Stirnimann AG – Urnäsch, Switzerland - Fully electric tower crane operation in the Swiss Alps

The challenge

For a construction project in Urnäsch, nestled in the Swiss mountains, Stirnimann AG needed a reliable and emission-free power supply for a Potain MDT 219 tower crane.

Working in mountainous areas presents additional challenges. Grid connections are not always readily available, logistical operations are costly, and the continuity of operations must not depend on frequent fuel deliveries or generator maintenance.

A traditional approach would have several drawbacks:

• Fuel transport to hard-to-reach locations
• Noise pollution in a natural environment
• High operating costs due to diesel consumption
• Additional maintenance and logistical complexity
• Risk of downtime due to supply issues

Stirnimann was looking for a solution that would ensure maximum reliability even in remote and hard-to-reach locations.

The result

The Boost 80 provides a quiet, emission-free, and highly reliable power supply for the Potain MDT 219, even in challenging mountainous terrain.

The project demonstrates that heavy-duty lifting operations can be successfully electrified even in hard-to-reach locations:

• Less reliance on fuel supplies
• Significant reduction in CO₂ emissions
• No noise pollution in a natural setting
• Less maintenance and logistical interventions
• Reliable operation during peak loads
• Greater flexibility at remote construction sites

With this project, Stirnimann AG demonstrates that battery storage is not only a sustainable solution, but also a practical choice for construction sites where accessibility, reliability, and autonomy are crucial.

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Technical note: Thanks to Neargrid’s intelligent microgrid technology, a single battery system can power multiple tower cranes simultaneously. Depending on the crane type, usage profile, and peak load, even a limited grid connection of 32A (±22 kVA) can be sufficient to keep up to three tower cranes operational. The battery provides the necessary peak power, while the grid gradually recharges the battery.

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Can your shipyard also operate entirely on electricity?

Find out how many tower cranes you can power with your existing grid connection. Our experts will calculate, free of charge, which battery configuration is needed to eliminate diesel generators, handle peak power demands, and reduce site costs.

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