BANGOR, ME—Regional asphalt manufacturer and roadway paving contractor, Northeast Paving, met with Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) representatives and members of the University of Maine College of Engineering recently to discuss potential for reducing carbon emissions and overall energy costs at the company’s 30-year-old mining facility in Bangor.
The dialogue that was initiated among the three groups centers on driverless vehicle technology and the use of electric energy, which are currently being explored elsewhere by Volvo CE. The meeting served as an introduction to carbon-neutral mining possibilities, as well as an invitation to group members to continue learning and exploring together. As Brian Raymond, Area Manager for Northeast Paving, points out, the meeting reflects his company’s commitment to addressing today’s most pressing challenges.
“Now, more than ever, is a great time to be innovative and look toward the future of our industry,” says Raymond. “The teams at Volvo and University of Maine share our commitment to innovation. Northeast Paving is optimistic about the potential to utilize autonomous, electric-powered vehicles at our quarry in Bangor. We are excited to see where this discussion may lead.”
Volvo CE representatives David Nus, Christopher Lagandre, and Uwe Muller attended the introductory meeting. Also in attendance were John Thebarge and Tyler Ring of Chadwick-Baross, the exclusive Volvo CE dealer in Maine. Chadwick-Baross is Northeast Paving’s primary supplier of non-electric, manually operated Volvo CE machinery. The meeting was an investigation within the wider relationship that exists between the three companies, into a more sustainable business model in the future.
Muller, who is Program Manager Commercial Solutions, oversaw field tests of electric vehicle technologies in 2018, during a three-month trial period at a granite quarry owned by Swedish construction company Skanska. The Skanska-owned quarry produces stone materials used in roadway construction, similar to those produced by the Northeast Paving-owned quarry in Bangor. Results of the 2018 tests indicated a 98-percent reduction of quarry carbon emissions, and a 70-percent reduction of total energy costs for the quarry.
Volvo CE has requested technical input from Northeast Paving into its Bangor quarry operations, to aid its assessment of whether carbon-neutral conversion is viable. That will take time, according to Nus. “In parallel, Volvo will continue to develop, test and improve technologies in other ways,” he explains. “At some stage, we will have to see if or when these two streams can intersect at some future point.”
Also present for the day’s events were University of Maine faculty members Dana Humphrey, Meredith Kirkman, Curtis Marson, and Will Manion. Humphrey is Dean of the College of Engineering, and is exploring a future partnership with Northeast Paving as a means to introduce electromobility and vehicle automation to engineering students at the university.
The Bangor quarry site visit is an early step in the direction of a more sustainable alternative to traditional surface mining practices. Northeast Paving is committed to pursuing a carbon-neutral model through ongoing industry outreach and research.
“Reducing our carbon footprint is the right thing to do,” says Raymond. “Northeast Paving is inspired by the innovative work currently
ABOUT NORTHEAST PAVING
Northeast Paving is New England’s leading general contractor specializing in asphalt production, roadway paving, and heavy civil construction. We are honored to serve our local communities by delivering products that promote economic growth and improve the lives of citizens every day. Our teams are formed by experts in the construction and paving industry who are capable of building state-of-the-art roads, bridges, railways, and commercial centers. Our asphalt production facilities operating throughout the region manufacture the highest-quality material possible, to ensure that our projects will last for generations to come.
For information, visit: www.northeast-paving.com