Press releases | 2026/05/26

Liebherr mobile energy storage powers STRABAG drinking water infrastructure project

Mobile, battery-based energy storage system supplies reliable power for a STRABAG infrastructure project near Zurich, despite severely limited grid capacity
Stable crane operation for over five months without a diesel generator
Savings of around 10,000 litres of diesel fuel, 27 tonnes of CO₂ and approximately CHF 17,700 in fuel costs

For a drinking water project near Zurich, STRABAG AG has opted for a mobile, battery-based energy storage system from Liebherr. The LPO 100 replaces diesel generators, reduces emissions, and allows for reliable planning on the construction site.

Nussbaumen (Switzerland) 26 May 2026 – For the expansion of a drinking water reservoir in a forested area near Lake Zurich, the Liebherr LPO 100 reliably powered cranes and other equipment on site, despite the severely limited grid connection available. The battery-based system enabled quiet, emission-free operations on site, eliminating the need for grid expansion. This supported the phased reconstruction of the over 100-year-old reservoir facilities under strict hygiene and quality requirements.

Limited grid connection, high peak loads

The Liebherr LPO 100 successfully bridged the gap between the high peak power demand and the limited grid feed-in from a temporary CEE 16 A grid connection providing 11 kW on the site. Continuously charged from the grid, the battery storage system reliably supplied cranes and site equipment with up to 110 kVA peak power, eliminating the need for a diesel generator. It enabled stable and quiet operations over more than five months, including concrete pouring volumes of up to 150 m³ per day.

“We were already familiar with this energy storage system from other sites and it proved essential here, enabling reliable crane operations and concrete pouring despite the limited CEE 16 A connection, while eliminating diesel generators and simplifying site logistics,” says Beat Spörndli, Site Manager at STRABAG AG.

Fewer emissions, less effort on site

Thanks to its quiet operation, the battery-powered solution was ideal for this sensitive forest area. The site logistics were also simplified by the elimination of diesel transport and reduced maintenance requirements. While a diesel generator runs continuously, the LPO 100 only supplies the required energy, offering a clear advantage in terms of efficiency.

The solution also made sense financially: Compared to a conventional 70 kVA diesel generator, STRABAG saved around 10,000 litres of diesel fuel and approximately CHF 17,700 in fuel costs, as well as around 27 tonnes of CO₂, over a five-month period. This is roughly equivalent to the emissions from 10–12 transatlantic flights per person in economy class.

The Rüschlikon project demonstrates how the Liebherr LPO 100 can supply quiet, emission-free and reliable power to construction sites with weak grid connections, eliminating the need for diesel generators or temporary grid expansion.