Fusion, Staad's charging infrastructure brand, is fully engaged in the transition to an emission-free construction site. Charging infrastructure specialist Berend Buil explains how Energy as a Service (EaaS) and the innovative Powerbox 300 ensure certainty about costs and sufficient energy for emission-free projects.
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The transition to zero-emission construction equipment is in full swing, but many entrepreneurs are still struggling with the practical implementation, such as high purchase costs and uncertainty about the energy supply. Through the Fusion brand, Staad, known for electric earth-moving machines, offers solutions that go beyond the machine itself. "With Staad, we sell earth-moving machines," Berend Buil begins. "Because our patented batteries can also provide energy outside the machine, we have set up a separate branch for this to provide people with an energy source that can be used compactly and off-grid."
Fusion focuses on the complete energy supply for electrical equipment on the construction site. “You are often the first to be on a job without a grid connection when you are doing earthmoving,” Buil explains. “If you still want to work electrically, you will need a complex energy, logistics and charging infrastructure. With Fusion, we help with this by organising both the charging infrastructure (hardware) and the logistics.”
The keyword at Fusion is 'unburdening'. Many contractors are reluctant to work electrically, not because the machines are not there, but because they do not know how to arrange the power supply profitably and reliably. "Electric machines are more expensive to purchase than diesel," Buil acknowledges. "But electricity is often cheaper. It is about how you still have sufficient energy capacity at the end of the day that is also affordable for the project. If contractors have that confidence, they will make the switch."
That's where Energy as a Service (EaaS) comes in. EaaS is a complete service where Fusion delivers the required energy to the desired location. "Our goal is to relieve you of your worries so that your working day may be even easier than with a diesel," Buil continues. "You contact us and tell us how much energy you need. We think along with you about how we can best arrange this, so that you have sufficient full batteries with possible inverters or Fieldmasters. We place these at the desired location with a paved surface, so that the customer can get started without any worries."
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The widely varying charging costs in the market play a role here. “Research by TNO shows that costs vary from 60 cents to as much as 2.50 euros per kilowatt hour,” Buil reveals. “That is a huge difference. For a full Powerbox (approx. 385 kWh) this can mean a difference of as much as 700 euros per day.”
According to Buil, this huge difference is not in the hardware, but purely in the logistics. “Will I be able to arrange the logistics at an acceptable price? That is the question. Some contractors therefore spend hundreds of euros more per day than others.” Fusion wants to prevent this by using a predictable, fixed price. “With us, you can request the energy costs for a tender, and then we guarantee that you can use it for that price.” This price guarantee is a game changer. “If you know what it costs, you know what you have to ask to come out positive at the end of the day. Then you also dare to bid on electrical projects,” says Buil. Fusion notices that contractors sometimes do not dare to bid because of uncertainty about the power supply. “If they come to us at that point, we can explain how we assist and unburden.”
To make electrical work more accessible, Fusion introduces the Powerbox 300. “The difference with the Powerbox 400 is that instead of 400 kWh, you have 300 kWh. The Powerbox 300 also has a built-in AC connection , so you only need an inverter/fieldmaster for DC ,” Buil explains.
The Powerbox 300 is a nice addition to the Staad battery line with smart innovations based on practical experience. The Powerbox 300 has already been equipped with the latest gadgets, such as an integrated central lifting eye, which ensures that safe lifting is a simple one-man job. This makes the Powerbox 300 a more compact solution.
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Fusion supplies its EaaS and Powerboxes for all brands of electrical equipment. “We can actually charge all machines,” says Buil. The advantage of Staad machines, however, is the fast, direct battery change. “With our own machines, you can change the battery in about five minutes. Then you can continue immediately.” Other brands require regular charging time.
To maximize efficiency, Fusion wants contractors to get involved early. “The earlier, preferably at the tender stage, the better,” Buil emphasizes. “We then think along about the energy strategy and costs, which gives contractors the confidence to bid sharply.” The full loading logistics service will be officially offered on a large scale from July 1, 2025, but customers can already inquire about the possibilities.
The future of zero-emission construction is electric, but the key lies in controlling the energy supply. Fusion is taking major steps with EaaS and the new Powerbox 300 to make that control accessible. Visitors to the Technische Kontakt Dagen (TKD) can experience this for themselves.
“We will be at the TKD with Fusion on the Staad stand,” confirms Buil. “There we will show the new Powerbox 300, among other things, show how simple and efficient electrical working can be and present a first. We cordially invite everyone to our stand (number 42) to discuss the possibilities.”
Article created in collaboration with BouwmachinesNL
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