Powering a Temporary Site Office with Efficiency and Sustainability
Client: General Contractor
Location: Houston, TX
Sectors: Construction
The Challenge
Balancing community concerns with operational efficiency
A Houston construction site located in the middle of a residential area required a reliable and efficient energy solution for its temporary site office for seven months. The general contractor (GC) had initial concerns: noise reduction was crucial to avoid disturbing the nearby residents, and minimizing operational costs was a top priority.
Traditionally, a standard generator could have been used for a project of this scope, but that would mean around-the-clock fuel consumption. Additionally, if the GC decided to cut the generator off after working hours, the temporary site office would face daily limitations such as a lack of food storage and consistent air-conditioning.
The client needed a solution to address noise concerns, reduce fuel consumption, and ultimately lower operational costs.
Key Facts
The Solution
Implementing a hybrid power solution for optimal performance and cost savings
Aggreko provided a tailored energy application that combined a 60 kW Tier 4 Final generator with a 60 kVA Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This hybrid setup was expertly developed for the GC to meet their specific power needs while also addressing noise, emissions, and cost-efficiency challenges.
The installation was executed precisely, taking less than a day to complete. The system was up and running as planned, with no emergency disruptions. The BESS was critical in reducing the generator’s runtime by being the primary energy source for much of the project’s time. The Tier 4 Final generator only needed to shut on to power up the BESS, significantly reducing fuel usage, fuel drops, and costs overall.
The Impact
Delivering environmental impact, cost savings and community peace
Aggreko’s solution delivered substantial benefits to the client:
- Noise reduction: Reducing the generator’s runtime allowed the GC to manage the noise impact on the surrounding residential area, maintaining the local community’s peaceful environment.
- Cost savings: By lowering fuel usage by 79%, the GC saved an average of $16,100 per month. A reduction in fuel usage also correlates with a reduction in fuel drop charges.
- Environmental benefits: Aggreko’s engineered, hybrid solution reduced CO2 emissions by 77%, contributing to a greener construction process and aiding the GC’s sustainability measures.
- Operational efficiency: The ability to keep energy consistently available allowed the temporary site office to function without disruptions, including the ability to store food, which improved the day-to-day operations on-site.