Performance modeling and cost-benefit analysis of hybrid electric mining trucks

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut the operation cost of large mining trucks, this paper presents a technical feasibility and economic benefit analysis on a hybrid electric mining truck under real world operation cycles. The hybrid electric propulsion system of a typical Diesel-Electric mining haul truck has been modeled in MATLAB Simulink environment to perform fuel efficiency assessment and cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The simulation and analysis results showed that hybridization of mining truck can significantly reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and pay back the additional investment on onboard battery Energy-Storage-System (ESS) in a short time. The battery life cycle in mining operation schedule was taken into account during the CBA. The research forms the foundation for mining truck hybrid electric powertrain system design and control development.