Powering Progress: Cleaner Construction with Hybrid Gas Engine Technology

A new way to power construction sites

The HGE is an innovative, multi-fuel engine developed to deliver the same performance as diesel, but with far lower emissions. It’s part of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s Red Diesel Replacement Programme, funded through the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

By working with project partners Speedy Hire, EKFB, Calor and Imperial College London, CAGE has created a technology that’s both practical and future-ready. The generator can run on hydrogen, LPG, or BioLPG — with the fuel type changed at the flick of a switch.

That means construction businesses can start cutting carbon now, using cleaner fuels like LPG or BioLPG, and transition to hydrogen when it becomes more widely available.

Real results in action

During the trial, the HGE generator was used to charge Battery Storage Units that powered water management and staff welfare facilities on-site — creating a complete clean energy solution.

One of the most impressive results came when a 15 kVA HGE generator replaced a much larger 65 kVA diesel unit to charge Speedy’s electric service van. The smaller, smarter system delivered big savings in fuel use and emissions, improving air quality for workers and surrounding communities.

Testing by Imperial College London’s Centre for Low Emission Construction (CLEC) confirmed that the HGE’s emissions were significantly lower than European standards for this type of machinery — proving the difference cleaner fuels can make.

Collaboration driving change

At Calor, we're proud to have supported this project as part of our commitment to helping industies transition to lower-carbon energy solutions.

Tom Harrison, Operations Director at CAGE, summed it up perfectly:

“There’s a critical need for the construction sector to transition from diesel to clean fuels. HGE offers a practical route to net zero with minimal cost and operational compromise.”

And as CAGE CEO Paul Andrews added:

“This project shows how diesel power can be directly replaced with cleaner alternatives. The collaboration between Calor, Imperial, Seppdy and EKFB has been key to making it happen."

Building a cleaner future together

As the UK moves towards net zero, innovations like the Hybrid Gas Engine show that cleaner, practical alternatives to diesel are already within reach.

At Calor, we’re proud to support technologies and partnerships that help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and make it easier for businesses to operate more sustainably — today and in the future.