Modeling and Optimization of Regenerative DC Trolley Systems for Surface Mining Trucks

Trolley systems for powering mining haul trucks are emerging in the mining industry because of their benefits like reducing the fuel consumption and carbon footprint while increasing the production capacity. In classical trolley applications, only the uphill track is equipped with a catenary while the braking energy of the downhill trucks is wasted as heat dissipated in the braking resistor. This paper presents an investigation and modeling of a regenerative trolley system with parallel uphill and downhill catenaries in a downhill haul. The braking power of the downhill trucks is regenerated into the catenary where it is used to power the uphill trucks or is sent back to the grid with an active bidirectional substation.