[ferro-alloys.com]Iron ore miner Vale is installing a Tesla battery energy storage system at Ilha Guaiba terminal in Rio de Janeiro state to help meet power needs at the port as it moves toward energy saving technology.

The project will substitute 20% of the facility's power costs using Tesla manufactured lithium-ion batteries with technology contributing to decarbonization plans, Vale said in an Aug. 24 statement.

The battery system developed with Siemens and MicroPower Comerc (MPC) can store up to 10 MWh, and will be charged whenever demand for energy from the port is low, under a 'peak shaving' plan, Vale said.

The Ilha Guaiba export iron ore terminal is a facility owned by Vale, mainly shipping its Southern System iron ore unit's products, and complementing the larger Tubarao and Ponta da Madeira facilities.

Vale, a major producer of nickel and other commodities, is developing battery storage, among other new technologies under its Power Shift program, to replace diesel fuel-based energy with renewable electricity for locomotives and trucks.

Vale plans to construct a 100% electric, battery-powered, locomotive to operate at Tubarao, which includes an iron ore export terminal and pellet plants, with a major coking coal unloading facility.

Vale recently announced investments of over $2 billion to reduce direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 33% until 2030, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Vale said it intends to become carbon neutral by 2050.

"As Vale continues to decarbonize its operations, the use of batteries will become an increasingly important part of the electrification of our fleet," Vale's energy director Ricardo Mendes said in the statement.

"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.

(S&P Global Platts)

• [Editor:王可]