{"data":{"news":{"items":[{"title":"Gammon acquires first battery-powered crawler crane in Hong Kong to reduce carbon emissions","date":"2023-01-28 13:02:12","id":4393,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2023/01/1674882485891_1.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

Gammon Construction has acquired Hong Kong’s first battery-powered crawler crane, marking another milestone on the company’s journey to achieving its emission reduction targets in line with climate science and the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

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The new electric crane, the Liebherr LR 1160.1 unplugged, will be deployed on Gammon’s Terminal 2 expansion project at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

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“The crane with an alternative drive system enables a healthier working environment for everyone working on site, and a net carbon saving of nearly 76 t CO2e every year,” explained Gammon. “It can also be used in both plugged and unplugged modes which provides flexibility in its site deployment. In addition, it comes with a 95% recyclable battery with a short charging time of 4.5 hours.”

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The LR 1160.1 unplugged was unveiled by Liebherr to the global market last year. Manufactured in Nenzing, Austria, this electric crane has a maximum lifting capacity of 160 t. According to Liebherr, the machine delivers zero emissions and is extremely quiet, making it ideal for use in noise-sensitive areas.

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“With our unplugged cranes we offer our customers an alternative drive design. As we have already seen with the LB 16 unplugged, the first battery-powered drilling rig, the strategy is a complete success,” said Andreas Ganahl, managing director for sales at Liebherr (HKG) Ltd.

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“Strict requirements regarding environmental sustainability in tenders for construction projects increase the demand for advanced technologies. For us, it was clear that we extend and successfully establish the design in further product groups.”

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Kevin O’Brien, chief executive of Gammon, said the company “believes business sustainability and environmental sustainability are inherently interlinked. The introduction of the first electric crawler crane to Hong Kong demonstrates Gammon’s commitment towards net zero. We look forward to having quieter, cleaner and lower carbon construction sites in the future.”

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Gammon further revealed that under the SBTi commitment, it is setting two targets for 2033. First, the company will cut 55% of its absolute energy-related emissions through early site electrification, the deployment of electric plant and vehicles, increased energy efficiency and the adoption of modern methods of construction.

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The second target is that Gammon will reduce its indirect emissions – mainly the embodied carbon in materials – by 33% through modularisation and reuse of structural steel, lower carbon concrete mixes, procurement of lower carbon steel, optimised material usage through design and construction methods, and selection of alternative materials with a lower carbon footprint.

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Last year, Gammon also introduced CarbonCure technology to Hong Kong, whereby carbon dioxide is injected into concrete to help reduce its carbon footprint. The company is pleased to be an industry frontrunner in the adoption of green construction technology.

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All images: Gammon Construction

\n\n\n","article_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2023/01/1674882492467_1.jpg","article_expanded_image_uid":null,"article_image_caption":"The handover ceremony to celebrate Gammon’s acquisition of Hong Kong’s first battery-powered crawler crane.","publications":"7","tags":"Liebherr,Hong Kong,electric,Gammon Construction,crawler crane,crane,zero emission,battery powered","category":"Others"},{"title":"Mecalac develops zero-emission ecosystem for urban jobsites","date":"2022-08-12 08:55:59","id":3961,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2022/08/1659404901947_MECALAC-E_SERIES 2022-A-Copyright_Mecalac.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

Mecalac is revolutionising urban construction sites with its new range of medium-sized electric machines – the 11-t e12 excavator, 1,000-l es1000 swing loader and 6-t ed6 dumper – as well as its on-site high power battery charging solution M-Power.

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“In recent years, many construction equipment manufacturers have presented electrical products to limit CO2 emissions. However, these alternatives only provide a very partial answer,” explained Mecalac. “The offer is currently limited to small machines, such as 1.5-t mini-excavators, that mostly only assist larger diesel-powered machines. The need for medium-sized machines on urban construction sites is not yet met.

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“With very limited autonomy (mostly between 1.5 and 4 hours), they do not allow a full day of work on site between two battery recharges. Also, companies and operators are used to combustion-powered machines, thus the switch to electric vehicles is not seamless.”

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As a result, Mecalac has conducted a major R&D programme that leads to the launch of a complete zero-emission ecosystem for urban worksites. The company’s new electric range allows all earthmoving operations (digging, loading and transporting) to be carried out with emission-free machines on a scale “never before achieved.”

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The current market offer of ‘mini’ electric machines cannot perform urban construction jobs on their own, noted Mecalac. The company’s challenge was therefore to be the first manufacturer to develop a full range of medium-sized machines – consisting of the 11-t excavator, 1,000-l swing loader and 6-t dumper – for which no other manufacturer has yet been able to provide a solution.

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Mecalac said it has also made a technological breakthrough on the hydraulic distribution system, as well as on the energy management of auxiliary systems (e.g. heating and air conditioning) to drastically reduce energy consumption without compromising autonomy and performance.

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The company added that “the way of driving that operators have adopted for decades behind the steering wheels of combustion engine machines is not always compatible with optimising battery performance.

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“For example, when the throttle pedal is pressed, all the power of an electric machine is instantaneous, unlike combustion engine machines.” Mecalac has therefore configured the human machine interface so that it reacts in an optimal way to preserve autonomy and guarantee a coherent behaviour.

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In addition, M-Power is a mobile high power supply solution with a 300 kWh storage capacity. It replaces ‘traditional’ diesel generators by providing a battery charging solution anywhere.

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Mecalac highlighted that this new electric ecosystem is a “game-changer” as it enables a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions on construction sites. The three zero-emission machines working together on the same urban worksite can save an average of 64 t of CO2 that their combustion engine equivalents would have emitted over a year.

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Bauma booth: FM.714/1

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All images: Mecalac

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