Battery Box 600 powers world's strongest land-based crane

Mammoet's SK6000 - the world's strongest land-based crane - has been tested for fully electric operation. Testing was carried out using two 600kWh Battery Boxes from power supply specialist Bredenoord, connected parallel to deliver 1,000kW; around the same output as 20 electric cars. This proves that the giant crane can operate electrically, with a connection to the medium-voltage grid, shore power or batteries.

‘The beauty of this crane is that it is already fully electric, so we can just bring a plug,’ says Niek Bezuijen, Global Sustainability Advisor at Mammoet. ‘By connecting the SK6000 to a medium-voltage grid - which is often available in heavy industry - the crane operates directly on the electricity grid. At port facilities, so-called ‘shore power’ connections can power the crane. But if the crane is in a location where no grid connection is available, you need something else, such as generators or batteries.’

Battery Box 600

‘To power the testing of the SK6000 crane, we initially supplied a Twinset 2x 500 kVA generator on HVO diesel,’ says Niels Sprenger, Account Manager Projects at Bredenoord. ‘However recognising that sustainability plays an important role in many places around the world, we then also looked at a greener solution. For that, we deployed the largest batteries we have at Bredenoord, the Battery Box 600. A 600 kWh battery with a 600 kW inverter. We connected two of these Battery Boxes so that we can achieve the required capacity of approximately 1,000 kW.’

Step forward in the energy transition

This is a great test for both Mammoet and Bredenoord to see how batteries hold up for this crane. ‘It's great that we are doing this project with Mammoet to see if we can contribute to the energy transition together,’ Niels Sprenger continues. ‘In previous projects with heavy electric equipment, we have seen that the high peaks of such equipment can be handled perfectly by the 600 kW inverter in the battery system. The data we collect here on the consumption of this crane and its peaks will allow us and Mammoet to look at how the crane can be used in different set-ups: in combination with the grid, hybrid with a generator, hybrid with a battery or with a medium-voltage transformer. Mammoet can then offer its future customers different options for working with the crane.’

I am really proud of the achievements we have made here. By using batteries, the crane is completely emission-free. And if the strongest crane on land can be fully electric, I think the other cranes can be too.

Soon 250 battery systems in the fleet

Using batteries in projects is daily business for Bredenoord these days. ‘We now have a rental fleet of 170 battery systems with capacities ranging from 15 to 600 kW. This means we have the right battery for every project,’ Niels continues. ‘The range of battery systems is constantly evolving and will grow by 80 systems to as many as 250 by early 2025.’