# Hybrid Wind-Redox Flow Battery System for Decarbonizing Off-Grid Mining Operations
## 6 Results and Discussion
### Discussion  
The results presented in this study are based on a model built with several conservative assumptions. Consequently, real-world outcomes may be even more favorable. For instance, actual wind power generation could exceed projections, battery utilization might be higher, diesel prices could rise, and the cost of redox flow technology may decrease over time.  
One of the most significant cost drivers in the current analysis is the purchase and installation of redox flow batteries. As this technology has not yet reached full industrial maturity, large-scale systems like those required at Raglan remain rare and costly. Additionally, the need to construct a dedicated facility to house the tanks and electrochemical stacks adds substantial capital costs, unlike storage systems that do not require such infrastructure. Despite these limitations, most configurations analyzed yield a positive return on investment.  
Soon, Raglan may be eligible for government subsidies to support decarbonization projects. If such funding is secured, it would reduce total project costs and significantly improve profitability. However, since the amount and timeline of potential subsidies remain uncertain, they have not been included in the current financial assessment.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Data Type** & **Value** & **Unit** \\ \hline Wind CAPEX (12 wind turbines) & 248.3 & M CAD \\ \hline CAPEX redox (battery and hangar) & 253.6 & M CAD \\ \hline TOTAL CAPEX & 501.9 & M CAD \\ \hline CAPEX additional cost & 485.2 & M CAD \\ \hline TOTAL Economy & \(-\)16.3 & M CAD \\ \hline LCOE complete system & 590 & CAD/MWh \\ \hline LCOS complete system & 6110 & CAD/MWh \\ \hline Wind integration & 45.81 & \% \\ \hline Wind penetration & 60.09 & \% \\ \hline Diesel saved & 51.98 & \% \\ \hline Quantity of GHG avoided & 55,203 & tCO2 eq. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 12: Results of the scenario with high diesel economy.  
Another potential but unquantified benefit is the commercial value of decarbonized or \"green\" nickel. Once Raglan completes its decarbonization process, it could position its nickel as a low-carbon product, an attractive feature for the growing electric vehicle (EV) industry. This could give Raglan a strategic commercial advantage in emerging clean technology markets.  
The study also highlights that removing diesel generators from the 25 kV-G network is more effective in reducing emissions than simply increasing storage capacity. This aligns with Raglan's plans for the second phase of its decarbonization strategy, which involves retiring the remaining EMD diesel generators. To enable this, an alternative ore-drying process must be identified that does not rely on engine exhaust heat.  
Once diesel generators are fully phased out, wind energy penetration is expected to increase significantly. At that point, a new challenge will emerge: ensuring the quality and stability of electricity integrated into the network. This will likely require careful management of power electronics, grid-forming inverters, and control systems to maintain voltage and frequency standards in a diesel-free environment.