ABB has won a $29 million order for integrated power and control for site conveyor systems that will ensure reliable, energy efficient performance to speed transport of coal to end customers in Asia. ABB will provide complete electrical and automation systems for the conveyors at a new coal export terminal currently under construction in northeast Australia. The Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET), located in Gladstone, is owned and being developed by existing and potential coal exporters in Queensland to provide increased long term export coal capacity. The initial stage of the project will provide 27 Mt/y in export capacity, with first coal shipments planned for 2014. Once fully commissioned, the multi-billion dollar terminal will provide more than 80 Mt/y of capacity through the Port of Gladstone.
ABB’s innovative conveyor control system will optimise the overall performance, reliability and energy efficiency of the conveyor systems over their expected life. “We are pleased that our integrated power and automation solution for conveyors was selected for this project, as it offers superior performance over traditional conveyor drive control systems,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “The speed and efficiency of these conveyors will help the coal leave the export terminals in Australia for their markets in Asia more quickly; this can positively impact mine profitability and expansion plans in the region.”
ABB is responsible for the design, engineering and supply of an integrated electrical and control solution for the terminal’s 5.5 km long overland conveyor and the 2 km long jetty conveyor systems. The scope of supply includes 13 modular switchrooms and five control rooms, complete with structural and electrical ancillary equipment. ABB will also provide distribution transformers, 22 kV switchgear, low voltage single and multidrives, and a mine conveyor control program (MCCP) to manage ABB’s ACS 1000 medium voltage drives and motors. Project delivery is scheduled for late 2013.