December 19, 2023
The demands on sustainable construction sites are increasing in line with society's rapid transformation to reduce climate impact and address global warming. Within the construction industry, a significant challenge lies in the shift from conventional, extensive fleets of diesel-powered machines to those driven by electricity or alternative hybrid solutions. Explore how Multibygg Sydost AB has confronted this challenge in a project where they initially encountered the obstacle of insufficient on-site power.
When Multibygg Sydost AB got the assignment to construct an industrial biogas plant in the forests outside Mönsterås, the construction site lacked electrical grid. In their commitment to minimize local emissions, the company opted for an innovative hybrid solution, resulting in a remarkable 90 % reduction in diesel consumption.
"Experiencing a reduction in diesel consumption of up to 90 % is particularly rewarding, given the significant challenge we faced—lack of power supply at worksite," says Anton Linde, project manager at Multibygg Sydost AB.
Rather than opting for a diesel generator as the primary power source, the company decided to utilize the Atlas Copco energy storage ZBP 45. In this setup, the QES 40 diesel generator purely runs when recharging the energy storage battery is necessary. Once the energy storage is fully charged, it seamlessly takes over the power supply, and the generator is automatically switched off. This hybrid solution efficiently and reliably powers construction cranes, welders, dewatering pumps, and construction sheds. In addition to the benefits of reduced climate impact and lower operating costs, the new solution also addresses the efficient management of temporary power loads. The energy storage ZBP 45 effectively smoothens out load peaks, ensuring uninterrupted workflow. This approach allows the project to avoid investing in an over-dimensioned diesel generator, which may not function optimally at low loads and could lead to operational issues.
With the implementation of the new hybrid solution, we were able to downsize the generator, leading to significant cost savings on diesel in this project. This reduction has had a substantial positive effect on our environmental impact. It stands as a crucial step in our efforts to minimize our overall climate footprint.
The hybrid solution contributes to reduced operating costs and lower emissions
By transitioning to the energy storage ZBP 45, Multibygg Sydost AB has effectively reduced its daily diesel consumption from 200 to approximately 40 liters. This represents a significant decrease in fuel costs, resulting in savings of almost half a million Swedish kronor for the company. Simultaneously, they have curtailed their carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 60,000 kg. These figures are gratifying both for the environment and the company's financial outlook.
In summary, Multibygg Sydost AB, in collaboration with Atlas Copco machines, has demonstrated that innovative hybrid solutions can drive significant progress toward creating more sustainable worksites in the construction industry. The integration of an energy storage system and generator is a clear example of how technology and innovation can promote both economic and environmental sustainability.
Company: Multibygg Sydost AB
Number of employees: Established in 2004, the company has grown to employ approx. 150 individuals today.
Distributor of Atlas Copco energy storage and generator: SMT Sweden