Jan 19 • Dieseko Group
A Pragmatic Route to Zero-Emission Foundation Work
EHPU News Series: Part 1
Zero-emission requirements are rapidly changing how foundation and civil infrastructure projects are prepared and executed. Electric Hydraulic Power Units (EHPUs) are one of the key technologies that allow contractors to keep working with their existing hydraulic equipment while meeting new environmental standards and client expectations.
This three part series provides a practical overview of what EHPUs are, how they are used and where the technology is heading. Part one explains why EHPUs have been developed, how the concept evolved and which on-site problems they are designed to solve. Part two looks at the target users, the different models in the EHPU range and the implications for power supply and site organisation. Part three explores likely future developments and the strategic impact of electrification on foundation equipment fleets.
This three part series provides a practical overview of what EHPUs are, how they are used and where the technology is heading. Part one explains why EHPUs have been developed, how the concept evolved and which on-site problems they are designed to solve. Part two looks at the target users, the different models in the EHPU range and the implications for power supply and site organisation. Part three explores likely future developments and the strategic impact of electrification on foundation equipment fleets.
A Pragmatic Route to Zero-Emission Foundation Work
Across Europe, zero-emission zones are rapidly reshaping the way construction and foundation work are organized. Major cities are tightening regulations on diesel-powered equipment, public clients increasingly demand low-emission sites, and contractors are under pressure to deliver sustainable projects without compromising productivity.
For heavy foundation equipment this poses a particular challenge. Vibratory hammers, impact hammers, rotary heads and dredging pumps require high hydraulic power and robust, reliable energy supply. Fully replacing existing diesel-driven fleets with new all-electric tools would be technically possible, but economically unrealistic for most contractors.
Dieseko Group’s Electric Hydraulic Power Unit (EHPU) range is designed as a pragmatic answer to this dilemma. The electric-hydraulic powerpacks provide zero-emission hydraulic power while allowing contractors to continue using their existing hydraulic foundation equipment. In practice this means a contractor can connect an EHPU to the grid or an external battery container and operate the same vibratory hammers that would otherwise be powered by a diesel power pack.
This article outlines why the EHPU range was developed, how the concept has evolved, which problems it solves on site, who it is intended for, how the different models compare, and what the likely future developments will be.
Dieseko Group’s Electric Hydraulic Power Unit (EHPU) range is designed as a pragmatic answer to this dilemma. The electric-hydraulic powerpacks provide zero-emission hydraulic power while allowing contractors to continue using their existing hydraulic foundation equipment. In practice this means a contractor can connect an EHPU to the grid or an external battery container and operate the same vibratory hammers that would otherwise be powered by a diesel power pack.
This article outlines why the EHPU range was developed, how the concept has evolved, which problems it solves on site, who it is intended for, how the different models compare, and what the likely future developments will be.
Why Electric Hydraulic Power Units?
The move towards electric-hydraulic power units is driven by a combination of regulation, client expectations and practical site constraints.
First, regulation.
National and local governments are increasingly defining zero-emission requirements in their tenders, particularly for inner-city and infrastructure works. Large cities introduce or expand zero-emission zones where diesel equipment is heavily restricted or prohibited. Foundation work in these areas can only continue if the equipment complies with strict emission rules.
Second, client demand.
Public and private asset owners have set ambitious sustainability targets. They expect contractors to demonstrate concrete reductions in CO₂ and local emissions, without compromising safety or schedule. In procurement procedures, the ability to carry out works with zero-emission equipment is becoming a differentiator.
Third, the technical reality on site.
Heavy foundation tools require high hydraulic power and long operating hours. A straightforward replacement of diesel powerpacks by machines with integrated batteries would quickly run into limits of energy density, charging times and total cost of ownership. In addition, contractors often own a broad fleet of hydraulic tools with a remaining technical lifetime of decades. Scrapping these tools long before the end of their life is neither economically nor environmentally attractive.
Electric Hydraulic Power Units offer a different route. Instead of electrifying every individual tool, the power generation is electrified. The EHPU supplies oil flow and pressure to the existing hydraulic circuit, but its prime mover is an electric motor rather than a diesel engine. The unit can be supplied from the grid when a sufficiently strong connection is available, or from external battery containers, biogas generators or hydrogen-based power units when grid capacity is limited.
In short, EHPUs enable contractors to work towards zero emissions today, without having to replace their hydraulic fleets overnight.
First, regulation.
National and local governments are increasingly defining zero-emission requirements in their tenders, particularly for inner-city and infrastructure works. Large cities introduce or expand zero-emission zones where diesel equipment is heavily restricted or prohibited. Foundation work in these areas can only continue if the equipment complies with strict emission rules.
Second, client demand.
Public and private asset owners have set ambitious sustainability targets. They expect contractors to demonstrate concrete reductions in CO₂ and local emissions, without compromising safety or schedule. In procurement procedures, the ability to carry out works with zero-emission equipment is becoming a differentiator.
Third, the technical reality on site.
Heavy foundation tools require high hydraulic power and long operating hours. A straightforward replacement of diesel powerpacks by machines with integrated batteries would quickly run into limits of energy density, charging times and total cost of ownership. In addition, contractors often own a broad fleet of hydraulic tools with a remaining technical lifetime of decades. Scrapping these tools long before the end of their life is neither economically nor environmentally attractive.
Electric Hydraulic Power Units offer a different route. Instead of electrifying every individual tool, the power generation is electrified. The EHPU supplies oil flow and pressure to the existing hydraulic circuit, but its prime mover is an electric motor rather than a diesel engine. The unit can be supplied from the grid when a sufficiently strong connection is available, or from external battery containers, biogas generators or hydrogen-based power units when grid capacity is limited.
In short, EHPUs enable contractors to work towards zero emissions today, without having to replace their hydraulic fleets overnight.
From Early Prototypes to a Standard EHPU Range
Dieseko’s journey toward electric-hydraulic powerpacks started well before zero-emission construction became a mainstream topic. Around 2016 the company developed its first electric unit for an international foundation OEM. This early machine was a high-end solution without battery packs, capable of operating worldwide either from the grid or from an external energy source.
Technically the concept worked, but the overall system proved complex and expensive. High-end components had long lead times and required specialist knowledge for maintenance. For a market that was still exploring electrification and had only limited zero-emission obligations, the threshold for wider adoption was simply too high.
A few years later Dieseko took a strategic step back and redefined the concept. Instead of focusing on bespoke, high-end solutions for individual customers, the company decided to develop a standardized range of Electric Hydraulic Power Units that would be suitable for rental fleets and a broad group of contractors. The design philosophy was to find a golden mean between performance, cost and serviceability.
The result is the current EHPU range: the 250e, 400e and 700e units based on robust air-cooled asynchronous motors with soft starters, and the larger 1100e high-end solution based on permanent magnet motors with advanced inverters and liquid cooling. All units share a modular, “block-building” architecture that remains familiar to mechanics used to conventional hydraulic powerpacks.
A notable design choice is that the EHPUs do not contain integrated batteries. Instead they are powered by standardized 400 V AC connections from the grid or from external battery containers and alternative power sources. This keeps the powerpacks compact and avoids tying their lifetime to the rapid innovation cycle of battery technology. It also means that specialist battery suppliers can focus on energy storage, while Dieseko concentrates on delivering reliable hydraulic power.
Technically the concept worked, but the overall system proved complex and expensive. High-end components had long lead times and required specialist knowledge for maintenance. For a market that was still exploring electrification and had only limited zero-emission obligations, the threshold for wider adoption was simply too high.
A few years later Dieseko took a strategic step back and redefined the concept. Instead of focusing on bespoke, high-end solutions for individual customers, the company decided to develop a standardized range of Electric Hydraulic Power Units that would be suitable for rental fleets and a broad group of contractors. The design philosophy was to find a golden mean between performance, cost and serviceability.
The result is the current EHPU range: the 250e, 400e and 700e units based on robust air-cooled asynchronous motors with soft starters, and the larger 1100e high-end solution based on permanent magnet motors with advanced inverters and liquid cooling. All units share a modular, “block-building” architecture that remains familiar to mechanics used to conventional hydraulic powerpacks.
A notable design choice is that the EHPUs do not contain integrated batteries. Instead they are powered by standardized 400 V AC connections from the grid or from external battery containers and alternative power sources. This keeps the powerpacks compact and avoids tying their lifetime to the rapid innovation cycle of battery technology. It also means that specialist battery suppliers can focus on energy storage, while Dieseko concentrates on delivering reliable hydraulic power.
SUPPORT & COOPERATION
Machinist Ltd
Ivanna Rukin and Machinist Oy will assume complete leadership of the development of this project. Machinist will manage the production team and project management.
Factories
Factories such as Junttan, Movax, Dieseko Group, ArcelorMittel and other international construction equipment manufacturers have a continuous willingness to share their knowledge, introduce it and cooperate with the engineering teams.
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
Mechanical Engineering Department and Mr. Antti Hänninen in the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) are invited to help with project implementation.
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
We are collaborating with Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (Kajaani AMK) which has recently received government funding for the development of VR and 3D technologies. This collaboration provides an opportunity for us to leverage Kajaani AMK's expertise and resources in the development of our online education platform. Kajaani AMK is open to ideas and ready to provide resources to support for our efforts in integrating VR and 3D technologies into our platform. This collaboration can provide us with access to cutting-edge technology and expertise, enabling us to stay ahead of the curve and offer a unique and innovative learning experience for our users.
Finnish government (Ministry of Education)
The platform is supported by the Finnish government:
1. Financially ( the country subsidizes the budget for education)
2. Technology infrastructure
3. Promotion at the government level, compulsory for the engineering force
Foreign governments
As a pilot project, the Uzbekistani government has already agreed to accept this platform as a mandatory tool for engineering society. It was agreed with the Ministry of Education that all engineers in the country would be required to undergo this kind of education. The Uzbekistan government recognizes the importance of investing in the education and training of its workforce, especially in the construction and piling industry, which has seen significant growth in recent years. By mandating this educational program, the government aims to ensure that Uzbekistan's workforce is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the industry.
Other institutions
Other educational organizations such as universities and technical polytechnics can benefit from the platform by accessing resources that can supplement their own educational offerings.
CORPORATE TRAINING PLATFORM
- A corporate training platform refers to a software designed to offer various training tools and resources. These resources can encompass further professional education and virtual training. This platform represents a progressive step forward in the realm of corporate training.
- Corporate learning platform encompasses training programs created by companies to educate their stakeholders on new processes, tools, technical skills, and other essential knowledge to align with current market trends. This platform refines and empowers the stakeholders, equipping them to efficiently tackle tasks and meet the demands of the business. We are especially targeting engineers in developing markets within Central Asia, South Asia, the Caucasus Area, and further on Latin America. These markets cover huge geographical areas but infrastructure-wise leaving continuous growth and development. The local workforce is in demand to broaden their vision to international projects.
- Without exaggeration, Finland, the Netherlands and neighboring countries are the world leaders in the industry of foundation and ground construction with innovative piling technologies. The area possesses a high level of know-how in this field.
EXPANSION INTO FOREIGN MARKETS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Example: Challenges in Central Asia
Low cost of human labor
Due to the low cost of labor in the area, modern building technology and machine usage are being adopted gradually. The majority of workers on modern building projects are manual laborers, which results in low industrialization. New machinery are needed as soon as new construction approaches are adopted, which is both a difficulty and an opportunity.
Cultural mindset
In post-Soviet countries, the responsibility for infrastructural construction, development, and architecture is outsourced to so-called "Project Development Institutes." These institutes are partially private but mainly are government entities responsible for studying and implementing all innovations that are approved as legislation and used on the job sites. As a result, construction methodologies in the Project Development Institutes of the region are old and follow post-Soviet structure. The local engineering force, due to their old age, requires a lot of education about new technologies, modern ways of ground construction, and the use of new machines.
Safety requirements
The recent earthquake in Turkey has led to a surge of awareness regarding foundation construction and safety in seismic areas. In Central Asia, where a lot of ambitious projects are about to evolve drives demand for knowledge and international experience. This has resulted in local professionals actively seeking new solutions and knowledge to ensure the safety of their own construction projects.Absence of active know-howIn this market, there are no other competitors offering the same type of service to customers. Therefore, our online "University" will offer a unique value proposition to promote our know-how and machinery in the target markets. By providing access to the latest knowledge and industry insights, we can help local professionals stay ahead of the curve and meet the demands of the industry. This will not only benefit our business but also contribute to the overall economic growth and development of the region.
Industrialization level
Lower rate of technological usage in terms of machines and equipment. A lot of steps in the process are completed in an old-fashioned way. High demand in infrastructural construction requires knowledge and implementation of modern technology.
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