Duel-fuel trial could help decarbonise construction sites

Said to be a world first application of the technology, the demonstration showed that fuel consumption could be cut by over a third.

The rig, modified to operate from on-board hydrogen tanks, achieved an average 36 per cent displacement of diesel by hydrogen, corresponding to the equivalent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

A medium-sized rig (Soilmec SR30 rotary and CFA piling rig) was converted for the trial. These machines can typically use 100 litres of diesel per day of operation, leading to 262 kg CO2 in emissions.

In a statement, Amanda Lyne, managing director of ULEMCo said: “The high energy and duty cycle demands of machines used in construction make hydrogen power a practical proposition over other zero-emission options. This plant typically has a long life, so demonstrating a decarbonisation solution that utilises these existing assets is not only cost-effective but also important for sustainability.”

This real-world test follows trials by ULEMCo and Skanska with Building Research Establishment (BRE) and backed by government funding from Phase 1 of the Red Diesel Replacement programme under the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Using the Hydrogen H2ICED dual fuel system developed by ULEMCo, both diesel and HVO fuels were mixed with hydrogen to determine the average percentage displacement of fuel with hydrogen.

The initial trials at Cementation Skanska’s plant and fabrications facility, Bentley Works, Doncaster, used simulated loads to test the concept of part replacing diesel or HVO fuel with hydrogen.

Terry Muckian, managing director, Cementation Skanska said: “Using this rig to install piles in a real-world environment is an exciting milestone. It follows the success of the simulated trials last year and is the next step towards rolling the technology out more widely.

“This project goes beyond piling and ground engineering, it provides proof of concept for converting other types of heavy construction equipment, paving the way to construction site decarbonisation.”