Today, the marina gets 95% of its power from renewable energy, achieving near net-zero emissions. Fuel and maintenance costs have dropped significantly, and the site is much quieter for guests. 

The same principles can be applied to construction sites. Renewable energy systems like the example above, can help bridge the energy gap in locations whether your site is fully off-grid, you’re waiting for utility power or even if you have grid access, but want better energy resiliency or to even generate revenue by selling excess power. Not to mention that less reliance on diesel can lower fuel costs and emissions. Access to a steady, reliable power supply can help keep schedules on track. And modular microgrid systems can scale to meet the energy needs of almost any jobsite. 

Now let’s talk equipment. As battery-electric machines gain traction, many construction companies are asking the same question: “Can they really work on my site?”  

That’s what Granite Construction Company in Utah set out to learn. Its team was interested in trying electric equipment but didn’t want to make any major investments without knowing the operational impact. 

To help, we installed a simulator on a diesel 950 GC wheel loader that mimicked electric machine performance under real-world jobsite conditions. Granite operators ran their usual routines while learning when to charge, how long it would take and how it would affect productivity and workflow. Together, we discovered that: 

• A single overnight charge delivered enough power to meet daily production needs 

• Midday charging added flexibility, especially with the right-sized charger 

• Fast charging wasn’t required — and using it during peak periods triggered high utility bills 

Without this trial, Granite might have overbuilt its charging setup or locked itself into an expensive energy plan. Instead, the company was able to develop a smarter, more cost-effective approach — all before purchasing a single electric machine or charger. 

For any construction company exploring electrification, the takeaway is clear: real-world simulation can reveal opportunities and help you avoid costly missteps. And when you work with a partner who understands the entire jobsite, you get a solution that works in practice, not just on paper. 

Every construction site is different, and there’s no universal playbook for the evolving energy landscape. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. 

At Caterpillar, we’re here to help you connect the dots — power, machines, infrastructure and data — into an integrated solution that works from day one. I’ll be speaking more about this holistic approach at the Advancing Construction Decarbonization conference June 23–25 in Denver. I hope you’ll join me there. Or feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn to start a conversation or set up a site evaluation. 

We’re here to help you move forward, one smart decision at a time.