A generator that emits no nitrogen and also no CO₂. That sounds like the ideal solution for construction sites where proper connection is an issue. The Dutch company Bryntell says it has the solution.
Due to the nitrogen crisis, projects are being delayed or shut down. Against this background, the Dutch company Bryntell presents their new energy solution for construction sites. This consists of a mobile energy generator - the CleanStar - which runs on a specially developed biofuel based on biomethanol. The system delivers power on site in exactly the same way a traditional diesel generator does. But with dramatically lower emissions. According to the company, there are net zero CO₂ emissions and virtually zero nitrogen emissions (99% less than the current standard) and therefore no deposition (precipitation) of nitrogen at all. As a result, the plant can even be used in Natura 2000 areas.
Unlike the competition
This makes Bryntell substantially different from the competition, according to CEO Adriaan van Tets: "You have solutions like hydrogen that are very clean, but they are expensive and logistically complex. As a result, they are not widely used. Electricity is an option, but you may wonder where that power is generated. There are also places where no grid connection is possible because of the remote location or grid congestion. Then you see that clients sometimes fall back on diesel anyway, simply because it is cheaper and easier."
Electrification requires new energy source
The rise of electric construction machinery only increases the need for clean energy on site. Whereas machines used to generate their own energy through combustion, they now rely on external power supplies.
"A battery is storage, not generation," Van Tets emphasizes. "If you electrify construction equipment, you have to get that energy from somewhere else. That's exactly what we provide: but without the drawbacks of fossil fuels."
With this, Bryntell is responding to a growing trend in the sector, in which emission-free construction is increasingly becoming the norm. At the same time, practice remains recalcitrant, Van Tets notes. "Municipalities want emission-free, but when they see the price tag, sometimes an exception is made anyway. That is not sustainable in the long term."
'Sweet spot'
Bryntell is trying to break that dilemma by positioning itself in what Van Tets calls a "sweet spot": a balance between emissions, ease of use and cost. "Diesel scores high on price, convenience and reliability, but poorly on emissions. Other solutions score well on emissions, but are expensive and impractical. We are right in between."
The machines emit no ammonia and up to 99 percent less nitrogen oxide than diesel, says Van Tets. "As a result, it practically doesn't precipitate into the environment, which is exactly what the regulations are driving at." Importantly, the solution works as a so-called drop-in replacement: a direct replacement for existing systems. "You put it down and it works. Just like diesel. You don't have to adjust your processes," Van Tets said. "That makes the threshold for switching much lower."
Field test at Mobilis
That the technology not only works on paper is demonstrated by a recent application at contractor Mobilis. There, the Bryntell system was used for a project involving electric foundations. "The experiences were very positive," says Van Tets. "The installation ran stably, provided the necessary power and made it possible to work entirely electrically." According to him, such a practical case is crucial for further acceptance in the market.
"Customers have to be able to demonstrate what their emissions are. They are judged on that. That's why we also provide independent reports that substantiate our performance."
That burden of proof is proving to be a key differentiator. "Many solutions are still under development or not well documented. Then it becomes difficult for construction companies to actually apply them."
Answer to grid congestion and off-grid issues
In addition to the nitrogen issue, grid congestion is playing an increasing role in the Netherlands. Construction sites and industrial projects do not always get the necessary connection to the electricity grid. Bryntell sees opportunities there, too. The systems can both operate completely off-grid and cooperate with the existing grid. "You can deploy them in places where there is no power at all, but also as an addition where the grid falls short," Van Tets explains.
That makes the technology more widely applicable than just the construction sector. Think logistics, industry or temporary energy supply at remote locations. "You now see diesel generators being used more often again because of grid congestion. We believe that can be done much cleaner."
Rapid scale-up in sight
Bryntell is still at the beginning of its rollout, but its ambitions are high. Meanwhile, the first machines are operational and three are in production. "That shows there is confidence in the market," says Van Tets. "In the coming years we want to scale up quickly, toward the dozens of machines in the Netherlands and then expand internationally as well."
That growth, he says, is essential to further reduce costs and become more competitive with traditional solutions. "Scale always helps. The bigger we get, the easier the choice becomes for customers." At the same time, he expects regulations to further move the market. "Europe is putting more and more pressure on air quality. Emissions are becoming more expensive and less accepted. That plays to our advantage."
From innovation to new standard
Bryntell's ambition goes beyond just solving the nitrogen problem. The company wants to become a standard solution for clean, mobile energy. "We want to show that it can be done: clean, affordable and practical," says Van Tets. "Not by big promises, but by just doing it in practice."
