Toby Gill is the CEO of IPG, which is developing a renewable alternative to diesel generators
The ongoing energy crisis in Europe and the increasing frequency of global climate events demonstrate the importance of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Expanding wind and solar power is the single most important step we have taken towards this goal , but also to achieve our climate goals. It is therefore regrettable that the two Conservative Party leadership candidates have made comments .
also That said, wind and solar do not represent an entire solution to cleaning up our energy system. Fuel-based electricity will continue to play a key role in the energy mix, from balancing the grid when there is no wind and no sunlight, to powering businesses and projects with limited grid connectivity. The construction industry is a good example.
Topography
Critical to our broader net zero efforts, adding wind and solar capacity will not directly help construction companies Reduce impact on climate.
Construction companies are increasingly Seek ways to install temporary builder supplies early in the project life cycle to benefit from green energy on the grid sooner. However, for sites that do not have access to the grid or whose peak power demand is too great to be served by a grid connection alone, companies have no choice but to continue turning to diesel generators, despite their best intentions of reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Throughout the construction industry, hydrogen and bio Fuel-powered solutions are being trialled to replace their diesel counterparts. However, the challenge for energy managers and sustainability leaders as they seek to scale these solutions across their operations is the operational risk that comes with moving to greener fuel sources.
“Flexible solutions such as fuel-independent generators can directly replace diesel generators, allowing companies to start reducing their carbon footprint”
Today, there is not enough supply of green hydrogen or biofuels to replace the diesel folders used throughout the company’s projects. As a result, current technology offers a partial solution at best. However, in a worst-case scenario, they create a greater likelihood of fuel supply disruptions, posing risks to project timelines.
For project managers, for example , switching from diesel to green hydrogen, starts with a solution that almost guarantees fuel supply and energy security – a typical 1,000-liter diesel Bowser can buy weeks of run time from a single delivery – to a delivery with lower availability. Hydrogen storage on the same scale may require frequent deliveries every two to three days. This means that, as opposed to diesel, not only is there more regular reliance on a limited supply chain, but also limited on-site storage capacity, which increases the risk of power outages.
Today we are talking about dining halls , cabins, drying rooms and a handful of battery-powered machinery – but what about in the years to come when all factory machinery and employee vehicles also need to be charged?
The Future of Field Power
Uncertainty about green fuel availability means construction companies are reluctant to risk large-scale shifts to alternative development using only one green fuel. motor.
Flexible solutions such as with Fuel-independent generators offer a drop-in replacement for diesel generators and can allow companies to start reducing their carbon footprint without putting their projects at risk. This means project managers can use any available green fuel, such as hydrogen, biodiesel or biogas, to power their sites sustainably, and can be sure that traditional fuels such as diesel can be used as backup fuel if needed.
In the long run, use alternatives The more businesses there are generators, the better it will benefit broader climate goals. Not only will they help reduce emissions and improve on-site air quality, they will also help create the need for suppliers to start producing more hydrogen and biofuels for on-site generators. Over time, this will make it easier for more businesses to wean off diesel reliably.
Companies in all industries, including the construction industry, need green power solutions tailored to the individual needs and challenges of their business. So while wind and solar play an important role in fighting climate change, and I look forward to seeing increased investment to help expand this capacity, it’s also important to celebrate the alternative solutions that will come to the market in the coming years, enabling All industries are closer to net zero.
