Nasta eliminates 48 tons of annual CO2 emissions through electrification of construction equipment
In support of the Norwegian government’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, heavy vehicle distributor Nasta is converting its diesel-powered machinery to electric power, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions in construction.
Nasta’s electrification of construction equipment started in 2019 when it won the contract to provide emission-free construction machines for a roadbuilding project in central Oslo. After completing the project, the company entered into talks with ABB, subsequently appointing them to supply all powertrain components along with knowledge-sharing on energy efficiency, sustainable construction equipment, and emission-free operations.
The conversion process involves the removal of the current fuel tank and diesel engine, followed by the installation of an electric motor and drive, an energy management system, a battery and charging solution, and a power connection. ABB supplies the electric powertrain components, comprising the AMXE motor and HES880 drive, and provides technical advice.
The electrification of construction equipment provides clear environmental benefits. A conventional diesel-powered 24-tonne excavator consumes about 18,000 liters of fuel annually, translating into around 48 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. With the conversion, these CO2 emissions, including sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, are eliminated. The inherent efficiency of electric motors is much higher at 95 percent as opposed to a diesel engine’s 45 percent while producing significantly less noise pollution.
Reducing carbon emissions in construction enhances the environment, benefiting both site workers and nearby residents. Additionally, operators have told Nasta that the electrified machines are much more responsive when performing excavation tasks.
Sjur Wethal Helljesen, a senior consultant at Nasta, comments: “Working with ABB, we not only get rugged and reliable powertrain components but also the technical support we need to complete the electrification projects successfully.”
Magnus Nordstrand, global product manager at ABB Motion, concludes: “Nasta’s redesign approach is a perfect match for our electric powertrain. Our drive is highly versatile and can be installed as a motor inverter, bi-directional line converter for grid connectivity, or DC/DC converter for the battery interface. Nasta’s current redesign solution includes a battery capacity of up to 300 kilowatt-hours (kWh), enabling the vehicle to operate for four to six hours.”
In Norway, heavy vehicle distributor Nasta is converting diesel-powered machinery to electric power, increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Watch the interview here.
