INL research & development

Wind Energy for Mining Applications

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Where is wind 

energy?

Wind can be found everywhere on the earth at some 

time. Since it is generated 

through solar effects on the 

earth’s surface, wind varies 

on diurnal cycles as well as 

seasonally. Wind direction 

and speed are also affected 

by local terrain features and 

can vary considerably over 

small distances. The wind’s 

power density is dependent 

upon wind speed (to the third 

power) and is proportional to 

the air density. As such, the 

power than can be extracted 

from wind increases rapidly 

with wind speed. Large areas 

of the country have significant 

wind energy resources. The 

best wind resources, like mining resources, are often found 

in remote areas.

How can wind energy 

resources be used?

Wind energy systems convert 

the kinetic energy of the wind 

into mechanical energy, which 

can be used directly for applications such as pumping water, or indirectly, by running a 

generator to produce electricity. Mining operations are energy intensive and often have 

high energy costs and/or are 

located in remote areas where 

commercial power is either 

unavailable or too costly to 

deliver. Diesel electric has 

been the traditional solution 

in this situation. However, in 

areas where a wind energy resource exists, combined wind 

and diesel operation has a 

proven history as compatible 

power supply systems. In such 

wind/diesel hybrid systems, 

the diesel component is highly 

responsive to wind variations 

with the only apparent difference on the system (from 

using diesel power alone), is 

a significant reduction in fuel 

consumption. This combination is especially effective 

when the wind power percentage remains below 40% of total load requirements. Higher 

wind insertion ratios are 

feasible, but with increased 

cost to maintain power quality. Current wind turbines 

are designed for 20-year 

life spans with availability 

approaching 98%. The wind 

electric generation cost is on 

the order of 6-8 cents/kWh, 

depending primarily on the 

quality of the wind resource. 

This is less than the cost of 

diesel power that averages 

between 9-19 cents/kWh for 

prime plants (based on normal 

capitalization cost and typical 

fuel costs). Wind provides a 

direct reduction in operating 

cost, due to reduced diesel 

fuel consumption and – in 

some cases – reduced operating hours of generators. Wind 

can also be combined with 

pumped storage hydropower 

operations to provide power 

when the wind is not blowing. 

Such pumped storage generaWhat is wind energy?

Wind is created by uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. The heat absorbed at the 

earth’s surface is transferred to the air causing differences in local air temperature, density, 

and pressure. This causes forces that move air around (i.e., wind) and results in the wind 

energy that can be extracted for useful purposes.
INL research & development

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05-GA50193-07

tion may be attractive where 

water from mining operations 

is available and needs to be 

stored and/or pumped.

What are the benefits 

of wind energy?

Wind energy systems provide 

environmentally friendly 

“green” power that can be 

used effectively to improve 

emission characteristics and 

to reduce the cost of power 

generation in remote locations. The air emissions 

avoided for a typical diesel 

generator is approximately 

1.8 pounds of CO2 and 0.04 

pounds of NOx for every kWh 

of electricity generated by 

wind. Operating at a typical 

average capacity of 35%, a 

1-MW wind operation will 

generate 3,066,000 kWh of 

Robert M. Neilson

Manager 

Renewable Energy 

and Power

208-526-8274

Robert.Neilson@inl.gov

For more information

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national 

laboratory located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. INL is a leading national laboratory in the 

DOE Windpowering America activity and has significant capabilities and experience 

in the integration of wind energy into power systems for remote areas.

electricity per year, avoiding 

the production of 2,759 tons 

of CO2 and 61 tons of NOx. In 

addition to reduced emissions 

and operating costs, the use of 

wind energy in mining may 

also result in improved public 

perception benefits.

INL is a U.S. Department of 

Energy national laboratory 

operated by Battelle Energy 

Alliance