There are many good reasons for a civil engineering company to invest in trenchless technology. Not only because it is innovative, sustainable and conserves resources, but also because underground pipe and cable laying is the technology of the future, able to meet the demands of residents, network operators, municipalities and the environment. Nodig technology has evolved with these requirements and is now more versatile than ever. So much has happened in the area of service connections that it has its own potential.
Energy transition and subsidies create incentives for new service connections
Sustainability is on everyone's lips and the sustainable use of energy is enshrined in many new laws. The introduction of a CO2 tax on heating oil and natural gas in 2021 has increased costs for homeowners. At the same time, fossil fuels are becoming more expensive, not only because of their limited availability, but also because of geopolitical developments that are driving up world market prices. For these reasons, sustainable systems are being subsidised by the public sector, such as the installation of new heating systems that use renewable energy. Homeowners receive special subsidies from governments and utilities to make the switch attractive.
The combination of funding measures, the introduction of a CO2 tax and increases in the price of fossil fuels is creating new opportunities for the construction industry in the area of house connections. The legal requirement to replace boilers after 20 years at the latest is also encouraging the switch to new connections. The figures speak for themselves: according to the German Chimney Sweep Association, 3 million oil-fired heating systems and 4 million gas-fired heating systems have been in operation for more than 20 years. What's more, the requirements of the climate protection package, which will ban the installation of new oil boilers from 2026, will come into force in 2022. Oil heating systems can only be installed and operated until the end of 2025. Again, there is a strong incentive to switch to renewable energy through subsidies.
Then there is the expansion of the fibre-optic network. From April 2021, municipalities, districts, associations of municipalities and local authorities, as well as public companies, will be able to apply for funding under the so-called grey spot funding programme for areas where download speeds of less than 100 Mbit/s are available. The federal government is providing a total of €12 billion for fibre-optic connections, with the Länder contributing to the costs.
Solutions for every eventuality
Funding is one thing, but actually laying all those new connections is quite another. This is where trenchless technology comes in. With open trenching, the cost of laying pipes can quickly spiral out of control. Not to mention the time, noise, dirt and surface damage. So it's good to know that there's a sustainable and gentle trenchless method that can significantly reduce the environmental impact, time and cost of installing new service connections for utilities and homeowners. Trenchless technology offers solutions for every situation, for service connections for all types of media - to the house from the main line or in the opposite direction, completely without trenching and without a head hole in front of the building.
The entry-level machine for trenchless technology and a universal tool for linear service connections are the non-steered GRUNDOMAT earthmovers. As the pneumatically driven earthmover advances, the surrounding soil is displaced and compacted. Short pipes with smooth couplings, which do not protrude outwards, can be pulled into the resulting trench immediately or at a later date. A proven design ensures precise advance even in stony soils.
For complex routes where the drill head needs to be manoeuvrable, e.g. in confined spaces, challenging terrain such as slopes and/or difficult soils, the GRUNDOPIT type of manoeuvrable mini HDD system can be used, which can be started from a pit or shaft as required. The compact systems require only small excavations and, depending on the model, can drill flat over existing utilities, which is particularly useful for the rapid installation of fibre optic home connections.
Another TRACTO solution for the installation of service connections, which in terms of process technology lies between the piercing and drilling tools and the mini HDD systems, is the GRUNDOSTEER directional drilling system. As with the soil rocket, the target point is located using a sighting device and the soil is statically displaced during the advance. The locatable steering head allows directional corrections during the advance, similar to HDD drilling technology.
With all three systems, the pipe can be laid directly into the building through a core hole drilled in the house wall. Using the piercing tool and directional drilling system, it is also possible to run the pipe in the opposite direction, i.e. from the building to the main. Special house seals ensure that the house wall is completely sealed again afterwards.
Trenchless is now standard for well-positioned companies
To assess the potential of trenchless service connections from the perspective of a client and a contractor, we asked Marius Schäfer of the Düsseldorf network company and civil engineer Oliver Pöllmann for their views. Utilities and contractors have been working with trenchless technology for many years. As a representative of the sole energy and water supplier for the city of Düsseldorf, Marius Schäfer sees NODIG as "the standard for well-positioned companies today". The connection technology specialist points out that the increased planning requirements are offset by savings in time, personnel and materials.
The Düsseldorf-based network company is even working with TRACTO to develop new trenchless solutions for laying new house connections using controlled drilling technology. Oliver Pöllmann sees the earth rocket as "a must for every construction company, even if it is only for five jobs a year" and emphasises that the response from homeowners to underground laying is consistently positive. While he also uses his earth rocket in mass production, the civil engineer uses his mini-flush drilling system for 'tailor-made, individual house connections'. Although the preparation for controlled drilling is much more complex than for an earth rocket application, the profit is right. The fees you get when there's no alternative are quite impressive,' says Oliver Pöllmann with a broad grin.
Municipal and regional clients are increasingly recognising that there is no way around using trenchless methods if central infrastructure projects are to be successful. This realisation is not only driven by cost, but also by time, sustainability and climate protection. Therefore, investments in trenchless technology pay off in the short, medium and long term for civil engineering companies. The potential in the area of service connections alone is enormous and will continue to grow in the coming years. The same applies to the expansion of distribution networks, e.g. for energy supply or digital infrastructure.
Energy transition and subsidies create incentives for new service connections
Sustainability is on everyone's lips and the sustainable use of energy is enshrined in many new laws. The introduction of a CO2 tax on heating oil and natural gas in 2021 has increased costs for homeowners. At the same time, fossil fuels are becoming more expensive, not only because of their limited availability, but also because of geopolitical developments that are driving up world market prices. For these reasons, sustainable systems are being subsidised by the public sector, such as the installation of new heating systems that use renewable energy. Homeowners receive special subsidies from governments and utilities to make the switch attractive.
The combination of funding measures, the introduction of a CO2 tax and increases in the price of fossil fuels is creating new opportunities for the construction industry in the area of house connections. The legal requirement to replace boilers after 20 years at the latest is also encouraging the switch to new connections. The figures speak for themselves: according to the German Chimney Sweep Association, 3 million oil-fired heating systems and 4 million gas-fired heating systems have been in operation for more than 20 years. What's more, the requirements of the climate protection package, which will ban the installation of new oil boilers from 2026, will come into force in 2022. Oil heating systems can only be installed and operated until the end of 2025. Again, there is a strong incentive to switch to renewable energy through subsidies.
Then there is the expansion of the fibre-optic network. From April 2021, municipalities, districts, associations of municipalities and local authorities, as well as public companies, will be able to apply for funding under the so-called grey spot funding programme for areas where download speeds of less than 100 Mbit/s are available. The federal government is providing a total of €12 billion for fibre-optic connections, with the Länder contributing to the costs.
Solutions for every eventuality
Funding is one thing, but actually laying all those new connections is quite another. This is where trenchless technology comes in. With open trenching, the cost of laying pipes can quickly spiral out of control. Not to mention the time, noise, dirt and surface damage. So it's good to know that there's a sustainable and gentle trenchless method that can significantly reduce the environmental impact, time and cost of installing new service connections for utilities and homeowners. Trenchless technology offers solutions for every situation, for service connections for all types of media - to the house from the main line or in the opposite direction, completely without trenching and without a head hole in front of the building.
The entry-level machine for trenchless technology and a universal tool for linear service connections are the non-steered GRUNDOMAT earthmovers. As the pneumatically driven earthmover advances, the surrounding soil is displaced and compacted. Short pipes with smooth couplings, which do not protrude outwards, can be pulled into the resulting trench immediately or at a later date. A proven design ensures precise advance even in stony soils.
For complex routes where the drill head needs to be manoeuvrable, e.g. in confined spaces, challenging terrain such as slopes and/or difficult soils, the GRUNDOPIT type of manoeuvrable mini HDD system can be used, which can be started from a pit or shaft as required. The compact systems require only small excavations and, depending on the model, can drill flat over existing utilities, which is particularly useful for the rapid installation of fibre optic home connections.
Another TRACTO solution for the installation of service connections, which in terms of process technology lies between the piercing and drilling tools and the mini HDD systems, is the GRUNDOSTEER directional drilling system. As with the soil rocket, the target point is located using a sighting device and the soil is statically displaced during the advance. The locatable steering head allows directional corrections during the advance, similar to HDD drilling technology.
With all three systems, the pipe can be laid directly into the building through a core hole drilled in the house wall. Using the piercing tool and directional drilling system, it is also possible to run the pipe in the opposite direction, i.e. from the building to the main. Special house seals ensure that the house wall is completely sealed again afterwards.
Trenchless is now standard for well-positioned companies
To assess the potential of trenchless service connections from the perspective of a client and a contractor, we asked Marius Schäfer of the Düsseldorf network company and civil engineer Oliver Pöllmann for their views. Utilities and contractors have been working with trenchless technology for many years. As a representative of the sole energy and water supplier for the city of Düsseldorf, Marius Schäfer sees NODIG as "the standard for well-positioned companies today". The connection technology specialist points out that the increased planning requirements are offset by savings in time, personnel and materials.
The Düsseldorf-based network company is even working with TRACTO to develop new trenchless solutions for laying new house connections using controlled drilling technology. Oliver Pöllmann sees the earth rocket as "a must for every construction company, even if it is only for five jobs a year" and emphasises that the response from homeowners to underground laying is consistently positive. While he also uses his earth rocket in mass production, the civil engineer uses his mini-flush drilling system for 'tailor-made, individual house connections'. Although the preparation for controlled drilling is much more complex than for an earth rocket application, the profit is right. The fees you get when there's no alternative are quite impressive,' says Oliver Pöllmann with a broad grin.
Municipal and regional clients are increasingly recognising that there is no way around using trenchless methods if central infrastructure projects are to be successful. This realisation is not only driven by cost, but also by time, sustainability and climate protection. Therefore, investments in trenchless technology pay off in the short, medium and long term for civil engineering companies. The potential in the area of service connections alone is enormous and will continue to grow in the coming years. The same applies to the expansion of distribution networks, e.g. for energy supply or digital infrastructure.
