Page 76 • December 29, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE
New Bill Revives Program to Encourage Hydro Upgrades ENERGY from page 70
as irrigation canals. It includes the addition of new generators to an existing dam or conduit or the addition of a small generator to a FERC-licensed dams in areas that lacks grid access, has frequent outages or high electricity prices. The new bill extends an existing DOE program providing incentives for improvements to hydro facilities that increase their efficiency by at least 3 percent. Incentives for improvements to existing hydroelectric facilities that would support capital improvements also are included. Programs designed to reduce the economic effects of shuttered and abandoned fossil fuel facilities are a part of the IIJA. One specifically targets demonstration projects for construction of renewable energy facilities on abandoned mine sites. In addition to expanded energy construction included in the IIJA, President Biden’s proposed federal tax credits extension in the Build Back Better bill and national and corporate efforts to meet EU emissions targets are factors in the IEA forecast revision. The law firm of McDermott Will & Emery (MWE) noted that with the federal government’s procurement power the executive order to meet the 2050 carbon-neutral target could “transform clean energy markets while achieving ambitious climate goals.” Those goals include 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030; zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035; net zero emissions from federal procurement no later than 2050; and a similar building portfolio by 2045.
Both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back America legislation are a double shot in the arm for the energy construction sector.
“The executive order and the administration’s procurement plans are a potential bonanza for clean energy and electric vehicle companies,” said MWE. “The federal government buys $650 billion in goods and services annually in addition to a real estate portfolio of more than 300,000 buildings and a fleet of more than 600,000 cars and trucks.” To achieve the 100-percent carbon pollution-free electricity goal, MWE said the federal government will buy power directly from utilities, enter into power purchase agreements with generators and develop onsite generation on federal real property. “Meeting this goal will spur the development of more than
10 gigawatts of new clean electricity production by 2030.” The executive order directs that at least 50 percent of that power must come from locally sourced 24/7 carbon pollution-free electricity. The sourced electricity must match actual consumption on an hourly basis and be produced within the same regional grid where the energy is consumed. “The McDermott energy team has seen such calls for around-the-clock clean power supply grow in recent years — particularly from large corporate energy buyers — including a number of leading technology companies. Those same technology companies have urged the federal government to procure clean energy on a 24/7 basis,” said the law firm. Though a boost in construction work natural follows all of this policy implementation, it comes with business operations challenges for construction contractors. According to MWE, the fed will expand its consideration of embodied emissions in construction materials and launch a Buy Clean policy for acquisition of materials with lower embodied emissions. The federal government also will require its major contractors to publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions, plans to reduce emissions and risks faced by climate change, said MWE. “Based on the prior experience of McDermott’s Energy and Project Finance Practice Group … the executive order and subsequent implementation could be transformative for the industry,” MWE said of the energy sector. “The federal government is the largest landowner and energy consumer in the United States.” CEG
Junttan Unveils World’s First Electric Pile Driving Rig Junttan Oy is helping to ensure a sustainable future with the unveiling of the PMx2e, the world’s first fully batterypowered electric pile driving rig. The rig’s hydraulic system is controlled by a modern electric motor that generates power from a battery pack, which has replaced the counterweight. Junttan designed the PMx2e to mimic the use, efficiency and power of its diesel-powered PMx22 as closely as possible. The PMx2e offers the same robust structure and usability as the PMx22, but consumes less energy per pile, reduces noise, and delivers more power and instant torque, according to the company. Junttan’s PMx2e is equipped with two detachable 396 kWh battery packs to allow for 8 to 13 hours of continuous pile driving. An external quick charging unit allows the batteries to be fully charged overnight or during the day if needed. “This new electric pile driving rig demonstrates Junttan’s commitment to helping our customers build a more sustainable future around the world,” said Junttan Oy CEO Pasi Poranen. “After four years of research and develop-
Understanding the power of an alliance between manufacturer and end-user, Junttan and Aarsleff formed an alliance from day one known as “Junttan X Aarsleff.” Both had a shared vision of the future of driven piling. Junttan and Aarsleff saw an opportunity to write a new chapter in the playbook on sustainability. The companies combined their respective strengths and 119 years of combined expertise to improve sustainability without restrictions in performance or application. Junttan’s introduction of the world’s first electric pile driving rig will support Aarsleff’s mission to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that originate from fossil fuels. “The biggest challenge to finding alternatives to diesel-powered machines is the lack of large, powerful electric construction equipment, but machine manufacturers are working hard to solve this,” said Lars Dithmer, head of sustainability at Per Aarsleff A/S. “The future is beginning to look brighter for more environmentally friendly construction sites.” For more information, visit www.junttan.com.
Junttan designed the PMx2e to mimic the use, efficiency and power of its diesel-powered PMx22 as closely as possible.
ment, we are bringing a viable alternative to the diesel-powered deep foundation machine to the market. PMx2e will empower our clients by massively reducing their CO2 emissions and environmental footprint.”
The world’s first electric pile driving rig was commissioned in Sweden in late October 2021 by one of Europe’s premier contracting firms, Per Aarsleff, A/S and its Swedish subsidiary Aarsleff Ground Engineering AB.
