Towards a digitally enabled intelligent coal mine integrated energy system: Evolution, conceptualization, and implementation

Abstract

The consensus on energy-saving and low-carbon goals led to greater requirements for the sustainable development of coal mines (CMs) worldwide. Against the above backdrop, the concept of Coal Mine Integrated Energy System (CMIES), a promising solution for coping with the smartization and decarbonization issues in the future development of CMs, has been proposed. However, the complexities of CM structure and operations, the shortage of automation and intelligent control techniques, and the stringent operation criteria, lead to high energy consumption, inefficient resource utilization, and unsatisfactory renewable energy accommodation in the mining system. Here, research on the emerging digital technologies and their potential applications is reviewed to provide reference for enhancing energy efficiency and mitigating emissions in future CM energy systems. First, the evolution of mining energy production and consumption paradigms is summarized from the perspective of technological advancements. Subsequently, the need to develop digitally enabled CMIES through a combined economic-security-emission analysis is discussed. To overcome the obstacles hindering the digital transformation of CM energy systems, a hierarchical implementation framework for digitally enabled CMIES involving the value, physical, and information layers is proposed. Furthermore, an intelligent information system incorporating device sensing and intelligence technology, new information network, big data, and digital twin is designed, and specific application scenarios are presented. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for future development of digitally enabled CMIES are discussed based on the Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis.