Potain launches battery energy systems for tower cranes

Built around the hoist, not the office

Battery storage on construction sites is nothing new, but Manitowoc argues that general-purpose units struggle with what a tower crane actually does. Hoisting draws short, violent bursts of current, and a system sized on average consumption will sag under them. Potain Power Solutions has been designed for high-rate discharge and peak current demand, so that a crane keeps its rated lifting performance and line speeds without the voltage drops or interruptions that force an operator to slow down.

The range is offered in 135 kVA and 270 kVA configurations, with larger units exceeding 375 kVA. Manitowoc says the systems integrate across the Potain range, from entry-level models through to larger specialised cranes, and that spare capacity can be used to feed other equipment on the site.

Grid support as well as grid replacement

Where a mains connection does exist but is unreliable, the systems act as grid stabilisation and as an uninterruptible power supply, shielding the crane’s electronics during voltage dips and outages — a failure mode that can leave a tower crane immobilised mid-shift on sites with marginal infrastructure.

Where there is no grid at all, the unit runs alongside a diesel generator under an energy management system that Manitowoc says can cut fuel consumption by up to 70% compared with a conventional generator set. In pure electric mode the generator can be removed from the equation entirely, giving silent running and no emissions at the point of use. That matters less on a remote site than in a city centre, where noise curfews and emissions rules increasingly dictate when work can happen.

Designed to be moved

The systems use liquid cooling to hold battery performance steady in high-temperature, high-humidity conditions, and are built to take the vibration and knocks of repeated transport and jobsite relocation. They are handled by forklift and have a compact footprint intended to make redeployment between sites straightforward rather than a project in itself.

Availability covers Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, India, Africa, Latin America and other emerging markets.

“Potain Power Solutions help tower crane owners move toward smarter, more independent construction sites by maintaining peak productivity regardless of local infrastructure gaps. By drastically reducing the reliance on diesel generators, they lower daily operating costs and help users meet their sustainability targets.”

— Robin Chen, new product development manager, Potain

Source: Manitowoc — Photos: Manitowoc