Sunbelt’s holistic way to sustainability
5 October 2022
There are invariably many elements in creating a net-zero construction site and a good number of them were highlighted by Sunbelt Rentals when the hirer participated in Balfour Beatty’s Sustainability Showcase event last month at Shotts in North Lanarkshire.
Besides a selection of eco-friendly equipment from its hire fleet, such as battery powered JCB and Volvo mini excavators, Faresin telehandlers and Wacker Neuson dumpers, plus solar powered variable message signs, Sunbelt showed how a holistic approach can bring operational and sustainable benefits throughout a site.
For example, Sunbelt previously worked with Balfour Beatty to develop EcoNet, a cloud-based energy and power management system that can minimise the need to run site generators. Using wireless sensors, it turns appliances off automatically when not in active use.
“This can mean that instead of using a 100kVA generator, only a 60kVA unit might be required, giving considerable fuel and cost savings,” said Joshua Toner, Balfour Beatty national innovation and sustainability manager with Sunbelt.
Other green power sources such as wind turbines and solar panels can be connected to give further reductions.
Energy and carbon levels can be decreased by between 30 per cent and 80 per cent. When the EcoNet system was deployed for the first time on a Balfour Beatty highways project in Leeds, an 83 per cent reduction in carbon emissions was achieved.
Usage data can be monitored and collected by site managers who may be working remotely, and system changes can be made if necessary.
The adoption of equipment powered by renewable sources, such as solar lighting towers from Trime UK, which were displayed at Shotts from the Sunbelt fleet, obviously reduces fossil fuel consumption. The savings in running costs can make the sustainable option more cost-effective.
Similarly, electric cars and other site vehicles can be recharged from battery packs such as those from Hybrid Power Hire, which Sunbelt acquired this year. These can be charged by generators and renewable sources in an optimum manner.
Equipment can also be modified so as to have a lower carbon footprint. Again working in collaboration with Balfour Beatty, Sunbelt developed the EcoSense site cabin which has features like heaters with self-regulating digitl thermostats. The walls, floors and ceilings are well insulated to enhance their the thermal envelope and reduce energy usage.
“However, there will be some sites where such solutions will not be practicable, such as remote locations without a convenient electrical supply,” said Joshua. “So there will still be demand for equipment with clean, efficient Stage V engines running on diesel or HVO, which reduce carbon emissions and NOx particulates."
Sunbelt’s comprehensive display at Shotts included equipment to enable sites to meet other ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) responsibilities. These included the Casella Guardian 2 system that allows remote monitoring of noise, dust and vibration levels, and which can be powered by mains, solar or battery sources.
Other environmental measurement innovations were also shown by Sunbelt – more on those in a future post.
Photo: Joshua Toner
