Alternative Power

Biofuel

There are a wide range of fuels derived from biological feedstocks, including ethanol, biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil( HVO). These fuels are generally intended to provide energy through internal combustion engines( ICEs). Equipment powered by biofuels will produce emissions similar to those powered by fossil fuels at the point of use. Net emissions from using biofuels as an energy carrier will depend on the fuel’ s production method and energy input source— fossil fuel versus wind, solar or nuclear. However, net emissions of carbon dioxide can approach zero depending on the source of those energy inputs.

Engines using certain biofuels require engineering modifications unless the biofuels are blended in low concentrations with conventional fossil fuels. Examples are E10, a gasoline blend with 10 % ethanol, and B20, a diesel fuel blend with 20 % biodiesel. Other biofuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil( HVO) are similar enough to fossil fuels that they offer the possibility of use in most unmodified ICEs.

Due to the energy density of biofuels, equipment using them as energy carriers are well suited for jobs that have severe duty cycles and those that are a significant distance from energy infrastructure.

Battery Electric

Battery power produces little to no emissions at the point of use, with the net GHG emissions dependent on the generation method of recharge,( i. e. fossil fuel versus wind, solar or nuclear). Due to the limited energy storage capacity of modern battery technologies, especially when compared to diesel and gasoline fuels( roughly equivalent to 5 % in a similar volume comparison), their adoption in non-road equipment will likely remain limited to jobs with light duty cycle requirements and flexible time demands

Moving Forward with Alternative Power:

Collaboration is beneficial for all parties involved.

during recharging periods, either at a home base or a jobsite charging station.

Mainline Electric

Similar to battery technology, equipment powered by the grid produces no GHG emissions at the point of use, with net emissions dependent on the method of generation. This type of energy is best suited for long-term or permanent jobsites that allow installation of power infrastructure and equipment that is static or near static while in operation.

Under most circumstances the increased efficiency of variable speed electric drives reduces the energy consumption, and therefore the total GHG emissions of the machine when compared to hydraulic motors. However, these efficiency improvements depend greatly on the generator’ s energy source, as using fossil fuel would likely cause substantial increases to GHG emissions when compared to renewables.

Hydrogen

The use of hydrogen as an energy source eliminates most regulated exhaust emissions as well as carbon dioxide at the point of use. However, the combustion process still produces oxides of nitrogen, possibly requiring exhaust after-treatment for the machine. Furthermore, the common feedstocks for hydrogen production are water or natural gas. Net emissions from the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier depend on its production method and the energy input source, fossil fuel versus wind, solar or nuclear.

The use of hydrogen fuel cells eliminates all emissions at the point of use so hydrogen presents many interesting advantages for non-road equipment, but to implement this technology successfully and safely in the non-road sector, industry will need to solve several real-world challenges prior to its adoption. For instance, to maintain energy density, hydrogen is stored at pressures requiring the use of pressure vessels and pressure regulating systems at fueling stations, for transport( i. e., via truck), and on equipment powered by hydrogen.

When stored under pressure, hydrogen contains about 12 % of the energy stored in a similar volume of diesel fuel. Therefore, its best use would likely be on jobs that create a light duty cycle or that require the equipment to remain static, or near static, while working.

Supporting Common Goals

“ AEM believes collaboration between policymakers and our industry can deliver future environmental benefits for all,” said AEM Senior Director of Safety & Product Leadership Jason Malcore.“ And, as the industry continues to invest its resources into new alternative power technologies, we hope this position paper can lead to future conversations and collaborations in support of common goals.”

www. cranehotline. com • June 2024 CRANE HOT LINE ® 35