Hard Hats Meet Smart Tech: Building Greener, Smarter Construction Sites

2025-10-09

The construction industry is the backbone of economic growth and a key driver of social development. It generates nearly 9% of Europe’s GDP and provides 18 million direct jobs. But as cities grow and the demand for new buildings rises, so does the environmental impact—especially from emissions produced on construction sites.

While construction has traditionally been slow to adopt new technologies, a shift is underway. The rise of electric and autonomous construction machines promises cleaner, more efficient operations. However, without the right infrastructure to support them, these machines cannot reach their full potential.

The GREENER Project: Smarter Energy for Smarter Sites

The GREENER project aimed to reduce energy consumption and emissions on construction sites by developing intelligent systems for energy management, machine fleet optimization, and robust wireless communication networks.

How It Works

The GREENER project improves energy efficiency in construction by developing tools for simulation, optimization, and 5G network planning. These tools enable better resource use, energy management, and connectivity, supporting safer, more sustainable, and data-driven operations.

• Simulation Framework: Models and optimizes operational efficiency.
• Optimization Model: Enhances energy management and decision-making.
• 5G Placement Model: Improves connectivity and communication reliability.

A Strong Partnership

The GREENER project brings together three expert partners:

• Mälardalen University (MDU) – Project coordinator and expert in optimization and communication systems.
• Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) – Industry leader providing electric machines and real-world testing environments.
• Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) – Specialists in simulation and evaluation tools.

Together, they formed a complete value chain, from cutting-edge research to practical implementation.

Project Timeline & Funding

The project ran from September 2020 to December 2024, with a total budget of 17.6 million SEK, supported by both public and private funding.

Key Highlights from the GREENER Project

• A simulation framework that links machine-level behavior with fleet/site logistics to guide planning and day-to-day decisions for construction and mining operations.
• A practical energy-management approach for site microgrids using rule-based predictive control of storage to keep operations stable and efficient under uncertainty, ready for adoption in real projects.
• A framework for deploying private 5G networks was developed. The framework was used to successfully simulate wireless communication systems in open pit mines.

Conclusion

The GREENER project has shown that smart technologies can significantly reduce the environmental impact of construction activities. Its results pave the way for more sustainable and efficient construction sites, with long-term benefits for industry and society.