In Rotterdam-Noord, construction is underway on a new section of the A16 motorway with a 100% CO₂-neutral tunnel. This new highway is 11 kilometers long and is located between the A16/A20 at the Terbregseplein and the A13 at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. This project emphasizes sustainability and innovation. For example, the tunnel is equipped with smart and energy-neutral solutions such as solar panels, LED lighting and residual heat that is stored in the ground. The project will be completed by the end of 2025.
The design, construction and pre-financing of this project is in the hands of ‘De Groene Boog’. This is a collaboration of Dura Vermeer, Van Oord Marine ingenuity, John Laing, Rebel, TBI and BESIX.
BESIX is a multidisciplinary company with a leading position in the field of construction, property development, and public works. Part of this is BESIX Contracting, which specifically focuses on the realization of infrastructure, particularly complex projects. The construction of the new A16 with tunnel perfectly matches the expertise of BESIX Contracting in every respect.
In addition, this project offers BESIX the opportunity to participate in reducing CO2 emissions on the construction site. After a short successful test period, an investment was made in the purchase of an electric Sennebogen 653E crawler crane. This completely emission-free crane is the first electric crane that was converted from standard powered to an emission-free version by Van den Heuvel. With the electric Sennebogen 653, BESIX has made a perfect start to the gradual electrification of their machine park.
At the construction site in Rotterdam, the electric Sennebogen crane is used to place panels for the formwork for the concrete structure. The formwork panels have different dimensions; currently, panels of 6×4 m are being used.
The operator is Rick Roza, he has been working with the electric crane for a number of months. Rick explains his experience working with the crane:
- What is your overall impression of the electric crane?
“Good, I’ve always been crazy about machines and the noise that goes with them. In the beginning, I was very skeptical and had my reservations. I wondered how it would go in practice, how long I could work with the crane and whether everything worked well technically. After all, electrification in cranes is still in its infancy. Before I was a crane operator, I worked as a car mechanic for 8 years and experienced electric cars coming onto the market. These had many faults in the beginning. But I feel completely different about that now.”
- Did the crane immediately meet your expectations?
“I had few expectations and was pleasantly surprised. I had worked with the electric crane for a while and it was temporarily replaced by the diesel version. (note: The electric crane was out of action for a while because it was exhibited at the Bauma). I noticed that the electric version runs smoother than the diesel version. Much quieter, no vibrations or engine noise, you can now just talk to someone standing next to the crane.”
- What positive features do you experience?
“Working with the crane is very smooth and fluid.”
- How long can you work with the crane?
“That depends on what you do with it. If you don’t rev it up too much, which isn’t necessary with this machine, you can easily work with it for 1 to 2 days. Even with these low temperatures, the battery charges perfectly. In the beginning, it took some time to adjust the current. It can charge up to 32 amps, but we have set this to half, at 16-20 amps. Otherwise, it draws too much power and the fuses blow. The power supply is simply not that reliable on a construction site. If you didn’t have to take this into account, the battery could be charged in half the time. Now, after a night of charging, the battery is always more than full.”
- What differences have you experienced compared to the diesel version?
“Quieter, smoother, all the power immediately, you hardly have to rev it up, everything goes much more smoothly.”
- Would you recommend the electric crane to others?
“Definitely, what is also the case is that we work a lot with foreign colleagues. It is already difficult to communicate, especially if the crane makes a lot of noise. But now that is also much better.”
- What is your overall impression of Van den Heuvel?
“Very good. We communicated closely with each other, especially in the beginning, and kept each other informed about how the crane was doing. In the beginning, there were a few minor issues, such as the heater no longer working when the engine was off. That was due to a bug in the software, which you only find out in practice. This has been adjusted and was quickly resolved. Everything was arranged immediately if there was anything and I was also kept informed. It has been really great, the contact with your company. I could always call and it was picked up immediately.”
Would you like more information about Sennebogen cranes? Then look here or download the documentation of the Sennebogen 653 electric version.
