The construction site of the future

Netherlands-based company Boskalis Nederland (Boskalis) is working on an emission-free job site with help from a Hitachi Construction Machinery ZE85 electric excavator. The machine was rented through the Hitachi Premium Rental scheme from the authorised dealer in The Netherlands (HCM Nederland), for a sustainable waterfront redevelopment project in Harderwijk.

Emission-free construction

The redevelopment project will transform 6km of coastline along the town, where 1,400 homes will be built, alongside workplaces, leisure facilities, a harbour and fishing port.

The ZE85 is being utilised during phase three of the project, which will include the development of 980 sustainable homes. It is completing utilities activities in the area, preparing for paving, and working on trenches and verges.

Operator Sander van de Burgwalis impressed with the electric excavator: “I can operate the ZE85 for a whole day depending on the activity, and it still delivers continuous power. I also like that it is incredibly quiet, so I can still consult with other parties who are on the job site while using it.”

A sustainable project

Sustainability is at the heart of the waterfront project, which Boskalis is working on in collaboration with the municipal and provincial authorities, and two other private contractors. Trees are being planted, new greenery is being introduced, and bicycle paths will be created.

Water will also be collected and retained in one of the many parks included in the public spaces, alongside the addition of playgrounds for children.

A construction site of the future

“Phase three of the waterfront project serves as a pilot for working on a ‘construction site of the future’,” says Joanne de Boer, Foreman for Boskalis Nederland. “We must think in a completely different way to what is customary on construction sites.

“Normally, the work planner or operator determines progress, now it is the machines [and their battery life] that determines production,” Joanne adds. “We work with an extensive energy dashboard to monitor the consumption of electrical equipment.”

Electric excavators are a recent addition to the Premium Rental scheme, which gives customers the opportunity to rent Hitachi construction machines direct from HCME via its dealer network. Offering high levels of reliability, quality and service, Premium Rental gives greater flexibility to meet the varying demands of their businesses.