Report launched on tech-agnostic approach to decarbonising buildings

Stacey Lucas, Vice-President of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), was an industry panel guest at the recent parliamentary launch of a new report advocating for a technology-agnostic approach to the decarbonisation of heat and buildings. The report by the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA), titled ‘Policy Barriers and Solutions for a Technology-Agnostic Approach to Heat and Buildings' explains why government policies should be reformed to deploy the most appropriate and diverse range of technologies for achieving the best outcomes from the transition to net zero. The report was launched in partnership with the Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group (PRASEG), and the BCIA is an official supporting partner organisation of the report. The launch event, held in Portcullis House, House of Commons on 25 January, was hosted by PRASEG Chair Alan Brown MP. A panel, consisting of Matthew Aylott (Electrification of Heat Policy Lead, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), Stacey Lucas (Vice-President, BCIA), Gary Parker (Head of Technical Standards, ECA), Katrina Young (Practice Manager for Heat Policy and Local Energy, Energy Systems Catapult), Matthew Dodds (Director, Commercial Division, Herschel Infrared) and Johan du Plessis (CEO, tepeo), took part in a Q&A session to highlight the importance of using a diverse range of low carbon technologies and why an outcomes-based approach is favourable in delivering a net zero future for the UK. After the event, Ben Copson, Policy Advisor at SEA, said, “Smart building controls are undoubtedly an integral solution for creating low-cost, energy-efficient, decarbonised and healthy buildings. We should ensure that all of our heat and buildings policies are valuing the benefits and contributions building controls can make to our net zero journey and providing equal opportunities for their installation. Collaborating with the BCIA has been hugely positive in showcasing the need for these important technologies and enriching the debate to include more appropriate solutions in the transition.” BCIA Vice-President, Stacey Lucas says, “Improving the energy efficiency in buildings will require a collective effort from industry and policymakers to ensure the UK can meet its net zero objectives. It was a privilege to attend the launch event of this hugely important report and put forward the case for building controls to form part of a strategic move towards a sustainable future using low carbon technologies.” To read more on the BCIA, click here.

Schneider Electric unveils Acti9 Active for the UK market

Schneider Electric has developed a modular circuit protection range tailored for the UK market – Acti9 Acitve. Schneider Electric says that its solution has revolutionised the future of electrical installations across higher-risk residential buildings, HMOs, office buildings and care homes, catering to the evolving sustainable needs of electricians, facilities managers and design firms. Compliant with the Acti9 Isopar P distribution board, Acti9 Active is scalable, modular circuit protection that builds with your business.     The all-in-one circuit protection device is known for its cutting-edge technology. Integrating residual current device (RCD), miniature circuit breaker (MCB), AFDD, and over-voltage protection, Acti9 Active delivers a level of protection designed to meet the ever-growing needs of modern enterprises.   Acit9 has been a key player in supporting SMEs on its sustainability journey since its launch in 2012. Over a decade later, Acti9 Active has been developed with even more eco-friendly features. The modular upgrade includes energy-efficient components that reduce the environmental impact during the manufacturing process, but also through to the end-of-life recyclability. By opting for Acti9 Active, businesses can significantly contribute to their green initiatives while supporting top-level electrical safety and distribution.     The key features and benefits of Acti9 Active include:    · Energy efficiency: Incorporating energy-efficient technology that contributes to reducing energy consumption. By using EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert, the to-go web app is integral for visualising insights, notifications and diagnostics of the Active Safety System.    · Smart connectivity: With its modular design, Acti9 Active allows for easier integration with existing smart building solutions. This also enables remote energy management and monitoring through IoT connectivity, providing customers with simple-to-understand data, trends and notifications.      · Reduced environmental impact: With a green approach to manufacturing, businesses can automatically reduce their impact by selecting an environmentally friendly product with end-of-life recyclability - contributing to the circular economy.     · Comprehensive protection: Acti9 provides state-of-the-art circuit protection to ensure the safety of electrical installations, reducing downtime. Furthermore, maintenance costs can be saved by utilising fault detection software – reducing outages and any serious errors.    David Williams, Vice President for Transactional Business at Schneider Electric, says, "Acti9 Active is the first of its kind to reach the UK market. The product is a testament to Schneider Electric’s continuous commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Acti9 Active is not just a circuit protection solution; it's a strategic investment for businesses aiming to embark on a greener and more sustainable journey."    To read more on Schneider Electric, click here.

Carhartt launches new weatherproof work jackets for women

Wearing the right jacket on-site provides vital defence against weather and work hazards. Carhartt's latest jacket line-up, designed especially for women, blends comfort, flexibility and style as you tackle any job.   According to Carhartt, its Rain Defender Loose Fit Lightweight Packable Anorak (105861) is a testament to style meeting functionality. It is designed for those on the move, as this jacket features a loose-fit cut, allowing for comfortable layering over sweatshirts and hoodies.    Lined with 100% polyester and mesh for extra comfort and ventilation, the jacket comes with Rain Defender technology, so water rolls right off and you stay dry. It features an attached three-piece hood with an adjustable drawcord, two secure zipper front pockets and a packable design that folds into its pocket when the sun decides to shine. Available in black, two-tone Malt Asphalt and new for spring, Lilac Haze, this is the perfect lightweight rain jacket.   When you need something a little warmer, the Relaxed Fit Lightweight Insulated Jacket (105912), available in black or blackberry, combines the toughness of Cordura Fabric reinforcement with the comfort of poly wadding insulation, which offers essential warmth without the bulk, perfect for staying active on cooler days.    This jacket also has a Rain Defender durable water-repellent finish, repelling water to keep wearers dry during unexpected showers. With a mock neck and fleece side panels, coupled with windproof technology, it's an all-weather ally that ensures comfort isn't compromised when the elements turn sour.   When the spring weather is really at its worst, the Relaxed Fit Canvas Detroit Jacket (106208) is warm and sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of outdoor activities, making it a practical choice for workwear and casual springtime outerwear. The tightly woven canvas material offers protection against spring's unpredictable weather; blocking wind and resisting light rain, whilst its natural breathability prevents overheating as temperatures rise. With a full zip, plenty of pockets and insulation, this jacket also contains Rugged Flex, a durable stretch technology built into the fabric for complete ease of movement.   To read more on Carhartt, click here.

Unicrimp extends its Q-Crimp range with new Trade Tubs

Unicrimp has recently extended its comprehensive range of Q-Crimp accessories with the addition of three new Trade Tubs. Comprising a variety of essential fixings and clips, Unicrimp says that its new tubs offer reliability and versatility to the installer and are ideal for any job - big or small.   These new tradesman tubs feature a resealable plastic lid and carry handle and the tub itself is manufactured from recycled material.   The First Fix Kit Tub includes 400 x Red Wall Plugs, 400 x 8 x 1 ½ Screws and 100 x 20mm Open Grommets – bringing together all the elements in one tub, making back box essential installs easier for the contractor.     The Fire Alarm Installer Kit comprises 200 x Red 28 LSF P Clips, 200 x Red 32 LSF P Clips and 100 x Red 302 LSF Saddle Clips which are designed for use on mineral insulated or soft skin fire cables. They are manufactured from copper and are LSF powder-coated. They have been tested and approved to meet the requirements of BS476 Pt.6 and BS476 Pt.7 and they are designed to assist the installation of fire cable to meet the requirements of BS 5839-1:2027.   For additional support with projects, the Multipurpose Q-Fire Tub combines 70 x 25mm, 20 x 40mm and 10 x 50mm Fire Clips, 100 x 8 x 1 1/2 Screws and 100 x Red Wall Plugs. The various fire-rated clip sizes are suitable to be fixed to substrates or in PVC trunkings. They are 18th Edition compliant. 521.10.202 wiring regulations stipulate that cable support systems must be constructed with materials that will withstand premature collapse.     To read more on Scolmore, click here.

Click Scolmore cooks up a storm for charity kitchen

Fat Macy’s is a charity based in Shoreditch, East London, offering people living in temporary accommodation a pathway to move from hostel to home. It has been operating since 2016 and over the years has helped over 100 individuals, with many successfully securing employment and housing after completing the programme. When the call-out came for help with a major refurbishment programme for the premises, Click Scolmore donated the range of wiring accessories required for the electrical upgrade aspect of the project.    The five-story building is home to a restaurant and natural wine bar, complete with co-working space for third-party enterprises. It also acts as the headquarters for the charity, which uses the restaurant as a pathway to move people experiencing homelessness from hostel to home.   The refurbishment works were carried out on the restaurant and upstairs offices, covering everything from the basement restaurant and kitchens to the ground floor restaurant, dry goods store, and beyond. All the work was carried out free of charge, allowing the charity to continue doing what it does best; empowering and uplifting people through training, employment, and support.   The products supplied by Click Scolmore were from the Mode, Deco Plus and Metal Clad ranges. Click Mode is a range of contemporary white wiring accessories with a smooth profile and antimicrobial properties. Several one and two-gang switched sockets, one-gang, two-way light switches and 13A switched fused connection units were installed in a number of areas throughout the premises – back of house, office and kitchen. From the Deco Plus range of premium decorative metal wiring accessories, several switches and sockets in the stainless steel finish with black inserts were chosen for the restaurant/dining area. Selected for their durability and utilitarian appearance were one and two-gang sockets from the Click Metal Clad range, which features electrophoretically coated plates and back boxes to provide a long-lasting, heavy-duty finish.     To read more on Scolmore, click here.

Latest DfT plans will help to bolster confidence in EVs

On 5 February, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced plans to accelerate the deployment of EV charge points across the UK, including grants for schools, additional funding for councils and new proposals to boost charge point numbers. The measures have been launched as part of the government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’, a 30-point roadmap introduced to improve the experience of driving and to support the transition to zero-emission driving.    The major talking point is that state-funded education institutions can now apply for grant funding that covers up to 75% of the cost to buy and install charge points. In addition, five local authorities, including three from East Sussex to North Yorkshire and two London boroughs, are set to receive funding to install new chargers under the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, whilst a consultation will be launched to seek insight into further accelerating charge point installation across the country.    Commenting on the announcement, Jordan Brompton, Co-Founder and CMO of myenergi, says, “It’s great to see the government taking proactive measures to further expedite the installation of EV charge points in the UK. By providing grants for schools and additional funding for councils, we’re addressing key barriers to EV infrastructure development.   “While the government may have pushed back the ban on petrol and diesel car and van sales to 2035, the transition to electrification is continuing at pace. As well as welcoming the zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) mandate earlier this month, we’ve recently seen the sale of Britain’s one-millionth battery electric vehicle (BEV), as well as a 43% increase in the number of public charge point installations in 2023 compared to 2022.    “Increasing the accessibility of charging infrastructure will not only bolster confidence in the feasibility of electric vehicles as a viable long-term alternative to more traditional petrol and diesel models but also alleviates the anxieties associated with EV ownership, particularly those centred around range and access to charging points.   “As we continue to progress towards a more sustainable future, the EV sector is perfectly positioned. With continued support and investment into further improving infrastructure, we’re confident that the transition to electrification will continue to drive forward at pace.’’   To read more on myenergi, click here.

NHS Scotland welcomes its first solar car park and EV charging hub

3ti, a designer, installer, funder and operator of solar car parks, has completed the installation of a Papilio3 pop-up solar car park and EV charging hub at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Scotland. The latest delivery is the first of its kind to be operational in Scotland and provides hospital users access to 12 charge points boosted by renewable energy.   With a fleet of EVs already in operation at the hospital, Papilio3 will support destination and workplace EV charging whilst addressing the growing demand for accessible and convenient charging in an area where long dwell times are common.   The rapidly installed unit has helped Raigmore Hospital boost its EV charging infrastructure, encouraging EV adoption in the area by providing affordable, low carbon charging for everyone, regardless of access to off-street parking or geographic location.   The multi-award-winning Papilio3 is built around a recycled shipping container and can be installed in under eight hours. It can be easily transported and set up almost anywhere in the world, making it the perfect solution for one of the most Northerly-located hospitals in the UK.   Papilio3 is already in operation at several facilities across the UK, designed to solve many of the challenges facing transport, energy and infrastructure sectors. According to 3ti, it offers a significantly improved experience to other charging stations and is pre-fitted with a back-office billing system and a range of technology and user features. The water-tight canopy keeps EV drivers dry while energy-saving motion sensors automatically operate the lights when a customer approaches. Also, fully operational CCTV provides additional safety and security for the public.   Papilio3 is available from 3ti on a rental contract and, therefore, requires no capital investment by customers. With a solar capacity of 19.32kWp, the installed Papilio3 will generate an average of 18MWh of electricity annually – which equates to over 63,000 miles of EV range – and can fast-charge up to 12 EVs simultaneously at 7kW, 11kW or 22kW.   Brian Johnstone, Head of Energy, Environment and Sustainability at NHS Highland, says, “As part of our commitment to supporting the delivery of healthcare in the future, we understand that our environmental responsibilities go beyond our services. As an organisation, we are looking to develop innovative ways to harness electricity and utilise renewable energy on-site, which Papilio3 is a great example of. With the introduction of Papilio3, NHS Highland is now better positioned to support patients, staff and visitors with EVs at Raigmore. We hope that this investment in EV infrastructure helps to convince others to make the switch over to zero-emission vehicles.”

LEDVANCE presents new lighting solutions at Light + Building 2024

LEDVANCE will showcase its latest intelligent and efficient lighting and energy solutions at Light + Building 2024 at booth D10 in Hall 3.0.  New photovoltaic solutions  The new LEDVANCE Renewables product range provides customers with photovoltaic systems and associated services from a single, trusted source. Designed for private and commercial applications, the photovoltaic panels come as bifacial or monofacial modules, with power levels from 405W to 660W and in various designs. The highly efficient and intelligent string or hybrid inverters are compatible with all system components and LEDVANCE says that they are easy to install and operate. The various low-voltage and high-voltage batteries provide optimal performance and energy storage that can be expanded at any time. A LEDVANCE Renewables app enables users to monitor and control the system from any location and at any time. From line to loop LEDVANCE LOOP is a new series of sustainable luminaires introduced to help transform the lighting industry and provide greater sustainability by pushing forward the transition from linear to circular processes. The result of this strategic realignment is two new product lines, EVERLOOP and NATURELOOP. The EVERLOOP range offers easily replaceable LED light sources and drivers to maximise the lifespan of luminaires, avoid the disposal of complete luminaires, and reduce the number of electrical products going into the waste stream, thereby promoting a functioning circular economy. The NATURELOOP label stands for lamps and products manufactured and packaged using recycled materials. Each product with a NATURELOOP label contains at least 40% recycled plastic (based on the plastic content of the product). The packaging is also fully recyclable. Professional solutions for all areas Whether for the office, warehouse, outdoor space or sports venue, all LEDVANCE products are designed to meet the varying requirements, whilst being sustainable and energy-efficient, user-friendly, easy to install, handle and maintain, highly efficient and customisable. The high quality of light and low glare of the PANEL and LINEAR IndiviILED luminaires meet the expectations of modern office lighting. To satisfy demands in the industrial sector, LEDVANCE says it offers robust and durable luminaires with high IP/IK protection. In addition to the HIGHBAY luminaires, this includes the new high-performance LED tubes for particularly challenging areas. Outdoor conditions require lighting solutions that are highly efficient, durable and standard-compliant, such as the STREETLIGHT FLEX luminaires or the varied BULKHEAD portfolio with power select and IP65 protection. For sports venue lighting, the LOWBAY FLEX luminaires with optional ball-proof covers and LED solutions are tailored to the customer’s requirements as part of the SPECIFY program, such as the FLOODLIGHT ARENA stadium floodlight. For areas that require constant lighting, such as streets, parks and pedestrian zones, the economic NAV LED FILAMENT AMBER retrofit solution offers a low proportion of blue light (1.5%), which helps to protect wildlife and residents from the potential adverse effects of blue light at nighttime. Versatile and powerful In times of high energy prices, efficient and demand-oriented lighting control is important. VIVARES presents a wide range of DALI and Zigbee-based light management systems that are easy to install and operate and provide energy and CO2 savings of as much as 80%. To read more on LEDVANCE, click here.

New appointments to Recolight’s Board of Directors

Recolight has announced the appointment of two new Directors to its board. They are Steven Reed, Commercial Manager at Trilux, and Stephen Bell, Services Transformation and Compliance Director UK and IE at Zumtobel. Both have over 20 years of experience in the lighting industry.   In announcing the news, Recolight Chief Executive, Nigel Harvey says, “We are delighted that Steven and Stephen have joined our Board of Directors. The breadth of experience and knowledge of our board is invaluable to us as we expand the range of services we offer to meet the changing needs of our Producer Members and collection partners. Stephen and Steven bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help shape and guide our future direction.”   On joining Recolight, Steven says, “I look forward to helping the company support its members in building a circular economy in the lighting sector. I join Recolight in exciting times. Scheme membership is increasing, and there is a great team of dedicated staff.”   Stephen comments, “I’m delighted to join the Recolight Board at a time of significant membership growth and where exciting initiatives such as reuse versus recycling are being introduced. I look forward to working with the board as the business continues to grow.”    To read more on Recolight, click here.

Luceco Group appoints Tania Tams as new Marketing Director

A highly experienced marketeer with over 25 years of experience, Tania Tams has previously worked with other brands such as Johnson Controls, ERA Home Security, Caterpillar and Saint Gobain. Now responsible for Luceco Group’s portfolio of lighting, electrical and EV charging brands, Tania will be spearheading a programme of coordinated marketing activity across all communication disciplines, covering trade and consumer audiences.   Wayne Hill, Managing Director at Luceco Group, says, “Tania’s appointment represents a leap forward for us and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to all our brands, including BG, SyncEV, Masterplug and Luceco Lighting.   “I am confident that with her knowledge, passion and drive, Tania will make a hugely positive contribution to the business.”   Tania says, “This is a very exciting appointment for me. With successful brands to work with, Luceco is perfectly poised to maximise its potential, delivering innovative technical and aesthetic solutions to the demands of an ever-changing marketplace by providing both performance and sustainability. I look forward to the challenge.”   To read more on Luceco Group, click here.