HS2 achieves first diesel-free construction site

Grant Prior 2 years ago
Share

HS2 has announced its first completely diesel-free site.

HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson and SCS Electric Crane Operator Leon Sobers
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson and SCS Electric Crane Operator Leon Sobers

The Canterbury Road Vent Shaft site in South Kilburn is run by the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) using a range of diesel-free technologies and greener equipment.

Innovations on the site include one of the UK’s first 160 tonne emissions-free fully electric crawler cranes, the use of biofuels (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) to power plant and machinery on site, an electric compressor and access to mains power on a 100% renewable energy tariff.

Peter Miller, HS2’s Environment Director said: “We’re delighted to reach this key milestone in our Net Zero Carbon Plan.

“HS2 is playing a major role in the decarbonisation of the construction industry, collaborating with the industry and our supply chain to accelerate innovation in low-carbon technologies.

“Reducing emissions and improving air quality on HS2 construction sites is crucial for both the environment and surrounding communities.”

James Richardson, Managing Director of SCS said: “We’re thrilled that Canterbury Road Vent Shaft has become the first diesel-free site on the HS2 project.

“We’re working hard with our supply chain to introduce renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable biofuels to help us remove diesel entirely from our sites by 2023.”

Innovations being trialled and introduced on other sites include:

  • Clean Air Gas Engine’ funded through Innovate UK and led by OakTec, which replaces diesel power with ultra-low (bio-LPG) emission engines in Advante Welfare units and standalone units.
  • ‘EcoNet’ developed by Invisible Systems, Balfour Beatty and Sunbelt which controls and reduces energy output from key appliances, reducing power demand by 30%.
  • Non-Road Mobile Machinery retrofit solutions which adds pollution control equipment onto older vehicles as an alternative to replacing the machine or the engine, reducing emissions.
  • CESAR Emissions Compliance Verification which is a resilient system to show the EU Stage engine emission class of all construction plant.
  • Proactive dust management solutions reducing impacts associated with on-site activities.
  • Fully Electric Renewable Energy using solar and wind to power noise and air quality monitors, site security cameras and site briefing areas and solar pods powering sites by combining solar PV, battery storage and a back-up generator.
  • Hydrogen Technology trials across sites considering both fuel-cell technology and combustible hydrogen solutions.

Latest news

Plan lodged for tallest skyscraper outside London

Developer Salboy submits plan for 76-storey Manchester resi tower
20 hours ago

Curo starts £170m race for new homes framework

Bath housing association plans to build up to 300 homes a year
20 hours ago

Gove approves major Cambridge North mixed-use scheme

Government backs controversial scheme of 424 flats and 600,000 sq ft of tech and lab space
20 hours ago

Pontins holiday park to house Sizewell C builders

Suffolk holiday park to house 500 nuclear construction workers
20 hours ago

Adrian Bloor targets 1,000 homes-a-year

Expansion plans after major investment into challenger house building business HarperCrewe
20 hours ago

Housing firm fined £528,000 after cable strike

Maintenance workers given no information on underground services
21 hours ago

Berkeley subbies face six weeks without payments

Introduction of new finance software means payment hiatus for suppliers
2 days ago

Pagabo reveals 56 winners of latest £1.6bn retrofit deal

Decarbonisation Solutions Framework launched: Full list of winners
2 days ago

Go-ahead for £100m Liverpool Love Lane flats

500-flat scheme will be built across four blocks in Vauxhall area of city
2 days ago

Unions win HS2 site access battle at Old Oak Common job

Skanska, Costain, Strabag JV now the last denying unions access to HS2 sites
2 days ago

Contractors jack 1,100t viaduct into place in 13-hour operation

158m-long composite deck structure jacked into place 10-hours ahead of schedule
2 days ago

Wates wins former Daily Mail printworks transformation

British Land advances major cultural venue at London’s Canada Water
3 days ago

Mace poaches Ramboll chief to be Head of Engineering

Martin Feakes will develop civil and structural engineering offer at Mace
3 days ago

Subcontractors form alliance for major civils jobs

Trio of specialists join forces to collaborate and offer Tier 1 contractors a turnkey solution
3 days ago

Fear of supply chain failures boosting collaboration

Procurement survey also reveals project bank account use is rising
3 days ago

Wates sets up business to target 160,000 mouldy social homes

Healthy Homes service will be offered to social landlords across England
3 days ago

Higgins wins £75m Peabody Passive House job

Latest phase of Deptford Landings to start construction
3 days ago

Contractors and unions agree Sizewell C working deal

New deal offers improved sick pay and parental leave over Hinkley Point deal
3 days ago

Competition chiefs win legal fight for more construction raids

High Court rules CMA officials can raid a domestic property as part of investigation
4 days ago

More Osborne companies file administration notices

Three more divisions lodge notices with court
4 days ago

McLaren wins multi-storey urban logistics contract

South London win with British Land is pioneering urban logistics hub
4 days ago

Big social housing schemes at risk over funding uncertainty

Housing associations warn uncertainty over public funding beyond 2026 is curbing new schemes
4 days ago

Kier wins Worcestershire town centre renewal

Firm secures Bromsgrove commercial and cultural hub project
4 days ago

BAM signs Kent school contract at £42m

Sevenoaks school rebuild signed off at £8m more than first estimates
4 days ago

RG Group signs £121m Newcastle rental homes job

Developer Olympian Homes advances 519 flats plan at Pottery Lane site
7 days ago

Geoffrey Osborne files administration notice

Contractor in talks to save parts of the business
7 days ago

Winners named for £260m Manchester Uni framework

B&K, Henry Bros, Graham, Robertson and Vinci among new line-up
7 days ago

Shed specialist Benniman rides out market lull

Worcestershire warehouse builder says industrial and logistics work is picking up again
7 days ago

Another contractor cleared after high profile immigration raid

Adana Construction employees were working legally on site swooped on by Home Office
7 days ago

McAleer & Rushe wants to meet new London suppliers

Contractor holding Meet the Buyer event in London: Register now
7 days ago

Contractor services