PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) such as construction machinery, hand-held tools and generators contribute significantly to urban pollution particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gas emissions because of low emission standards. While the EU regulation on internal combustion engines for non-road mobile machinery does cover NRMM, not all engine emission types are included. In addition, the regulations enforcement provides for long transition periods.
EU and US environmental authorities (European Environmental Agency and Environmental Protection Agency) determine that, despite their low numbers compared to cars, NRMM are responsible for as much as 15%-20% of total NOX, 5% of total PM2.5 and significant amounts of CO and hydrocarbon emissions. But electric power supply is urgently needed on construction sites and other outdoor or underground workplaces, or in remote areas where power is otherwise hard to come by. A (local) zero-emission battery-driven power supply can provide this power and meet to a significant but realistic market.
OBJECTIVES
The overall aim of the LIFE CLEANAIRMM project was to achieve significant local emission reductions from construction and green care in urban areas, and to replace fuel driven generators (diesel/petrol) used to supply NRMM within the non-regulated machine class (<19kW). This would be achieved by installing a pilot of 100 battery-powered supply systems to substitute conventional fuel generators and validate the large-scale use of this technology. These first 100 Battery-Power Supply Systems (BPSS) would enable pilot users such as city administrations and small and medium businesses to reduce local and global emissions.
The project aimed to help implement the EU Regulation 2016/1628 on requirements relating to gaseous and particulate pollutant emission limits and type-approval for internal combustion engines for non-road mobile machinery. It would also support the Occupational Safety and Health Framework Directive 89/391/EEC.
RESULTS
LIFE CLEANAIRMM piloted a new portable, zero-emission battery power supply for professional use. The long-term aim is to replace more polluting generators on construction sites across Europe, thus contributing to zero emission construction practices to enable cleaner air in cities. By the end of the project, diesel and petrol-driven generators were replaced in seven countries by 12 construction companies across Europe. The project also showcased a change in construction site practices focused on the new power supply.
The project team assembled a total of 90 Battery-Power Supply Systems (BPSS) for test purposes, and delivered them to partner construction companies. The BPSS use was evaluated, and feedback from the companies clearly showed that the battery systems met technical requirements, improved work safety and contributed to the health of both workers and bystanders.
With regard to replication, close to 9 000 BPSS were produced in series and distributed either under a private label (instagrid.ONE) or as a white label during the project period. There has been a very high demand for the technology, mainly from larger construction companies. In fact, project beneficiary instagrid could potentially have sold about 30 000 BPSS by the end of the project, but the necessary components were not available to realise this high number in a short time. It is worth pointing out that the costs for series production are not included in the LIFE project.
To identify the emission reduction potential of BPSS compared to conventional generators, associated beneficiary Hessian State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG).carried out emission measurements. The results clearly showed that BPSS emit significantly less for most parameters. It is important to note that in the case of particulate matter (PM), HNLUG reported difficulties with the measurements, so results were inconclusive – instead, particulate number (PN) measurements were made.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
