US based United Rentals has introduced a new battery pack energy storage system for cranes and hoists to its fleet.
United worked with engineering company Termaco to develop a rental version of its TREE (Termaco Reserve Electrical Energy) product that provides sustainable on site electrical power for equipment such as tower cranes and hoists, allowing contractors to use a significantly smaller generator and even run it intermittently, substantially reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Some of the first units to arrive
With models configurable up to 500kW, the power pack works in tandem with a generator to provide power to the crane, and remove the peak power demands on the generator, such as when lifting heavy loads at speed, while also reducing its runtime. Smaller packs can even be kept topped up from solar panels, eliminating emissions altogether. The power packs are mounted on trailers for easy collection or delivery and include fork pockets for easy loading and handling.
Larry Worthington of United said: “Battery energy systems for tower cranes provide a great application of practical sustainability on the jobsite by helping contractors address their economic and environmental goals. This solution demonstrates our commitment to bringing innovative products to market that deliver outstanding value to our customers.”
A classic TREE energy story system
One of the early adopters was Award Construction of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, which used a unit to power an eight tonne capacity 70 metre high tower crane in at Riverbank Landing, a new 20 acre complex in Edmonton. It allowed the contractor to use a 100kW generator in place of the usual 300kVA T4 unit, and instead of running it all the time. It found that on average the smaller generator only ran for two and a half hours a day, to keep the battery pack topped up. As a result if has documented an 80 percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.
Award Construction reduced fuel consumption by 80% in Edmonton, Alberta
Brian Hennessey of Award said: “Sustainable building aligns with our company’s core values. We are proud our Riverbank Landing construction site is making history as one of the first in Canada to fully power its site tower crane entirely by battery.”
Termaco was established in 1968 to produce battery trays but now designs, manufactures energy storage systems. It operates from plants in Reading, Pennsylvania and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, in Quebec.
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