Eiffage Civil Infrastructure Project Powered by Battery Energy Storage System and Solar
Eiffage Génie Civil, a major contractor in France and abroad, turns to a Battery Energy Storage System and solar set up to provide zero-emission power to a civil infrastructure project.
Challenge
A wastewater infrastructure rehabilitation site in France, managed by Eiffage Génie Civil as the primary contractor, is awaiting connection to the main power grid and requires a temporary power solution. The end user requires a zero-emission solution, which also aligns with Eiffage’s sustainability goals.
Setup:
- POWRBANK PRO BESS 45kVA/60kWh/400V
- Genset: 20kVA powered by HVO biofuel (60-80% CO2 reduction compared to diesel)
- Solar Kit: 5.6kW solar PV
The setup includes a POWR2 POWRBANK Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) paired with solar power. A backup generator is included strictly for emergency use, ensuring minimal emissions during normal operations. It runs once per week as a check.
This configuration was selected to:
- Achieve near-zero emissions on site
- Offset their carbon footprint
- Assist the end user and Eiffage in reaching sustainability goals
- Reduce diesel dependency and cost
The Battery Energy Storage System and solar setup is responsible for powering the entire 12-person jobsite, which includes six modular units. Among these are two sanitary modules with a heated changing room, ensuring comfort and essential facilities for the crew. All site operations, including lighting and heating, are powered directly from the solar-charged POWRBANK BESS, with no reliance on the generator under normal conditions.
Intelligent Control with POWR2 ADVANTAGE
At the heart of the POWRBANK BESS is its most critical feature: POWR2’s ADVANTAGE Energy Management System, a powerful remote control and automation tool. ADVANTAGE allows full remote visibility and control of the power system, giving site managers the ability to monitor performance, optimize energy use, and respond in real time without needing to be physically present. For Eiffage, one of its key functions is the programmable timer, which intelligently manages load distribution, battery usage, and generator activation.
The system is configured so that the generator runs automatically for a short period each Wednesday, solely to confirm operational readiness, eliminating unnecessary runtime and emissions. With ADVANTAGE, Eiffage ensures the system runs efficiently, predictably, and with maximum sustainability, making it an indispensable part of the hybrid power solution.
Results: Battery Energy Storage and Solar for Infrastructure Projects
Performance Highlights (30-day period):
- 428 kWh of clean solar energy generated
- 100% of jobsite energy supplied by a solar-charged POWR2 POWRBANK
- Significant reductions in noise, fuel consumption, emissions, and generator maintenance
- Supports sustainability goals of end user and Eiffage
The implementation of the hybrid Battery Energy Storage System and solar system has delivered strong results. Over the course of one month, the backup generator ran for only 3 hours, solely for routine checks to ensure operational readiness. All energy needed to power the jobsite, including the six modular units and welfare facilities, was supplied by the Battery Energy Storage System and solar panels.
During that period, the solar array generated 428 kWh of clean energy, effectively meeting the site’s entire power demand. Most significantly, this setup resulted in a near-zero emissions operation, aligning with the end user’s and Eiffage’s sustainability goals and demonstrating the practical viability of low-carbon temporary power solutions, even in regions like Northern France where solar irradiance is relatively low.
“The biggest impact we’ve seen is the dramatic reduction in noise, generator running time, and fuel consumption. We’re now looking to use POWRBANKs on all jobsites not connected to the grid.” – Benoit Garnier, Equipment Director, DOP Water and Waste Treatment at Eiffage Génie Civil