How to reduce carbon emissions in construction operations

The construction industry accounts for approximately 40% of the world’s energy usage. Most of the air pollution coming from construction sites is related to the burning of diesel fuel. Heavy-duty vehicles, cranes, excavators, generators, and many other types of equipment consume diesel and discharge emissions into the atmosphere. The industry’s reliance on diesel fuel stems from the absence of grid power at construction sites, especially in remote locations.

Varying loads throughout the day, makes it challenging to manage construction site energy usage efficiently. Starting heavy equipment like a crane causes a load surge, while regular operation maintains a steady demand at a much lower level. Generators must be sized for peak load even though this demand is only periodic and short-term. As a result, large generators are underutilized for much of the day, leading to unnecessary construction emissions.

Besides the burning of diesel fuel, construction equipment generates noise. This form of pollution is especially problematic in urban areas where noise regulations may result in curfews at night where no construction activities are allowed.

Diesel exhaust emissions include particulate matter with less than 2.5-micron diameter, also known as PM2.5. Construction accounts for 14.5% of these particles in the air. Carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur, nitrogen compounds (NOx), and hydrocarbons are also present in diesel emissions.

CO2 pollution is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change. Regulators are constantly raising emissions standards to reduce CO2 emissions. For example, Stage V regulations limit the emission allowances for diesel generators used on construction sites in Europe. Some cities in the North of Europe, like Oslo, Copenhagen, and Helsinki, are attempting to pilot the world’s first zero-emissions construction sites.

Construction activities contribute 23% of the world’s air pollution. Even the simple task of recharging electric tools adds to the environmental impact, with 5% of construction CO2 coming from this source.

Air pollution accelerates climate change by trapping heat. As the average global temperature warms, our climate inherently changes. This warming causes extreme weather events like tropical storms, wildfires, severe droughts, and heatwaves.

Plant and animal life are also vulnerable to carbon emissions. If the climate changes the land and causes drought or other weather events that crops and plants cannot survive, it can be detrimental to crop yields.

Carbon emissions are harmful to human beings too, and construction workers and residents are exposed to smog and air pollution. Also, a deterioration in the abundance of plant life can interrupt the food chain and disrupt the local ecology around a construction site.

Reducing air pollution in construction relies on reducing the need for energy from diesel fuel. One of the ways to accomplish this is to use Energy Storage Systems (ESS) that incorporate Lithium-ion battery technology.

Eliminating diesel machines from a construction site may be possible in some cases, but it is a rare situation. Habitually, a hybrid solution using smaller diesel generators and an ESS will provide the power needed for the site. It will reduce fuel consumption and, therefore, emissions.

A typical scenario involves using an energy storage solution to supply additional power during peak load conditions. It reduces the size of the generator needed on-site and the fuel use. At the same time, the generator can recharge the battery energy storage during off-peak times so that the unit is ready for the next demand peak. With this design principle, the generator capacity can be scaled down by 40%, resulting in 80% fewer emissions from the site.

Further reductions are possible by adding solar panels to the solution. Telecom antennas and tool charging stations can be supplied directly by solar energy. For higher energy demands like recharging EVs, generators can supplement the supply. Smart load management systems allow the ESS to maximize renewable power sources and minimize diesel generator use.

The benefits of energy storage solutions and solar power are substantial in urban settings. By reducing the generator size, the noise pollution from the site is also reduced. This way, construction activity may continue long after the curfew, usually imposed due to excess noise. Using electric power at night from the ESS may mean that diesel generators are only used during the daytime, improving construction site productivity and overall emissions.

Although there are quite a few applications for Energy Storage Systems, Atlas Copco’s Lithium-ion range of ESS is ideally suited for the construction industry. The models are light and compact, taking up only 10 to 20 square feet. They can supply power for 12 hours depending on the demand and take only 1.5 hours to recharge. Atlas Copco’s innovative system has a working life of 40,000 hours, which equates to 5,000 cycles or more than 1,600 days of continuous operation. Its low total cost of ownership means that these units have a payback of fewer than two years.

There is a long list of Energy Storage Systems’ benefits. The construction site of tomorrow will consume much less energy than construction sites of the past. Diesel consumption and the associated air pollution will drop significantly as construction companies turn to energy storage solutions. Using Li-ion batteries, the industry can meet its peak demand requirements while reducing its generator capacity. The sector will also benefit from lower noise output and improved productivity.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a hub of rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, making the construction industry a cornerstone of its economy. However, this sector is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions due to the extensive use of diesel-powered machinery and energy-intensive materials like cement and steel. Recognizing the environmental challenges, the UAE is championing sustainability through green building standards, renewable energy integration, and smart city initiatives.

Atlas Copco plays a vital role in this transformation by offering advanced energy solutions that significantly reduce emissions on construction sites. Their Energy Storage Systems (ESS), featuring innovative Lithium-ion technology, enable hybrid power solutions that minimize diesel consumption and noise pollution while maximizing efficiency. With compact and reliable ESS units, Atlas Copco empowers the construction industry to adopt cleaner and more sustainable practices in line with the UAE’s vision for a greener future.