E-Worksite
- Authors
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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:
- 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.
Demonstration Projects
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[[Eton College Energy Station]] | |
| The installation of an innovative renewable "Energy Station" is helping GRAHAM to reduce its carbon footprint and power demands at Eton College. | ||
