Miner installs Brazil’s largest battery storage system at Rio de Janeiro port

The BESS at Ilha Guaíba terminal (TIG), being developed in partnership with Siemens and MicroPower Comerc will reduce the electric energy cost of the port by about 20% by substituting the electrical grid supply during peak demand periods when the tariff is more expensive.

The equipment has a storage capacity of 10 MWh.

"As Vale continues to decarbonise its operations, the use of batteries will become an increasingly important part of the electrification of our fleet," explained Vale energy director, Ricardo Mendes.

"This project allows us to test new technology in the field and accelerate Vale`s energy transformation, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency by increasing electric power generation mainly through solar and wind sources in addition to our hydroelectric power generation," he added.

Battery storage is one of the technologies that will be applied to replace diesel energy with renewable electric power in transportation vehicles, such as locomotives and off-highway trucks. It is part of the company`s power shift programme.

One of the projects of the power shift programme is the construction of a 100% electric (battery-powered) locomotive, which will undergo a pilot test this semester at its operations in Tubarão`s unit, Espírito Santo state.

The company has recently announced an investment of at least $2-billion to reduce direct and indirect absolute emissions by 33% until 2030. This is in accordance with the Paris Agreement, in addition to the company`s intention to become carbon-neutral by 2050.