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Electric Drain-Cleaning Machines Leading the Way Towards Sustainability
Jan Pieters, CEO of Rioned, Europe’s leading manufacturer of drainage equipment, says the industry has begun to see a significant shift towards more sustainable operations: “Within 10 years, the majority of newly purchased sewer cleaning machines will be fully electrically powered, and we’re proud to be a driving force behind this change.”
“Rioned has led the way in innovations across the sewer cleaning sector, and in 2019 we became the world's first manufacturer to develop a fully electric sewer jetting machine. We now have electric jetting units in operation across Europe, with users seeing the benefits in terms of enhanced performance and significantly lower operation and maintenance costs.”
Rioned’s eCityJet jetter is powered by a highly efficient battery pack offering comparable performance to a regular diesel jetting machine. The unit produces zero emissions, saving up to three tons of CO2 emissions annually. Almost silent in operation, it's ideal for urban use, even at night, and excels in confined spaces where diesel machines fall short.
The introduction of electric vans with extended driving ranges has further fuelled the adoption of the eCityJet. Utility giants like Anglian Water are now able to conduct zero-emission drainage operations on a daily basis, marking a significant environmental milestone.
“This month we are also unveiling a new entry-level electric sewer jetter,” says Pieters. “Whilst still offering Rioned’s renowned performance and reliability, the new lower-cost machine aims to make the transition to electric more affordable for the smaller contractor.”
Embracing Intelligence
Acknowledging that the sewer networks are under increased pressure due to urbanisation and climate change, Pieters is a keen advocate of technology and the role it should play in managing and maintaining the networks.
“Increased connectivity is transforming communication, monitoring, and reporting for engineers,” he says. “We've made significant investments in developing intelligent applications that capture and transmit critical data concerning machine performance and operational conditions. This data, from applications such Rioned’s eControl Touch, empowers engineers to work more intelligently, enhancing operational efficiency by reducing fuel and water consumption.”
He further envisions a shifting industry landscape towards a more service-oriented model heavily reliant on data: “The role of technology in this transformation is paramount, be it through smart drains that vigilantly oversee flows, blockages, and contaminants, sustainable SUDs drainage systems that mitigate environmental impact, or our ongoing work on intelligent equipment solutions. Ultimately, it's all about equipping the industry with the tools to operate more cleanly and efficiently."
Sustainable Practices
Rioned is committed to becoming a climate-neutral company by 2030, and actively encourages customers, partners, and service agents to embrace key sustainability considerations.
"Alongside innovations, we are increasingly focused on the impact of our business operations on our environment,” explains Pieters. “We have implemented numerous measures in our production processes that improve our environmental impact."
“This includes embracing the circular economy approach by keeping many components in circulation through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling. We’ve also optimised waste disposal with 17 recycling streams for production-generated waste, installed low-energy lighting in all our manufacturing facilities, and initiated the electrification of our nationwide vehicle fleet.”
“The next step is a commitment to using 100% green energy.”
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