Low-carbon Sunbelt

15 December 2020

Sunbelt Rentals UK has helped Balfour Beatty develop a system to manage the power supply of site compounds and reduce carbon emissions across the construction company’s sites by up to 80%.

The solution, known as EcoNet and developed in conjunction with the technology specialist Invisible Systems, works by controlling and reducing the energy output from key appliances in site cabins, such as those in kitchens, drying rooms and office spaces.

It automatically turns equipment off when not in active use. Demand on the grid or the use of diesel generators is reduced, decreasing overall carbon emissions.

The system was launched in May 2020 on Balfour Beatty’s East Leeds Orbital Route highways project. Within the first six months, it has achieved an 83% reduction in carbon emissions across the site by running on a grid supply, actively managing electric vehicle charging and optimising the heating, hot water and external lighting running schedules.

So far, 21 Balfour Beatty sites are utilising EcoNet. The company plans to roll out the system across 50 live sites by summer 2021 and has committed to installing EcoNet on any new site in the UK with more than six facility cabins.

Balfour Beatty expects to eventually save a minimum of 2,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, with individual sites reducing their carbon output by between 30% to 80% of their normal levels.

Photo: Genquip Groundhog