Scolmore announces return of Spark Talk podcast channel

Scolmore Group has announced the return of its popular SGTV podcast channel, Spark Talk. The podcast reflects Scolmore's continued dedication to enhancing the SGTV platform with a diverse mix of informative, educational and entertaining content, along with an impressive line-up of upcoming guests. Since the launch of Scolmore’s SGTV YouTube channel back in 2019, the platform has seen significant growth and has quickly become a go-to resource for electricians, industry professionals, and anyone with an interest in the electrical sector. Making content available through a podcast channel has expanded the audience's reach and provided electricians with the convenience of listening on the go, whether on site or at home. Recently launched episodes include a Q&A about USB sockets with Jake and Tim, Scolmore's technical experts for all things electrical. Jake Green is Scolmore Group’s Head of Technical Engagement, and Tim Benstead is one of the company’s Technical Engagement Engineers. There are also interviews with the first female SkillELECTRIC finalists, and a discussion with Sam from E-Volt Electrical about how to run your own business within the first year. The return of Spark Talk podcast episodes enhances Scolmore Group’s offering, providing listeners with even more ways to stay informed and engaged with the industry. The podcast can be accessed across all major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released regularly. To listen on Spotify, click here, and to listen via Apple Podcasts, click here. For more from Scolmore, click here.

CEDIA announces 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals, is honouring the contributions of two distinguished smart home industry professionals, with Rich Green being awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award and Michael Cogbill being named as the 2024 CEDIA Fellow. Their dedication and impact on both the association and the smart home industry is "truly exceptional", the association says. Rich Green (pictured above), the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, has been a prominent professional in the AV industry since 1978. His system integration company, Rich Green Design, serves the ambitious homeowners and businesses of Silicon Valley. His clients have included Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, Tony Fadell, Jim Clark, Gordon Getty, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Luciano Pavarotti. Rich travels the world as an instructor, consultant, and public speaker in the fields of Future Technologies and Design. CEDIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has demonstrated innovative and visionary leadership in the technology design and installation industry, and the association says that no one is more deserving than Rich, who has had a positive impact on everything he touches and everyone he meets. Alex Capecelatro, CEDIA Board Chairperson, comments, “Rich exemplifies what it means to give back. Over the past 30-plus years, he has dedicated hundreds of hours to creating and delivering courses for CEDIA, chaired several committees, and served as a CEDIA board member. His guidance among volunteers and within the committees he has served on has been instrumental in shaping the direction of many member companies. “Rich has always encouraged the smart home industry to think beyond the immediate future, and many of the predictions he made during his 'Inside Scoop from Silicon Valley' course have proven true. There is no one else in the CEDIA community demonstrating the level of leadership that Rich does in preparing for an AI-driven future.” Rich Green, the recipient of the award, comments, “It’s an incredible privilege to receive this prestigious recognition, but the true joy comes from reflecting on the hundreds of friends and colleagues I’ve met over the past 32 years with CEDIA. My life would be profoundly different without the friendship, guidance, and love from so many remarkable people. This honour is truly a reflection of all of you!” Meanwhile, this year's CEDIA Fellows accolade - which is awarded to individuals who have helped shape the industry and significantly contributed to the association’s success - has been awarded to Michael Cogbill. Michael is recognised internationally as an authority in the field of home automation and integrated home systems. His professional career spans over 45 years as an engineer, manager and entrepreneur. From 2006 through to early 2020, he served as Chief Engineer for ETC, a leading technology integrator in south Florida. He introduced his own company, REV2 Consulting, in 2020, providing home and building technology expertise to owners, architects, designers, and builders. “Michael has dedicated many years not only to CEDIA but to the broader industry, actively supporting market growth and identifying areas where change is necessary," explains Daryl Friedman, Global President and CEO of CEDIA. "It’s been my pleasure to get to know him and learn from him as he continues to provide his expertise on advocacy and many other areas important to the CEDIA community.” “As one of CEDIA’s highest honours, I am truly humbled and thankful for the esteemed recognition," comments Michael Cogbill. "Having been involved with the association from the beginning, I am flooded with memories of so many special people I was privileged to learn from, work with, and befriend. I always received more than I gave!” Rich and Michael will be honoured during the 2024 CEDIA Smart Home Awards ceremonies in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions. For more from CEDIA, click here.

SELECT welcomes suspension of college lecturers’ strike

Scotland’s largest trade association, SELECT, has welcomed the suspension of strike action by college lecturers that will allow electrical apprentices to continue their essential studies. The campaigning organisation had marshalled the strength of its 1,240 member businesses, asking them to lobby their local MSP to intervene in the wave of strikes across further education centres which had been ongoing since May. SELECT has now welcomed the news that lecturers’ trade union EIS-FELA has called off strikes which were due to take place this week, as it recommends its members accept a new pay offer. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, explains, “We are pleased that a potential solution is on the horizon, as this ongoing action was having a major detrimental impact on electrical apprenticeships across Scotland, with classes unable to complete their work and negatively impacting learners’ progression to the next stage of their training. “The dispute was impacting new recruits, with start dates being pushed back, and even apprentices who may have completed their college work were facing issues, with some college staff refusing to sign off their Candidate Assessment Records (CARs). “Things were becoming so serious, we asked all our member firms to write to their local political representative to make them aware of just how potentially harmful this issue was for our young trainees and the devastating effect it could have had on their futures. “Record numbers of young people are signing up for rewarding careers in the electrical industry, and we’re just trying to make sure we have a steady pipeline of well-trained talent emerging to safely cater for a society in which the future is so clearly electric. “It was a great shame that they were in danger of having their hopes dashed as a consequence of a dispute over which they had no input or control, so we hope the whole issue can be brought to a satisfactory end as quickly as possible.” The suspension of strike action was also welcomed by the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), the approved training provider for the country’s electrical apprentices. SECTT Chief Executive, Fiona Harper, adds, “Apprentices work very hard to fulfil the academic side of their training while at the same time learning the complexities of the subject on the job, so it was heartbreaking to see their disappointment when they were told they might not be able to finish what they’d started. “This dispute threatened to cause damage which could have taken years to undo, so let’s hope a permanent agreement can be reached that will secure the future of our young electricians. “I’d like to thank all SELECT members who stepped up and contacted their local MSP. The strike action, which had been going on since May this year, had been having a huge knock-on effect for apprentices and adult trainees, who faced being unable to progress to the next stage of their training and losing wage increases through no fault of their own.” For more from SELECT, click here.

CLC publishes new guidance for higher-risk buildings

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC), of which ECA is a key member, has published new guidance on the golden thread of information requirements for higher-risk buildings. This guidance will support duty holders and accountable persons to deliver a golden thread for their building. This publication supports the huge amount of work happening across industry to deliver the higher-risk regime and to enable the delivery of robust information to support safer buildings. The guidance has been developed by an industry working group with experience from across the sector in the design, construction and management of management of higher-risk buildings. The guidance sets out the golden thread information that duty holders and accountable persons will need to generate, keep, maintain and handover during design, through construction, handover and completion of the building and into occupation. The purpose of the golden thread of information is to give the right people the right information at the right time. It is the information that allows someone to understand a building and the steps needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future. The guidance makes clear that the golden thread should not be something new. At its heart, the golden thread is good information and good information management, and thus should always be used. The people responsible for a higher-risk building (the duty holders and accountable persons) should embrace the golden thread – as it is their information, for their use, to ensure their building is safe and to assure their residents that their building is safe. The full Golden Thread Guidance is available by clicking here. A summary of the guidance is also available, and can be downloaded here. As the new regime develops, this guidance will almost certainly need to develop with it. The CLC would like to invite constructive feedback on this guidance to support this process. For more from ECA, click here.

Scolmore Group appoints new Technical Engagement Engineer

Scolmore Group has announced the appointment of Marcus Barritt as its new Technical Engagement Engineer. Marcus brings to the role a decade of experience in the electrical industry, having held various positions that have honed his skills and broadened his industry knowledge. His career has largely focused on installation and maintenance for fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, which ultimately led him to teach electrical installation courses at a local college. After earning a Certificate of Education from Bedford University, Marcus became a guest presenter for a popular educational YouTube channel, sharing his expertise over several years. He also gained hands-on experience running his own contracting business with an apprentice for two and a half years. In his new role as Technical Engagement Engineer, Marcus will primarily be responsible for developing and delivering technical training courses, both internally and externally, for stakeholders such as electrical wholesalers, contractors, students, and apprentices. He will also provide technical support for the marketing department and assist with representing Click Scolmore at a variety of industry trade events. With his large calibre of qualifications and hands on experience, Scolmore Group is confident that Marcus will be a valuable asset to both the technical team and the company as a whole. For more from Scolmore, click here.  

Werner to showcase key products at this year’s Screwfix Live

Following the success of last year’s event, Werner, a manufacturer and distributor of ladders and access equipment, will return to Screwfix Live to showcase a wide selection of its key products. At the event, which takes place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre between 27 and 29 September, Werner will be showcasing a range of popular products, including Leansafe ladders, Telescopic Loft Ladders, the Werner Pro Adjustable and Linking Work Platform, and more. Visitors to Werner’s stand will also get to enjoy some exclusive, 'show only' deals and savings with a minimum of 10% off all products. The team will also be on hand to provide product safety advice and live product demonstrations across the event. For added convenience, Werner will be offering customers the choice of taking away a selection of products they have purchased on the day. Store collection or home delivery is also available free of charge for products purchased at the show. Stuart McNeill, Lead Key Account Manager at Werner, says, “Following the success of last year’s Screwfix Live show, the Werner team is looking forward to attending the 2024 show and enjoying some face-to-face time with our customers. “Not only is the event a great chance to find out more about what our customers look for in access equipment and get feedback on our products, it is an even better opportunity to share expert guidance and best practice around working at height safely, and provide customers with a chance to enjoy some great deals during the show.” - Werner will be located at Stand K2 at this year's Screwfix Live event. For more from Werner, click here.

LITE appoints new UK Specification Manager

LED lighting solutions provider, LITE, has appointed Lawrence Hayes as the company's UK Specification Manager. Lawrence will be collaborating with a wide range of LITE’s clients including lighting designers, engineers, architects and contractors to meet the needs and requirements of each individual project. Hailing from a global, industry-wide background, and working internationally for a decade, Lawrence has experienced the wide spectrum of the industry at all levels. In his new role as UK Specification Manager at LITE, he will be using his 30 years of industry experience to provide specifiers with the tools of light, forging long-term relationships and valuable partnerships to bring new projects, brands and products into the LITE group. Lawrence employs an expert understanding of products from the ground up, having worked with brands on product development and with a specialism in custom project work. He will be sharing this passion and knowledge with clients, alongside his wide market knowledge and unrivalled service to ensure that each client feels valued and receives the support and solutions they require to exceed their project expectations. His experience in high-profile projects is demonstrated through his role in the Edinburgh St James Project, a major mixed-use city centre regeneration scheme created to improve the quality and quantity of Edinburgh’s retail offering. The 70,000 square metre retail scheme brings a vibrant and sustainable new site to the city quarter as well as a 240 key W Hotel, with Lawrence dedicating seven years to the project, from design through to completion. Lawrence shares how he envisions making an impact in his industry, stating, “At LiGHT 24 in November, we will be premiering three new European brands which we are extremely excited to partner with. Being able to offer unique and crafted LED lighting solutions to our clients ensures that we can be instrumental in making their projects the very best they can possibly be. “I am extremely excited to join the Lite team and greatly look forward to welcoming more clients to LITE and being a key point of contact to provide quality service. There may be some teasers in the run-up to the event, so stay tuned!” Steve Hainsworth, CEO of LITE, adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Lawrence as a valued member of our team, bringing his years of expertise and worldly experiences to the London market. Our clients will be pleased to know that their solution specifications are in Lawrence’s capable hands and will be handled with the utmost care and dedication. We are looking forward to introducing him and our latest partnerships at LiGHT 24 later this year.”

EV charging costs: UK carrots and a Swedish stick

As countries aim to spread out electricity demand to limit peaks and decarbonise production, should EV drivers be threatened with a stick or rewarded with carrots? Daniel Forsberg, CTEK’s Marketing Manager EVSE explores. In the UK, there is currently a lot more carrot whilst in Sweden we are about to see a stick introduced. The result in Sweden, at least in the short term, could make so-called smart charging a degree dumber. First the good news. In the UK, EV drivers who charge at home are being tempted by an increasing number of smart energy tariffs from multiple electricity providers. Many such deals were pulled during the energy crisis, but they are increasingly back in play. Most are based on a simple premise – cheaper electricity overnight, when total demand is low. Some providers’ tariffs offer four, five, six or seven hours each night at prices as low as 7p (£0.07) per kWh. One provider offers 7p per kWh anytime, if it’s charging an EV. Another provider has a tracker tariff, where the cost can change every half hour depending on the wholesale price. If an EV driver schedules their charging carefully, with knowledge of how the wholesale price generally fluctuates at night, it could mean significant savings off their electricity bill. And yet another provider is offering 8,000 miles of free EV charging if a specific home charger is installed. Some providers have their own apps, for instance to tell the supplier how much charge you want and the supplier then decides when to provide that charge to make it cheapest and greenest. For EV drivers who cannot charge at home, smart charging is being introduced at some public charge points which can supply power at off-peak times and at off-peak prices. So, a whole bag of carrots for UK EV drivers. And also for everybody, thanks to the first trials of demand flexibility initiatives which provide discounts off bills for those who opt in to use less electricity during peak demand periods, typically early evening. Meanwhile, in Sweden, charging your EV at home at full speed was straightforward. Many used three-phase 16A (11kW) for charging. This allowed for quickly replenishing the car's battery overnight or when it best suited your driving patterns. Smart charging with scheduling, for when electricity prices were lowest, became popular. Now here comes the stick. Starting on 1 September, a new pricing model that includes a power tariff will be introduced in parts of Sweden. Some areas have already implemented this. This fee is based on the average amount of power used during each one-hour period – the so-called power peak. Instead of only paying for the total amount of electricity consumed, households must now also pay for how much electricity they use simultaneously. Power tariffs mean that you are financially penalised for high power peaks. For EV owners, this means that charging at high power (such as 11kW) can quickly lead to high costs. But by re-evaluating home charging, there is still a carrot of spreading out electricity consumption throughout the day to reduce power peaks and lower the power fee. One of the most effective strategies is to charge the EV at a lower power over a longer period. By charging with 4kW instead of 11kW, you can complete charging overnight without creating a power peak. (Why 4kW? That’s because 6A is normally the lowest an EV will accept, and three-phase 6A equals 4kW.) And you can also consider charging a little each night rather than doing all your charging on one or two nights a week. Looking ahead, both for the UK and Sweden, there is a need for new algorithms for smarter charging. New applications could consider the car's state of charge (SoC), how many kWh you need, slower charging power with a maximum kW, spot prices and other factors such as what time of day the car needs to be charged. This will require more sophisticated systems to optimise charging and keep simultaneous track of multiple variables. Home battery storage and solar panels can already help smooth and reduce demand. For more from CTEK, click here.

GTEC brings portable renewables training to the Isle of Man

GTEC, part of the United Living Group, has been working with Construction Isle of Man and the Manx government on a new project to bring MCS accredited renewables training to the Isle of Man (IOM). Prior to GTEC's involvement, there was no provision for this on the island. GTEC identified the lack of training for installers looking to make the move into renewables. This, coupled with IOM's ambitious net zero targets, gave GTEC the perfect opportunity to bring its courses direct to the IOM, saving heating engineers the trouble and expense of leaving the island to upskill. In its Climate Change Plan, the IOM government has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and has set two challenging interim targets: a 35% reduction by 2030 and a 45% reduction by 2035. It aims to decarbonise the island's electricity supply by 2030 and to generate an extra 30 megawatts of renewable electricity locally by 2026. The call for renewables, therefore, is great. Debbie Reeve, Chief Officer for Construction IOM, comments, "GTEC has built some great mobile rigs that it has brought to the island to train our heating engineers this summer. The first courses in Solar PV, Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS) and Air Source Heat Pump installation were delivered at the Comis Hotel at Mount Murray in late June, with more planned for July and later in the year. "Historically, many installers have been put off by the prospect of travelling over to the UK in search of renewables training, due to the additional cost of travel and accommodation; and for the employee, there's also the amount of time away from home. So the project, which is supported by CIOM and the Manx Government, has generated a lot of interest. We've already had a great uptake for the pilot courses. "And with the help of Government support, contractors taking up the training for their workforce can apply for financial assistance to help with the course fees. For more information go to gov.im and type in 'vocational training assistance scheme' for more details." Griff Thomas, MD for GTEC, adds, "The Isle of Man is a terrific place, and we're excited to be bringing renewables training to installers keen to support the island's drive towards a greener future. Our rigs will provide learners with excellent hands-on experience to back up the theoretical training we deliver our renewables courses. The location at Mount Murray is perfect to kick things off, but because the rigs are portable, there's the opportunity to deliver training at other locations in the future." For more from GTEC, click here.

Luceco launches Titan 'All in One' highbay LED range

Sustainable LED lighting expert, Luceco has launched the 'Titan All in One' - a brand new range of commercial highbay LEDs. Designed for ease of installation and offering strong flexibility, the new range offers not only colour and wattage choice, but also beam angle change - all in one unit without the need for added accessories. This is a first for the category, Luceco claims, making the Titan All In One range ideal for warehouses, factories, and any other similar industrial or commercial setting. Simon Shenton, Luceco’s Head of LED Product Development, explains, “Most highbay LED lights require a lens change or added accessory for beam angle flexibility, but the Titan All In One has a a unique and easy to use rotating lens beam angle adjustment. “This means that installers can purchase one fitting and adjust it to suit the end user’s needs on site, rather than having to spec and purchase multiple light fittings ahead of time - which is great for both convenience and time, and in terms of impressing clients. Sensor-ready for easy plug-and-play adjustability, Titan delivers uniquely adaptable lighting solutions as well as precise control, high efficiency and significant energy savings and lower operational costs. “Titan All In One is also good news for wholesalers and stockists for all the same reasons, plus the ability to reduce SKU count from 72 to four while offering customers all the same options in the most slick and contemporary format.” The Titan All In One can switch seamlessly between three wattage settings to meet the requirements of any project, providing flexibility and efficiency, and offers three customisable colour temperature settings to achieve the desired functionality and aesthetics for any environment. The innovative beam angle adjustment enables quick and precise changes between narrow and wide beam angles, ensuring optimal lighting for any environment, all without the need for additional accessories or tooling. With IK08 rating, Luceco’s Titan All In One is suitable for industrial, commercial, and high-traffic areas where durability is crucial, and its IP65 rating ensures suitability in a wide range of environments, including outdoor. It is backed by a robust five-year warranty. Commenting further on the new range, Simon adds, “We designed the range to be a leader of change – something genuinely unique in terms of practical and applicable innovation which enables our customers to steal a march on their competition. “With Luceco’s blue-chip backing and lifetime customer support package, this is not only a game-changer in terms of product benefits, but a great business driver for both our wholesaler and installer customers. “Traditionally it can be quite a convoluted process selecting the right combination of products in this sector, with so many options that wholesalers have had to carry large amounts of stock. Titan All In One is another example of how Luceco cuts through confusion and makes everyone’s lives better by designing easy to understand, easy to fit, and easy to sell product that delivers.” For more from Luceco, click here.