The world doesn’t need more words, it needs action, and Volvo CE and CJD Equipment are leading the way.
From services that help customers learn more from their operations to innovations that transform the way people work and electric machines that drive the industry forward, change starts with Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) and CJD Equipment.
The journey towards a more sustainable mining industry is well underway. Now, more than ever, establishing long-term partnerships with companies that are passionate about innovation and share your business’ sustainability targets is crucial.
In 2020, Volvo Group announced its commitment to achieve net-zero value-chain emissions by 2050 as part of its science-based targets. With a goal set for 10 years earlier than the SBTi commitment, Volvo CE is actively pursuing a net-zero target by 2040.
As most Volvo products have an average customer use phase of 10 years, having true net-zero emissions by 2050 means it is necessary that all products delivered after 2040 are carbon-neutral.
CJD Equipment, the Volvo CE national distributor in Australia, is excited to partner with Volvo and its journey towards a net-zero future.
“In the last 12 months, Volvo has taken huge strides in electromobility, alternative fuels, and fossil-free steel, and we are having discussions with customers around the journey CJD Equipment and Volvo are on in this space,” CJD Equipment executive general manager sales and marketing Grayden Leaver said.
Connected technologies
Reliable telematics systems and connected services are extremely powerful tools that can drive actionable changes for improvements in safety, uptime and fuel efficiency, and are already available with the Volvo Co-Pilot interactive display on Volvo machinery.
Harnessing the full power of machine data and site analysis through connected technologies is one of the first steps towards a more sustainable mine site. Volvo Co-Pilot offers real-time insights into the work being performed to ensure the highest standard of efficiency and accuracy in any application.
A suite of applications designed and developed exclusively by Volvo CE to unlock full machine and operator performance potential, Volvo Assist includes Dig Assist for excavators, Load Assist for wheel loaders, and Haul Assist for articulated dump trucks.
First released in 2016, Co-Pilot functionalities are evolving with a focus on providing operators and site managers the tools and information they need to create a sustainable, highly productive, and profitable operation.
One advancement, Volvo CareTrack system, is now fitted as standard on general purpose equipment and provides access to a wide range of machine monitoring and tracking information for greater insights into machine utilisation.
“CareTrack gives real-time data on machine utilisation, fuel consumption, even excessive idling. It is a truly valuable resource to drive machine efficiency,” Leaver said.
Other digital services, like the new Efficient Load Out function, are making it possible for trucks and excavators to communicate more effectively on the job site. This ensures trucks only depart for their destination once a goal weight has been reached, reducing the number of trips and the associated emissions.
Such incremental improvements can deliver energy efficiencies across all types of sites and machines, whether electric or not. These proven technologies can be implemented immediately and are a major step in the journey towards a carbon-neutral future.
Innovative equipment
Hybrid technology has been around for decades in the automotive industry, and it is now becoming more accessible within the construction and mining industries. Volvo’s unique hydraulic-hybrid technology is available on the EC300E 30-tonne hybrid excavator, with a plan in place to expand to future excavator models in the coming years.
An uncomplicated system that requires minimal add-on components, Volvo’s hybrid technology is controlled automatically, offering a more sustainable option without the need for additional operator training.
Harnessing the energy generated by the excavator boom-down motions and capturing it hydraulically means this energy can then be used to assist the boom-up motion where the most pressure and power is needed during operation.
According to Volvo CE, when utilised in high-production dig and dump applications, the EC300E excavator delivers up to 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption during normal operations, with up to 12 per cent decrease in CO2 emissions when compared to a conventional diesel machine, without any loss of power or performance.
In addition to hybrid technology, Volvo’s latest machinery is supplied with Stage-V engines as standard to comply with European Union emission regulations. These efficient engines are a more environmentally conscious solution with numerous benefits for mine sites, from reduced emissions to a lower total cost of ownership, increased reliability, and reduced maintenance.
Fossil-free steel
Built in Volvo CE’s facility in Sweden, the world’s first vehicle made of fossil-free steel was unveiled in October 2021 in collaboration with SSAB, demonstrating that a green transition is possible.
In June 2022, Volvo CE became the first manufacturer in the world to deliver a customer a construction machine made with fossil-free steel, and CONEXPO in Las Vegas this year saw Volvo CE hand over the keys of an A30G articulated hauler made from fossil-free steel to a North American customer.
With steel being a major component of all Volvo CE machines, this is an important milestone and a necessary step in achieving net-zero emissions in the value chain.
Electrification
Volvo CE currently offers the widest range of electric compact construction equipment on the market, the company said, with a clear pathway for the development of larger electric equipment.
Designed to be used in the same applications as the equivalent diesel machines, Volvo CE’s electric compact machines have been commercially available since 2020 in over 22 countries. The electric ECR25 excavator and L25 wheel loader are near identical to their diesel counterparts, in both power and performance, and offer numerous benefits in addition to zero emissions.
According to Volvo CE, some of the most favourable features acknowledged by early adopters include quiet operation, fewer vibrations, reduced operator fatigue, instant torque, and reduced maintenance intervals.
While electric Volvo CE is not currently available in Australia, CJD Equipment is looking to launch the compact range within the next 12 months.
“We are very excited about this project, and we are spending a lot of time with our mining customers in the areas of site management and productivity services to truly understand electric implementation processes and how we can assist with more sustainable options in the industry,” Leaver said.
As part of an ambition to advance its electromobility offering to larger machinery, Volvo CE has also developed a solution to convert the L120 wheel loader to electric and fulfil the market’s appetite for more immediate sustainable solutions in the mid-size machinery range.
Using the market-recognised diesel machine as the base, the new electric conversion will deliver the same performance with the upside of emission-free. This is planned to be commercially available for selected customers in Europe during 2023, with global expansion in near the future.
Developing battery-electric vehicles and fuel cell electric technology will go a long way to delivering on climate change ambitions; however, more needs to be done.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle lies in changing mindsets, and it’s vital that people understand much of the transformation must come from mining.
Together, CJD Equipment and Volvo CE offer the solutions for a highly productive, sustainable operation, ensuring machines are performing safely and at their very best.
CJD Equipment has an extensive national support network in place to ensure you are well supported, no matter where or when.
This feature appeared in the June 2023 of Australian Mining.