Electrical Industries Charity announces new Managing Director

The Electrical Industries Charity has announced the appointment of Jess Vailima as its new Managing Director. Jess brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role and is set to lead the charity to new heights. Jess joined the charity in 2018 and has been a pivotal member of the team ever since. Her dedication, passion, and strategic vision have contributed significantly to the Charity’s growth and success. Jess has played a key role in elevating brand presence and expanding reach in the industry. Jess says, “I am honoured and excited to take on the role of managing director at the Electrical Industries Charity, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our industry and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. I look forward to leading our team and working closely with our partners to drive the charity's mission forward.” The board of trustees are confident that Jess’s leadership will bring fresh perspectives, innovative strategies, and continued success to the charity. Her appointment is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance. “We’re delighted to appoint Jess and congratulate her on a well-deserved promotion to managing director,” says Jeremy Saunders, President of the Electrical Industries Charity. “Her unwavering commitment to our cause, combined with her strategic mindset, makes her the perfect fit for this role. We have no doubt that Jess will continue to lead the charity with excellence and drive our mission to provide support to those in need in the electrical industry.”

Baxi to support housing providers with decarbonisation guidance

At InstallerSHOW 2023 this month, Baxi is making industry experts available to housebuilders, developers and social housing providers who want to learn about technological innovations and the future of low-carbon heating. With government targets mandating that housing providers begin the process of decarbonising heat in their buildings, understanding the available opportunities and processes will make it easier to rise to the challenge. As part of Baxi’s appearance at InstallerSHOW, housing developers and associations can ask the experts for their advice - whether the properties in question are close to carbon neutral or just beginning their decarbonisation journey. Also at the stand will be Baxi’s air source heat pump (ASHP). For those inexperienced with this heating option, this is the perfect opportunity to become familiar with ASHPs and find out from leading experts how the technology can assist with their decarbonisation goals. Recently, Baxi released a guide called 'Decarbonisation and Affordability of Heat' aimed at social housing providers. The upcoming InstallerSHOW is an ideal opportunity to get bespoke advice on different approaches for decarbonising social housing and how Baxi’s strategies and expertise can support with any housing project, no matter the current condition, goal or budget. Nick Platt, Commercial and Marketing Director at Baxi, says, “InstallerSHOW is always a great event for the heating industry. Right now, as low-carbon options are having more of an impact on all areas of housing, construction and property development, we realised that the best thing we could do was be on hand to answer their questions. For some, the energy transition may be daunting while others will find the new tech exciting. Either way, we’re here to help understand their options and make progress in the way that best benefits them.” InstallerSHOW is running from the 27-29 June at the Birmingham NEC and Baxi will be at Stand H60.

SolarEdge joins forces with Vaillant on heat pump integration

SolarEdge Technologies has announced that is has collaborated with Vaillant to integrate Vaillant heat pumps into the SolarEdge Home ecosystem. SolarEdge has also adopted the EEBUS protocol as a strong addition to its various protocol stacks that are already supported by the SolarEdge ONE operating system. Optimising and automating solar energy consumption within the home, SolarEdge Home bases load and scheduling decisions on the homeowner’s PV generation, energy use patterns, energy rates and personal preferences. By integrating a heat pump into the ecosystem, homeowners will be able to further optimise their energy consumption using excess PV or shifting consumption in accordance with optimal energy rates. The integration with Vaillant will provide end-users with enhanced remote capabilities to monitor and control home temperatures via the mySolarEdge app, as well as the ability to power the heat pump with excess PV. Alfred Karlstetter, General Manager of SolarEdge Europe, says, “Smart homes have mainly been about convenience and interconnectivity, but the next step is building a comprehensive and integrated ecosystem. By merging home devices with the value of smart solar energy through this integration with Vaillant, we are leading the way in making the power of smart solar energy more accessible, intuitive and convenient for more people.”

Specialist safety range unveiled by Ansell

Carefully designed to fulfil the requirements of specialist settings, Ansell Lighting has unveiled its new ARX lighting range. Providing optimum illumination whilst also matching the needs of challenging environments and potentially at-risk users, the range includes a number of specialist anti-ligature kits alongside anti-ligature linear, cornice and bulkhead fittings for the protection of individuals deemed to be at risk, making them suitable for healthcare and prison environments. In addition, the products are well suited to educational settings, being highly robust and hardwearing, and all lighting in the range is anti-tamper resistant, providing further protection against vandalism, and has a sleek design, giving a clean, minimal aesthetic. Reinforced by a five-year warranty, two products included in the ARX range include the ARX Anti-Ligature Surface Linear and ARX Anti-Ligature Cornice fittings. Both luminaires are IK10 and IP54 rated, providing complete protection from impact, dust and splashing water. They are also power and CCT selectable between 4,000K, 5,000K and 6,000K, offering users the option to optimise lighting levels according to their needs. Self-test emergency, DALI emergency, digital dimming, integral microwave sensor and OCTO smart control options are also available. Ideal for wall and ceiling applications, the ARX Anti-Ligature Bulkhead features a deep bezel design which mounts flush with the installation surface, preventing access to the rear of the fitting. Power and CCT selectable between 3,000K and 4,000K, it offers users a choice of outputs and is IP65 and IK10 rated against impact, dust and water jets, providing maximum durability. The ARX Anti-Ligature Bulkhead is also available with corridor functionality and integral microwave sensor options for effective energy consumption as well as digital dimming, self-test emergency, DALI emergency and electronic photocell options. Providing added safety and security to other fittings, the ARX range also includes a number of tamper proof anti-ligature kits. The first is the ARX Downlight Anti-Ligature Kit, which is suitable for use with all Ansell Comfort and Vantage downlight products and features a polycarbonate diffuser for effective light distribution alongside anti-tamper screws to prevent vandalism. The second is the ARX 600x600 Anti-Ligature Kit which has been specifically designed for use with all Pace, Endurance, Juno, Neptune, Lota, Siipa Solo and Siipa Duo 600x600 ranges. The ARX Adler Anti-Ligature Exit Box completes the range of kits, making Ansell’s Adler Emergency Exit Box safe for use in healthcare settings. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, says, “The ARX range has been designed to provide safe and secure lighting in settings with at risk individuals or potential for vandalism. Robust, durable and completely tamper proof, all products in the range have been thoughtfully created to provide optimum lighting levels.”

Electrical contractors celebrate honours at ECA Industry Awards 2023

An array of electrotechnical and engineering services organisations and individuals were recognised at the 2023 ECA Industry Awards, held on 9 June at the London Hilton Bankside Hotel. The awards highlighted some of the key achievements by leading talent in the sector, providing a great opportunity for contractors and others across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry to showcase their exceptional work. Guests on the night were treated to a range of entertainment, including live music and table magic. Thousands of pounds were raised for the Electrical Industries Charity during a prize draw. TV and radio personalities Jeremy Vine and Alan Dedicoat (the voice of the National Lottery) hosted the proceedings and presented awards to the winning ECA organisations and individuals. In all, some two-dozen top-performing businesses and individuals from across the industry scooped honours at the awards, which were supported by headline sponsors Electrium and LEDVANCE. These included awards for Contractor of the Year, Best Fire and Security Project, and the Excellence in Training and Development Award. An independent panel of judges including Martyn Allen, Technical Director of Electrical Safety First, Julia Evans, Chief Executive of BSRIA, and Caroline Turner, Director of Policy and External Relations at JTL, determined the winners from a pool of impressive entries. The awards were adjudicated by ECA Director of Member Services Helen Atkinson. “Many congratulations to this year’s deserving winners and highly commended runners up, as well as to member businesses who made the shortlisted nominees list who all submitted impressive entries,” says Helen. The Major Contribution to the Industry Award was awarded posthumously to the highly respected business leader, Paul McNaughton, who sadly passed away in 2022. Paul was a Past President of ECA and the Chairman of Oxfordshire based electrical contractor, Darke & Taylor. Over many years Paul volunteered his time and worked tirelessly to support the wider industry.

CENTIEL’s new single-phase modular UPS creates unprecedented interest

CENTIEL UK has confirmed its new single-phase modular UPS solution has been met with unprecedented interest within the market. CumulusPower 11 now ensures single-phase critical loads can take advantage of the same high quality, high availability power protection previously only achieved with three phase UPS'. Up until now, the benefits of UPS decentralised parallel architecture did not exist for those looking for the same high-quality level of power protection for single phase. Centiel has now revolutionised the single-phase modular UPS space by bringing all the functionality of its three-phase Distributed Active Redundant Architecture (DARA) into a single-phase modular UPS solution for the convenience of customers. Interest has already been seen particularly in the medical sector, but also from other commercial markets such as finance and banking too.

Leeds collaborates with business leaders to unlock green home upgrades

Leeds City Council is working with some of the country’s biggest firms to address barriers that prevent households from accessing energy-saving green home upgrades. The council has been part of a major national partnership, the Local Low Carbon Accelerator (LLCA) initiative, to explore how the public and private sectors can work together to speed the uptake of insulation and other technologies that make homes healthier, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper to live in. The LLCA was established by four members of the Prime Minister’s Business Council: Lloyds Banking Group, Octopus Energy, National Grid and Shell. As part of the initiative, Leeds developed and shared recommendations that will help other authorities across the country to overcome demand-side barriers and unlock finance for upgrading (or retrofitting) residential properties. Following the conclusion of the LLCA, the council will continue to work with partner organisations including Lloyds Banking Group as part of work to develop a ‘one-stop shop’ for green home improvements. The partnership also shared insights and lessons learned from Leeds’ work with dozens of attendees from across the public and private sectors at an online event following the meeting. Leeds City Council’s involvement in the LLCA initiative supports the aims of its Net Zero Homes Plan, unveiled earlier this year, which set out blueprints for how the local authority could work with partners to install low-carbon heating and tackle heat loss from the city’s residential buildings. Better insulating Leeds’ buildings to reduce heat loss has several benefits that include cutting the city’s carbon footprint and tackling fuel poverty. One in six Leeds households were classed as living in fuel poverty in 2020, but recent research suggests this figure could now be significantly higher. Since the Net Zero Homes Plan was announced in March, the council has secured nearly £200,000 from the government’s Green Home Finance Accelerator fund to develop a ‘property-linked’ finance product, in partnership with Arup and Lloyds Banking Group, which will complement plans to launch its one-stop-shop service that will enable local homeowners and landlords to get trusted, tailored advice on the benefits of different green upgrades. Meanwhile, work to build energy efficient new social housing and to retrofit existing council homes has continued and an innovative space technology to identify homes leaking the most heat has recently been trialled in Leeds. Tom Riordan CBE, Chief Executive Officer at Leeds City Council, says, “Retrofitting homes is a huge opportunity to address the city’s three priorities: improved health, zero carbon, and inclusive economic growth. “As a council, we’re investing more than £100 million to help make our own housing stock fit for the future, but to make the fastest progress on net zero and realise the many benefits of retrofit as fully as possible then it is vital that we work in partnership with others on a cross-sector basis. “Leeds City Council is proud to be part of the national Local Low Carbon Accelerator initiative and we hope this collaborative work will have a positive impact in Leeds and far beyond our city borders.” John Flint, Chief Executive Officer at the UK Infrastructure Bank, says, “The Bank supports local authorities through providing advice to help get infrastructure projects off the ground, and finances projects which support the UK’s transition to net zero, create jobs and generate growth. It is vital that the public and private sector work together to overcome the barriers to decarbonising local infrastructure, and it is really positive to see that in action at the local low carbon accelerator in Leeds.”

Governments endorse goal of doubling energy efficiency progress by 2030

Forty-five governments from around the world have endorsed the goal of doubling the average global rate of energy efficiency improvements by the end of the decade to foster sustainable economic growth and help put the world on a secure and affordable path towards net zero emissions. In a ministerial statement released recently following the IEA’s 8th Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Versailles, France, governments from across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe highlighted the critical role that energy efficiency can play in improving living standards and energy security - and in accelerating the clean energy transition toward reaching net zero emissions by 2050. This means ramping up annual energy efficiency progress from 2.2% today to over 4% annually by 2030 in a move that would create jobs, expand energy access, reduce energy bills, decrease air pollution, and diminish countries’ reliance on fossil fuel imports - among other social and economic benefits. The Versailles Statement on 'the crucial decade for energy efficiency' urges all parties and stakeholders taking part in the COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai later this year to raise their ambition and strengthen energy efficiency policy implementation in line with the Paris Agreement. It underscores that effective policies must be fully leveraged to encourage behaviour change among consumers and businesses, with targeted actions to support individuals, especially vulnerable and low-income households. Moreover, digitalisation, demand-driven solutions and investments in modernising electricity grids were all identified as priorities that will lay the foundations for energy efficiency to feature in all areas of the clean energy transition. The participating ministers also stressed the importance of addressing energy poverty, promoting clean cooking, and tackling gender issues relating to energy. Ministers agreed on the statement during a roundtable meeting at the conclusion of the IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, which convened over 600 participants from 90 countries, including over 30 ministers and 50 CEOs. Governments with official delegations at the event represented 70% of global energy consumption. The Global Conference was co-hosted by France’s Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, and organised in partnership with Schneider Electric. “It’s hard to overstate the importance of energy efficiency for strengthening energy security and keeping the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5oC within sight, so I’m delighted that countries from across the world are uniting around the IEA’s call to double energy efficiency progress by 2030,” says Fatih. “This can help drive stronger momentum behind efforts to achieve an ambitious outcome at COP28 in Dubai.” Ministers made it clear in the statement that the public sector must be a role model for improving energy efficiency and driving investment that will encourage other sectors such as industry, services, buildings, transport and agriculture to follow. They welcomed the updated Sønderborg Action Plan, developed by the IEA as a set of strategic principles and policies to support governments in rapidly implementing sound energy efficiency policies. Ministers also encouraged the private sector to lead action on energy efficiency through innovation and investment, including development of digital solutions. During the Global Conference, a series of public-private roundtables took place to define concrete strategies to generate greater energy efficiency, culminating in the Versailles 10X10 Actions. The discussions reaffirmed the critical roles that energy efficiency and digitalisation play in tackling the ongoing global energy crisis. Over 50 thought leaders collaborated to discuss energy efficiency issues in the areas of industry and infrastructure, buildings and homes, and solutions and commitments - addressing key elements such as financing, technology, workforces and consumer motivations.

Portable power for any on-site job

Simply slot in an EGO battery and unleash the power. This versatile and lightweight product from EGO Power Plus can be used by anyone, anytime and anywhere, even in the remotest of locations. Ideal for use on construction sites and home building or renovation projects when there is no power on site, the Nexus Escape Power Inverter is a must-have gadget for tradespeople and contractors who need an extra power source on their projects. It is also a great option for homeowners who are self-building or renovating their property and need an easy-to-use, portable power source to charge their battery equipment. Vince Brauns, European Product Manager for EGO, comments, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our second Nexus Escape Power Inverter. Compact and easy to use, this handy bit of tech is ideal for anyone who needs to charge and power devices or equipment in one place, whether at the side of the road or on a construction site - the list of applications is endless.” This latest model has enhanced versatility, powering devices up to a maximum output of 400W. This model also includes a 240V AC socket, plus USB-A and USB-C ports which are perfect for charging batteries for cordless hand tools, phones, radios, and other electrical equipment when power isn’t readily available on-site. An additional USB-C PD port coupled with pass-through charging means you can charge your EGO battery whilst other devices are connected to the Nexus Escape. For increased visibility, additional features include an LED light, compatibility with USB-C solar panels and pure sine wave for powering more sensitive equipment and devices. Vince continues, “The Nexus Escape will be spearheading our new lifestyle range. We know that our revolutionary battery technology has the power, performance and run times to be used beyond the garden which is why we have created a range of helpful gadgets that our customers can use in a variety of places.” The Nexus Escape can be used with any of the EGO ARC LithiumTM batteries. Compatible with the entire EGO range of battery-powered outdoor tools, EGO’s revolutionised battery technology is designed to deliver optimum power with zero emissions. Highly durable, and water resistant with a robust outer casing to prevent overheating and prolong battery life, the Nexus Escape Power Inverter is perfect for providing fuss-free power for any job.

Turn on to smart switches with ElectricalDirect

ElectricalDirect has added a wide range of smart light switches to its diverse product portfolio. The trade specialist supplier now offers kinetic and Wi-Fi switches from some of the industry’s leading brands - including Forum, ENER-J and Retrotouch - to make incorporating modern, energy efficient smart tech for lighting control a simple task. For projects requiring a completely wireless system, or for applications where running a cable isn't an option, ElectricalDirect now stocks Forum’s innovative Culina Konect range. This smart switch system with wireless connection does not require wiring to the mains. In fact, the switches are self-powered, using micro-energy acquisition technology; each press of the switch (kinetic energy) is converted to electric energy to control lighting via a receiver (sold separately). Available in matt black and matt white and with a choice of 1-gang, 2-gang or 3-gang options, the switch unit has a waterproof rating of IP65 so can be fitted in bathrooms, and can be installed up to 80m away from the receiver. The receiver can also be controlled by smart device/speaker for added convenience. The new ENER-J Eco Series 1-gang two-way Wireless Smart Kinetic Switch is also new to the supplier’s portfolio. Crucially, no wiring, batteries or power connection is needed to install - making them hassle-free and energy efficient. Simply pushing the switch builds up enough kinetic energy to transmit a RF signal to a receiver, (sold separately), to switch lights on and off. Furthermore, up to 10 switches can be connected to a single receiver with dimmable receivers available as well. With white, black and chrome options, switches can be found to suit any interior scheme. For customers looking for something a little different, the new Retrotouch Crystal +2 Gang Wi-Fi Smart Touch Light Switch is an ideal recommendation, with its screwless glass front offering a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic. With the ability to fit a 35mm black box with no neutral required, it can be mounted anywhere and has been designed with back-lit LED indicators to ensure locating the switches is easy - even in the dark. The feather touch panel responds to the lightest of touches and it offers voice control when connected to Amazon Alexa. The Retrotouch Crystal +2 Gang Wi-Fi Smart Touch Light Switch is a simple way to incorporate and retrofit smart tech into a customer’s home.