What are the Benefits of Energy Storage Systems for Construction Sites?

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) utilise electro chemical technology to capture, store and release energy. While there is a market for battery energy storage in construction and mining, this technology is not restricted to any particular industry. Anyone looking for an alternative power solution can utilise energy storage systems, but some units are more suitable to particular applications than others.

For construction and mining, the AMPD Enertainer unit is specifically designed to operate for tough, dusty and hot conditions while meeting the heavy demands for energy. It provides a solution for reliable power, lowers emission output and maintaining a productive worksite.

But without trying to sound cliché, battery energy storage is, above all else, a solution. While the battery is just one portion of the unit, how it operates addresses several challenges construction industries face; that is, those who are at the mercy of no power except diesel generators.

When any piece of land is given to a contractor to begin works, the number one priority is sourcing and maintaining a connection. This is normally distributed through two primary channels: drawing from surrounding residential areas and/or a diesel generator.

In most cases, the main grid is never enough to support the load from construction equipment like tower cranes, at least, not without a hefty investment to upgrade the connection.

Contractors can apply for power from the electrical provider, but this can hold up the project for months, not to mention chew a large hole in the contractors budget. On the other hand, contractors can easily source and install a couple of diesel generators. Problem solved.

The trouble here is, power demand is not constant – it surges and dips based on what equipment is being used. Even though a generator can comfortably handle a heavy load (e.g. 300amps), it may only hit this peak for a split second before dropping the power draw back down. In fact, approximately 95% of the time, its drawing a low percentage of power rather than its desired load.

It doesn’t make sense to install a smaller generator otherwise it will overload, so the only choice is to install a high kVa generator to run at low loads more than its peak purely because it has the capacity to do so in those split second increments.

To add to this, even though the generators only hit these peaks a small percentage of the time, the power bill is still based on these peaks, causing the final bill to surge.

A Battery ESS like the Enertainer on the other hand, is specifically designed to handle surging load behaviours of construction equipment like tower cranes. This means that the unit reduces the overall maximum demand by discharging energy during times of high peak power draws. Better yet, the time it takes to kick in and take over happens in a matter of milliseconds.

As construction industries steer away from conventional processes, Battery ESS units adopt a “working smarter, not harder” approach to day-to-day operations.

With every piece of equipment, power source and generator, you have a team of experts behind the functioning, ongoing maintenance, repair and servicing of that product. This requires training, site visits, travel expenditure and time offline to carry out basic updates. 10 years ago, disruptive site visits and offline servicing was the norm. Now, energy storage units allow for remote servicing and firmware updates to be completed without the need to attend site. Automating processes takes away the proverbial middle man.

There’s not as much demand for man power, it’s an efficiency, productivity and financial gamechanger.

It’s almost impossible to find a construction site that doesn’t heavily rely on diesel fuel to get by. It provides an immediate gateway to energy and easy to access. It has been the go-to for construction sites for decades, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with pitfalls:

1. It’s expensive: fluctuating fuel prices end up drastically compromising the project in terms of budget and expenditures. Prices go up and may not come down, risking over expenditure in fuel budgets.
2. Glazing: When a generator sits on idle for too long or doesn’t regularly hit their optimal (75%+/-) load regularly, leftover unburnt fuel will cause “glazing” which can risk damage or even generator failure.
3. Refuelling: burning through fuel means continual site visits from fuel contractors to refuel. This means disruptive site visits, finicky refuelling attempts (especially if the generator is in a difficult to reach area) and taking the generator offline completely.

Diesel generators may always be required to some extent, but by reducing the reliance, it solves fuel logistic issues, project disruption from offline generators and save contractors from exceeding pre-planned fuel budgets.

There is a global push to reduce emission output. It’s an ongoing venture to capture highly reliable, efficient energy with the lowest carbon footprint possible. For those who are planning in a “big picture” kind of way, carbon reduction is everything.

Battery ESS has zero air pollution and zero emissions from the battery. While there will always be some emissions output from the main grid, you’re still averaging an 85% reduction in overall on-site emissions.

Find out more about the many benefits the Enertainer unit has to offer construction sites here.

With years of industry experience, Blue Diamond Machinery is heavily investing in smarter alternative power solutions for construction and mining industries. Take the first steps to reduce your onsite emissions without compromising on productivity or reliability. Blue Diamond is ready to support your energy transition and help the construction and mining industry integrate into new technologies for a smarter operation. Get in touch with the team today.