Eco-hybrid powered welfare
Amey has a vital role to play in moving it’s operational delivery towards net zero, inspiring our clients and customers along the way with innovations and solutions that will also help them to achieve their carbon goals. In Scotland, we’ve been changing the way we work by replacing diesel-powered welfare units with eco-hybrid welfare units located at the M8 Woodside Viaduct.
What did we do?
Currently diesel-powered welfare units are used widely throughout many of our contracts and as such alternatives are being looked at with a view of replacing these to reduce fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions. Initially diesel welfare units were ordered however, as part of our commitment to reducing our emissions, we replaced those with eco-welfare units.
The 12 eco-welfare units that were trialled were hybrid fuelled, which use both diesel and battery technology to power the unit. By using a hybrid solution, we were able to reduce the amount of energy needed from the generator which ultimately cuts down on fuel and emissions.
What impact did it have?
The eco-welfare units are supplied with a Fuel Efficiency Assessment. This enables us to monitor how much fuel will be saved when they are in situ.
In a typical scenario the fuel efficiency assessment lists the daily cost of fuel with a standard diesel generator at £10.50 in comparison with the eco-welfare unit at £1.96, equating to an approximate 81% reduction in fuel cost. The amount of fuel used is dependent on various factors, such as how often the unit being used and the weather.
Over the time that diesel units were being used, they are filled up on average, with an estimated five gallons (22l) of fuel every three days. This equates to 1,782 litres of fuel used to power each diesel welfare unit, during an eight-month period.
相比eco-unit使用一个相当于339 litres of fuel over the same period – giving a reduction of 81 %. This impressively equates to a fuel saving of 1,443 litres and 3.7 tonnes of CO2 per eco-welfare unit.
Our commitment to net zero runs through all that we do from planning of works and technology to changing the way we work. With such notable carbon emission reductions, we’re keen to identify more welfare sites that could benefit from switching to an eco-welfare unit.