HS2 and its industry partners have achieved certification by the Energy Saving Trust for the second stage of a retrofit innovation trial, meaning the green technology can now be rolled out to larger Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) and bring substantial benefits for the whole industry.
The solution, manufactured by British company Eminox, adds exhaust technology to existing engine systems on plant machinery and upgrades them to the latest EU Stage V engine class, leading to reduced emissions on construction sites. It allows HS2 construction sites to reduce particulate and NOx emissions and embodied carbon, while also bringing significant direct capital savings through the reduction of plant scrappage and the need to purchase high volumes of new large specialist plant.
This trial for large engines in NRMM took place on a Balfour Beatty 403kW Bauer BG30 Rotary Rig. Emission testing and data analysis was conducted by Emissions Analytics and Imperial College London (Centre for Low Emission Construction). It showed a reduction in emissions that meet the latest engine air quality standards, resulting in better air quality for the workforce and local communities.
It follows on from the first trial last year for medium engines, carried out on a 179kw Balfour Beatty Stage IIIA piling rig (Junttan PM20) which was also certified by the Energy Saving Trust – an industry first. Following this successful trial, HS2 Ltd has been working with the Manufacturing Technology Centre to support the adoption of retrofit solutions for existing plant and machinery across the project’s main works civils contractors. This latest retrofit certification means all medium and larger engine equipment bandings can be adapted, including plant with longer life spans.