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Heavy Construction Equipment Going Hybrid
by Teresa Herrmann - Jun 16th, 2008
in
Think "green building" and what advances come to mind? FSC-certified wood or LEED credits, perhaps. Think again. Try heavy machinery.The $90 billion construction equipment industry is going hybrid, with Japan's Komatsu being first to release a product.
It's an excavator named PC200-8. The hybrid excavator costs $50,000 more than its $200,000
fully diesel counterpart. But, with its new electric motor, the PC200-8 reduces fuel consumption an average of 25%, with some users reporting a 41% savings.
The hybrid excavator works by piggy-backing energy from one part of the machine to the other. It captures energy when the upper structure (the turning shovel part) of the machine reduces its speed, much like a hybrid car. It then uses the energy to power the accelerating engine. As well, the hybrid lowers energy consumption while idling by keeping the revolution of the upper structure super low.
The fuel economy could translate into big savings. Komatsu's non-hybrid excavator uses more than 4 gallons of diesel fuel an hour when it's doing heavy digging. The hybrid would cut consumption to 3 gallons an hour or even less.
Expect to see industry leaders follow in Komatsu’s path. Not only does the hybrid save in gas expenses, but it’s prepared for future, more stringent emission regulations.
Volvo, Hitachi and Sumitomo are planning to release their hybrid technology come 2009, and according to Senior Analyst Hiroshi Minami at Innovest, a watchdog of industry trends, #1 Caterpillar is most likely seeking the same diversification. They’re just being quiet about it.
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And Caterpillar?
Finally they begin to do something. I hope, that the world´s biggest manufacturer will join the japaneses approach as well..
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