A mobile mining machine comprising: a plurality of traction elements ; a plurality of motors , each motor being coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements , each motor configured to be driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, each motor configured to drive the associated traction element in a second mode; a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors ; and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source, wherein, in the first mode, rotation of the plurality of motors causes rotation of a flywheel to store kinetic energy, wherein, in the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the plurality of motors , characterized in that the mobile mining machine further includes a bi-directional electrical bus providing electrical communication between the motors , the power source, and the energy storage system , and wherein the energy storage system includes a switched reluctance motor/generator in electrical communication with the plurality of motors via the bi-directional electrical bus , the switched reluctance motor/generator including a shaft defining a shaft axis , a rotor secured to the shaft , a stator extending around the rotor and around the shaft axis , and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith; wherein the switched reluctance motor/generator is coupled to an engine ; and wherein, in the first mode, the switched reluctance motor/generator may receive energy from the plurality of motors , the switched reluctance motor/generator driving the engine at a constant speed to reduce fuel consumption. a plurality of traction elements ; a plurality of motors , each motor being coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements , each motor configured to be driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, each motor configured to drive the associated traction element in a second mode; a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors ; and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source, wherein, in the first mode, rotation of the plurality of motors causes rotation of a flywheel to store kinetic energy, wherein, in the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the plurality of motors , characterized in that the mobile mining machine further includes a bi-directional electrical bus providing electrical communication between the motors , the power source, and the energy storage system , and wherein the energy storage system includes a switched reluctance motor/generator in electrical communication with the plurality of motors via the bi-directional electrical bus , the switched reluctance motor/generator including a shaft defining a shaft axis , a rotor secured to the shaft , a stator extending around the rotor and around the shaft axis , and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith; wherein the switched reluctance motor/generator is coupled to an engine ; and wherein, in the first mode, the switched reluctance motor/generator may receive energy from the plurality of motors , the switched reluctance motor/generator driving the engine at a constant speed to reduce fuel consumption. <EOS>