Cementation Skanska deploys first grid-powered Bauer drill rig

Cementation Skanska has brought a Bauer Maschinen GmbH eBG33 electric, large rotary drilling rig to the High Speed 2 (HS2) project in London. Instead of a diesel engine, the Bauer eBG33 uses an electric drive. Thanks to a dedicated on-site sub-station, Cementation Skanska can operate the machine with zero local emissions.

This deployment marks the first time the Bauer eBG33 was operated while powered to a local power grid.

Bauer says that the eBG33 is working to show that electrically powered construction equipment can perform the same tasks as conventional equipment. The eBG33 has been operational for almost 500 hours on this project which means a considerable CO2 saving. Additionally, the noise reductions are significant, with base carrier noise levels of 50 percent less compared to a conventional rig.

"The emission-free capability of this rig is an exciting step forward in our net zero ambitions," says Andrew Entwistle, the operations director at Cementation Skanska. "This type of innovation sits at the heart of our carbon reduction strategy and supports HS2 with its ambition for all its construction sites to be diesel-free by 2029. Not only has it been valuable for us to work with the eBG33 firsthand on a live project, but it has provided an important opportunity to demonstrate the potential of an all-electric heavy plant to the wider industry."

Warren Arnold, the general manager of Bauer Equipment UK Ltd, says that the data collected during the eBG33's operation will help the manufacturer develop other zero-emission machines.

"This really is a great opportunity to showcase what the eBG 33 can deliver in real terms and the benefits to the local community and environment," continues Arnold.

This deployment run is a continuation of work carried out as part of the HS2 project in Birmingham. There, the cable handling was tested for the very first time in a live environment. With the ability to connect the unit to the local power grid in London, Bauer and Cementation were able to put the eBG33 through its paces and gather data on power consumption throughout the piling operation. This data will be used in the further development of the battery-powered eBG33 H all-electric.