In April 2025, Howden hosted its annual Technology Day at its Sheffield headquarters in the UK, attracting mining operators, engineers, and research representatives from around the world. Centered on the theme of “Intelligent, Green, Efficient,” the event showcased Howden’s latest R&D achievements and solutions in mine ventilation and cooling, providing technological support for industry safety and sustainable development.
Highlights
Intelligent Ventilation System
Howden unveiled an AI-driven ventilation optimization platform, enabling real-time data collection of underground temperature, gas concentration, and air velocity, and dynamically adjusting fan speed for precise ventilation management.
High-Efficiency Oil-Free Bearing Fans
The new generation of oil-free bearing fans delivers significant advances in durability and service life, achieving over 5% higher operational efficiency while reducing maintenance and oil consumption.
Digital Monitoring & Remote Maintenance
With cloud-based monitoring and AR glasses support, engineers can remotely view equipment status and diagnose faults, greatly increasing emergency response speed.
Modular Cooling Units
Lightweight, modular cooling units can be flexibly scaled to rapidly expand cooling capacity, meeting the needs of mines of varying sizes.
Industry Impact
The event highlighted Howden’s innovation, offering mining companies scalable and replicable solutions. Feedback from pilot sites indicated an average 15% reduction in ventilation energy consumption, a 20% boost in equipment reliability, and further optimization of mine carbon emissions management.
Looking Ahead
Howden stated it will continue investing in digital twins, machine learning, and renewable energy integration, advancing mine ventilation and cooling systems toward full intelligence and zero-carbon operation, supporting the global mining sector’s move toward safer, greener, and more efficient operations.