Warsaw 02:04:2025 10:06 AM Steve Walker
The Best of Both Worlds: Circularity in the Shade
For decades, diesel has been the backbone of modern forestry. It powers harvesters, forwarders, chippers, service vehicles, workshops and generators. Diesel works because forests are difficult places to work. They are remote, constantly changing and rarely connected to the electricity grid.
Today the challenge is no longer productivity. It is decarbonisation.
Many believe the answer is simple: replace diesel with electric machines. Electric technology has an important role to play, but forestry presents realities that cannot be ignored. Machines work beneath dense tree canopies, often many kilometres from the nearest grid connection. Temporary roads are built and removed as harvesting progresses. Operations move continuously. Charging infrastructure does not move as easily as the forest does.
The forest itself presents another irony.
Solar energy is an essential part of the renewable energy transition, but inside a working forest the trees literally put solar in the shade. The environment itself limits the technology.
PowerCan begins with a different question.
Instead of asking forestry operators to choose between electricity and renewable fuel, why not provide both?
PowerCan supplies renewable electricity exactly where forestry operations need it. It powers site offices, workshops, communications, welfare facilities, lighting, pumps, maintenance equipment and battery charging for electric tools and vehicles. Wherever temporary electricity is required, PowerCan creates an independent renewable power source without waiting for a permanent grid connection.
At the same time, PowerCan produces Compressed Renewable Natural Gas (CRNG) from Hydrogen Producer Gas generated from forest residues.
This changes everything.
