The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) established in 1948, is a multi-disciplinary government organization under the Department of Mines, Ministry of Mines, engaged in the promotion of conservation, scientific development of mineral resources, and protection of the environment in mines and other than coal, petroleum & natural gas, atomic minerals, and minor minerals. The organization has always been at the forefront of adopting sustainable practices to drive forward mining activities across its partner organizations in the mining industry. With the installation of a grid-connected rooftop solar power plant at its premises, IBM has further demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development.
The capacity of the grid-connected rooftop solar power plant installed at IBM, Bangalore is 52 kWp, has been constructed using high-quality 325 Wp poly-crystalline solar PV modules from one of India’s top module manufacturers RenewSys totaling 160 nos., 1 no. 50 kW high-efficiency SUNGROW on-grid solar inverter enabled with Trinity Touch Data Logger Monitoring System and highest quality Balance of System (BoS). The plant is divided into two sub-arrays, each of X kWp, and has been installed on the flat RCC roof of the building. The solar power plant was set up under Govt. OPEX financing mechanism, wherein the entire cost of Engineering, Procurement, and Commissioning of the plant is managed by U-Solar while IBM reaps the benefits of clean and inexpensive solar power by entering into a long-term PPA with a tenure of 20 years. The PMC for the project was executed by Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), a reputed Govt. PSU is based out of Jaipur, Rajasthan
The following infographic illustrates the environmental impact of the 52 kWp grid-connected rooftop solar power plant.
Sustainability and sustainable development continue to be at the heart of the mining industry with the rising challenges arising from global warming and climate change. Mining for minerals and ores has come a long way in terms of newer methods being adopted for their extraction and are complemented by sustainable processes that promise much to maintain the integrity of the mining areas, the local populations, and the plethora of biodiversity that cohabitants the mining environment. A global report carried out by professional services firm, Deloitte in the context of sustainable mining states the challenges as ever-increasing demand for mined resources continue to remain a major concern, as well as the consumption of resources such as energy and water, which are required throughout the extraction process. If mankind is serious about living in harmony with Nature, it becomes imperative that the change starts at the source i.e. mines and mining activities. Several mining organizations across the World have begun taking necessary measures to create a positive environmental and social impact in their quest towards truly sustainable development. The overarching goal of U-Solar is to persuade mining organizations to consider solar energy as an important and significant part of their overall energy mix with the help of innovative off-grid solar solutions for the remotest of mining sites.
With significant advancements in technology and the rapidly declining costs of solar PV components and solar power systems, an increasing number of commercial establishments are adopting solar energy for offsetting their carbon footprint and the ever-rising grid power electricity bills. This is true, particularly with respect to the mining industry, which has a deeper commitment towards sustainability and has the immense capability to deliver a greater positive impact on the ground, socially and environmentally.
Written by Bharat Barki
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