Global technology company ABB has announced it is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) ‘to accelerate the adoption of new and sustainable technologies in mining’. The two companies are now creating solutions for digitally integrated all-electric operations to help meet industry goals on ‘net zero’ emissions.

In a first demonstration, the ABB Ability Operations Management System (OMS) has already been integrated with heavy-duty EV drivetrain developer MEDATech’s cloud data collection system on AWS. Telemetry data, including battery state and speed of charge, was transmitted in real time from MEDATech’s first-ever 100% electric haul truck — paired with ABB’s fast-charging pilot solution, ABB Ability eMine FastCharge — while ensuring data security using AWS’s Internet of Things (IoT) services. The team used the gathered data to perform a real-time production optimisation for test purposes (as shown at MINExpo in Las Vegas last year).

ABB says such seamless digital integration of electrical equipment across industrial operations is increasingly important for operational efficiencies through optimised scheduling and planning. “Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and their related charging infrastructure present a challenge and an opportunity as the industry commits to decarbonisation and reduced resources and energy consumption.

“ABB and AWS are also proving scalability. AWS enables OMS to ingest, store, process, and analyse operational data from stationary and mobile equipment and dynamically scales to meet the operational demands. The new ABB Ability eMine approach relies on the reliable and standardised exchange of equipment and process data to effectively integrate electrical and digital systems from mine to port. ABB is simplifying the integration for its mining customers via a collaborative and interoperable approach with AWS.”

Flemming Kongsberg AWS’s director — Global ISV Alliances — added: “In the course of the digital transformation and decarbonisation in the industrial sector, customers are looking for end-to-end integrated solutions to optimise their operations.

“Together, ABB, MEDATech and AWS have demonstrated a fully integrated solution for mining operators to combine data from electric vehicles and operations to maximise their efficiency and contribute to their sustainability goals. Through this collaboration, we are excited to help deliver this solution to our customers worldwide, providing flexibility, scalability and security in the cloud.”