A crane at the Webb Street Level Crossing Removal Project will be powered by sustainable ‘green’ fuel in the coming month, as part of a trial aimed at promoting low-carbon fuel options for construction machinery.
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a form of recycled cooking oil, will be used to power the crane for approximately 3 weeks as part of the trial. HVO is a sustainable fuel which can reduce life-cycle carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional mineral diesel.
The trial will collect and compare data from the crane while it lifts heavy equipment on site, first powered by traditional diesel fuel and then by HVO over several weeks.
Data from the trial will go towards understanding and promoting green alternatives to traditional diesel in the construction industry.
The project in Narre Warren also recently switched on retractable solar panels to power the project’s site offices, replacing traditional diesel generators.
Construction is powering ahead on the project to remove the Webb Street level crossing and build a new Narre Warren Station. All concrete beams for the new rail bridge are now in place, with work on the retaining walls, tracks and station buildings ongoing.
By 2025, the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines will be boom gate free and the Metro Tunnel will be open, creating capacity for an additional 121,000 commuters every week.
This innovation is part of the Level Crossing Removal Project’s goal of delivering sustainable infrastructure to support Victorian communities into the future, with the efficient use of materials and energy in construction works, use of sustainable alternatives where possible, and energy efficient designs that reduce climate impacts.
