SECTOR REPORT Ӏ BATTERY POWER
Let’s start large, with the strongest land-based crane in the word: Mammoet’s SK6000 – which can lift up to 6000 tonnes. But did you know that this titan of the lifting world can now be powered by batteries? That’s right; at the end of 2024 Mammoet announced that it had been tested for fully electric operation – opening up zero-emission capability to projects taking place anywhere in the world. This means at sites without power network access or with supply stability issues it can be powered via batteries.
The technology reduces the noise generated by crane operations, says Mammoet, resulting in a better work environment where communication is easier. In turn, large projects are made safer, cleaner, and easier to finance. Testing was carried out using
two 600kWh ‘Battery Boxes’ from Netherlands headquartered power supply specialist Bredenoord connected in series to deliver
1,200kWh. This is around the same output as 20 electric cars. Connection took a day shift, in parallel with test weight reconfiguration activity. This, Mammoet says, demonstrates that the utilisation of batteries has minimal impact on site operations. Battery packs capable of operating the SK6000 are becoming widely available in standard 20ft shipping container form, facilitating easy mobilisation to and from site. Niek Bezuijen, global sustainability advisor at Mammoet, said: “Thanks to this test we can now say that the SK6000 operates fully zero-emissions on- site. Electrification isn’t a matter for the future of heavy lifting – it is needed now, and through innovations like this Mammoet can help its customers lead on safety, efficiency, sustainability and cost.” Battery functionality also has the advantage of being chargeable from lower power networks. The significant periods of time between
individual ring crane lifts allow the chance for battery packs to recharge. Alternatively, the crane can be plugged into a medium voltage network ‘shore power’ connection – commonly available in heavy industry and at port facilities. Where neither grid power nor battery power are an option hydrogen generators can be used. The project was part-funded
by the Subsidieregeling Schoon en Emissieloos Bouwmaterieel in the Netherlands; a research and demonstration fund to develop zero-emission initiatives at construction sites. A video about the project can be seen on the CT website, here:
https://shorturl.at/CKEO6. In contrast to the sheer size of
Mammoet’s massive ring crane we have the latest mini spider crane from Japanese manufacturer Unic: the URW 806-3 – which launched at the recent Bauma 2025 tradeshow. It has an eight- tonne lifting capacity and builds on the legacy of Unic’s industry workhorse, the URW-706-2. Crucially, the new mini crane
can be powered by a brand-new battery: the ECube – a small interchangeable cube battery that attaches to the back of the mini crane. “What we've created here is a
Unic’s ECube on display at Bauma
portable power supply unit,” says Scott Ainsworth, technical support director at Unic Cranes Europe, the European master-distributor for Unic, and part of the GGR Group. “It can give you 220 volts or 415 volts from a 250 amp-hour battery back. The lithium technology means that it can be charged on site while it's still being used; or you can put it on 110V overnight to recharge it, ready to go again in the morning. It can charge on 110V 32 amp, 240V 16A, or 415V 32A. Having the different input charging voltages gives us more options
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