Jan De Nul further commits to electrification and tests the all-electric Volvo excavator
Jan De Nul Group is using the Volvo JEC230 Electric excavator at its soil and sediment valorisation center in Hulsdonk (Belgium). It is the first time that an all-electric crane of this type is used on Belgian construction sites. This marks another step in the electrification of its activities, as the company aims to play a pioneering role in the transition to renewable energy.
Jan De Nul is testing the crane for one month with its partner SMT Belgium, the official distributor of Volvo Construction Equipment in Belgium and Luxembourg. SMT is preparing to launch the machine on a larger scale in the Belgian market, with Jan De Nul being the first to test it on Belgian sites. Where possible, the crane will be charged using the solar panels on site, supplemented with green, local grid energy. On the Prinses Elisabeth Island site in Vlissingen the contractor is already using a Sennebogen electrical cable crane.
Xander Vanderfaeillie
Technical coordinator site material at Jan De Nul
"A cable crane is stationary and consumes less energy compared to a moving vehicle. For equipment that needs to travel frequently and move soil, the challenge is much greater. Yet, at Jan de Nul we believe in the energy transition and are also prepared to invest in it. That's why we like to play our part in this new story."
Hybrid bulldozers and dredging vessels
In 2022, Jan De Nul made a similar breakthrough by being the first to use a hybrid bulldozer on Belgian sites, specifically at the Coo hydropower station. Meanwhile, the contractor is deploying five of those bulldozers, as well as an electric sieve and cherry pickers. Earlier this year, the maritime contractor ordered its first hybrid dredging vessel and launched a pilot project involving a new type of battery (Vanadium Redox Flow). Hence, the company continuously commits to innovation for further reduction of its emissions.
Emission reduction of 40% by the year 2035
Today, Jan De Nul's transport fleet consists for more than 70% of electrical vehicles and has access to 600 charging stations on various locations. First tests with electric trucks are being conducted, but due to the limited driving range and the impact on the loading capacity, this is not yet viable.
Xander Vanderfaeillie
"We have fully mapped our machinery and vehicle fleet in terms of NOX and CO2 emissions, which means we can now regreen the biggest polluters first. By the year 2035, Jan De Nul aims to reduce its emission by 40%. That is a huge challenge, but we are working towards it step by step."
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