Construction sites are still characterized by noisy, polluting diesel engines. While battery-electric machines and vehicles are becoming increasingly available on the market, the major breakthrough toward locally emission-free and energy-efficient construction sites has so far been hindered primarily by the interaction of equipment and operational processes. The new research consortium ForBat@Bau, which has now commenced its work, aims to solve this challenging problem.
Ines Trautmannsheimer / TUM The goal of the research project is to develop an integrated planning and operations tool for complex emission-free construction sites. In addition, the participating stakeholders will be connected and work together on holistic solution concepts. The program, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is divided into four areas:
- Precisely coordinated machine drive concepts,
- Development and deployment planning of intelligent, modular, and multifunctional battery systems,
- Software-supported planning and control of construction processes and energy flows,
- Optimal and flexible utilization of construction site grid connection capacities.
Huge environmental footprint of the construction industry
The overall project coordinator, Prof. Markus Lienkamp of the TUM Chair of Automotive Engineering, emphasizes: "We do not simply want to replace diesel engines in construction equipment. We view the construction site as a complete system, including construction processes, the connection to the power grid, and intermediate battery storage. By leveraging digitalization, we aim to make economically viable electric construction site operations possible in the future."
The construction industry currently makes a substantial contribution to global warming worldwide. It is responsible for 23 percent of global CO₂ emissions, with 5.5 percent attributable directly to construction site operations and primarily to machines powered by internal combustion engines.
Prof. Johannes Fottner of the TUM Chair of Materials Handling, Material Flow, and Logistics said: "The Bavarian construction and construction equipment industry has a tremendous interest in shaping this transformation as a technology leader. This will create significant economic opportunities in the future, as the global trend toward greater sustainability is unstoppable and unavoidable."
Project partners
The Bavarian Transformation and Research Foundation is funding the three-year project with around €1.9 million. Additional key academic partners include Landshut University of Applied Sciences and OTH Regensburg (Regensburg University of Applied Sciences). On the industry side, the Bavarian Construction Industry Association and the Bavarian Construction Academy, along with companies from the fields of equipment manufacturing, construction, power distribution network operation, and measurement and simulation, are participating in the project.
