Removing diesel from construction sites
Paul Aspinall
Constructing net zero infrastructure using existing construction methods and carbon emitting diesel plant is just like recharging an electric vehicle from a diesel generator, says Paul Aspinall, Hydrogen Lead at Arcadis. Not only does it not look good, but it is also counter intuitive in society’s efforts to decarbonise.
According to independent data and forecasts portal Statista (July 2022), the UK produced approximately 11.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions in 2020, down from 12.8 million tonnes in 2019 (no doubt, due to a Covid impacted year). Of this, building construction emissions accounted for 2.4 million tonnes, representing 17% of the UK’s total emissions.
Eliminating construction emissions
Across all aspects of infrastructure – from manufacturing the materials and components, through to construction, into its operation for end of use and eventual recycling of projects – status quo approaches need to be replaced using new technology and zero emission processes, while satisfying essential business requirements.
The Construction Leadership Council’s CO2nstruct Zero initiative is the construction industry’s zero carbon change programme. The programme sets out nine underpinning priorities across three broad theme areas of transport, buildings and construction activity.
The first of its three priorities associated with transport is to accelerate the shift to zero emission vehicles and onsite plant, which could save millions of tonnes of CO2 from construction projects alone. Change is already underway, since the UK government ended the subsidy on red diesel in April 2022, the cost of operating temporary plant equipment has substantially increased, prompting the transition away from using diesel on major projects.
Status quo approaches need to be replaced using new technology and zero emission processes
Right fuel for the right task
A fuel agnostic approach to zero emission alternative fuels is key to identifying the right tools and solutions for the right task.
For example, smaller battery electric plant is readily available and well suited to small scale or intermittent construction operations that requires limited run time or can be charged back at base, when recharging timeframes are not critical.
Hydrogen plant equipment may be suited to larger projects requiring longer operational activities, where quick refuelling timeframes for continuous operation is necessary.
Case Study – Lower Thames Crossing (LTC)
National Highways’ Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a major project that is directly tackling this issue, to omit diesel from its construction processes in order to reduce project emissions.
The LTC carbon model identifies the project will create approximately 1.8 million tonnes of carbon emissions, of which 16% comes from diesel. Further analysis identifies that just four types of plant, namely excavators, articulated dump trucks, piling rigs and concrete mixers, account for 8% – or half of the total plant associated carbon emissions.
Moving from fossil fuels has the potential to be both commercially and environmentally beneficial
Analysing one of these four plant items…
Concrete mixer trucks will use approximately 5.1 million litres of diesel delivering concrete to site throughout the course of the project. Associated fuel costs will be in excess of £10 million at current UK prices and substituting diesel concrete mixers for zero emission plant has the potential to save 15,000 tonnes carbon from the project. Clearly moving from fossil fuels has the potential to be both commercially and environmentally beneficial.
It will be necessary however, for all zero-emission plant and equipment types to be deployed across highways construction projects to achieve the National Highways ‘Net Zero Highways Plan’. Imagine the positive impact and legacy this would leave for the wider construction industry and support the UK in achieving our legally binding Net Zero commitments for 2050.
But while the decarbonisation and wider benefits are clear, projects and contractors require credible and reliable alternative fuel solutions for implementation. Developing the hydrogen value chain needed to produce green (or low carbon) hydrogen, then storing and distributing hydrogen to sites whilst providing effective dispensing/refuelling solutions for plant equipment, will all be critical to support the acceleration of decarbonised construction.
The OEMs need to develop suitable zero emission plant solutions and contractors and clients require assurances that a decarbonised plant will provide the right solution for their project.
Projects and contractors require credible and reliable alternative fuel solutions
A balanced approach
Scaling up zero emission plant and equipment across the construction sector is a crucial step towards our net zero future. But it cannot be left to major projects to develop and distil the information and drive the decarbonised legacy throughout the construction industry.
The UK government announced in 2020, the end of sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. Perhaps a similar target or policy should be considered for zero emission plant and equipment across the construction industry?
Beyond the necessary practical measures, there are other fundamental areas the industry must address to allow these initiatives to germinate including:
· Cultural shift to embrace new solutions and ways of operating
· Behavioural change to tackle carbon emissions
· Legislation and policy updates
· Scalability of solutions for cost competitiveness
· Development of green skills for the projects and the vital supply chain
It’s clear, a balanced and pragmatic approach is needed to achieve the array of benefits that will be realised by removing diesel from our construction sites.
Paul Aspinall is Hydrogen Lead at Arcadis. As a speaker at Interchange he will further explore the why and how of transitioning to zero emission plant. Interchange is taking place in Birmingham on 18/19 April. It offers an extensive programme of content with six co-located conferences and workshop programme running over two days. The event is free to attend, register here