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Volvo climate panel gathers at CONEXPO-CON/AGG
intrinsically beneficial, doesn’t
always lead to reduced emissions.
Thankfully, models used to
estimate emissions are getting
more sophisticated, leading to
greater accuracy and the ability
to accommodate site-specific
optimisation of emissions and
cost,” he said.
Dr Staley was joined on
stage by Margaret Cederoth,
sustainability manager at the
California High-Speed Rail
Authority. California High-Speed
Rail is a high-speed rail system
currently under construction
in the US state of California.
The project has ambitious
environmental targets, which, if
achieved, will see CO 2 emissions
reduced in the state by 176 000
million metric tonnes in its first
year of operation.
“The project is setting a new,
‘green’ standard for infrastructure
development,” said Cederoth.
“This includes operating with
100% renewable energy, all steel
and concrete from demolition
and construction recycled, low
emission equipment used on site
— 40% better than average — and
materials life cycle analysed.
We are promoting the use of
innovative technologies to drive
down CO 2 emissions.”
The final speaker was
Dave Ross, vice-president of
advanced engineering at Volvo
Construction Equipment. Ross
discussed the challenges facing
equipment manufacturers
in their efforts to achieve
economic, environmental
and social sustainability. Ross
described how the adoption of
latest technology is leading to a
new breed of intelligent, electric
and connected machines,
such as the HX2 prototype
autonomous, battery-electric,
load carrier — part of an electric
site research project that they
predict will deliver up to a 95%
reduction in carbon emissions
and up to a 25% reduction in
total cost of ownership.
“We are also working
towards objectives whereb