Clean-tech innovator Allye Energy has announced Collins Earthworks as the first customer for its recently launched MegaMAX battery energy storage systems. The partnership will see the deployment of a MAX1000 unit with 240kW integrated DC fast charging capabilities, specifically configured for the demanding requirements of construction sites.
This announcement follows Allye Energy’s recent launch of its MegaMAX range, which includes both the MAX1000 (1MWh) and MAX1500 (1.5MWh) battery energy storage systems. Collins Earthworks has worked closely with Allye Energy to co-create a solution tailored to the unique challenges of construction electrification, providing valuable industry insights that shaped the mobile capabilities of the MegaMAX range.
Collins Earthworks is a pioneering company in sustainable construction practices, and are taking steps to move their fleet of trucks and earthmoving equipment to electric power. The partnership with Allye Energy addresses the critical challenge of providing high-power charging at depots, quarries, and remote locations where construction vehicles need to top up throughout the working day.
Image: Allye Energy
The economic benefit to Collins is substantial. Allye Energy estimates that the MegaMAX range will save operators like Collins up to £2,500 per week in diesel costs alone, with additional savings from reduced maintenance requirements and the elimination of costly grid connection upgrades for EV charging infrastructure.
David Collins, Managing Director at Collins Earthworks, said: “The transition to electric construction equipment presents unique challenges in our industry, but it’s a necessary step forward that we’re committed to taking. The MAX1000 delivers exactly what we need – reliable, high-power charging capability that can be deployed at our various work sites without extensive infrastructure upgrades. It’s a practical solution that keeps our electric equipment running efficiently while helping us meet our sustainability targets. This technology allows us to maintain productivity and operational effectiveness while significantly reducing our environmental impact.”
“Drop and go” solution for Ultra-Fast Deployment
A key feature of the MegaMAX range is its custom Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) structure, allowing systems to be transported and deployed via standard hook loader trucks without requiring specialised lifting equipment. This engineering breakthrough enables a complete high-power, off-grid EV charging solution to be operational in under two minutes – a capability that delivers on the needs of the most demanding fleet operators.
This “drop and go” approach ensures that businesses can rapidly implement the MAX as a mobile power source, be it temporary or permanent, while delivering EV charging infrastructure at temporary sites, remote locations, or grid-constrained facilities without the lengthy planning and construction processes typically associated with such installations.
Lightning-Fast EV Charging for Industrial applications
The MegaMAX range’s standout feature is its integrated CCS DC fast charging capability, which can be specified from 240kW up to 640kW, with higher power under development. This exceptional charging power is specifically engineered to meet the demanding requirements of construction equipment, heavy-duty trucks, and industrial vehicles that require rapid charging to maintain operational efficiency.
The first system for Collins Earthworks is a MAX1000 with 240kW DC fast charging for their initial deployment, while the MegaMAX range offers flexible charging options to meet various operational needs. The system delivers unprecedented capabilities for construction electrification, with the MAX1000 providing 1MWh and MAX1500 offering 1.5MWh of energy capacity. The charging system includes extra-long cables designed specifically for these larger industrial vehicles, enabling practical use in challenging construction environments.
Collins Earthworks operates a fleet of four Volvo FMX electric trucks, and the MAX1000 system will recharge these vehicles from 20-80% in just over an hour. With higher capacity charging configurations available in the MegaMAX range, this charge time could be reduced to as little as 25 minutes, adding over 200 km of operational range. For construction equipment, the system’s capabilities are equally impressive. The MegaMAX range can fully recharge a typical electric crawler excavator with a 260kWh battery in under 25 minutes. The larger MAX1500 variant could support complete 0-100% recharging of five large electric crawler excavators in a single day, entirely off-grid.
Alistair McNeil, COO at Allye Energy said: “Our partnership with Collins Earthworks exemplifies how innovation happens when forward-thinking companies collaborate effectively. Their industry expertise has been invaluable in refining the MegaMAX range to meet real-world construction needs. By integrating our proprietary AI forecasting technology into these systems, we’ve created not just a power solution but an intelligent energy management system that anticipates usage patterns, optimises charging schedules, and adapts to the dynamic needs of any site. This predictive capability ensures maximum efficiency while minimising operational costs – functioning essentially as an ‘energy bank’ that draws power strategically during off-peak hours.”
The MegaMAX’s sophisticated engineering includes a unique control system that integrates three Allye MAX structures into a single cohesive unit, enhancing performance while providing inherent redundancy. Its fully liquid-cooled system is shared between inverters and battery packs, with innovative control systems that pre-charge battery packs and utilise latent heat from inverters to improve round-trip efficiency, lifetime, and performance in cold weather.
The MegaMAX range features Allye’s advanced AI forecasting platform from the MAX300, which continuously analyses usage patterns, weather conditions, and operational schedules to predict energy demands. This intelligent system optimises charging cycles, balances loads, and enables participation in flexibility services so additional revenue streams can be generated while ensuring power is always available when needed. Real-time integration with energy market data allows the system to charge during lower-cost periods, further reducing operational expenses.
