5 Minutes read 18 Dec 2023As the impact of global warming becomes more visible, many businesses throughout the aggregate and quarrying sector are driven to do their part to create lasting change.
And while low carbon, resource-efficient output is within reach, businesses at all levels must take it upon themselves to enact change sooner rather than later.
This blog forms part of a wider content series that looks at emerging technology and what role the sector will play in helping to achieve the Government’s net zero targets for 2050. Here, Ross Hayward, Head of Assets and Commercial addresses what changes new asset types will bring to the industry.
READ MORE: How green technology will help build a sustainable future
“The aggregate and quarrying sector is driven by its assets, so new technologies will inevitably affect everyone. If, as a business, you’re unaware of what technology is coming in, it will make uptake more difficult, and as a result, you’ll likely find that early adopters will gain the edge.”
One of the challenges, however, is that manufacturers seem to be ‘gatekeeping’ information, making it difficult for businesses to establish exactly how they will make the transition from traditional technology to green technology.
“They’re showing what quarries will look like in 20 years’ time, but if you’re wanting to dig a little deeper and learn more about the new engines or technologies, the information isn’t always that accessible.”
For the industry, the pressure to advance environmental priorities and adopt greener asset types means businesses must anticipate further changes. For example, as we look ahead, it is expected that the focus will gradually shift from electric-powered engines in smaller machines to hydrogen-powered engines, particularly for assets in excess of 30-40 tonnes.
“Hydrogen is a much cleaner fuel, and in theory, should be a more practical solution, too. It’s not particularly practical to have a rigid dumptruck, carrying 50-60 tonnes of material, whilst also hauling huge electric batteries. Unless the quarry had the perfect set up to take advantage of kinetic energy and storage solutions, the weight of the required batteries would make it counter-intuitive. It’s likely therefore that we’ll continue to see further adaptations made to the new technology.”
Clearly, these innovations are fundamental for the industry and, undoubtedly, businesses will be keen to make the switch come 2027-28. However, Ross notes that there may be some complications along the way.
“Cost is, inevitably, going to have a big implication. We’ve seen information to suggest that a larger electric machines could be two or three times the price of traditional diesel-powered ICE [Internal Combustion Engine] machines.
“The other potential issue is infrastructure. There are quarries that have been operating for 50 to 75 years, so for some, their fixed plant infrastructure can be quite old. This, therefore, begs the question of how businesses will go about implementing a state-of-the-art charging system. Initial complications to consider for instance would be incoming power capacity to the quarry and how it could potentially cope with sizable charging infrastructure.”
While this may mean some businesses will be more reluctant to take advantage of new technology, for those that already invest regularly, the uptake will be far easier.
“At Chepstow, we’ve always been committed to investing in the newest generation of engines, and it’s businesses that show a willingness to adopt new machinery that will be the ones to benefit the most in the first instance.”
Needless to say, early adoption doesn’t come without its own risks, and perhaps one of the biggest questions left to be answered is how long battery and electric-powered machines can run for.
“This is likely to be a large sticking point for businesses, as will how long it takes to recharge or refuel machines and what impact both these factors could have on production. There will likely be sensible plans in place to work an electric machine, such as:
- Operator as usual in the morning shift for 5-6 hours
- A rapid-charge during a planned lunch break back to 80%
- Use the machine as usual in the afternoon shift for 3-4 hours
- Charge overnight to 100% at a reduce charging rate from a cost and practical perspective.
"Provisional plans such as this of course re-raise the queries around the infrastructure on site."
Unfortunately, what with limited budgets and an unsettling economic landscape, moral obligation alone is not enough to initiate the switch to green technology.
“If you look at the automotive industry, there are substantial incentives for companies to invest in electric vehicles [EV], including tax relief and benefits in kind for employees. The same thing needs to happen in some capacity across every other sector.
“For our industry that could be reduced tariffs, improved subsidies in bridging technologies and alternative fuels such as HVO, funding for new infrastructure or subsidised costs for new assets. If there’s no incentive, particularly when diesel is cheaper than the alternatives, adoption is going to be slow.”
Further to that, Ross says additional incentivisation will be needed to encourage businesses to increase their EV offering, so that it represents at least 60 per cent of their fleet. Anything less than this is unlikely to have any impact on the environment.
Yes, it is a challenging time for the industry as it embarks on the arduous journey towards net zero. But it’s also an opportunistic one. By taking advantage of the latest technology breakthroughs, businesses can not only unleash greater carbon savings, but improve efficiencies, reduce long-term costs, and future-proof.
By Ross Hayward
Share this story
