UK hits 100,000 public EV chargers milestone

Over 100,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charge points are available to drivers in the UK, according to Octopus Electroverse’s new Charging Infrastructure Insights report. UK drivers are finding it easier to charge on the road, the report says, with one new public charger installed every 13 minutes in the last six months. Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers – powerful enough to recharge EVs in as little as 20 minutes – are being rolled out the quickest and now make up nearly a quarter (24%) of all public charge points. The landmark figure is revealed just days after the government confirmed the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030. It is targeting 300,000 public chargers to be installed in the UK by the same year. The rapid rollout of public charges stands in stark contrast to the declining number of petrol stations, with around 8,300 available across the country today. Electric cars have become even more accessible to drivers over the last year, with leasing deals starting from just £200 a month through salary sacrifice. Last month saw record-breaking sales in the UK, with more battery electric cars registered than ever before. Octopus Electroverse has expanded quickly since it launched in 2020. It is now Europe’s largest EV charging platform, supporting around half of electric car drivers in the UK and hundreds of thousands more internationally. A charging session is started every few seconds by an Electroverse electric car driver, fleet member or partner car manufacturer. Matt Davies, Director of Octopus Electroverse, says, “This milestone shows we are building real momentum behind electric driving in the UK. Drivers can now trust there is a charger at almost every twist and turn of the road – making plugging in an EV feel as easy as charging up your phone. ”We’re well on track to turning the government’s 300,000 target by 2030 into a reality. And with new rules raising standards on reliability and ease of use, drivers can feel more confident than ever.” For more from Octopus, click here.

Primary school benefits from heat pump cascade installation

Two Tyneham 290HT 27kW air source heat pumps from Hamworthy Heating, a British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products, have been installed in cascade for underfloor heating in a new extension at a primary school in Cambridge. To accurately meet the heating requirements of the new school extension and ensure an even distribution of heat, the new system from Hamworthy Heating includes two 290HT 27kW Tyneham heat pumps with natural refrigerant, configured in a hydraulic cascade set up. The heat pumps are connected to a 500L buffer cylinder, which also features an electrical heating element, controlled by a BMS. The buffer connections, Exogel anti-freeze valves and degassers were also supplied by Hamworthy Heating. This cascade arrangement allows for the heat capacity to be equally distributed according to the specific heating demands of the new school building. Rather than rely on a larger single heat pump that could run inefficiently at partial load, the new cascade set-up enables the units, which have inverter controlled compressors, to adjust their capacities as needed which will enable the school to achieve a more accurate match to its actual heating demand and optimise performance. Additionally, as the new system can adjust to keep the heat pumps operating at their most efficient state, cycling of heat pumps and unnecessary energy consumption is avoided. The two new Tyneham 290 HT installation also provides the school with increased protection against breakdowns. Unlike a single heat pump installation, which can result in complete downtime, the new system now supplies the new building with uninterrupted heating. Furthermore, as the workload is shared across two Tyneham heat pumps, stress and wear on individual components is significantly reduced. Following a previously successful collaboration with Hamworthy Heating on the school's existing heating system, Sotham Engineering was keen to stick with a brand it could trust on the second phase of its project. Ricky Harris, Sotham Engineering Services, comments, “We choose Tyneham heat pumps due to their overall performance and efficiency. Having collaborated with Hamworthy during the first stage of the project, we found them easy to work with and always available to provide support and assistance”. Building on the success of its popular Tyneham heat pump range, the new 290HT heat pump utilising natural refrigerant offers a co-efficiency of performance (COP) of up to 4.94 for optimum efficiency.  Quiet in operation, with noise levels as low as 64db(A), the latest 290HT heat pump range is available in five outputs from 15kW through to 50kW and can be cascaded to achieve higher outputs and can be combined with alternative Hamworthy Heating products to achieve a low-carbon hybrid heating system. Following a successful installation, the new extension now benefits from a reliable and efficient heat pump system that will help the school to reduce its carbon footprint and lower operational costs. For more from Hamworthy Heating, click here.

Dallas Pro luminaires in every colour of the rainbow

NVC Lighting has launched Dallas Pro, a new range of luminaires that offer easy installation, low glare, high performance and a unique colour matching option. The stylish and robust surface/suspended luminaire is suited for residential, education, office and commercial settings, with a sleek and modern design complemented by technical features to improve productivity, efficiency and focus. Designed for easy installation and backed by a seven-year warranty, Dallas Pro products offer a UGR<19 low glare light and are available in X, L, T and straight configurations, offering flexibility for creative and functional lighting configurations. Uniquely, NVC Lighting is offering a RAL colour matching service, allowing customers to choose from over 2,500 colours or choose their own custom finish to perfectly coordinate with any setting. Phil Brown, Product & Marketing Director at NVC Lighting, says, “Dallas Pro is a product that ticks all of the right boxes – it’s high quality, high performance, easy to install and looks the part. Now, with customers able to choose any colour of choice thanks to our colour matching system, the design possibilities are endless. “This is a really exciting development for us and we can’t wait to see how our products are brought to life in exciting settings and colours.” Further benefits of Dallas Pro include selectable wattage, allowing flexibility to adjust the light’s brightness to suit different needs, as well as EPD verification in line with NVC Lighting’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. EPDs provide independently verified data on a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This helps architects, specifiers, and project managers make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals. For more from NVC Lighting, click here.

Comprehensive cable management from Unicrimp

Unicrimp focuses on cable management, under three ranges, each designed for a specific need: Q-Crimp, Q-Fire, and Q-Nect. The comprehensive range of Q-Crimp cable accessories provides installers with an increasing number of problem-solving products. Today, the Q-Crimp range incorporates more than 19 different product categories, including a wide variety of durable Cable Glands. Offered in a variety of BW, CW and AE1W, Unicrimp’s Brass Cable Glands are manufactured to the latest approvals and are BS6121 compliant. The latest additions feature the 3- and 4-part Brass Glands; these include a brass olive which allows for different sizes and grades of steel wire armour. They are each available in four different sizes - 20(s)mm, 25mm, 32mm and 40mm - and they come supplied as a pack of two. Also designed to house incoming cables on metal consumer units, Unicrimp’s Meter Tail Glands provide the ideal solution for incoming cables requiring entry through 32mm or 40mm knockouts. Due to their specialist grommet, the fitment allows for 25mm² or 16mm² meter tails. Unicrimp’s Nylon cable glands are made from polyamide 6 and are manufactured to the most recent UL approvals. They are also IP68 rated and available in a range of different sizes. A recent addition to the Q-Crimp range was the extensive collection of Conduit Accessories. The range comprises more than 90 individual products in total, with key products including Conduit Boxes, Light Gauge Saddles, Inspection Tees, Inspection Bends and Metal Hooks. Prevent cables from premature collapse during a fire and keep emergency services and the public safe. BS7671 IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition, Chapter 52: Selection and erection of wiring systems, provides requirements for the methods of support of wiring systems in escape routes. Metal cable cleats from Q-Fire comply with the latest regulations. The unique adjustable screw slot adjusts the cleat to fit oversized or undersized cables. Focusing on strong, quick and reliable solutions, the Q-Nect range offers great versatility for electrical connections. Each product is packed with features that make your installations quicker and easier. With Lever Connectors, IP-rated Junction Boxes, Inline Connectors and Connection Boxes, the complete range can help installers harness cables safely, even in the outdoors. The IP Junction Boxes are a firm favourite with installers, due to the variety they offer. Available in two colours, in standard and Slimline versions, with and without Lever Connectors included, and with opaque or Semi-Transparent lids, there's a Junction Box for every installation. Fast and easy to use and suitable for solid, stranded and flexible cable types, the Lever Connectors use screwless spring clamp technology, which means there is no need for any tools. For more from Unicrimp click here.

CU Phosco to restore Brighton's historic seafront lighting

Brighton & Hove City Council, in partnership with lighting expert, CU Phosco, is set to restore the city’s historic Grade II listed seafront lighting to its former glory. The first phase of this eagerly awaited project officially commenced in Spring 2025. For residents who have missed the original ambience of Brighton & Hove’s iconic shoreline, this restoration marks a momentous step toward recapturing the historic charm and character of the beloved seafront. The project will restore 100 lanterns and listed columns, ensuring they continue to illuminate the city for future generations. During the initial phase, five lampposts will be removed for full restoration. Each column is being individually logged to ensure correct reinstatement. The project has been carefully developed in collaboration with Historic England and a specialist metal conservator to maintain historical integrity. The lampposts, which date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, will undergo a meticulous process of lead-paint removal, structural assessment, damage repair, and protective coating before returning to their original locations. Brighton & Hove City Council has appointed expert industry partners to oversee different aspects of the project: Cast Iron Welding Services will handle the transportation, conservation, and structural restoration of the lampposts; while CU Phosco, originally commissioned in 1982 to manufacture replica lanterns of the classic copper originals, will produce historically accurate lanterns and brackets. These will remain true to their original design while incorporating modern, energy-efficient LED lighting. Brighton & Hove City Council has worked in close collaboration with Historic England to develop a restoration plan that carefully preserves the historical integrity of the heritage columns, brackets, and lanterns. Tom Foxall, Regional Director at Historic England, says, “We’re delighted to support this essential project to restore Brighton’s unique historic lampposts. These elegant structures are a defining feature of the seafront and an important part of the city’s heritage.” The restored lanterns will undergo rigorous testing, including a 2,000-hour salt spray assessment, to withstand the unique demands of the coastal environment. Using a combination of cast rather than pressed aluminium - an improvement over previous designs - the restored fixtures will offer enhanced longevity and resilience, combining tradition with energy-efficient LED lighting in a warm, sympathetic 3000K colour temperature – which match the original lanterns colour and brightness. Matt Murray, Sales Director, CU Phosco Lighting, comments, “This is a very proud moment for CU Phosco, after years of development to ensure that the lanterns replicate the original designs, with innovative and sustainable solutions to enable the seafront to be returned to its former glory. The project team focused on providing energy-efficient, maintenance-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing products, maintaining the authenticity of the original lanterns. Proving that existing heritage lanterns can be replicated with circularity in mind”. The project’s funding, totalling approximately £4 million, comes from the council's Carbon Neutral Fund, capital reserves, and remaining funds from the LED streetlighting project. Notably, some of the experts working on this project are also involved in the Madeira Terrace restoration, reinforcing Brighton & Hove’s commitment to preserving its heritage assets. The first phase is targeted for completion by April 2025, marking the start of a journey to restore the entire collection by 2027. This project represents a major step in safeguarding Brighton & Hove’s architectural legacy, ensuring that these cherished landmarks continue to illuminate the city’s iconic seafront for years to come. For more from CU Phosco, click here.

Record breaking figures for small-scale renewables

Following on from our previous story about 2025 marking a record-breaking start to the year for small-scale renewables, Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, comments on the latest MCS data: “The latest data from the MCS Data Dashboard shows that March was the best month of 2025 so far, totalling more than 31,000 certified installations – up 49% from March 2024. “Heat pump uptake continues to rise, with 5,604 certified installations – a 22% increase on March of last year - as more homeowners transition to low-carbon heating, driven by initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). “Solar PV also had a strong month, with a total of 22,599 installations in March. This was a 49% increase on March 2024 and an 18% increase on last month. This means that there are now over 1.7 million MCS certified solar PV installations. “March was another record-breaking month for battery storage, with almost 3,000 certified installations, beating the previous record set in February and a 147% increase on March 2024. This brings the total battery storage installations to over 33,000. “It’s great to see that the number of people adopting low-carbon alternatives is continuing to grow month on month, a positive step towards helping the UK achieve its net zero targets. With this growth, it is crucial to focus on ‘delivered quality’ to ensure consumers have growing confidence when investing in home-grown energy. This is what the redeveloped MCS will achieve, putting consumer protection at the heart of what we do.” MCS holds a comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-real-time updates on renewable installations, you can sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard by clicking here. For more from MCS, click here.

NICEIC appoints WorldSkills UK training manager

NICEIC has announced the appointment of Technical Training Developer, Mitchel Smith, as the new WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation. This role will see Mitchel leading the training and development of competitors in the Electrical Installation category for WorldSkills as the squad prepares to represent the UK on the international stage. The WorldSkills competition is considered by global experts as the 'ultimate test' of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs. It is attended by government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe. WorldSkills UK selects the apprentices and learners in the Electrical Installation category to represent Team UK, based on performance at the rigorous SkillELECTRIC competition. NICEIC is a longstanding delivery partner of SkillELECTRIC, collaborating closely with the competition to equip participants with the skills necessary to excel in the competition. WorldSkills 2026 will take place in Shanghai from 22-27 September 2026 and it will be the first time China has hosted the prestigious WorldSkills competition. The event will see 1,500 young people travel to Shanghai from over 80 counties to compete in technical skills from electrical installation to engineering and manufacturing, in front of 250,000 attendees. Mitchel Smith brings over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry, with a track record demonstrating both technical integrity and a desire to continually raise the bar. Mitchel also brings a dedication to training, fostering talent and promoting high standards in electrical installation, making him the ideal person to lead the Electrical Installation squad through their training and preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Mitchel will be responsible for designing and implementing training programmes that prepare competitors for the challenges presented by WorldSkills, and he will work closely with industry experts and educators to ensure participants receive the highest quality training and support. Mitchel Smith says, "It is an absolute honour to be appointed as the WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with talented individuals who made it on to the Electrical Installation squad, to help them develop their technical skills and reach their full potential. It is a very exciting challenge and we’ll be working hard in preparation for Shanghai, where we’ll be doing everything we can to come home with a medal." Richard Orton, Chief Executive at NICEIC, comments, “Mitchel has impeccable skill both as a trainer and a leader. His dedication to technical integrity and raising standards embody everything NICEIC stands for. He will be an invaluable asset to the Electrical Installation squad as they prepare for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. “NICEIC is delighted to support Mitchel in his new role, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Mitchel on his appointment as well as to the Electrical Installation squad: Jonathan Gough, Kalum Low, and Conor McDonnell on their selection. We wish them every success in the competition and will be following their journey closely.” Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK, adds, “We are delighted to appoint Mitchel as the Training Manager for Electrical Installation. Mitchel, together with our other training managers, will be supporting the young technicians on our international programme to develop the skills that employers are crying out for which will fuel business growth across our economy. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will be bigger than ever before with even higher standards, giving us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world and bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK.” Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Shanghai, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024. For more from NICEIC, click here.

UK Power Networks ignites trials for sustainable community heating

King’s Cross in the heart of London is set to become a living testbed for decarbonising heat this winter.  UK Power Networks’ flagship project, Heatropolis, is using King’s Cross regeneration zone to create a sustainable blueprint for heating homes and buildings, using clean energy. The innovation is being led by UK Power Networks, with partners including Metropolitan, Passiv UK and Guidehouse, each bringing critical expertise to drive the initiative forward this year. The four-year project is exploring how heat distribution systems can be designed to optimise the ways heat and electricity networks work together. This will involve three winter trials (2025-2027) across three key building models: a low-density residential heat network, a multi-occupancy building, and a large mixed-use site, with King's Cross serving as the benchmark for the latter. The former industrial site is one of the city’s largest redevelopments and is home to several major corporations, including Google, Meta and Universal Music. It has also been rejuvenated with public squares, parks, restaurants, homes, schools and a university. With more households converting to electric heating, Heatropolis is finding solutions to manage additional demand on local electricity networks in the most cost-effective way. It aims to reduce the costs of connecting and operating electrical heat networks by using ‘flexibility’ to help manage peaks and troughs in supply and demand. The potential carbon savings are significant, with an estimated 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided through reduced electricity network reinforcement and a financial benefit of £70 million by 2050 from deferring or avoiding unnecessary grid upgrades. Heatropolis is one of three UK Power Networks projects that secured Beta funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK. Luca Grella, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, says, “We are excited for the physical rollout of Heatropolis as it presents a unique opportunity to make sure the way we heat our homes and buildings is fit for the future. “By integrating low-carbon technologies with advanced flexibility and control systems, we can significantly reduce peak demand on electricity networks, which will result in lower energy costs for consumers and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.” Bruce Geldard, Engineering Director at Metropolitan - which delivers low carbon heat, hot water and cooling networks for new communities - adds, "We are delighted to take the next step in our partnership with UK Power Networks in the latest phase of the Heatropolis project. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity for Metropolitan to be able to further develop our work in delivery of sustainable, low-carbon heating solutions. “Through this initiative, we are helping to create a blueprint for decarbonising and optimising existing and new heat networks, driving forward the transformation of energy system across the UK to meet our carbon reduction goals.” For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

OpenADR and Matter specification bridges grid and smart homes

geo (Green Energy Options), a Cambridge-based energy tech firm, has developed an open specification that enables OpenADR and Matter to work together, enabling mass-market, consumer-friendly grid demand response solutions. Published in March 2025, with independent input from the OpenADR Alliance and the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the specification provides a clear framework for energy flexibility. Demand Side Response service providers (DSRSPs) and Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) manufacturers can use this bridging specification to unlock the inherent energy flexibility that’s contained in household white goods appliances, electric vehicle (EV) charging, water heating, electric heating, solar and battery storage systems. Utilities and energy flexibility service providers have been using the OpenADR protocol for 15 years to connect homes and businesses to the grid. Using OpenADR, the grid can understand how these ESAs can be flexed; it can then send incentive signals to use energy at different times and help balance the grid. Matter, launched in 2022, is a unifying smart home standard that defines how devices communicate. It facilitates secure data sharing within the home and the translation methodology identified in this specification enables end to end flexibility services. Matter’s widespread adoption by tech giants and appliance manufacturers, along with its built-in security and intuitive setup, allows Domestic DSR to move beyond early adopters to mass market deployment. Sponsored by the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the initiative builds on the Interoperable Demand Side Response (IDSR) programme and previous successful projects including DSR Ready. By separating OpenADR (grid flexibility management) from Matter (direct appliance control), the specification allows providers to scale beyond traditional EV charging applications while reducing costs. The specification outlines how a local energy management system can respond to time of use tariffs, local solar generation, can enforce peak load limits, and optimise energy use – helping the grid manage demand surges while using excess renewable energy when available. Rolf Bienert, Managing Director of the OpenADR Alliance, says, “Consumers want simplicity. This specification bridges grid control with home energy management, making energy flexibility seamless.” Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, adds, “Marking a pivotal moment in energy evolution, the OpenADR specification enables communication between utilities and consumers, allowing Matter devices to respond to those energy signals. It’s an impressive step forward in enhancing grid efficiency and paves the way for a more sustainable, greener future.” Patrick Caiger-Smith, geo Chairman, comments, “Keeping consumers’ hard-earned money in their pockets by providing meaningful carbon reduction to millions of homes, simply and cost effectively, has always been central to our mission. A series of DESNZ sponsored projects have helped to make this vision a reality and this latest OpenADR and Matter bridging specification means those benefits can now be delivered sooner, not least because the commercial value for ESA manufacturers and flexibility service providers is now clearer than ever.” The specification can be downloaded from geo’s website by clicking here.

Primary school records outstanding energy performance results

A first-year assessment of Riverside Primary School, Scotland’s first Passivhaus-certified primary school, has revealed actual energy operational performance to be significantly below the Passivhaus primary energy demand target, while consistently providing excellent comfort levels. With an energy assessment of just 43 kWh/sqm/annum, Riverside Primary School is significantly outperforming the classic Passivhaus target of 60 kWh/sqm/annum. Helping contribute to the exceptional standards with energy-efficient hot water provision are Baxi’s Heatrae Sadia point-of-use electric water heaters. Riverside Primary School is part of Perth & Kinross Council's capital programme of school upgrades and improvements through hub East Central Scotland. Perth & Kinross Council appointed BakerHicks Motherwell to provide mechanical and electrical design services on the project for principal contractor Robertson Tayside. In Scotland, local authorities are required to pay upfront for the delivery of new schools, with Scottish Government providing funding through the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) on an outcomes-based funding approach over 25 years. Projects receiving funding need to meet a clear delivered energy target of 67kWh/m2/year for core hour/facilities with energy performance and outcome monitored at set intervals. Where the energy target is not achieved in full, funding is reduced correspondingly. David Coulter, Associate Engineer and Certified Passivhaus Designer at BakerHicks, says, “Achieving the energy target was absolutely crucial both to achieve Passivhaus accreditation and to ensure SFT funding for the Council. “When designing the system, the hot water strategy was one of the main challenges as we needed to avoid large scale energy usage and heat losses. We wanted to explore using all-electric point-of-use solutions that would only generate energy when required, for example during break or lunch times, so we spoke to Baxi.” Point-of-use electric water heaters can be an efficient solution to an immediate supply of hot water for washbasins and kitchen areas in buildings like schools. Installing a point-of-use water heater like Baxi’s Heatrae Sadia Multipoint that incorporates anti-legionella functionality, water pasteurisation and anti-tamper design, will ensure that water is adequately stored, cycled and distributed. Baxi’s technical sales and specification team worked with David to identify the selection of Heatrae Sadia water heaters that would efficiently meet the hot water demand across the building. “We had used Heatrae Sadia products before and were familiar with their reputation for high-quality, robust performance,” David explains. “A key benefit of these water heaters is that the units are sized, thereby providing more flexibility to meet the required volume. This meant that we could look to design down to avoid oversizing, where appropriate, and so ensure the most efficient operational performance.” To achieve Passivhaus certification, Riverside Primary School needed to undergo a rigorous quality assurance compliance process to ensure the targets would be met. “It was an exacting process,” David continues. “We needed to supply detailed calculations and evidence relating to the energy values of the selected technologies. And this is where we really relied on Baxi for technical support. They were great, working closely with us to provide all the information required for certification and ready to help at every stage of the project.” With the recent report on energy operational performance demonstrating the success of the solution, BakerHicks now uses this design as a template for future projects, even where Passivhaus standards are not applied. David adds, “We are pleased to see these energy results and are delighted that the building is operating far more efficiently than initially projected. The data shows significantly lower energy consumption which demonstrates the importance of strong operational performance and effective energy management. The client team and end users have adapted well to the Passivhaus strategies, learning valuable lessons learned along the way. This marks a promising step forward for future projects and building services solutions.” Anne Wraith, Head of Commercial Product Sales at Baxi, notes, “The very low heat losses of our Heatrae Sadia products were a key component in the overall project. We are extremely proud to have played a part in this ground-breaking Passivhaus primary school and at the outstanding energy results achieved.” The architect, lead consultant and Passivhaus designer was Architype, the project manager was hub East Central Scotland, the principal contractor was Robertson Tayside, and the M&E installing contactor was FES in Stirling. For more from Baxi, click here.