Methodology to Analyze Effect of Electric Mining Machines on the Mine Grid

Increasing use of electric driven mining machines change the planning principles for mine electric grid. This study aims to define general principles on how to determine on which terms electric machines can be added to an existing mine grid and how to plan the grid for all-electric mines. Load flow simulations and spreadsheet calculations are used for analysis. The real mine grid structure and the load cycles of electric mining machines as well as other mine loads are used for case study. In the example case, harmonic disturbances are the most critical limitation in the grid design.