No on-site emissions – invaluable insights

The SmartROC T35 BE is optimized for surface drilling, but is not available in series production. The rig is designed to be an electric demonstrator. There are only two of them, one of which is being used by the contractor Grunn Solid in expanding the Oslo metro towards the Fornebu peninsula. In contrast to a diesel-powered rig, the electric rig reduces on-site emissions to zero and eliminates engine noise.

“Still, it works the same as a traditional rig, which some people might not believe. It has been given an electric power train, but otherwise it is the same machine that we all know. Our operators have been able to just sit and operate it straight off, so we are very pleased with how things have worked,” says Trond Werner Ø. Johnsen, owner and CEO of Grunn Solid.

As part of the collaboration between Epiroc and Grunn Solid, Epiroc is provided with feedback on how the rig is working in a live project.

“It is very important for us at Epiroc to get feedback from the people who are actually using our machines,” says Robin Edsborn, Global Product Line Manager at Epiroc. “Getting our customers’ experiences from their own environment is invaluable in developing the best possible product in this new segment.”

The design of the SmartROC T35 BE is based on an existing chassis with existing technology. A central part of the test process is to understand how to best handle the cable that supplies power to the rig. It is vital that it is not driven over and damaged.

“This is the most obvious difference from a diesel rig; you need to keep an eye on the cable. However, having an electric power train has great advantages – there’s no need to refuel and electricity is a much cheaper energy source than diesel. We have had good access to electricity and connection points,” says Trond Werner Ø. Johnsen.

 

Normally, the diesel engine and the drilling itself emit the same amount of noise. With an electric rig, the noise from the engine is eliminated, thereby cutting the noise level in half. The SmartROC T35 BE is a perfect fit for Grunn Solid, as the client, Oslo Municipality, requires all machines used in the construction of the Fornebubanen track to be electric. Thanks to this concept rig, this requirement is met.

“It’s also a lot of fun to try new things out. Electrification is exciting and we are happy to be part of it. It also helps us at Grunn Solid to improve; we succeed at new things and get better results,” says Trond Werner Ø. Johnsen.

In terms of sustainability, Epiroc has high environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets and electric operation is important for achieving them. By 2030, the carbon dioxide emissions in the user phase of Epiroc’s machines need to be reduced by 50 percent compared to 2019. Development is going at an incredibly rapid pace, and the journey towards electrification has only just begun.

“It is our ambition to be at the forefront in this segment. We need to always be one step ahead and understand what technology is emerging, be ahead of the market and feel our way to what is right for us and for our customers,” says Robin Edsborn.

The starting phase of the SmartROC T35 BE concept rig is soon completed. Epiroc will then continue to get customer feedback and focus on the next technological step for the construction market of the future.