Last Updated on April 18, 2023 by Admin
Having sufficient power is an essential part of setting up any construction site. Between lighting, powering equipment, and keeping devices charged, it’s impossible to get the job done without it. Here are five different ways to power your construction site.
1. Plug Into the Grid
The first and most obvious option is to plug your devices into the local grid. This option depends on the location of the worksite and the availability of these connections.
If the project is a new business in a busy city, finding a place to plug in is easy. Building a new home on a previously undeveloped lot, on the other hand, will make it harder to keep the lights on and the power flowing.
Contact the power company that provides services to the address — or will provide service for new developments — and see what options are available for temporary grid connections.
2. Supply Diesel Generators
Diesel generators are the next most common tool for powering a construction site, especially if temporary grid connections aren’t an option. These devices come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and can provide power for all sorts of projects.
The downside of these generators is their fuel source, especially for companies looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Depending on the size of the generator, it can produce between 2.4 and 2.7 L of CO2 per kWh, with the number climbing for larger systems capable of generating more power.
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3. Choose Propane Over Diesel
Propane generators are more frequently used for in-home backup systems, but portable versions could help to keep construction sites powered without relying on diesel. Propane is still a fossil fuel, but it burns cleaner than diesel or other fuel options.
As a bonus, propane doesn’t have a short shelf-life like diesel, as long as it’s stored in a proper container. There’s no need to worry about adding stabilizers to your fuel supply if you’re not using it for more than a few months.
4. Look Into Solar
Portable solar is becoming more affordable and accessible every year. The equipment cost is dropping and the efficiency rating is climbing, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Solar generators for construction sites are clean and quiet and with enough usable sunlight, they can generate plenty of electricity to meet any job site’s needs.
Supplementing the solar power system with battery backups can help to ensure there is plenty of available power even on overcast or stormy days. This solution can also be useful for overnight crews who wouldn’t normally have access to solar power during their shift.
5. Explore Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The newest entrant to construction site power is the hydrogen fuel cell. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. When it mixes with oxygen in a fuel cell, it generates electricity and only creates water and oxygen as waste. Other than solar, it is one of the cleanest options on the list. Construction companies in the UK started using these fuel cell generators in 2020.
Once we’ve solved the problem of hydrogen collection — since most of what we use right now is a byproduct of the petroleum industry — hydrogen has the potential to become the best renewable energy resource on the planet.
Keep The Lights On
Powering a construction site might seem complicated, but plenty of options are available. Opting for a temporary grid link may be the easiest option for projects in developed areas. If this link isn’t available, for whatever reason, generators, solar panels, or even hydrogen fuel cells could help to fill in the gap and keep the lights on.
Author bio:
Jane is an environmental writer who covers topics in sustainable construction and green building materials and is the editor-in-chief of Environment.co.
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