9 minute read
SUSTAINABLE MACHINERY
CARBON REDUCTION GOALS
VOLVO CE OFFERS TAILORED SUPPORT FOR CUSTOMERS TO REACH CARBON REDUCTION GOALS
Taking advantage of the breadth of its existing solutions and services, Volvo CE has developed a step-by-step approach with the CO2 Reduction Program to help customers realize their own unique goals towards carbon neutrality. There is no one-sizefits-all solution and every customer’s business is different, which is why these tailored solutions offer a practical way to make significant improvements to how machines are used on site today and in the future.
Niklas Nillroth, Head of Sustainability and Public Affairs at Volvo CE, says: “THE SERVICES WE USE HAVE BEEN BUILT ON DECADES OF INNOVATION HERE AT VOLVO CE, BUT NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE BRINGING THEM TOGETHER IN ONE COHESIVE PROGRAM THAT CAN BE INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED TO BEST FIT OUR CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS.”
“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, and one of the most important actions we can take is to help reduce our customers’ emissions. It is vital to get everyone involved and make it easy to contribute as part of one’s daily work. Every step on the path to net zero counts.”
“The services we use have been built on decades of innovation here at Volvo CE, but now for the first time we are bringing them together in one cohesive program that can be individually tailored to best fit our customers’ needs.”
CO2 REDUCTION IN FOUR STEPS The CO2 Reduction Program is designed to be easily integrated into customer’s plans, while maintaining required levels of profitability and productivity, and is based on four simple steps:
Insights – Volvo CE starts by understanding where the customer currently is in terms of carbon emissions and establishing a baseline to compare against. Using telematics data from connected machines, Volvo CE determines the CO2 footprint for all machines on site – no matter the brand. Mapping this data then allows the customer to visualize the impact of carbon reduction changes over time.
Analyze – The experts at Volvo CE analyze the customer’s machine data and conduct a site study to understand how the material flow, fleet composition, and operator behavior affects the emissions on their site(s). Volvo CE then illustrates where improvements can be made and what actions need to be taken to reduce CO2 /ton. Using Volvo Site Simulation, the experts reveal to the customer the impact of these improvements to help motivate real change.
Improve – After identifying the specific actions required, Volvo CE helps the customer to implement them. This will vary from customer to customer, but Volvo CE is there to support with key services such as Eco Operator training and other efficiency services such as Efficient Load Out – or plan a smooth transition towards electric machines.
Sustain – At this stage the customer will already start seeing the rewards of their efforts, both economically and environmentally. However, the final step is for Volvo CE to support in sustaining these efforts, by continuously monitoring the CO2 level over time, to make sure that the improvements reduce emissions and customers do not slip back into old habits. Volvo CE will also look for new ways to reduce emissions even further in the future.
LEADING THE WAY. TOGETHER This customer program is one of many initiatives devised by Volvo CE towards the needed transformation within the construction industry. The company has set an industry-leading target to reach net zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 – with a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions across its own operations and a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions across product use as early as 2030.
In 2013, Volvo CE introduced the world’s first carbon neutral construction equipment production facility in Braås, Sweden – which recently built the world’s first vehicle made of fossil-free steel - and in addition currently offers the largest range of electric machines.
Volvo CE encourages customers to find out how they can elevate their efforts to reach net zero or take the first step on their sustainability journey today by contacting their local dealer or visiting the Volvo CO2 Reduction Program.
HERE’S HOW VÖGELE IS HELPING PAVE THE WAY THROUGH THEIR DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
DR. STEPHAN WELLER, HEAD OF SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AT JOSEPH VÖGELE AG, EXPLAINS HOW COMPANIES BENEFIT FROM DIGITAL SOLUTIONS SUCH AS WITOS PAVING PLUS, REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE AND NUMBER OF THEIR JOB SITES
Do road construction companies that use process optimization solutions work fundamentally better than those that plan and execute conventionally? The benefits of process optimization solutions such as WITOS Paving Plus are indeed great: Just-in-time delivery to the job site enables continuous paving without having to stop the paver. That improves paving quality, and of course the processes are much faster and more cost-efficient. Truck capacity can be optimised, and residues avoided, for example. In addition, construction companies can use the data and analyses for self-monitoring, and at the same time as proof of quality. But process optimization solutions alone are of course not the complete answer. They also demand a certain will to change: Companies must actively rethink their existing processes, identify potential for improvement, and target exactly those areas.
But it’s also a question of investment. Are process optimization solutions worthwhile for every company? Definitely. Our experience has shown that the cost and effort involved in procurement pays off after just a few days on-site. Construction companies - but also other players involved, such as mixing plants - then benefit quite quickly from the quality improvements, efficiency gains, and greater transparency.
And besides, process optimisation is often obligatory anyway: Many public tenders stipulate process documentation, or even
dynamic logistics and machine control. Digitalization has really taken off in road construction as in other fields. Companies getting on-board now still can introduce and adapt new processes at their own pace.
But contractors on medium-sized or smaller construction jobs, especially, are often unwilling to deploy process optimization solutions. Why is that? Some construction companies believe that introducing such solutions involves a lot of effort, or they don’t yet see a need for active process optimization at their existing sites. That’s why we offer our customers three solutions of varying scope: The RoadScan system monitors and documents the paving temperature over a wide area.
Companies also looking to record and analyze additional machine and process data can use our app-based system WITOS Paving Docu. This transfers the data online directly to the server. By comparison, the comprehensive WITOS Paving Plus solution allows all processes, from the mixing plant through to paving, to be planned, coordinated, and actively optimised in real time.
So WITOS Paving Plus is suitable for large job sites, and WITOS Paving Docu for smaller ones? No, not necessarily. It depends on what data is ultimately collected, and how actively the company wants to intervene in the construction process. Documenting alone might be enough, even on a large job site. On the other hand, a company running lots of small sites might want to be able to monitor operations in real time and take remedial action where necessary. So it’s not necessarily about size, more a question of approach and requirements. What data do we need to collect ourselves to improve our processes, for example? What are our client’s expectations? Those are the questions companies ask themselves before deciding on one solution or another.
What if companies have sites with differing requirements? Of course, companies adopting the large-scale WITOS Paving Plus solution don’t have to use all its features for every job site. They can just use the WITOS Paving Docu app if that’s all they need. Conversely, companies taking a slower approach to adopting software solutions by initially just using RoadScan or WITOS Paving Docu can easily upgrade to WITOS Paving Plus.
It’s quite straightforward, because - whether the company is using RoadScan, WITOS Paving Docu or WITOS Paving Plus - all the data is organized in one application and database. That means customers don’t need to transfer data when switching between the three solutions.
Going back to the question of planning: Road construction is regularly subject to short-notice changes. Isn’t a complex solution like WITOS Paving Plus too inflexible? No. Detailed planning is of course essential, especially for larger job sites. But if, for some reason, plans must be revised just before starting work on a job site, WITOS Paving Plus incorporates an ad-hoc planning feature.
It enables the site manager to plan the job fully on-site on the computer. The planning is not quite as detailed, but it does offer companies the option of using WITOS Paving Plus as a quick and easy ad-hoc solution. Among other benefits, this allows the mixing plant to be integrated into the planning of short-notice jobs.
How does Vögele support its customers in introducing and implementing the system? Some companies may already be using a range of digital solutions, while for others software-based process optimization is completely new. So, we offer the right training to everyone involved in the construction process. In addition, we usually provide our customers with assistance when they are first using WITOS Paving.
That is the most effective approach, because many issues only arise during the actual construction process. Of course, WITOS Paving is no substitute for the experience and expertise of the paving team. Our aim is rather to provide users with information that they can apply to make fact-based decisions. Ultimately, our solutions help good paving teams to become even better.
LEMINAR
Leminar Air Conditioning Company, the largest HVAC and plumbing products distribution company in the Middle East, signed a distribution agreement with AEG Power Solutions, a global provider of power supply systems and solutions for critical applications. The agreement marks Leminar’s foray into the power generation industry while enhancing its data centre services through the addition of another esteemed partner to its diverse portfolio. AEG Power Solutions ensures the continuous power availability and the safe operation of critical applications through a wide portfolio of power supply systems and services. Renowned for its distinctive expertise and world-class engineering, the company designs and delivers solutions for secure power supply through offerings such as AC and DC UPS, battery chargers, rectifier systems, and customised UPS systems as well as solutions for the energy transition like battery energy storage and hydrogen production processes. Commenting about the partnership, Frédéric Salon, Vice President Sales, AEG Power Solutions said, “AEG Power Solutions’ partnership with Leminar Air Conditioning Company will enable it to ensure the continuous availability of power and the safe operation of critical applications in the global market. The alliance will fortify our presence in the Middle East, enabling us to further expand our market reach through Leminar’s extensive network and distribution channels.”
Kartik Raval, General Manager, Leminar Air Conditioning Company said, “Leminar’s partnership with AEG Power Solutions will allow it to offer innovative solutions spanning the oil & gas operation, power generation, transportation, data and IT sectors. The agreement will enhance Leminar’s ability to meet the growing requirements of the HVAC industry, specifically regarding the provision of data centre solutions, while expanding AEG Power Solutions’ market reach for their commercial UPS systems through Leminar’s extensive distribution channels.”
