Volvo goes green

Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) has given punters a sneak peek into the future by unveiling its electric site research project and a concept electric load carrier at the Xploration Forum in Sweden late last year.

The HX1 autonomous, battery electric, load carrier concept is just one element of the research project which Volvo CE predicts will reduce up to 95 per cent of carbon emissions and deliver up to 25 per cent savings in total cost of ownership in the quarry industry.

The project revolves around "electrifying" a transport stage in a quarry, from excavation to primary crushing and transport to secondary crushing. It involves developing new machines, work method and site management systems to deliver the emissions reduction.

In addition to a fleet of HX1s, other prototype machines that make up the electric site system include a hybrid wheel loader and a grid-connected excavator.

"This research project is a step towards transforming the quarry and aggregates industry," says Volvo CE site automation technical specialist, Johan Sjöberg.

"By using electricity instead of diesel to power construction equipment in a quarry we have the potential to deliver significant reductions in fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, environmental impact and cost-per-tonne," he says.

"The electrification of construction equipment will produce cleaner, quieter and more efficient machines – this represents the future of our industry."

Volvo CE has teamed up with Swedish energy agency Skanska Sweden, as well as two Swedish Universities - Linköping University and Mälardalen University to collaborate on the SEK 203 million (about $A29 million) project.

Volvo CE is in charge of developing the machines and systems, while Skanska Sweden is providing logistical solutions, application relevance and job site knowledge.

Skanska Sweden, a government agency for national energy policy issues, is helping to fund the project and the universities are carrying out the research.

Three PhD students are looking at energy management for electric vehicles, safe and robust software controls and energy-optimised work cycle control.

The research project commenced in 2015 and is due for completion in late 2018. Volvo CE is currently developing and testing the technologies, concept and prototypes in-house. Skanska Sweden will incorporate the demonstration machines into its operations and test the electric site concept at a quarry in western Sweden for 10 weeks at the end of 2018.

Following this, Volvo CE will assess the viability of the project for the industry.

"This type of cooperation between Volvo CE, its customers, governments and academia allows us to invest in new technologies and explore solutions that are both relevant for our customer base and address future challenges," Volvo CE advanced engineering technical project leader, Erik Uhlin says.

"Each year, Volvo invests a substantial amount of money in emerging technologies, advanced engineering and product development.

"But without vital public funding and support from partners it would not be possible for research projects like this to go ahead."