Imagine walking by an active construction site while you smell the fresh air and hear the birds sing. This is already happening in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and other cities around Europe.
Normally smelly and noisy, construction activity is responsible for 10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Now the industry has begun to replace diesel power with electric – thanks to cities’ strict regulations to decarbonise construction within a decade or two.
“Most of our customers have been using diesel generators, which release carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulates and other toxic exhausts,” says Hjorteset.
PSW Power & Automation (PSW) delivers mobile battery containers to industries in need of electric power for temporary infrastructure.
“Most construction sites don’t have sufficient electrical infrastructure for electrical machines. Our mobile battery solution covers peak demands, hence there is no need to strengthen a costly electrical infrastructure just for the construction period,” explains Hjorteset.
In another example, concert arenas may have a limited grid connection and require additional power for a short period of time. At those times, a mobile battery container can replace some or all of the diesel generators normally used for this purpose.
PSW’s solution consists of two separate but interrelated products: the hardware, including the battery pack, and software known as BQ Battery Intelligence.
“Hardware isn’t enough; software is needed for control. Our BQ Battery Intelligence ensures optimal power consumption and logging of valuable data for future use,” says Hjorteset.
Emission reductions can be remarkable. “100 per cent of emissions can be eliminated by completely avoiding the use of diesel generators,” says Hjorteset. A hybrid solution using both electric and diesel power will still reduce emissions significantly and help construction sites to meet strict government emissions standards.
PSW lowers costs as well, since diesel generators have a much higher maintenance cost than battery solutions. Users can save as much as 40 per cent in maintenance costs, according to the company’s data.
Moreover, the system is universal, enabling it to connect to the various grid codes in different countries and regions.
The Paris Agreement and government regulations are pushing industries to quickly adopt the use of electric power and other forms of clean energy.
“Quite simply, many industries cannot electrify efficiently without mobile batteries. We foresee exponential growth,” says Hjorteset.
PSW uses a B2B model, serving rental companies that normally supply diesel-powered equipment to large companies in Europe. PSW delivers to large-volume customers in Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. In the Netherlands, the solution has also been approved for use on inland waterborne electric vessels.
PSW also delivers mobile DC fast chargers for electric heavy machinery on construction sites and similar locations.
Explore other solutions from PSW Power & Automation
PSW Power & Automation’s mobile DC fast chargers decarbonise construction
PSW Power & Automation delivers mobile DC fast chargers for heavy machinery, helping to decarbonise the construction industry. “Our mobile chargers help to accelerate the switch from diesel to electric equipment on building sites,” says Jens Hjorteset, Director Business Development at PSW Power & Automation.
PSW Power & Automation’s battery pack stabilises power grids
PSW Power & Automation delivers a battery pack for use in large-scale energy storage, stabilising the power grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. “Large scale modular battery packs is the next big step for the grid in Scandinavia and Europe in general,” says Jens Hjorteset, Business Development Manager at PSW Power & Automation.
At a glance
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Jens Hjorteset
Business Development Manager
3. Good health and well-being
PSW Power & Automation reduces ambient air pollution from construction activity.
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
PSW Power & Automation increases sustainability in the construction industry by enabling efficient electric machinery operation.
11. Sustainable cities and communities
PSW Power & Automation reduces air and noise pollution from urban construction sites, improving the urban environment.