International Women in Engineering Day: let’s hear it for the girls

International Women in Engineering Day is celebrating its tenth year on 23 June - and engineers from the UK’s biggest electricity distribution company shared insights about their roles. Sima Davarzani, from north west London, works as a technology engineer for the Distribution System Operator (DSO) directorate at UK Power Networks. Sima explains, “Our task is to enable energy generators to connect into our network faster and cheaper and balance the power flows, it’s a very different engineering model from the way electricity networks traditionally operate. Our aim is to develop smart solutions that will expediate the net zero transition, whilst we continue to keep the lights on for the communities we serve. “Engineering can sometimes be a scary prospect for women, with the complexities of a sector which is often male-dominated. But things are changing: we see more women, and the stigma that there needs to be an ultra-high level of intelligence for these engineering roles is no longer there. It is about confidence and training, and opportunities are opening up for everyone.” She adds, “I get the most benefit from this being my passion, it is my dream job.” While working towards her PhD, Sima researched how network operators can transform into DSOs, and is now making that vision a reality through her work. “Never give up,” Sima says, “Do not let anyone put you off: do what you need to do. If you are persistent, and looking at the big picture for your goals, you will get there.” Deborah Aderonmu, Assistant Project Manager based in south London, has a decade of experience in construction and engineering. Deborah says, “I manage a multi-disciplinary team, supporting them and identifying what is required for them to undertake their roles. For example a planner will need a programme review, and a quantity surveyor needs a commercial review. The role entails coordination to successfully execute the work. Another key role is talking to interested parties outside our company and keeping them informed. “I love the flexibility in terms of working at a range of sites and offices. It’s great to make new contacts with colleagues at work. It’s good to stand back, look at the project and say, ‘I contributed towards that’. It is rewarding knowing your work facilitated the next step, and that you were a crucial cog in the machine.” Lauren Chappell operates as a field engineer in central London. She says, “My role as a field engineer is to support colleagues and keep the lights on for communities, by fixing any faults. I oversee and manage staff on site by preparing job packs and putting people safely to work, and ensure correct procedures are followed on site. “Physical work has always been seen as a male job role, but times are changing and women are becoming more aware of opportunities in this sector. You will be surprised how rewarding working in this industry can be and just how capable you really are. There are great opportunities for different career paths within the sector; you are always able to push your knowledge, learn and develop new skills.” UK Power Networks will be promoting a number of initiatives to empower and promote gender diversity in engineering. These include a Colchester event in partnership with Essex County Council to encourage more young women to consider a career in engineering. An all-female panel of UK Power Networks engineers will be inspiring the potential next generation of female engineers. UK Power Networks is launching a Female Engineers Development group to help shape the future of female employees. It aims to gain a deep understanding of the needs, challenges, and aspirations of female engineers, to develop strategies and initiatives that remove any barriers to personal and professional growth. The company recently extended maternity pay from six weeks to 26 weeks, and staff are taking part in a Parental Allyship Webinar in partnership with Returning Works. The session on 23 June will raise awareness of the impact of parenthood in the workplace, so that colleagues know how to create a family friendly environment where parents want to work.

Megger sponsors first ever all female SPARKS competition

Level 2 and 3 female student electricians of all ages from colleges nationwide competed in live practical installation tests; two regional heats later, six finalists battled it out for the first place in the competition grand finale at Loughborough College. The female student electrician to be crowned SPARKS Female Skills 2023 Winner is Jane Thorp from Suffolk New College. A well-deserved runner-up position went to Jade Norris from Bath College. The SPARKS Female Skills Competition, sponsored by Megger and other organisations in the electrical sector, showcased an exceptional level of talent and dedication among all participants, according to the judges. Carola Argiro’, Head of Marketing and Communications at Megger, says, “As a woman in an industry that still faces a gender representation gap, we are proud to support the Sparks competition and recognise the skills, enthusiasm and confidence of these talented women. Female electricians are an important part to shaping the future of our industry.” SPARKS launched the Female Skills competition for female electrical learners in response to disheartening statistics. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a mere 1% of workers in the construction industry are female, with an increase of only 0.7% over the past decade. By focusing on female learners, the competition aims to provide significant momentum toward achieving a gender-balanced workforce in the electrical sector.

MCS and the Heat Pump Federation announce new affiliate membership

MCS (the Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has announced a new affiliate membership programme in partnership with the Heat Pump Federation. The new membership, open to all MCS certified contractors installing ground-source, water-source or air-source heat pumps, will allow installers to join an affiliate level HPF membership package and become a valued participant in one of the UK’s heat pump representative and lobbying bodies at no additional cost. As affiliate members, contractors will have access to the Heat Pump Federation’s new E-Mission bulletin and technical webinar programmes, along with member advisories. There were 8,790 certified small-scale heat pump installations in UK homes and businesses in the first three months of 2023, making it the second most successful quarter for heat pump deployment on record, only beaten by the first quarter of 2022 in the run up to the closure of the Domestic RHI. The heat pump sector continues to grow, month on month, with over 1,500 MCS certified heat pump contractors now delivering certified installations. As forces for change in the industry, MCS and the Heat Pump Federation are expanding their offers to collaborate with more contractors than ever before and to raise the profile of the growing coalition contributing to the next phase of the journey to decarbonise the UK’s home and business heating. Bean Beanland, the Heat Pump Federation’s Director of Growth and External Affairs, says, “With energy security sharing the stage with the acknowledged demand to decarbonise heat, and with the health dividend of improved air quality increasingly recognised, now is the time for the heat pump sector to increase pressure on government for the delivery of a policy framework that sets us on the pathway to 2050. Enhancing collaboration with MCS certified installers is a key step in developing an industry where we all have a stake in driving up standards so that the electrification of heat becomes the natural choice for homeowners - a choice that can be made with confidence.” MCS CEO, Ian Rippin, adds, “There is a unique value in the work undertaken by trade associations across our industry to unite the sector in a collaborative push for decarbonisation, so I am delighted we can offer this affiliate membership to our certified contractors at no additional cost to them. “With the government reaffirming its commitment to low carbon heating through incentive schemes, growing awareness of heat pump efficiency and reliability, and more contractors investing in lifelong skilled careers in heat pump installation, now is the time for us to work together to capitalise on the growing momentum towards net zero heat."

BGES Group marks new growth chapter with launch of BGES Midlands

BGES Group has announced that it has strengthened its national presence with the launch of BGES Midlands. The award-winning business, which is headquartered in Sheffield, established its Midlands hub in response to a growing number of clients and opportunities in the area. BGES delivers a range of technologies and solutions to help buildings become smarter, healthier, and more energy efficient - a key focus area for companies with net zero targets. Heading up the new team is Rob Ordish, who joined BGES Group in 2020 and is now promoted to Midlands Regional Manager. Rob has over 20 years’ experience in the building controls industry, including nine years at Birmingham-based Demma Controls. Rob is leading the BGES team on several service contracts and projects in the region, including NHS Trusts, commercial, retail and pharmaceutical buildings. The company believes its local presence will deliver several key benefits to customers, including a more ‘hands on’ approach to client projects. Rob comments, “In a world of increasingly remote working practices, in our industry there is no substitute for boots on the ground at client sites. It’s crucial for our field service work, allows us to get to the heart of customer challenges and streamlines the delivery of projects. "Put simply, our Midlands hub will allow us to deliver our best work to local clients - we’re really excited by that.” A dedicated Midlands team also reduces the emissions produced by travel to and from local sites; helping BGES to meet its carbon reduction targets. In turn, the move supports customers’ efforts to reduce their own supply chain emissions. Celebrating 25 years Alongside its Midlands launch, BGES celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, as well as achieving the milestone of delivering 10,000 projects to customers across the UK since its foundation. The company has also calculated that in the last 25 years, its staff have spent over one million project hours on customer sites and have built over 7,400 BMS control panels. Gareth Barber, BGES Group Managing Director says, “We are so proud to be officially launching in the Midlands, the largest regional economy in the UK outside London, a thriving region which has been on our growth pathway for some time. "We have seen first-hand the scope and ambition of local projects which are leading the low carbon buildings agenda. Rob Ordish is an industry veteran with a wealth of local contacts and experience; our Midlands clients are in very capable hands.”

ElectricalDirect now stocking Rolec EV charging solutions

In response to growing customer demand for quality electric vehicle charging units, specialist trade supplier, ElectricalDirect has added the new ZURA range from Rolec to its expanding portfolio of stocked EV charging solutions. Configured to meet the most recent OCPP regulations and security standards, the Rolec ZURA is packed with desirable smart features and customisable aesthetics, to afford end user customers the flexibility and convenience they need to keep their electric vehicles charged and ready to go. Suitable for both residential and commercial applications and eligible for OZEV grant funding, the ZURA units can provide up to 7.4kW of fast charging and are available with single or dual charging outlets. Furthermore, the models can be offered as either a plug-and-charge or pay-to-charge option. Domestic users can also synchronise the unit to their solar PV or other home renewables to benefit from zero-cost, zero-carbon charging as well as integrate the ZURA with smart home devices to control the charger via Alexa or Google assistant. Installation is simple: the product is equipped with TruePEN PME fault detection, eliminating the need for an earth rod, and an independent back plate enables easy wall or post mounting. Additionally, the chargers include built-in over current and 6mA DC leakage protection, ensuring reliable and secure charging sessions. Sophie Anthony, Category Manager at ElectricalDirect, comments, "As the population continues to invest in electric vehicles, we understand that installers need a reliable supplier to turn to for top EV charging brands that are in stock at competitive prices. We are pleased to offer professional installers a wide choice of quality products that meet the changing needs of the market and latest trends, all backed with our Trusted to Deliver brand promise.”

NICEIC set to exhibit at InstallerSHOW

NICEIC has announced that it will be exhibiting at InstallerSHOW from 27-29 June at Birmingham's NEC. “We are delighted to be in attendance at this important show”, says Sarah Hunter, NICEIC's Marketing and Events Manager. “Bringing together installers and specifiers alike, InstallerSHOW is a key date in the calendar, and we look forward to connecting with as many visitors as possible across the three days.” On hand throughout to answer any questions, the NICEIC team will also offer show-goers exclusive discounts. These include 10% off selected solar PV and electrical energy storage systems courses, and 20% off gas publications. Furthermore, NICEIC's Head of Training, Nik Mitchell, will deliver two seminars. The first looks at the changing energy landscape, and the second discusses the design and installation of small-scale energy systems. Nik comments, “We are proud to be leading figures in the building services sector and take our role in safeguarding the future of the industry very seriously. “Part of how we achieve this is through education. We know the topics that matter most and are keen to pass on as much knowledge and insight as possible.” Details of NICEIC sessions Location: The Future Is Electric Stage Date: 28 June 12:05 PM - the changing energy landscape 2:50 PM - the design fundamentals for energy storage

Fuuse enables efficient EV charging payments with latest integration

Fuuse has integrated with Crane Payment Innovations’ Alio all in one ePayment card reader, facilitated by software development partners Self Service Technology. The latest integration sets Fuuse as the first EV charging platform to integrate with the Alio payment terminals, ushering in a new era for the EV charging experience. Drivers can arrive at a Fuuse powered charge point with Alio terminal, connect their vehicle, begin and pay for their charging session with a simple tap of their bank card or NFC digital wallet. The integration which initially piloted in October last year, aims to reduce frictions for EV drivers, emulating the familiar experience of conventional pay-at-the-pump petrol stations. Lee Jackson, Managing Director for Self Service Technology, explains, “We pride ourselves on building efficient solutions and as new industries evolve, we find ways to apply our technology to create frictionless experiences. With demand for EVs accelerating, we are delighted to be working with Fuuse who share our vision to remove barriers. For mass EV adoption, it is imperative that paying for EV charging is simple, safe and secure. This integration with Fuuse and Alio is a perfect example of partners working together to help drivers transition to new driving habits, making new experiences as seamless and familiar as possible. “This has been helped by CPI providing a feature rich payment device, enabling us to build the custom applications required.  The support received along the way from all parties has meant the collaboration between Fuuse, Self Service Technology and CPI has been a seamless one.” “In considering how to best support the electric vehicle charging market, we have developed a PIN-enabled cashless card reader that solves the major obstacles currently interfering with payment at EV chargepoints,” says Evan Groat, VPGM, Connectivity for CPI. “Alio ProTM and SimplifiTM creates a frictionless payment experience for EV drivers with capabilities like open payment and PSD2 compliance. It also contains features that support operators, like remote device management and a customizable consumer experience. The best part - with a Fuuse integration, deployments are as simple as registering a serial number in their platform.”

Toolstation launches series of supplier days across the UK

Toolstation is hosting a series of supplier days across the UK this summer. It means that tradespeople can attend and find out about the latest products, ask questions and learn more. The supplier days will be hosted at 52 stores across the country, from June until September. The stores have partnered with a number of big trade brands and smart home technology brands including the likes of DEWALT, Google, Einhall, Luceco, KitchenKit, Milwaukee and Tado. The participating brands will be dispensing advice, giving away free products, offering goodie bags and running competitions. All customers need to do is head to their nearest store and visit the participating supplier stands or ask colleagues at Toolstation’s counter. The supplier days will include: An opportunity to trial the latest products and see them in action A chance to talk to different brands ‘Goodie Bags’ for attendees The chance to win products from suppliers Jon Dunning , Head of Trade Sales at Toolstation says, “The support of our suppliers to put on these events will be a fantastic opportunity for tradespeople and our colleagues to learn more about product ranges, learn more about how to do jobs and learn important skills. "We can’t wait to welcome the local community to visit our stores and experience expert advice for themselves.” Participating stores and dates include: 22 June - Dunstable 26 June - Newton Abbot 27 June - Bedford 28 June - Middleton 29 June - Carlisle 3 July - Orpington 4 July - Bolton Howard Street 5 July - Torquay 6 July - Glasgow Parkhead 13 July - Bicester 18 July - Norwich Heigham 20 July - Cardiff Sloper Road 25 July - Southampton Millbrook 28 July - Walthamstow 2 August - Fareham 7 August - Liskheard 8 August - Woodford Green 10 August - Wythenshaw 11 August - Exmouth 15 August - Swansea Enterprise Park 16 August - Chesterfield 17 August - Rugeley 18 August - Sittingbourne 22 August - Bellshill 23 August - Poole 24 August - Yeovil 29 August - Hastings 4 September - Market Harborough 5 September - Doncaster 6 September - Stoke on Trent 7 September - Gloucester Woodrow Way 11 September - Leicester Ravensbridge 12 September - Aldridge 13 September - Croydon Broad Green 14 September - Staines 18 September - Tamworth 20 September - Southend 20 September - Edge Lane 26 September - Chelmsford 27 September - Leeds Roundhay Road 28 September - Colindale

Put electricians at the heart of the clean energy transition, says ECA

The ECA has welcomed the Green Prosperity Plan set out by Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, in Scotland. The ECA has long called for viable solutions to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable sources of energy, with its members at the vanguard of the clean energy transition. ECA Energy Solutions Advisor, Luke Osborne, says, “I am delighted to see Labour’s plans to place the clean energy transition at the heart of Britain’s economy, but all parties must be reminded that these plans will not be achieved without a skilled and competent electrotechnical workforce at their core. “Clean energy plans from both the current government and the opposition have promised cheaper bills, more jobs and secure energy sources, but our members - electrical contractors and engineering services professionals - need support to safely install new infrastructure and connect Britain’s homes and businesses to a cleaner grid. “Without strong investment in the electrotechnical sector and its workforce, the opposition’s plans to lead a clean energy revolution risks quickly losing its credibility.” To help the sector capitalise on the opportunities offered by net zero, the ECA is launching a series of in-person seminars, called the #ProjectNetZro Roadshow, across the UK this autumn. The association has invited speakers from across the political spectrum to attend the roadshows and see first-hand the importance of the electrotechnical sector to delivering a viable net zero future. The ECA is actively engaged in discussions with senior political figures about the issues that matter most to its members, including the green skills shortage facing the industry and the importance of listening to electrotechnical businesses who are central to the delivery of mass electrification.

Omron's resistance relays for EV chargers and PV-powered homes

Omron Electronic Components Europe has expanded its high-power switching capability with the addition of a low contact resistance model for the successful two pole contact type G7L-2A-X series relays. With a 6mm contact gap, the new G7L-2A-X-SI relay provides low contact resistance of maximum 10mΩ and a rated load of 30A at 600V DC, or 25A at 1,000V DC. The G7L-X series conforms to UK and IEC solar inverter standards, as well as applicable UL and VDE electrical standards. Features of the design include an assisting magnetism circuit to help achieve a very quick switchover. The relay contacts have been specifically designed to handle very high DC loads that are a feature of this application. Contact forms is two pole DPST and its 6.0mm contact gap ensures improved safety. Driven by the trends for higher capacity and increasing heat generation issues, the G7L-X series enables reduced charging time for vehicle charging and offers high capacity for residential energy storage systems and battery storage management. In comparison with similar level competitive relays, the G7L- 2A- X-SI has a larger contact gap, low contact resistance, and bidirectional switching ability. Capable of 6,000 operations at 600V DC, or 100 operations at 1,000V DC, the relays provide higher capacity and low heat generation. The device is compact for a relay with this capacity - it measures just 52.5 x 35.5 x 41.0mm.