Fossil-Free Construction Site

Fossil-Free Construction Site – Stricter Requirements

The future is a fossil-free construction site! Traditional construction sites used machinery and heating solutions that relied on fossil energy sources. With tighter environmental standards for the benefit of both people and nature, there also came requirements for climate-friendly measures within the construction and civil engineering industries.

Construction sites in Norway extensively used fossil energy sources for heating until the ban on fossil heating oil from January 1, 2022. Construction and civil engineering activities account for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions at the national level, which must be reduced through the use of climate-friendly alternatives.

Firstly, the government has implemented a ban on construction heating powered by diesel, and gradually all construction sites must become completely emission-free. But what is the difference between a fossil-free construction site and an emission-free construction site, and what alternatives are there to fossil energy sources?

Biofuels (bio-oil and biogas) and wood pellets are renewable energy sources that can be efficiently used with today’s technology. Moreover, propane can continue to be used for heating until the requirement for emission-freedom takes effect, in most major cities from 2025.

Fossil-Free Technology

A fossil-free construction site must use machinery that does not emit greenhouse gases, but can use sustainable bioenergy and biofuels. Heating solutions can also utilize electricity and biofuels, as well as wood pellets, district heating, geothermal energy, and heat pumps, or hydrogen – which is not yet commercially available.

The availability of this technology varies, but regardless of where in Norway one is located, it is possible to meet the requirements for a fossil-free construction site. If one needs to use completely emission-free energy sources, one must currently turn to electricity, district heating, and similar options. But the specifications are numerous and the requirements are strict – therefore, it is wise to seek help from experts.

Emission-Free or Fossil-Free?

The construction site of the future must be emission-free, and over time, statutory requirements for the use of emission-free energy sources in construction and civil engineering activities will be implemented. This requires access to equipment and machinery capable of performing the work efficiently, and although there are many alternatives, it is wise to evaluate the different solutions to find the best one for each project.

Fossil-Free Construction Site – Environmentally Friendly Construction Heating

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right solution for fossil-free construction heating. One must understand the need, the area, and the layout, how much electricity is available, and consider the indoor temperature and the desired temperature. Proper sizing is crucial for efficiency, both economically and environmentally.
In this article, we have gathered what one should consider when switching to fossil-free construction heating.

An example of water-borne heating for a fossil-free construction site is a mobile heating unit with bio-oil, which is connected to temporary convectors, blowers, and pipes. With a central unit, one can ensure efficient operation, eliminating the need to move equipment around as the project progresses.

Fossil-Free Construction Site – Biogas

Traditional boilers have largely been converted to use bio-oil. This is positive for the environmental account, but it has also led to a surge in the price of bio-oil. Here, biogas comes in as an alternative – with a lower raw material price than bio-oil, increased availability in Norway, and easy conversion on LPG equipment.

Biogas is formed from organic material that decomposes without oxygen. In Norway, there are several production facilities, and the market is constantly evolving with new resources being used for production.

Today, many players in the country have begun using biogas, often for heavy transport or public transit. But the construction and civil engineering industries have also started to see the possibilities – especially where there is no access to electricity at the start of a project. Additionally, there are increased taxes on greenhouse gas emissions, while biogas is tax-free.

Especially larger construction sites, which seek heating for a fossil-free construction site, can greatly benefit from biogas. With the help of mobile heating plants using biogas, quick access to heating can be achieved at an advantageous price.

Today's solutions are developed with efficiency in mind, where one gets environmentally friendly equipment that also streamlines and simplifies the construction process. Using fossil-free energy sources on the construction site contributes to driving development in the right direction – towards an environmentally friendly and forward-looking industry.