By Tanya Anand, Heavy Equipment Guide
Originally Published in Heavy Equipment Guide

As mining and construction operations face increased pressure to meet net-zero targets, many turn to their equipment dealers for solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) on their job sites. From real-time analytics to electric machines, the range of carbon-reducing options can be daunting. Dealers have a critical role to play in helping customers navigate the complexity and build short- and long-term decarbonization programs. And as the industry evolves, the role is set to expand. But are dealers ready for both the opportunity and the challenge?
  “In order to do that well, we need to understand which solutions are mature in the market and what’s on the horizon, then create a path for customers to transition.”

For a mid-sized construction operation, machine control that increases efficiency might be a short-term opportunity. For a mining company, multi-year partnership programs like trolley assist may be more appropriate. Selecting the right solution depends on a customer’s emission-reduction goals and timeline.

“Most decarbonization solutions are highly dependent on the operating environment,” adds Brown. “Once we understand a customer’s unique goals, we layer in considerations like location, operating environment, energy availability, and budget.”

Across the construction sector, a plethora of digital solutions drive equipment efficiency. Telematics provide important data on machine utilization so customers can hone their operations. Machine control increases productivity for dozers, excavators and graders; by providing precise instructions on where and how each machine should operate, fewer machines are needed to complete the same work.

In the mining industry, a range of advanced technologies optimize fleet management, ensuring the right material is moved to the right location at the right time, avoiding added emissions caused by material rehandling. Others improve payload management, provide analytics on equipment health and improve overall productivity. Autonomous haulage systems offer precise GPS routing and consistent machine operation, among many other benefits; with this added efficiency comes significant emission reductions.

"These are all important technologies that will help,” says Brown. “Many have even become best practice. However, when it comes to meeting ambitious GHG reduction targets like the ones we’re seeing in the mining sector, they alone will not get companies to 2030 GHG targets or the goal of net zero by 2050.”

“We need bigger movers to drive the reductions. That’s where we look to the step-change, zero-carbon solutions on the horizon.”

“Consider the analogy of a passenger vehicle,” adds Brown. “The addition of a catalytic converter to an internal combustion engine significantly reduced emissions. The electric vehicle eliminated them altogether.”

One approach being explored by industry is to transition from diesel-powered engines to those that run on sustainable fuel sources like renewable diesel or biodiesel. Work is in progress with OEMs and engine manufacturers to certify engine capabilities and performance for renewable fuels. Newer Komatsu equipment is already certified to operate on these alternatives.

“The current GHG benefits of renewable fuel solutions are largely due to credits and offsets connected to sustainable energy,” notes Brown. “Widespread adoption will be dependent on commercial-scale production of these fuels, which is still evolving. Even with significant investment in Canadian production facilities for renewable fuels, the expected capacity will not be enough to meet demand.”

Hydrogen, similarly, could replace diesel as a viable fuel source, whether in a direct combustion engine or in hydrogen fuel cells. Supply and safe storage are top considerations as prototypes are being developed around the globe for both mining and construction.