A new wave of ‘electrotech,’ including solar photovoltaic, batteries, electric vehicles and heat pumps is revolutionising how electricity is generated, stored and consumed, increasingly at lower cost than fossil fuels.
As the quarrying, recycling and material handling industries continue to evolve, the demand for smarter, more efficient, and environmentally responsible equipment has never been greater.
The crushing and screening industry has long relied on diesel-hydraulic machinery. Businesses are charging ahead with electrification, but few are scaling.
ENVE product specialist Francis Sherry told Quarry that operators who adopt early are positioned to capture the greatest operational savings.
Australian owned and operated equipment supplier ENVE believes the biggest challenge in the sector will be shifting perspective of the traditionalist quarry operator.
“There is finite time until the diesel-hydraulic drive system becomes uncompetitive from an operational standpoint,” Sherry said. “We look forward to the challenge of transforming how crushing and screening is done.”
“Surging demand from electric vehicles, heat pumps and data centres have pushed electricity into a new ‘age of demand’ with electricity use projected to double by 2050 and with business driving three-quarters of that growth.”
Mesda’s electric hybrid crushing range integrate electric drives with intelligent energy management. Image: ENVE
Specialising in electric-hybrid technologies, ENVE is helping quarries redefine their approach productivity and sustainability.
By integrating advanced screening, crushing and stacking equipment into its offering, ENVE provides operators with reliable, high-performance machinery that provides up to 40 per cent reduction in fuel costs and a possible 30 per cent reduction in maintenance costs when compared with a conventional diesel only operation.
“The electric drive system at minimum provides a 15 per cent lower operating expenses (OPEX), and depending on material type, plant configuration and grid access, companies could return up to a 35 per cent OPEX cost reduction,” Sherry said.
At the core of ENVE’s portfolio is a strategic partnership with manufacturers Edge Innovate and Mesda Group.
EDGE Innovates has more than 25 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of screening and stacking products. Its knowledge and experience with eco-drive and electric-hybrid power packs meant partnering with EDGE Innovations was a no brainer decision for the ENVE team.
Mesda is a market leader for mobile crushing and screening equipment in China. Image: ENVE
Sherry said Edge’s ability to understand the requirements of what is needed is always the focus.
“EDGE Innovate continually pushes the boundaries of engineering and manufacturing to deliver robust, high-performance machinery,” Sherry said.
Mesda is a market leader for mobile crushing and screening equipment in China, holding a market share of over 50 per cent in the Chinese domestic market. With four manufacturing facilities in China, 700 employees and operations in more than 40 countries globally, its customer-focused engineering has led to a reputation as a technology-driven manufacturer.
“ENVE’s decision to partner with Mesda marks a deliberate step toward the future of quarrying – if the core driver of your operation is to reduce your cost per tonne, it is imperative you act now,” Sherry said.
“China leads with the largest share of firms in the advanced stages of electrification (38 per cent), as well as the largest share of firms seeing positive returns on electrification investments (66 per cent).
“Mesda is strategically well-founded because China’s deep, policy-driven commitment to accelerating electric and hybrid technology adoption has created one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for electrified screening and crushing equipment.”
Unlike traditional diesel-powered systems, Mesda’s electric hybrid crushing range integrate electric drives with intelligent energy management, allowing operators to significantly reduce fuel consumption with 20 per cent fuel savings and the option to run direct electric, while maintaining consistent throughput.