HS2 trials heavy electric machine
10 June 2022
What is described as the world’s first all-electric, high-capacity drilling rig is carrying out work on an HS2 construction site in Warwickshire. The aim is to show that heavy construction plant powered by this energy source can perform the same tasks as traditional machines.
Results obtained by HS2 Ltd’s construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI Joint Venture (BBV) show that the new Bauer eBG33 reduces 1200kg of CO2 emissions per day and cuts noise by half.
Andrea Davidson, HS2’s air quality manager said that “a ground-breaking trial like this is another step on our journey to achieving our target of all diesel-free construction sites by 2029, and net zero carbon from 2035 – helping HS2 to become the most sustainable infrastructure project ever delivered.”
In terms of performance, the rig is able to carry out exactly the same tasks as a traditional rig. It is being used by BBV’s deep foundations contractor SB3 (a joint venture between Bachy Soletanche & Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering), and works alongside a diesel-powered rig to construct large diameter piles.
The Bauer machine replaces the diesel engine with an electric drive. The environmental benefits include reduced exhaust and noise emissions; high energy efficiency due to modern three-phase asynchronous motor; and flexibility through an integrated frequency converter.
Bauer is also trialling different ‘E-connection’ systems and an innovative concept for set-up operation via an autonomous secondary drive that is independent of the power supply.
