We are using technology initially developed for Formula One, to reduce carbon emissions from our construction sites and save on fuel costs.
We were one of only two construction companies to trial the PUNCH Flybrid flywheel energy storage system and an early adopter in getting it to site.
The PUNCH Power 200 unit enables us to significantly downsize generators powering tower cranes and other dynamically used equipment on site.
B+K was the first end user to have two of the systems on one project – an £82m scheme for Manchester Metropolitan University. We have two Wolff tower cranes on this site and a 300 kVA generator is specified for each crane, but we only require 150 kVA generators with a Punch Power 200 attached to each.
This means that over the 45-week crane hire period we are saving:
- 318,330 kg of carbon
- 60,750 litres of diesel per crane
- 121,500 litres of total fuel
We now have 10 Punch Flybrid units on sites in Manchester, Coventry and London.
B+K Group Crane Manager, Dave Shooter, said: “This is a robust, reliable piece of equipment. We did run trials with generator specialists Stuart Energy along with Select Plant Hire before installing on site.
“Along with the obvious environmental benefits, the higher the cost of diesel the more we save. I would have a unit on every site if they were available.”
Tobias Knichel, PUNCH Power Managing Director, said: “It requires innovative thought leaders like Bowmer + Kirkland to get new technologies like our kit into real world applications.
“Following the successful trials, Bowmer + Kirkland committed to the PUNCH Power 200 solution and is now the UK’s leading user of PUNCH Power 200 fuel & emission saving products.
“As a result, B+K is saving the environment and society significant amounts of fuel and preventing a large amount of emissions entering our atmosphere.
“PUNCH Flybrid could not have delivered as many fuel saving products as quickly without the support, trust and innovative action of Bowmer + Kirkland.”