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{{Chapter
{{Chapter
| blueprint = Buildings
|image=constructionelectrificationChapter.jpg
| sectors = Buildings, Utility
|poc=Wilfred Pinfold
| authors = Wilfred Pinfold
|authors=Wilfred Pinfold
| poc = Wilfred Pinfold
|blueprint=Buildings
| email =  
|sectors=Buildings
| document = 2020-SBSC-blueprint.pdf
|summary=Construction sites are the source of material waste, visible dust, noise, and vibration. Construction and demolition sites also produce less obvious pollutants which are of serious concern for human health, namely NO2 and particulate matter. Combined with increasing urbanization trends and a fast-growing global population, it goes without saying that construction is here to stay. This chapter explores technologies that electrify construction equipment.
| chapter = 1010
|document=2020-SBSC-blueprint.pdf
|chapter=1010
}}
}}
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Many of today’s construction equipment trends are the result of '''advancements in digital technology''', some of which reduce skilled labor requirements:
Many of today’s construction equipment trends are the result of '''advancements in digital technology''', some of which reduce skilled labor requirements:
*'''Autonomous heavy equipment''' is now used to excavate, grade and perform a growing amount of work on construction sites.
*'''Autonomous heavy equipment''' is now used to excavate, grade and perform a growing amount of work on construction sites.
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Historically, tower cranes were hydraulically powered, but most manufacturers made the switch to electric in the 1970s. This gave them more advanced mechanics, variable speeds and better hoisting winches while reducing the required power and making them more energy efficient.
Historically, tower cranes were hydraulically powered, but most manufacturers made the switch to electric in the 1970s. This gave them more advanced mechanics, variable speeds and better hoisting winches while reducing the required power and making them more energy efficient.
=Compact Excavator=
=Compact Excavator=
Volvo CE showed off their all-electric compact excavator, the EX2, back in 2017. The prototype machine is the first 100% electric compact excavator and is 10 times quieter and 10 times more efficient than its diesel counterpart. The machine has zero emissions and the total cost of ownership is greatly reduced.
There are now a wide range of excavators from manufacturers including Volvo, Bobcat, CASE, JBC and Wacker Neuson
 
The EX2 uses two lithium-ion batteries that deliver 38kWh and can operate for eight hours. The excavator has no hydraulics, instead, it uses electromechanical linear actuators to power the boom and implements.
 
Volvo CE is pressing forward with its electrifications plans with four new electric compact excavators and wheel loads on the way. That number will expand as the company has promised to stop development on their entire line diesel-based engines for their compact wheel loaders and excavators in 2020. Their EC15 – EC27 compact excavators and L20 – L28 wheel loaders will all be produced with battery-powered drivetrains.
 
Bobcat unveiled the prototype for their E10e electric mini excavator back in 2016. The excavator was developed at Bobcat’s innovation center in Dobris, Czech Republic. The E10e can run for a full for an eight-hour day on its lithium-ion batteries when coupled with an external supercharger with normal work breaks factored in. The excavator takes just two and a half hours to charge.
 
JCB launched their first all-electric excavator last year. The 19C-1 E-Tec is a 2-ton excavator that can work all day on a six-hour charge. The excavator uses an electric motor and three lithium-ion batteries to deliver 15kWh of power. An optional fast charger will be available and can cut the charging time in half.
 
The 19C-1 E-Tec will feature the same speed and power as its diesel counterpart, the 19C-1, but with the added benefit of generating greater torque which it can do instantly. The electric motor will also power the load-sensing hydraulic system from Bosch Rexroth.
 
Pon Equipment, with input and support from Caterpillar, converted a 28-ton CAT 323F excavator from diesel to electric. The diesel engine was replaced with a 122kW electric motor and a 300kWh lithium-ion battery pack that weighs 3.4 tons.
 
Known as the Z-Line, the modified excavator can work for five to seven hours before needing to be recharged which can be done in one to two hours. Pon Equipment has already sold its first model to a construction company in Norway that is planning to buy more.
 
Caterpillar Venture Capital, the venture arm of Caterpillar, has also invested in Fisker, a company making electric cars and developing battery technology. Fisker is using the investment to work on the development of solid-state batteries for use in construction, mining, and other applications.
Wacker Neuson
 
Wacker Neuson has an existing lineup of zero emissions machines including two electric wheel loaders, two battery-powered rammers, and a dual-power excavator. Last year, they debuted their first battery-powered mini excavator, the EZ17e, which will be available in Europe later this year.
 
The EZ17e runs on lithium-ion batteries but can also be plugged into a regular power outlet or high voltage outlet to run the machine and charge it while it operates. The EZ17e can provide seven hours of power and charges overnight on a household outlet and in four hours if plugged into a high voltage current.
Hyundai CE
 
Hyundai CE has partnered with Cummins to develop electric heavy equipment. Their first offering is a battery-powered mini excavator. The excavator is powered by eight flexible battery modules supplied by Cummins.
 
The BM4.4E battery modules provide 35.2 kWh of total energy and can work an eight-hour shift before needing to be recharged. Charging can be done in just under three hours.
 
While most of the examples listed above are focusing on mini and compact models, we’ll likely see the electrification of larger models being developed over the next few years. Battery storage, faster charging cycles, output, and power are some of the obstacles that manufacturers will have to tackle
 
Autonomy, artificial intelligence, software, power management systems, and replacing hydraulics with electric actuators will all be used in combination with the redesign of many types of equipment to provide the efficiency and power of their diesel counterparts.
 
=Demonstration Projects=
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Latest revision as of 23:39, January 19, 2023


Buildings
Buildings
Sectors Buildings
Contact Wilfred Pinfold
Topics
Authors

WilfredPinfold.jpg

Construction sites are the source of material waste, visible dust, noise, and vibration. Construction and demolition sites also produce less obvious pollutants which are of serious concern for human health, namely NO2 and particulate matter. Combined with increasing urbanization trends and a fast-growing global population, it goes without saying that construction is here to stay. This chapter explores technologies that electrify construction equipment.


Many of today’s construction equipment trends are the result of advancements in digital technology, some of which reduce skilled labor requirements:

  • Autonomous heavy equipment is now used to excavate, grade and perform a growing amount of work on construction sites.
  • Autonomous drones and rovers use cameras and LiDAR to perform scans of a job site; then use artificial intelligence to determine daily progress against the schedule and to identify any errors.
  • Specialized robots under human supervision can perform repetitive construction tasks such as bricklaying, painting, loading and tying rebar, with the ability to work nonstop.
  • The Internet of Things (IoT) enables a digitally integrated construction process and job site. It includes smart construction machines with sensors that collect and transmit data to each other and with their home base.
  • Predictive telematics and analytics send machine diagnostics alerts and other vital information to fleet managers and equipment owners for off-site management.

Growing demand for machine electrification in construction and other types of equipment continues to drive global development of new battery technologies.

  • OEMs are converting equipment from lead-acid to lithium batteries, which are 20%-30% more efficient.
  • Battery chargers are moving toward integration into the equipment they power.
  • One leading manufacturer recently introduced the first fully electric backhoe loader at CONEXPO 2020. This machine is powered by a 480V, 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack, capable of working a typical 8-hour day on a single charge.

The global market for compact construction equipment is forecast to grow from more than $10 billion in 2017 to more than $15 billion in 2025. The electrification of these machines is easier than on large construction equipment and is a growing trend. One global OEM has announced that it will stop producing its diesel-powered versions, converting to an all-electric product line. The company is promoting them as small, quiet, zero-emissions machines for use in cities and densely populated areas.

Cranes

Historically, tower cranes were hydraulically powered, but most manufacturers made the switch to electric in the 1970s. This gave them more advanced mechanics, variable speeds and better hoisting winches while reducing the required power and making them more energy efficient.

Compact Excavator

There are now a wide range of excavators from manufacturers including Volvo, Bobcat, CASE, JBC and Wacker Neuson