Smart charging of battery-electric construction machinery at construction sites; A case study in the municipality of The Hague.

This paper investigates smart charging strategies for battery-electric construction machinery (non-road mobile machinery, NRMM) through a case study of a large-scale housing project in The Hague, Netherlands. The study develops a methodology to estimate energy demands and simulate charging profiles during various construction phases. Using a combination of smart charging and temporary battery storage, the paper demonstrates that peak grid loads can be significantly reduced—by up to 46%—compared to conventional charging strategies. Simulations reveal that grid limitations, especially during early construction phases, can be overcome with optimized load management and supplemental battery systems. The findings highlight the importance of smart charging infrastructure and energy planning in enabling the transition to zero-emission construction practices. This research contributes to the practical implementation of electric NRMM in urban construction projects, addressing one of the key bottlenecks in decarbonizing the construction sector.