Continuing its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint to zero, Nuh Çimento is converting the diesel-fueled rock trucks used in its cement operations into electric ones. The project carried out with ABB aims to save 1 million liters of diesel fuel annually with electric trucks with high-tech products.
Within the scope of the project, which will be jointly carried out by Nuh Çimento and ABB, it is aimed to reduce the initial investment and operating costs of mining activities and increase transportation efficiency and performance by converting rock trucks into fully electric vehicles. 2,450 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year are aimed to be prevented by converting all rock trucks in the project into fully electric vehicles In addition to that, the regenerative energy generated when the rock trucks travel downhill will allow the batteries to be recharged.
“We reduce our carbon emissions by preferring electricity, a clean energy source”
Kamil Gökhan Bozkurt, CEO of Nuh Cement Group, stated that they strive to reduce costs and environmental impacts with low-carbon and alternative fuel projects and said, “The diesel to electric conversion project of our rock trucks carrying 4.5 million tons of raw materials annually will set an example for both the mining and cement sector. In addition to the economic contribution of unused diesel fuel, the choice of electricity, which is a cleaner energy source, will reduce our carbon emissions and erase our carbon footprint from transportation. I believe that the project, which will be realized with the technology and experience of ABB Turkey and ABB Global, will add value to both our companies and our world. Within the scope of 2030 Global Sustainability goals, our partner acts with the goal of zero emission in its operations and projects. This project will utilize energy efficient products manufactured in our partner’s high-tech factories. Within the scope of this project, it will be responsible for the supply and system engineering of all the equipment needed for the conversion of rock trucks into electric vehicles, including the traction system, battery pack, electric motor, vehicle control system, electric vehicle charging station.”
“This project helps to save energy, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability goals”
Expressing his happiness for the cooperation, Saim Baran, ABB Turkey Traction Division Manager, said, “Our company is one of the suppliers of high-tech E-Mobility and Rail System Traction Converters, Energy Storage Systems, and Electric Vehicle Charging solutions. As a company, we are very confident about our expertise and efficient Technologies to help accelerate the transition to fully electric operations. Developed and manufactured with over 100 years of experience, our products help our customers save energy, reduce costs, and achieve their sustainability goals by eliminating carbon dioxide emissions in many Rail Systems and E-Mobility projects. In these days when the need for clean and sustainable energy is increasing rapidly all over the world, as ABB, we are proud to be a part of this zero emission project, which is the first in the world and in our country.”
Net goal is zero emission
Nuh Çimento started to convert its diesel excavators to electric in 2018 in order to convert all of its diesel-fueled vehicles and construction equipment to electric within the framework of its net zero emission targets to reduce its carbon footprint in cement operations by 2030. With the new project, the company decided to convert its rock trucks, which have been in use for 30 years, into electric ones with ABB, with which it has made a technological cooperation in order to realize its sustainability commitments. With this cooperation between Nuh Cement and ABB, the introduction of high-powered and long-lasting energy storage systems will reduce the operational costs of rock trucks, provide longer service life and pave the way for higher efficiency. The regenerative energy generated when the rock trucks travel downhill will allow the batteries to be recharged. This will increase the overall efficiency of haul trucks, reducing the need for charging and increasing operational efficiency. For 30 years, the rock trucks used in Nuh Çimento mine sites will be included among the fully electrically powered machines and will remain in use for many years.