Hinowa and “Bi-Energy” technology: the future is sustainability!

Throughout the world, in all industries in which machines play a leading role, the current debate is focused on the correct use of energy. An issue that has seen Hinowa take a "clean" approach to the manufacture of its aerial platforms for some time.

 The perception we have of energy is currently undergoing a major change, similar to the growing focus on environmental protection. Regulations governing CO₂ emissions and noise levels are becoming increasingly stringent, and in many regions there is growing demand for low-emission equipment suitable for use in environmentally sensitive areas and locations with strict emissions regulations. Consequently, Bi-Energy technology has long been regarded as an innovative solution for aerial platforms, combining high performance and efficiency with reduced emissions.

oday, many manufacturers, with Hinowa among the leading Italian and European companies in the aerial platform sector, are investing in solutions that help reduce environmental impact while lowering operating costs and increasing return on investment on both indoor and outdoor job sites.

This is made possible through the Bi-Energy system, which combines the benefits of a diesel engine with a lithium-ion battery pack in a single machine. When operating in electric mode, the platform produces no exhaust emissions and significantly reduces noise and vibration. In addition, Hinowa's Bi-Energy technology offers greater flexibility and versatility across a wide range of applications.

Compared with conventional lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer a significantly longer service life and are free from the memory effect, allowing them to be recharged at any time, even during the working day. Energy efficiency is further enhanced by the Start & Stop system, which automatically switches the engine on only when required.

As an extension of all-electric operation, the Bi-Energy system extends the machine's operating time and enables it to work in compliance with increasingly stringent local regulations.
Hinowa is therefore able to offer the right solution for working at height in a wide range of applications, while maintaining the safety, stability, ease of use and fast positioning that distinguish its aerial platforms.

For more than ten years, Hinowa has offered this patented technology across its aerial platform range through its lithium-ion battery system. This solution reduces routine maintenance requirements compared with conventional combustion-engine-only machines and allows emission-free operation when the machine is running in electric mode. Depending on local electricity and fuel prices, operating costs can also be reduced when using battery power.

For these reasons, Hinowa aerial platforms are well suited for construction and cleaning companies, as well as painters, renovators, maintenance technicians and arborists. They are also ideal for applications in airports, shopping centres, historic buildings, hotels, retail facilities, industrial sites, amusement parks, public parks and gardens. In each of these environments, operators can select the most suitable power source according to the specific application. Today, more than a thousand Hinowa lithium-ion machines are operating worldwide, demonstrating the reliability of this technology.

At Bauma 2019, Hinowa announced the launch of the LL26 Bi-Energy and LL33 Bi-Energy aerial platforms, equipped with 100 Ah and 150 Ah lithium-ion batteries respectively, together with Kubota D902 Tier IV three-cylinder, 16.1 kW (21.6 hp) liquid-cooled diesel engines.

A key feature of these machines is their low noise level, both when operating with the diesel engine (104 dB guaranteed sound power level) and in electric mode (88 dB and 95 dB guaranteed sound power level respectively). The lithium-ion battery is recharged using an onboard battery charger. When operating in electric mode, Hinowa Bi-Energy platforms produce no exhaust emissions, generate very low noise levels and consume no fuel, while eliminating the need for trailing power cables. This makes them an ideal solution for applications requiring compact dimensions, easy manoeuvrability and quiet, low-emission operation.