Zero emission mobile feeding unit project

/ DENSE URBAN / CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE / ELECTRIC VEHICLES /

Develop an innovative and sustainable solution for carrying out public works, through the acquisition of an autonomous and multifunctional energy trailer

A PROJECT BY

The Municipality of McMasterville has adopted an eco-responsible vision that led it to consider an innovative and sustainable solution for carrying out its public works, namely the acquisition of an autonomous and multifunctional energy trailer offering significant gains on several levels: environment, health and safety, finance, efficiency, versatility, etc.

This project is based on a public-private partnership between the Municipality of McMasterville and the company Gamotech. The Municipality of McMasterville, which expects to receive this new equipment at the end of 2023, will become the first municipality in Quebec to operate the zero-emission mobile power unit, Gamo-X.

Project objectives

• Achieve an environmental benefit;
• Eliminate emissions generated by diesel consumption;
• Reduce ambient work noise for workers and citizens;
• Improve employee health and safety;
• Increase the efficiency and performance of the work;
• Reduce acquisition and maintenance costs;
• Improve the versatility and flexibility of equipment.

In 2022, the management of the Municipality of McMasterville began the process of replacing its current vehicle, which dates from 1986. A major investment for the municipality. It is equipped with gas-powered tools and generators on board to power other equipment.

As part of this research, the leaders discovered Gamotech’s innovative solution which allows them both to meet their needs in an eco-responsible way and to realize substantial savings. This solution has the advantage of using the service vehicles used for public works and attaching an independent and multifunctional energy trailer to them.

In November 2022, Gamotech presented the trailer to the Municipality of McMasterville’s leaders. It is equipped with a 35 kWh lithium-ion battery. The energy is converted into hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical power.

Gamotech’s first prototype was built in 2022 with the primary mission of maintaining water mains. A series of tests was carried out on sites to measure its effectiveness. Interviews were also conducted with public works operators to collect their feedback and improvement suggestions.

The parties agreed to move forward with the project at the beginning of 2023. The vehicle design process was in the process of being completed in March 2023. To ensure an optimal trailer design, the Municipality involved its public works team from the outset in the process to fully understand the workers’ needs.

The acquisition decision should follow in the subsequent months with the objective of delivering the trailer at the end of 2023. The entire vehicle is assembled in Quebec.

Once the project is completed, the trailer’s configuration should meet 90% of municipalities’ needs across Quebec. The control unit software will be regularly updated by Gamotech.

Together, let's support and accelerate innovation by sharing knowledge and best practices!

Pre-project methodology

The Municipality of McMasterville wisely chose to involve its public works team at all stages of the project in order to allow them to be part of the upstream design process. Their involvement and advice influenced the design choices, notably:

• The positioning of the hydraulic and pneumatic outlets at the rear of the vehicle for quick access and close to the work area. This decision reduced the length of hoses required;
• The establishment of a work area, including a bench for repairing parts, and a storage area;
• The integration of a living space for workers at the front of the vehicle;
• The positioning of the Gamo-X power unit in the center of the vehicle;
• The regeneration of part of the unit’s operational heat to heat the workers’ living compartment, particularly in cold seasons;
• The installation of insulation in the living compartment.

Funding

Regarding funding, an application to the Green Municipal Fund is currently being prepared. The grant will represent a significant portion of the project's financing. The other portion will be covered by the Municipality.

Results obtained

High-performing eco-responsible solution

The trailer offers a solution that is both eco-responsible and high-performing:

• Elimination of diesel emissions;
• Reduction of environmental noise from works;
• Elimination of gas-powered power tools to improve the operators’ working environment;
• Increased efficiency: 30% to 50% reduction in time required for repairs of breakdowns and other public works thanks to more efficient tools;
• Acquisition cost of a Gamo-X unit 50% lower compared to that of a truck;
• Significant reduction in maintenance costs;
• No SAAQ inspections required;
• Increased equipment performance;

The use of a diesel generator for municipal works can pose several environmental and public health problems. Diesel generators emit air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide;

Moreover, greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change. Fuel and maintenance costs can also be high.

Health and safety

The reduction of emissions and noise represents an important factor for the health of municipal employees and citizens.

Maintenance work can cause significant noise nuisances. The noises generated by the machines used for the work, such as during water-main maintenance in the event of a break, can be particularly disruptive to the neighborhood. This is especially true for diesel generators that run continuously and gas-powered chainsaws.

It is therefore important to consider cleaner, more sustainable and safer alternatives for the health of operators and citizens, such as the use of renewable energy sources.

Versatility and flexibility

The multifunctional unit's primary mission is carrying out public works, including maintenance, safety and public health.

However, it can be used to electrify various installations during events (inflatable games, sound equipment, etc.) and other functions.

Lessons learned

Success factors

• Conducting an analysis of the vehicle's characteristics and properties;
• Reviewing the tests carried out by Gamotech to validate the trailer's technologies and performance;
• Involving the public works team in the selection and design of the vehicle to ensure it adequately meets needs;
• Focusing on priority needs (maintenance, safety and public health) when choosing equipment and designing the vehicle. Other functions are secondary;
• Establishing a change management process throughout the project;
• The courage to choose and promote innovation thoughtfully (alignment with needs);
• Adequate training of the team (instructions for working with high voltage) and simulation of concrete situations to facilitate learning;
• Ongoing support from the Gamotech team, including after delivery of the trailer;
• Collaboration and alignment between the Municipality's and Gamotech's teams;
• Enthusiasm around the project;
• Transparency and information sharing.

Practical advice for carrying out such a project

• Make sure to fully understand needs by involving the team from the start;
• Rely on a decision-making process compatible with the municipality's eco-responsible vision;
• Validate the vehicle's technologies and performance as well as the rigor and quality of the after-sales service offered by the manufacturer;
• Confirm the possibility of customizing (‘customize’) the design according to the Municipality's needs;
• Check the product's versatility;
• Prepare the equipment commissioning in advance;
• Plan the necessary training to provide to the team in advance;
• Ensure ongoing long-term support from the supplier.

The risks of working with a start-up are greater. The product is not yet fully tested. That is why a majority of municipalities prefer to move forward with proven solutions.

However, the Municipality of McMasterville carefully evaluated all parameters before choosing this sustainable solution. Its team judged the risks to be minimal and manageable compared with the many advantages this option offers.

The Municipality is a pioneer in this project. Its team will be able to influence the vehicle design according to its needs. Ultimately, the trailer will meet 98% of municipalities’ public works needs in Quebec. Exceptional measures on the order of 2% will benefit from compensatory measures.

Next steps

This initiative will demonstrate and successfully test this innovative and sustainable concept within a municipality. The Municipality of McMasterville will be the first municipality to receive this type of vehicle at the end of 2023. Lévis has also chosen this solution.

In 2024-2025, the Municipality and Gamotech will closely monitor the unit's performance parameters to confirm that it meets the needs identified beforehand. Gamotech will offer sustained after-sales support. This first delivery is, in a way, a pilot project for this Quebec start-up.

Project partners

• Municipality of McMasterville : project promoter
• Gamotech: designer and manufacturer of the trailer
• Innovative Vehicle Institute : instrumentation, data collection and optimization of the solution's energy efficiency
• Hypertronic : electromechanical design and system durability
• Groupe EP : design of the intelligent control system
• IVEO : support for municipal innovation

Project contact person

Gamotech
2990 Diab Street, Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1M7
(514) 800-1043
Olivier Brault, President

Municipality of McMasterville
255 Constable Blvd. – McMasterville (Quebec) J3G 6N9
450 467-3580 / www.mcmasterville.ca
Vincent Raymond, Deputy Director General