Fuel is a crucial resource in many industries, particularly for those that rely on heavy machinery and equipment such as construction and mining. With rising fuel prices, however, it’s becoming more of a challenge for these industries to keep their operational costs as low as possible. It is thus essential that they continuously seek out ways to improve fuel efficiency to ensure little to no waste with their fuel supply. Moreover, fuel leaks—one of the most common reasons for fuel wastage—negatively impacts the environment, causing harm to nearby communities; they can even lead to shutting down projects entirely.

Fortunately, technologies have been developed to improve fuel efficiency and are now available to help various industries reduce fuel wastage, minimise environmental impact, and boost overall productivity through optimised fuel use. Here are just a few of those technologies as well as a glimpse at how exactly they help industrial projects stay fuel-efficient.

1. Self-Bunded Fuel Tanks

Fuel within premises needs to be properly stored to prevent any leaks that can waste supply and contaminate the environment. For this purpose, self-bunded fuel tanks are the ideal solution. Essentially, a self-bunded tank as a tank within a tank. This double-walled design ensures safe fuel storage; even if the inner wall leaks, the outer wall can contain it.

This storage solution is also highly convenient due to its portability. So, if a machine located in a different part of the site requires refuelling, the fuel supply can simply be transferred there directly via a mobile fuel diesel trailer. Overall, self-bunded fuel tanks eliminate the need to have vehicles or equipment transferred off the site for refuelling—which would only use more resources—while making sure fuel is also securely stored.

2. Fuel Management Systems

Fuel management systems (FMS) are a suite of tools and technologies that allow companies to accurately monitor and control fuel consumption among their vehicles and equipment. These often include sensors that measure fuel levels and an accompanying software that displays data gathered from the sensors for easy perusal. Through proper analysis of this data, the FMS can provide insights on how fuel is being used across the site, allowing companies to identify inefficiencies, reduce idle time, and optimise refuelling schedules.

FMS are especially helpful for large fleets as manually tracking fuel consumption for each vehicle can prove to be a challenge. Moreover, the system can be used to limit who is allowed to access fuel or how much of it they can use. This means that the FMS can also sound alerts if any unauthorised individual attempts to use the fuel supply or if there are unusual usage patterns even among authorised personnel.

3. Hybrid or Electrify Equipment

Hybrid equipment combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor, while electric equipment operates entirely on battery power. By using less or no fuel at all, these equipment can help industrial projects reduce fuel costs while also lowering emissions in the process. 

For instance, hybrid excavators can use electric power for lighter tasks and then switch to the ICE for more demanding operations. Fully electric equipment has also been gaining traction in industries where zero-emission operations are crucial such as in mining, further opening up the possibility of lower fuel consumption within these sectors.

4. Idle-Reduction Technologies

When machines and equipment are left to idle, they can end up wasting fuel that could’ve been used for actual work otherwise. With idle-reduction technologies, machinery can be automatically shut down when not actively in use and restarted when needed. This prevents instances when equipment is left running in between tasks, which is a common scenario in construction and mining operations. In addition to conserving fuel, idle-reduction technologies can also help reduce emissions and extend engine life by preventing unnecessary wear and tear. 

5. Telematics and GPS Tracking

Ensuring that fleets take the most optimal routes when traveling can also help reduce their overall fuel consumption. Telematics and GPS tracking systems can help in this endeavour by providing operators with real-time data on equipment location, usage, and performance, enabling better decision-making. These systems also map routes so that vehicles can get from point A to point B in the most optimal manner, ensuring that fuel isn’t wasted on unnecessary travel.

6. Automated Equipment and Robotics

Automation and robotics are helping industrial operations save on fuel costs by increasing precision and efficiency. For instance, automated systems can eliminate human errors such as inefficient routes or inconsistent operation of machinery, ultimately reducing fuel waste caused by said mistakes. 

Meanwhile, robotics can be used in tasks such as drilling and material handling, enhancing precision and making sure there aren’t any unnecessary fuel use. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into these robots, allow them to analyse operational data over time and enable them to optimise fuel usage further.

Increasing fuel efficiency is all about making sure that each drop of a project’s fuel supply is used for something worthwhile rather than be wasted due to leaks or inefficiency. The technologies listed above are just some ways in which construction, mining, and other industries are able to improve their fuel use, bringing down their costs significantly while also helping them adhere to environmental and safety regulations.