Clean Construction Machinery II

The Interreg ØKS project Cleancon (2019-2022) has been a driving force for increased use of emission-free work machines in the construction and civil engineering sector as well as in municipal operations. Through a unique approach to dialogue across the entire chain of actors, the project has succeeded in creating the bridge between manufacturers and customers, which is required for a powerful continuation. The transition is very fast and it is a necessity. In our neighbourhood and the world around us, critical events are experienced. That an established partnership, reinforced with additional relevant actors who can quickly act, use and disseminate methods from a previous project, creates momentum. In Cleancon II, we want to work together in a consortium with a high level of confidence and great ambition. This power and will is based on the result of the competence shift Cleancon accomplished in three Nordic countries. A crucial challenge is the infrastructure for emission-free work machines. Construction projects are often carried out in places with limited access to electricity networks and road networks for fuel supplies. In Cleancon II, with the experience and working methods of recent years, we take on this task. With an increasing share of intermittent electricity generation from solar and wind, imbalances between supply and demand are being created. Against this background, combined with the current external situation, we can expect ever greater challenges with energy supply in the future. By storing energy in hydrogen as fuel for work machines and vehicles, it also provides a buffer to times of electricity and power shortages. Charging and hydrogen infrastructure as well as electrified work machines can then have an additional role as resilience in society’s transition to renewable energy. A shift from fossil combustion to electric machines increases energy efficiency, which can help to reduce overall energy consumption. The project contributes to the process in which the conversion of all energy used by working machines in construction and municipal operations from fossil to renewable energy will take place. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of machinery and equipment. In addition, we will analyse and work for durability throughout the machine’s life cycle — in all phases of the machine; production, use and recycling. Systematic cooperation between real stakeholders accelerates the conditions for increased use of renewable energy. The project aims to deliver methods and success factors to enable and simplify the energy supply for emission-free sites. Cleancon II will continue to mobilise the power of the market’s clients for technology development and further develop the toolbox for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the procurement requirements for emission-free machinery and contracts. New tools are being developed and we continue with dialogue and networking. Furthermore, Cleancon II will continue to drive technology development through challenging demo projects of various kinds. This gives effect to every demo but also provides knowledge and experience to everyone in the partnership. Cleancon II has a positive impact on the economic sustainability of the ØKS region. The project contributes to machine and infrastructure manufacturers and contractors being able to deliver according to the strict requirements set by the customers and the regulations. In this way, they can increase their business opportunities and move their position to deliver products and services to other countries when they come behind with the same requirements. This can help to secure and strengthen employment in the ØCS region. Cleancon II is expected during the project period, due to the project’s concern, to attract associated partners and thus increase its visibility and impact on more, within each country and also cross-border.