Diesel generator replacements
Diesel generators are widely relied upon primary and standby power sources on construction sites where grid power is unreliable, temporarily out of service or non-existent on the site. These power sources are polluting, with extremely high carbon monoxide outputs, particulates, nitrogen oxides and high noise levels.
To minimise the risk to site workers’ health, diesel generator replacements can be implemented to create a safe working environment, without compromising on performance, equipment quality, efficiency and power output.
Hydrogen powered fuel cell modules provide an eco-friendly alternative to diesel generators. Commercially available solutions for the construction sector already include welfare cabin power, lighting towers and standby power. There are also new options under development for compressors, welder generators and mobile access equipment which can be adopted across the construction industry.
Challenges of the construction industry
- Downtime – compared to batteries, fuel cell powered equipment can facilitate significantly improved runtime. Refuelling can take a matter of minutes as opposed to battery charging.
- Operational disruption – this plug-and-play solution enables operators to easily transition to zero-emissions power with minimal disruption to operations.
- Emissions – emissions pose a serious health risk to site workers, prompting the adoption of cleaner, quieter power sources in line with HSE England guidelines. Fuel cells however generate power with minimal noise and zero-emissions.
Our fuel cells for construction equipment
Our IE-POWER™ range of fuel cell modules solve issues present within the construction industry including noise and particulate pollution. With quiet operation and emissions of only heat and water vapour, not only can construction sites become safer for workers and nearby surroundings, they become much greener with fuel cells.
IE-POWER fuel cells can already be found in MEWPs, welfare cabins and backup power systems on constructions sites around the country.
Benefits of fuel cells to the construction industry
For construction equipment, fuel cells win against diesel alternatives as they provide a range of benefits that not only improve operations from a productivity and efficiency point of view, but also from an environmental and staff safety perspective.
- Emissions-free power – diesel generator replacements generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction, producing no harmful emissions at point of use.
- Robust reliability – wide operating temperature range of -10°C to +40, with altitude of 0m to 4000m above mean sea level, and 10% to 90% humidity.
- Improved efficiency – diesel generator replacements are up to 60% energy efficient, in comparison to the typical internal combustion engine which is around 25%.
- Lower operational costs – transitioning to fuel cells eliminates the need to charge, change and manage batteries, resulting in reduced labour, space and downtime.
- Improved uptime – fuel cells operate for a greater duration than lead-acid batteries and refuelling can be done within minutes.
- Near silent operation – with virtually no moving components, fuel cells operate far quieter than a diesel generators.
- Scalable, modular power – using scalable, modular products comes with a variety of advantages: greater reliability and easier serviceability
