HS2 LPG generator trials, in which liquefied petroleum gas is used as a replacement for diesel, have shown massive reductions in emissions
HS2 LPG generator trials have celebrated a successful reduction in emissions and improvement in air quality after replacing diesel with liquefied petroleum gas.
Trials are being led by HS2’s contractor Mace Dragados at a site in Euston and have already exceeded their targets.
The HS2 LPG generator trials tested a standalone Clean Air Gas Engine (CAGE)
Following the successful trial of the new Clean Air Gas Engine (CAGE) integrated into a solar-battery hybrid power system in an Advante welfare unit on an HS2 construction site from December 2020, HS2 is now trialling an OakTec standalone CAGE generator.
The generator unit uses the latest vehicle Euro 6 engine platform with emission reduction technologies, including intelligent control of the engine’s operation and exhaust after treatment systems.
The research and development of the CAGE engine were funded by Innovate UK through the SBRI initiative.
Current diesel generators used in the UK fleet have few or no measures to reduce emissions
The CAGE trial aimed to surpass the Stage V emission standards for Non-Road Mobile Machinery (Stage V is the cleanest available diesel technology).
Much of the UK fleet of diesel generators still use older EU Stage IIIA engines and therefore have minimal, or no exhaust gas after-treatment technology to reduce harmful emissions.
During the trial at the Euston site, the average emissions from the three load points across the 6 test cycles for the 24kW rated engine were calculated and compared against three different emission standards in the corresponding rated power band – EU Stage IIIA for constant speed diesel engines (category “J”); EU Stage V for constant speed diesel engines (category “NRE-v/c-3”); EU Stage V for non-hand-held spark ignition engines (category “NRS-v-2b”).
The emission test results show that the CAGE-generator operating on LPG achieved the EU Stage V NRE and EU Stage V NRS emissions standards for all pollutants across all test loads.
A 95% reduction harmful particulate exhaust emissions will further HS2’s net zero ambitions
Emission testing of the HS2 LPG generator unit undertaken by Imperial College London, showed significant reduction in harmful pollutants, up to 95% reduction in NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and particulate exhaust emissions, when compared to the output of a conventional diesel-fuelled welfare unit power system.
Daniel Marsh, programme manager, Centre for Low Emission Construction, Imperial College said:
“Finding new and innovative solutions that can deliver real benefits for construction sites today, as well as in the future, is essential as the industry takes increasing steps to decarbonise.
“The CAGE generator, developed by OakTec, is a perfect example of the low emission technology required to help the sector meet stringent Net Zero targets. This trial demonstrated it to be significantly cleaner than the EU Stage V diesel engines it will displace, helping to reduce emissions, worker exposure and damage to the environment.”
Andrea Davidson, HS2’s air quality manager said:
“We aim to make the HS2 project net zero carbon from 2035, with the target of having all our construction sites diesel-free by 2029. To achieve these ambitions, HS2 is working closely with UK manufacturers and researchers to trial new technologies, to help encourage the construction sector to move away from diesel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The successful results of the CAGE trials are key milestones in achieving this, and we’re looking forward to seeing products like this rolled out across our sites in the future.”
