Reducing NRMM Emissions on Construction Sites: Market Sounding Questionnaire

TfL is seeking to reduce construction site emissions, specifically in relation to the use of Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) and explore feasibility of solutions which reduce associated on-site emissions.

NRMM, particularly from the construction sector, is a significant contributor to London's air pollution, in April 2023 1,365 NRMMs were actively operating in London, of which 1163 were compliant with the NRMM Low Emission Zone (LEZ) . The NRMM LEZ uses the Mayor and London Borough's planning powers to control emissions from NRMM used on construction sites.

The NRMM LEZ requires all engines with a power rating between 37 kW and 560 kW to meet an emission standard based on the engine emission "stage". Stages describe the standards that need to be met depending on where the site is. The current NRMM LEZ requirements are:

o Stage IV for construction machinery operating in the Central Activities Zone and Opportunity Areas (including Canary Wharf) and stage IIIB in the rest of London.

o Stages IIIB and IV have not been defined for machines with constant speed engines, such as generators. This means that these machines will need to meet stage V.

o Stage IV has also not been directly defined for variable speed engines smaller than 56 kW. In most cases these engines will need to meet stage V if they are in the Central Activities Zone and Opportunity Areas (OAs).

NRMM LEZ requirements are set to become more stringent;

o From 1 January 2025 the standards will be stage IV throughout London

o From 1 January 2030 the standards will be stage V throughout London

Significant progress has been made in the move to reduce emissions from NRMMs on construction sites, by using new and existing technologies, such as batteries on site to provide energy. However, at present, many NRMMs on construction sites around London still face challenges in the transition to zero emission technology.

Challenges in using emission free NRMM include:

• Power loading Requirements - Construction sites often have fluctuating power demands based on the machinery and equipment in use. Emission-free NRMM may face challenges in meeting the power loading requirements, especially during peak usage times.
• Battery Recharging- Establishing charging infrastructure on construction sites poses a significant challenge. Power connections can be expensive and subject to long lead times and delays. Site layouts also changes continuously during the construction so locating charging stations may not be practical. As a result, recharging batteries can be logistically complex. The time required for recharging batteries can also lead to downtime for construction equipment which may impact efficiency.
• Battery Reliability and Confidence - The reliability of batteries is a critical factor in the successful deployment of emission-free NRMM. Construction sites demand robust and durable power sources that can withstand the often harsh and demanding conditions of construction environments. Building trust in the reliability of emission-free NRMM involves addressing concerns related to reliability. Construction companies may be cautious about adopting new technologies due to concerns about reliability and the potential impact of technology failures on construction processes.
• Hydrogen Storage -Storing hydrogen safely is essential when used on construction sites and Hydrogen is highly flammable and this can add an additional layer of Health and Safety complexity to the deployment of hydrogen-powered NRMM especially adjacent to TFL's Infrastructure'.
• Tower Crane Power Requirements - Tower cranes are essential on construction site and ensuring that emission-free power sources can meet the power demands of these cranes is crucial. This includes considerations for heavy lifting, especially in compliance with Stage V emissions standards. Meeting the stringent Stage V emissions standards while maintaining the necessary power output for tower cranes requires advanced technology. Developing NRMM that aligns with these standards without compromising performance is still a significant challenge.

Based on the challenges identified above and our experience to date, TfL would be seeking to trial solutions which can address the following problem statement:

How might we reduce emissions associated with the use of NRMM within TfL's construction portfolio?

TfL are seeking solutions which allow for the transition to diesel-free, zero emission plant in the near future.

TfL would also be interested in the better use of existing machinery through efficiencies which would reduce emissions.