Powering Tower Cranes of Tomorrow: Why BESS is Redefining Commercial Construction Power
The skyline of every major Australian city tells the same story — more tower cranes, tighter sites, stricter emission limits, and increasing pressure on project managers to deliver power that’s both reliable and sustainable.
In response to these challenges, Total Energy Storage’s latest Building with BESS guide has sparked important conversations across the industry showing how Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are fast becoming the power technology of choice for forward-thinking construction managers.
At Total Energy Storage (TES), we couldn’t agree more, and we’ve taken this evolution even further. By combining Masspoint’s bi-directional Power Conversion System (PCS) with Total Generators’ extensive fleet of generators and integrated hybrid diesel systems. We’ve engineered a solution that doesn’t just supplement diesel it transforms the entire energy model for construction power.
The Tower Crane Challenge: Peak Load, High Noise, and Urban Constraints
Few construction applications stress temporary power systems like tower cranes do. Their intermittent, high-load spikes demand instant power, which often leads to oversized generators idling at low load for most of the day wasting fuel, generating excess noise, and emitting unnecessary carbon.
This old model simply doesn’t fit modern construction requirements anymore.
Urban projects must now meet:
- Noise restrictions for residential or mixed-use zones
- Tight grid access or temporary connections with limited capacity
- Sustainability targets linked to emissions reduction
- Cost pressures that make generator inefficiency hard to justify
The Results: Real-World Benefits for Tower Crane Power
Construction sites running TES hybrid systems are already achieving measurable outcomes:
- Fuel savings: Up to 60–80% reduction in diesel burn compared to standalone generators
- Emissions reduction: Tens of thousands of kilograms of CO₂ saved per month
- Noise reduction: Battery-powered silent mode enables extended operation in urban zones
- Extended generator life: Fewer start-stop cycles and lower mechanical stress
- Improved reliability: Batteries instantly absorb crane surges, preventing overload trips or blackouts
In a recent Northern Territory deployment, a 250-kW hybrid system operational for 4 months:
🔋 150,011 kWh of clean power delivered uninterrupted
⛽ 18,625 L of diesel saved verse traditional power solutions
🌿 49,817 kg of CO₂ reduced — equal to saving 1,800+ trees
Clearing Up the Myths Around BESS in Construction
Market research found that construction managers now see BESS as the most practical and greener technology for site power. Yet misconceptions persist often stemming from limited local examples or perceived cost barriers.
Here’s the reality:
- You don’t need to buy it BESS can be fully outsourced as a service by an energy specialist.
- It’s plug-and-play TES systems integrate directly with your existing genset fleet.
- It’s proven construction, mining, and infrastructure sites are already running hybrid microgrids daily across Australia.
And with TES’s bi-directional PCS, your system doesn’t just store energy — it actively manages it.
Future-Ready Power for Australia’s Building Boom
Commercial construction is entering a new phase — one driven by smarter energy systems, sustainability targets, and the need for consistent uptime.
Whether you’re lifting steel 40 storeys high or pouring concrete on a tight urban footprint, your tower cranes deserve a power solution that’s as advanced as the projects they help build.
At Total Energy Storage, we’re redefining construction power through hybrid innovation — giving the construction market, a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient way to power their sites.
Let’s Talk Hybrid Power for Your Next Project
If your next high-rise or infrastructure project involves tower cranes, hoists, or load-intensive equipment, talk to us about a Battery Energy Storage integrated power solution.
Business Development Team: inquiries@totalgenerators.com
Learn more: www.totalgenerators.com
