as well as land use in...
Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2015, Melbourne, Australia., Apr 2015
Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located... more Mines are heavy energy consumers and energy costs are significantly high for remote mines located far from the grid, due to considerable spending on fuel and fuel transportation. The mining industry is also increasingly aware of the need to shift towards cleaner energy sources in order to reduce its environmental impact. As a reliable source, capable of delivering very high availability factors, geothermal is an important, though often overlooked, energy option for the mining industry. For mines that are located in areas of high geothermal potential, geothermal energy can provide for parts of a mining operation's electrical power needs. Geothermal fluids are utilized in a variety of ways during the operational life cycle of a mine. In the production stage, hot fluids are used directly in applications such as raffinate heating in copper production and enhanced heap leaching for the extraction of gold and silver. Underground mines in areas of high geothermal potential must deal with higher ventilation loads; these can be partially provided for by in-situ geothermal power generation. Geothermal fluids can also provide energy for space heating, typically a substantial load for northern mines. In the closure and post-closure phases of a project, hot water irrigation can enhance reclamation rates, while an operating power plant that is turned over to the local community results in jobs creation, and can support community development through projects such as geothermal district heating. In addition, geothermal energy helps reduce a mine's environmental impact and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and improves its reputation within local communities, while "greening" its portfolio and contributing to sustainable development and the process of acquiring and retaining a social license to operate. The main factors affecting the successful integration of geothermal energy in a mining development are: the presence of a proven, accessible, and extractable resource; the relative price of alternate energy options; the distance from/to the grid; the potential for coproduction and/or minerals extraction; and the availability of communities and other industries in the vicinity of the mine. This paper outlines the synergies between mining and geothermal energy, and explores the ways in which geothermal energy can contribute to the development and operation of a mine.
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