Mobile microgrids for off-grid mining
In remote and regional mining operations, power reliability is non-negotiable. However, reliance on standalone diesel generation creates severe operational and financial risk. Price volatility, complex bulk fuel logistics and high generator maintenance costs continue to pressure site margins.
For temporary or shifting operational fronts, fixed renewable infrastructure isn’t practical. These sites require a heavy-duty, mobile power solution engineered for harsh environments, displacing the traditional option — the diesel genset.
A practical mobile hybrid alternative
Australian Flow Batteries (AFB) addresses this challenge with a transportable, all-in-one solar and battery system housed in a compact 10-foot container.
Designed for rapid deployment without permanent ground infrastructure, the unit functions as a mobile hybrid system to:
- Offset daytime loads: solar generation directly powers active operational loads during daylight hours.
- Store overnight energy: integrated battery storage quietly supplies dispatchable power when solar is unavailable.
- Optimise generators: the system synchronises with existing diesel units, running them at peak efficiency and shutting them down when battery storage covers demand.
Depending on site load profiles, utilisation and solar resource, the system can reduce diesel consumption by 60% to 90% with a potential payback period of between two and three years. Every litre displaced directly lowers fuel freight complexity, carbon emissions, engine operating hours and site noise.
Engineered for rapid relocation and scaling
Operational priorities on mine sites shift fast. A small crew can have an AFB unit fully operational in about three to four hours (subject to site preparation and access). As exploration programs advance or camps move, the energy assets relocate alongside them.
As site demand grows, capacity scales modularly. Units can operate standalone or interconnect in clusters of up to 10 units per string of 420kW/1.2MWh without complex site retrofits.
A pathway to utility-grade power
Mobile deployments deliver immediate fuel savings while generating real-world site data to inform long-term energy planning. For larger or multi-year operations, AFB works alongside engineering teams to assess load profiles and develop tailored microgrid architectures that scale beyond mobile units toward permanent, utility-grade power (and include vanadium flow battery options).
Contact Australian Flow Batteries to discuss full technical specifications, your site load profile and growth plans and reduce your immediate fuel liabilities while building a scalable foundation for future energy security.
1300 426 672
