Nuvolt turns to Vanaways for its first fleet purchase

Renewable energy specialist Nuvolt has replaced its previous leased vehicles with a pair of new Peugeot Boxers from independent supplier Vanaways.   Established in 2021, Cardiff-based Nuvolt delivers an array of services including the installation of solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging solutions to commercial and public sectors.    Initially, the company relied on leased vehicles to gain a foothold in the sector but has now opted to invest in its vans.   “We sought vehicles that could be specified to meet our requirements while also enhancing our brand image, both on the road and on-site,” says Managing Director, Matthew Phillips.   “We contacted Vanaways, having seen some very positive reports of their approach on social media,” Matthew continues. “I spoke to Business Development Director, Liam Nicholas, who quickly understood our requirements and put together a proposal. We were happy to collaborate with Vanaways and have built a positive working relationship. The vans arrived in perfect condition, on time and exactly as ordered.”   Nuvolt’s vehicles are a pair of Peugeot Boxer L2H2s, in Professional Premium+ specification, with 140ps 2.2l BlueHDi engines. A smaller Peugeot Partner Blue HDi 100 was also included for Nuvolt’s sister company, building services and engineering supplier Focus MEP.   The vans are in daily use on tasks ranging from initial site surveys to installation projects and ongoing maintenance. They are tailored to meet Nuvolt’s unique business requirements for nationwide operations.   “The comfortable cabs, equipped with double passenger seats, air-conditioning, and touch-screen consoles compatible with smartphones, ensure our engineers arrive at jobs feeling fresh and ready to start work,’’ adds Matthew.   To read more on Vanaways, click here.

bp pulse launches ultra-fast EV chargers at Pimlico

bp pulse and UK Power Networks Services have energised eight ultra-fast 150kW chargers at the Pimlico Electric Vehicle charging hub in central London. The new charging points at Q-Park in Cumberland Street, Pimlico can simultaneously charge 16 vehicles to support EV uptake. UK Power Networks Services, which brings project management, engineering expertise and problem-solving to a wide range of energy infrastructure projects, devised a comprehensive plan to install and connect the new charging points in an underground car park near Victoria station. Engineers constructed a substation to house new electricity equipment and installed 660m of new cabling from the substation to a new electrical feeder pillar. The project delivered a 1.5MW electricity supply to the new chargers. An innovative approach was needed to install the chargers in an underground car park. The team used bespoke lifting techniques to manoeuvre the new chargers into spaces with limited headroom and work safely around existing suspended utility and ventilation ducts. Engineering teams minimised the impact of construction work and kept the car park open to customers throughout. UK Power Networks Services installed the necessary hardware and software to support EV charging, enabling bp pulse to optimise its EV infrastructure and develop sophisticated fleet analysis. James Birdsall, Project Engineer at bp pulse, says, “UK Power Networks Services’ dedication, drive and determination on this project to get things done safely and to the standard of quality expected from us, has been on display right from the very start to the end. Its attention to detail and communication throughout has been great. It’s been a pleasure working alongside them again on this project.” Antony White, Client Delivery Manager at UK Power Networks Services, says, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with bp pulse to deliver essential infrastructure in central London, supporting the UK’s ambition to increase the use of EVs as we move forward towards net zero. This project involved a complicated installation, where we overcame several challenges to deliver a high-quality project to meet the client’s requirements.” To read more on UK Power Networks Services, click here.

South leads the way for adoption of renewables in England

The south of England led the way for renewable energy installations in 2023, according to new data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme).   Cornwall had the most installations of any local authority area in England with 4,890 in total, its second-best year to date. In total, these produced an estimated annual generation of over 37mWh.    There have now been 36,081 certified installations in Cornwall since records began in 2008, representing an estimated 1.92% of households. It also saw the highest number of heat pump installations of any region with 1,555.    South Cambridgeshire saw a total of 1,619 certified installations in 2023 - 2.42% of households and 84% of its installations last year were solar PV, with 1,377 households opting for solar power, the highest number in the country.    Winchester, meanwhile, enjoyed its best year for installations with 1,083 in total, representing 2.09% of households in the area. It had 953 solar PV installations, placing it second in the country for all-time uptake, as 1.84% of households now have solar installations.    2023 was also a positive year for South Hams, which now has 2.05% of households with renewable installations, making it the fourth-highest local authority for all-time uptake.   South Norfolk had its second-best year ever for certified installations in 2023, with 1,208 in total. Since records began in 2008, there have been 9,179 installations of renewable technology, with an uptake of 1.97%.   The data from MCS revealed that, overall, nearly 175,000 small-scale renewables were installed across England in 2023, a 32% increase on 2022 that brings the nation’s all-time installation count to 1,378,870.    That represents over 5.7% of households with a certified renewable installation, placing it behind Wales and Scotland, which have 8.4% and 8.2% of households with installations, respectively.   2023 was a positive year for policies designed to encourage further uptake of renewable technology in England, with the grant value for air source heat pumps and ground/water source heat pumps increasing from £5,000 to £7,500 under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).    Average weekly applications for BUS vouchers went from 331 to 1,172 after the Government’s announcement in October, and the figures for January showed a 39% year-on-year increase. There was further good news in December with the announcement of an additional £1.5bn in funding for BUS until 2028, which will allow for an additional 200,000 vouchers for homeowners across England and Wales.   Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, says, “It has been an interesting year for the adoption of renewables in England with Cornwall leading the way and topping the table. Based on the total number of installations, these produced an estimated annual generation of over 37mWh, enough energy to make each person in Cornwall nine cups of tea a day for a year.   “We are optimistic for the year ahead, which will be supported by some key policy drivers, including the increase in BUS grant values as well as the removal of VAT from renewables. Both of these make the technologies more accessible and affordable for homeowners across the UK.”     To read more on MCS, click here.

CU Phosco Lighting announces the Connected Urban Smart Pole

CU Phosco Lighting has unveiled a new product, Connected Urban, which it believes will become the next evolution in smart city infrastructure.   In response to the increasing demand for densification of 4G networks and to support the continued rollout of 5G, Connected Urban has been designed to enhance connectivity on the streets, delivering both macro and small cells within a single compact footprint.   Designed to accommodate multi-faceted services, including antennas, CCTV, public address systems and even smart lighting, Connected Urban is a range of sleek, modular, and scalable smart poles which go beyond just meeting the connectivity needs of modern cities.   Key features:   Street-level telecommunications infrastructure: Connected Urban provides street-level communications infrastructure in one small footprint, providing reliable connectivity to a wide range of applications, including stadiums, rail and remote areas, such as parks and cities, offering an alternative to traditional rooftop or tower locations.   Increased capacity and densification: With the capacity for macro and small cells within a single pole, Connected Urban enhances network capacity and densification for improved connectivity.   Modular and scalable design: The smart poles are designed to accommodate a full smart city solution, from lights to antennas to CCTV and public address systems, all in one compact footprint. This flexibility ensures a seamless integration into diverse urban environments.   Revenue opportunities: Connected Urban provides local authorities and private asset owners with a platform to deploy their smart city infrastructure and, crucially, an opportunity to initiate dialogues about revenue possibilities. This is achieved through rental arrangements with mobile network operators in sought-after street-level locations.   Aesthetically designed: The poles are aesthetically designed to be sympathetic to the local environment, ensuring a visually appealing integration into city landscapes.   Thermally resilient: Offering great airflow supply and solar protection, Connected Urban is thermally resilient to ambient temperatures, ensuring optimal performance in challenging conditions.   CU Phosco Lighting says Connected Urban is poised to address the challenges faced by modern cities and densely populated areas struggling with soaring population densities. As a direct replacement for existing street lighting infrastructure, or as a new installation, Connected Urban is a future-proof commercial solution that bridges the connectivity gap.   “Connected Urban is not just a smart pole; it's a transformative solution for smart cities. We envision a future where connectivity is seamless, reliable and caters to the diverse needs of urban environments," says Keith Henry, Product Manager - Connected Urban and GM - CU Phosco Australia.   “For cities, councils and private asset owners looking to enhance connectivity, increase capacity and contribute to the evolution of smart cities, Connected Urban is the solution of choice.”   To read more on CU Phosco Lighting, click here.

Performance iN Lighting shortlisted for [d]arc Award

Performance iN Lighting (Powered by Gewiss) launched onto the UK market in July 2023 and has been named a finalist in the Best Architectural Exterior Lighting Product category in the [d]arc Awards, specifically for the brand’s MIMIK 20 product. Paul Dawson, Managing Director, says, “Combining a passion for design, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality, we’re proud to be leading the way in style and sophistication, creativity and craftsmanship. Following phenomenal success across Europe for the past decade, we launched our MIMIK 20 range in the UK market last year, and we’re delighted that it’s already been recognised for such a prestigious accolade.” The [d]arc awards celebrate the best in lighting design and encourage peer-to-peer judging by inviting independent professionals from across the industry to vote for their favourite projects and products. “All too often, architects have to sacrifice creativity for convenience, and radiance for reliability,” adds Paul. “But we’re proud to offer the ultimate solution, that shines for all the right reasons.’’ Businesses, professionals, and individuals from across the industry will unite at the [d]arc awards final on 27 March 2024 at fabric in London, where winners will be announced. “Having only been available in the UK for nine months, it’s fantastic that our MIMIK 20 range has been shortlisted for this award and recognised alongside other fantastic projects and products within our industry,” Paul concludes. To read more on Performance iN Lighting, click here.

Hylec celebrates a decade of Debox - the junction box series

Hylec-APL celebrates 10 years since the launch of its Debox cable junction box series. Now extending to five models, to address different application use cases, Hylec-APL says the Debox in-line junction box family’s registered design features offer faster, more efficient and cheaper installation through its simple and virtually tool-free use. Millions of units of Debox have been sold during the decade since its launch.   Re-imagined and designed to speed up every installation, the original Debox S is a cost-effective, all-in-one cable junction box. Complete with a four-pole 24A UL/VDE-approved terminal block as standard, Debox S conforms to EN60598-1 (GWT 650°C). Pre-fitted with external fixing lugs for fast, easy mounting, Debox S comes complete with everything you need – including in-built cable clamps and locking clip – for rapid, simple and virtually tool-free installation.    Debox SL introduced the first ever completely tool-free in-line electrical junction box. Now featuring a new easier-to-use, double-lever screwless terminal block, Debox SL offers maintenance-free connections. Its safe, fast and reliable tool-free assembly is supplied complete with a four-pole 16A connector block, capable of accommodating two, three or four conductors in round or flat profile cable for lighting circuits or power.    Debox SL2 is the smallest junction box available with five poles. Each 32A screwless lever connector can take up to three conductors and the box features unique push-fit cable clamps. Debox SL2 saves valuable time and makes installation easier for smaller and larger internal wiring jobs, as everything needed is supplied with the box and there is no need to use a screwdriver to securely join wires or mount the box itself.    Debox SM40 is the first four-pole in-line junction box that fits through a 40mm aperture, yet still retains generous cable management space, making Debox SM40 ideal for use in LED lighting applications. As with all Debox junction boxes, Debox SM40 comes ready for use, supplied with everything needed, including the terminal block, making connection simpler and easier. The miniature Debox SM40 is only half the volume of Debox S or SL, making it the most compact four-pole junction box available, according to Hylec-APL.    Debox 11 is a surface-mounted junction box for external weatherproof applications. It comes with 10 soft membrane-covered cable entries, providing quick puncture-entry and self-sealing rated to IP66. Eight entries are threaded M20, ideal for cable glands, with no need for an internal locknut, offering an even higher protection rating than IP67. Five three-pole screwless connectors are supplied and the housing is made of flame-retardant, impact-resistant polypropylene.    To read more on Hylec-APL, click here.

Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex scoops CIBSE Air Quality Award

Vent-Axia has won an award at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024. The Sussex-based company won the 'Product or Innovation of the Year – Air Quality' category for its Sentinel Apex, the next generation of commercial heat recovery ventilation. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 29 February 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. The CIBSE Building Performance Awards (BPAs) 2024 recognises the people, products and projects that demonstrate engineering excellence in the built environment. After a rigorous judging process, the judges selected the Sentinel Apex, which they noted supplies fresh, healthy, filtered air to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and removes pollutants such as moisture, carbon dioxide and external fumes. The award judges also noted that Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Apex was developed from the outset with equal consideration to operational performance and whole-life costing, and this is visible in the data available for the product. Other areas that the judges highlighted include Sentinel Apex’s local sourcing and manufacturing in a low-energy facility that delivers on Vent-Axia’s low carbon manufacturing claims, with the judges praising the company for providing excellent resources, including BIM, TM65 and information to help with correct application and sizing. “We are very proud that our Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex has been recognised by the CIBSE Building Performance Awards. This marks the third industry award for the innovative Sentinel Apex since its launch in November 2023. We understand the challenges that come with designing low carbon buildings, which means every aspect has been considered in the Apex’s development to maximise its energy efficiency and performance while providing excellent IAQ, ultra-low sound levels and thermal comfort. We have also designed the Apex to have a low embodied carbon footprint and to help consultants we have used CIBSE TM65 data collection methodology to provide accurate and detailed carbon information,” says Lorna Kerrigan-Hall, Sales Director C&I at Vent-Axia. To read more on Vent-Axia, click here.

Click Scolmore launches new wiring accessories catalogue

Click Scolmore has updated its comprehensive ‘Wiring Accessories and Circuit Protection’ catalogue to include all the latest product launches. Issue 15 is now available and brings together all products in the extensive Click range into one, easy-to-access reference guide.    It includes the very latest additions across the Click range including new RCD sockets and LED indicator products to the Mode range - a new antique brass finish to the Definity Complete range, plus new Part M unswitched sockets, as well as USB-C sockets and modules. Also featured is a range of new products added to the expanding Elucian circuit protection collection, which includes a 25A-rated RCBO, energy meters and unpopulated consumer units.   Available to download from the Scolmore website, the new catalogue provides wholesalers, contractors and specifiers with a valuable, in-depth resource to help them locate the right products and solutions for a variety of projects. The catalogue is rich in product and technical information and features every product from each range that Click covers and incorporates all the latest additions that have been developed to meet the growing demand in the marketplace.    Scolmore’s Group Marketing Manager, Katie Plumstead, says, “We are continually adding to our portfolio to introduce new and innovative products that contractors are seeking, helping them with a quicker and easier installation.   We know from our wholesaler customers and the contractors we engage with that, as well as the ability to browse the product range on our website, there is a demand for a hard copy version that they can flick through when away from their screens.”   To read more on Click Scolmore, click here.

TESP seeks views on apprenticeships and work placements

The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) is working with industry partners on a campaign across England to tackle skills challenges in the electrical industry, by supporting employers to offer more apprenticeships and work placement opportunities.   The organisation is looking for views on whether you have recruited apprentices or offered work placements in the past, what benefits and barriers you have encountered, and if you would consider it for the future.    Even if you've not recruited apprentices or offered placements before, TESP still wants to hear from you. The survey will take around four minutes to complete and your input will help shape TESP’s future campaign.    The deadline for responses is Friday 5 April. Take part here.   To read more on TESP, click here.

EV drivers in charge - thanks to Powercast

UK Power Networks says it is increasing EV charging confidence, with the release of the country’s first open-source power cut software called Powercast. Following the successful trial of Powercast working in collaboration with ev.energy, UK Power Networks is now encouraging all EV charging suppliers in its area to make the most of its recently released API. The innovation allows customers in London, the South East and the East of  England to get more reliable information about whether an EV charger could be out of service due to a power outage – all through the convenience of their charging apps for the first time. Using the API empowers drivers to make informed decisions on how to manage their charging throughout the day or find alternative charging locations ahead of a power outage. Users are notified of planned or unplanned power outages, changes to scheduled electricity works, and estimated times for power restoration, plus confirmation when power is restored, helping them plan their charging around any interruptions in service. ev.energy has become the first charging provider to take advantage of the API, introducing the Powercast function to all drivers in UK Power Networks’ area via its mobile app, while other ChargePoint operators are now being encouraged to make the most of the network operator’s newest open data initiative. With over one third of EV drivers having no access to other vehicles, this additional peace of mind will help increase drivers’ confidence in being able to charge when and where they need to, as well as encourage other drivers to switch away from petrol and diesel vehicles. Luca Grella, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, says, “The impact widescale adoption of EVs will have on our climate cannot be overstated. Over half a million of our customers have made the switch already, but we want to enable everyone connected to our networks to make a safe and reliable shift to such low carbon technology. “We want EV charging providers across our network and anyone else who may find it useful, to make the most of the extensive data we have available. Together, we can help increase EV confidence, ensuring customers have every available piece of information they need to help make that next step.”  William Goldsmith, Director of Grid and Data Services from ev.energy, says, “We’re excited to be the first charging app to use UK Power Networks’ API to send real-time power cut updates to customers. Powercast empowers our drivers to make informed decisions about how they charge and helps to minimise disruption caused in the rare event of a power cut.  “We successfully trialled Powercast with 94% of customers surveyed wanting to continue receiving power cut notifications beyond the trial. Working closely with UK Power Networks, we’ve been able to develop a notification feature that not only simplifies charging for our existing customers but hopefully helps more people to make the switch to an EV with confidence.” To read more on UK Power Networks, click here.