Mine Electrification and Oliver Heaviside’s Operational Calculus From the Editor

LON MUSK AND OTHER TECHNOLOGISTS BELIEVE that technology can ensure ample food, water, and energy for humanity.People's opinions on this vary, depending on their location.In the case of Australia, it is undeniable that the country is blessed with abundant natural resources, including mineral raw materials.According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, mining is the cornerstone of the Australian economy.Australia produces the largest share of lithium and is also a top producer of gold, iron ore, lead, zinc, and nickel.Most mines are situated in sparsely populated desert areas.See the 2003 Australian movie Japanese Story for an impression of what the vast landscape looks like.Constructing extensive power grids across the entire continent is not economical, so mining towns rely on isolated grids or microgrids for their electricity needs.Moreover, the mining industry is undergoing a transition to reduce carbon emissions.This involves the potential adoption of electric-powered trucks, excavators, crushers, and grinders to replace fuel-powered equipment.This issue of IEEE Electrification Magazine presents the theme of mine electrification organized by Prof. Nesimi Ertugrul of the University of Adelaide, Australia.In particular, this special issue shows that advancements in power electronics devices, battery technologies, integration of renewables, and the Internet of Things, enable effective mine electrification.Six feature articles were invited from mining-focused nations, e.g., Australia and Chile.Readers will find them timely and informative.Besides this set of articles, this issue also includes a seventh feature article on using refrigeration systems for demand responses, "Energy Savings Through Refrigeration Load Control With Assessment of Commercial Potential: Lowering Peak Power and Electricity Bills Through Optimal Demand Scheduling," contributed by Prof. Fran Li and coauthors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.A highlight of this article is the design and integration of a demand response system using commercially available sensors and low-computational-power devices.