Page 20 - Energize January 2021

NEWS

Connected solutions for construction equipment

he worksite of the future will see site managers using digital
technologies as integrated components to drive business
Tresults, with the Internet­of­Things and machine learning
becoming more than just buzzwords, according to Cummins.
Connectivity, combined with intelligent site planning and the right
equipment, can improve productivity while reducing costs and
improving safety. However, adoption of the latest technologies has
been slower than expected. What are the potential challenges that site
managers and industry leaders need to consider when designing their added to construction equipment, machines are in fact collecting data
own infrastructure? and learning the way sites work. These anonymous insights apply
As the world transforms into a truly digital economy, strong and machine learning to help manufacturers design more and more
reliable connectivity will be paramount for site managers to benefit advanced technologies. However, herein lies the heart of the
from the many opportunities available to them. The good news is that challenge. Let us consider a simple example where a construction site
with Wi­Fi and cellular and satellite offerings, there is no shortage of has twelve pieces of equipment from three OEM brands.
options when it comes to selecting internet sources or telematics Each brand could have its own telematics solution installed and
providers, whether it is flying drones, remote diagnostics, virtual ready, meaning that the site manager may need to monitor the mixed
service events, autonomous operators or smart charging for electric fleet through three different web portals. This could negate a notable
equipment. Once connectivity is prioritised as a requirement of the number of the expected efficiency gains. For machines without
worksite, a new way of working becomes possible. factory­installed telematics solutions, external service providers can
For example, imagine the productivity you could achieve if visit sites and add aftermarket hardware to upgrade equipment. This
equipment never failed while on a job because its engines were being solution must, of course, pay for itself in the long run.
monitored remotely through cloud computing systems that can detect And then these new sets of technology require new skills. This
issues early and send software updates (similar to a smartphone) to fix could mean upskilling current labour or hiring new talent. Data
problems. Or automatically trigger replacement­part orders online so management will be one of the key skills, as without it the quantity of
preventative maintenance takes place with minimal steps or time lag. information could prove overwhelming.
Alternatively, what if you knew exactly how much work you could While challenges do exist, Cummins is building open and agnostic
get done with an electric machine before its battery needed charging? technology solutions that are connectable with a range of telematics
Then you could plan your charges during downtime to not only save service providers and customer­specific systems. As its powertrains
on utility costs, but also ensure availability during regular work shifts. are found in a wide variety of construction equipment, it is developing
Similarly, how much risk could you mitigate if you utilised a suite of Connected Solutions™ to help support customers over the
autonomous operators who directed equipment from computer life of their equipment. n
rooms instead of working on­site? The common thread for these
examples is connectivity. Contact Tanya Cairns, Cummins, Tel 060 581-8729,
With advanced hardware and sensors now being increasingly tanya.cairns@cummins.com

World's largest utility-

scale battery energy

storage system online

istra Energy has announced that its Moss Landing Energy
Storage Facility is connected to the power grid and began
Voperating on 11 December 2020. At 300 MW and 1200 MWh, fields, Phase 1 of the battery system can power approximately 225
this Li­ion battery storage system will be the largest of its kind in the 000 homes during peak electricity pricing periods. The system is
world. Furthermore, construction is already underway on Phase 2 of made up of more than 4500 stacked battery racks or cabinets, each
the project which will add 100 MW and 400 MWh to the facility by containing 22 individual battery modules, which capture excess
August 2021, bringing its total capacity to 400 MW and 1600 MWh. electricity from the grid, largely during high solar­output hours, and
Curt Morgan, Vistra’s chief executive officer, says a battery system release the power when energy demand is at its highest and solar
of this size and scale has never been built before. The project revitalises electricity is declining, usually early morning and late afternoon.
an existing power plant site and uses active transmission lines, Phases 1 and 2 of the energy storage facility are backed up by
enhances grid stability, fills the reliability gap created by intermittent long­term resource adequacy contracts with Pacific Gas and Electric
renewables, and provides emission­free electricity, Morgan says. Company (PG&E), Vistra says. n
Housed inside the power plant’s completely refurbished former
turbine building, and spanning the length of nearly three football Contact Vistra Energy, media.relations@vistracorp.com

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