Worksite Performance Solutions Case Study
Partnership Model Enables Proactive Site Management on Megaproject
United Rentals equipment, solutions and support increased productivity and cost savings on massive battery plant build.
Summary
A general contractor building a massive battery plant on 6,000 acres of farmland sought help in creating a connected jobsite and increasing site safety, security and productivity. An end-to-end partnership with United Rentals eased pain points, streamlined operations, prevented unnecessary downtime and saved money.
Challenge
The jobsite required network connectivity, smart security cameras, temporary power, perimeter access control and other infrastructure, as well as a solution for a high UTV damage rate. United Rentals also saw an opportunity to implement remote environmental monitoring and control to reduce site walks and ensure optimal temperature and humidity levels.
A large general contractor was tasked with turning 6,000 acres of remote farmland into a multi-billion-dollar battery plant facility. The site needed everything from temporary power and network connectivity to site security and climate control. The contractor also sought ways to improve safety, productivity and sustainability throughout the megaproject.
United Rentals stepped up to the plate, collaborating with the contractor early and often as part of a full, end-to-end partnership. In addition to equipment, United Rentals provided a number of connected jobsite solutions from its Worksite Performance Solutions portfolio. These solutions allowed the contractor to manage equipment access, streamline equipment operator onboarding and remotely monitor temperature, humidity and air quality to keep workers comfortable and materials safe.
Setting the jobsite up for success
A well-planned mobilization phase is critical to a successful project. United Rentals was there on day one to assist with jobsite planning and install digital and physical infrastructure to support thousands of craft workers and streamline operations.
Building a connected equipment yard
To provide the hundreds of pieces of equipment needed for the project, United Rentals built a 7-acre onsite branch that eventually became the largest United Rentals branch in the region.
The yard required network connectivity so that each piece of equipment could communicate data to Total Control®, the United Rentals worksite management platform. United Rentals went all out to establish that connectivity. It also placed LoRaWAN gateways around the site for seamless connectivity outside the yard for its environmental monitoring offering.
The yard included multiple 60-foot trailers for branch operations and safety training through United Academy.
Installing smart turnstiles
To automate jobsite access management, United Rentals provided smart turnstiles. Activated with the swipe of a company-issued, RFID-enabled worker ID badge, these turnstiles freed up security personnel to perform other duties. They also created a digital record of entries and exits, automating the gathering of attendance data for payroll and other purposes.
Deploying smart security cameras
United Rentals installed rental security cameras for site security. To solve the need to distinguish people, vehicles and wildlife such as deer, the cameras were upgraded with AI capabilities. Security alerts were sent to the contractor’s onsite security team based on the business rules provided. At different times of day, the cameras moved to point in different directions.
This level of sophisticated surveillance enhanced safety and saved the contractor the cost of hiring two additional security officers.
Solving an early pain point with equipment access management
Early in the project, the customer had a problem with damage to UTVs. To address this pain point, United Rentals installed equipment keypads and added RFID readers. Workers who were granted permission to use certain pieces of equipment could access them by swiping the same ID badge they used to enter the site.
“We leveraged data from each worker’s ID badge to create worker profiles in Total Control®,” said Kevin Noonan, United Rentals senior manager. “These profiles allowed the contractor to assign equipment access permissions, and access to the equipment yard, without having to manually onboard each operator. The single badge, multi-use solution saved nearly three hours of onboarding per worker.”
Equipment access management also allowed managers to track who used a UTV at a particular time, which created individual accountability.
Increasing ROI of equipment with utilization tracking
Utilization reports in Total Control allowed the contractor to more effectively manage their equipment fleet. Instead of spending money on machines that were no longer needed, they could return underutilized equipment early. Total Control helped them optimize the utilization of all the equipment on rent as well as the amount of equipment.
Enabling remote environmental monitoring and control with WEDGE™
The jobsite required strict oversight of environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity. High humidity can damage sensitive materials, electrical systems and finishes. Heaters inside industrial tents were needed to keep workers warm in colder months.
United Rentals walked the site with the customer to identify worker spaces, moisture-risk areas and areas that would contain sensitive materials. Then it deployed WEDGE™, a proprietary remote environmental monitoring and control solution. Sensors placed in the lunch tent and throughout the battery building recorded temperature, humidity and air quality, including construction dust and diesel exhaust levels. The sensors sent the data continuously to the WEDGE dashboard.
Using WEDGE, the contractor saved between 12-15 hours a week by eliminating job walks to check heaters and monitor the environment. WEDGE also prevented downtime by detecting an unexpected humidity spike in the battery building. United Rentals worked quickly to size and mobilize a large industrial dehumidification package, avoiding delays and protecting sensitive materials.
Reducing heater runtime with SmartHeat sensors
Keeping a consistent temperature during winter can be difficult and expensive. To improve worker comfort and control costs, United Rentals deployed WEDGE SmartHeat sensors on heaters in the main building and lunch tent. The sensors automatically cycle heaters on and off based on preset thresholds, keeping critical spaces warm without excess spend.
SmartHeat sensors saved the contractor an estimated 15%-25% on fuel costs. When one of the heaters began to cycle abnormally, the sensor sent alerts to the United Rentals team. They fixed the heater and averted a breakdown.
Keeping construction equipment in top condition
The onsite branch was staffed by a United Rentals branch manager as well as four United Rentals technicians. These technicians helped keep the fleet in good working condition and responded quickly to equipment failures to minimize downtime.
Supporting megaprojects through close partnership
Construction of the battery building is scheduled to wrap up in 2027. The contractor will continue to rely on its unique partnership with United Rentals to help them bring the project to completion.
The success of the partnership hinged on United Rentals’ close collaboration with the customer at every phase, and its one-stop-shop offerings.
“It requires a great deal of teamwork and planning to operationalize multiple solutions on a megaproject,” said Noonan. “The coordination and collaboration across United Rentals was outstanding.”
In addition to reducing UTV damage through equipment access management, the contractor credited United Rentals with avoiding potential delays from humidity damage, saving heater fuel and keeping crews comfortable via WEDGE. Noted Emma Seymour, United Rentals regional product development manager - sustainability, “They tell us they will not do another project without WEDGE.”