ECA launches Leading the Charge series

ECA has launched Leading the Charge, a digital series produced by Content with Purpose (CWP), exploring the electrotechnical sector’s pivotal role in realising the UK’s net zero ambitions. The series of films, podcasts and articles highlights some of the most powerful net zero stories from across the sector, with support and input from industry heavyweights including National Grid, Western Power, Megger, Actemium, Imtech and many more. Industry leaders including ECA CEO Steve Bratt, BSRIA CEO Julia Evans, Electrical Safety First CEO Lesley Rudd and many others share their insights and advice to electrotechnical professionals who want to seize the opportunities presented by the transition to cleaner, more sustainable electricity. Electrotechnical professionals are creating a cleaner world, decarbonising the UK energy network, electrifying heat and transport, developing smart buildings and improving energy efficiency. The work of electrotechnical installers will be crucial in ensuring this transition happens; with EV infrastructure, smart grids, and renewable energy - among other new technologies - representing a huge opportunity for the sector. But urgent progress is needed to keep up with the pace of change necessary for the safe and efficient switch to an electrified future, including advances in innovation, better multi-disciplinary working, recruiting the future workforce and upskilling. Featuring interviews, podcasts, films, articles and a feature-length documentary, Leading the Charge will shine a light on the electrotechnical community and tell the stories of the organisations and professionals powering the transition to net zero. The digital series will explore progress in areas such as renewables, energy storage, retrofitting, automation, electrical safety, policy and training. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practice, while raising awareness and inspiring the next generation. ‘Leading the Charge’ films and other material can be found here, with new content published on social media each week, for the next three months. Steve Bratt, ECA Group Chief Executive, says: “The effects of the climate crisis are being felt across all parts of society. The electrotechnical and engineering services industry is arguably the best-placed to install the EV chargers, connect the renewable energy sources, upgrade the grid and deliver the technology that will make a low carbon, fossil-fuel-free society not only possible, but a more viable alternative to today’s status quo. “We hope this series of films, podcasts and articles, gathering our industry’s brightest minds and most influential players, will help electrotechnical professionals to realise the magnitude of the impact they can have on the future of the planet if they upskill and seize the opportunities ahead.” Max Smith, Managing Director, CWP, says: “After months of research, planning and production (including nearly 40 days of filming), it’s clear to me and my team that we have the right expertise, ambition and technologies across the electrotechnical profession to deliver on net zero, but we’re going to need more people with the right skills, more collaboration and more urgency if we’re going to deliver on time. Communication will be key, and we hope Leading the Charge will make a positive and impactful contribution to this shared challenge we all face.” www.eca.com www.contentwithpurpose.com [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCbJhy1bfr8[/embed]

Fergus launches business action plan for a stress-free Christmas

Following another disruptive year featuring construction starts and stops, material shortages and rising prices, there’s no doubt that those in the trades will be champing at the bit to take a much needed break this Christmas. Fergus has launched a four-point action plan to help hard working business owners get the festive season they deserve. “To have a proper break, where you can really kick-back, relax and be present in the moment with family and friends, hinges on finishing the year well,” says James Chillman, UK Country Manager for Fergus. “You can do just that by ticking off the four steps in this action plan before you clock out for the year.” Confirm you can meet your financial commitments over the break If you know you’ve got enough cash on hand to cover time away, then chances you’ll actually be in a position where you can switch off, slow down and enjoy the holidays. If you have a few staff, it’s amazing how much the holidays can cost you over December and January. The best thing to do is contact your accountant or payroll person and ask them to work it out for you. You just have to know what you need, so you don’t get caught short. While you’re sorting out your wage obligations, you also want to work out what you need to fork out for all your tax bills. There’s nothing worse than holding off until tax deadlines hit and then not having the cash to pay up. Send your invoices and chase payment Hopefully, at this point of the year, you have already sent your invoices and know how much cash you will have at hand for the Christmas break. If you haven’t, this is your biggest priority right now. While making sure all of your invoices are out the door is critical, actually collecting the money is what matters. You need to know whether you’ll be paid on time or not, so if you haven’t started calling your customers, do it as soon as possible. It’s likely your customers will be feeling the pinch of Christmas as well, so ask for clarity around when you can anticipate receiving payment. If you don’t have the time to call customers who owe you money, rope in a family member, friend or contractor to make the calls for you. Communicate your shutdown plan Everyone needs to take a break, and while customers will be putting the pressure on to get things finished in time for Christmas, it’s unlikely you’ll close all your jobs out. With this in mind you’ll need to clearly communicate your holiday plans to staff and customers to manage expectations and avoid disappointment. Your employees will need to know your leave requirements in advance so they can do their own planning. Customers will want to know your closure dates, as well as whether anyone from your team will be available for emergency call-outs during the break (and how they can get in touch). Get creative to bridge any cash gaps Off the back of a turbulent year, there’s a chance some businesses won’t be in the position to take a long break. If this is you, you may consider a shorter break so you can bridge any cash gaps or simply line your pockets with some extra cash to start 2023 strong. With much of the competition closed, you may be able to win new customers by fulfilling emergency work. Another potential avenue for income could come from approaching larger companies in need of maintenance while their own offices/factories/warehouses are unoccupied. www.fergus.com

Skills boost for students at power firm

Eight college students from under-represented groups have improved their career prospects thanks to a work experience programme by UK Power Networks. The firm that keeps the lights on across London, South East and East of England has helped to boost the skills of students through its new two-week summer Powering Potential programme. Students were based across the company’s offices in Borehamwood, Croydon, Bidder Street, Crawley and Colchester. One objective of the programme with STEM Learning was to research a 20-page report about how UK Power Networks responded to the unprecedented February storms and prepare a poster. Over the course of the two weeks the students met with employees from key business areas to find out how teams respond to a significant weather event including customer services, finance and innovation. Alongside this, students were able to visit field staff at work and participate in employability workshops. Octavia Marshall, 16, from Uckfield says: “It’s been good to get out onto site and learn how stuff like transformers and substations work. I’ve learnt how the company distributes power from the grid to homes and businesses and it’s been a real learning experience for me.” Liz Nash, Workforce Development and Partnership Lead, comments: “Two pillars of our company’s vision are to be a respected and trusted corporate citizen, and an employer of choice. A big part of those aspirations is to ensure that we are an accessible, inclusive employer and support the communities we serve. “We aim to level the playing field for all, irrespective of where people are born. UK Power Networks’ aim is to support under-represented groups, with a particular focus on more rural communities that often get overlooked.” UK Power Networks is ranked number one in Europe in the global Smart Grid Index and was also named first in London earlier this year for Best Big Companies to Work For. www.ukpowernetworks.com

Klein Tools supports CEF in fundraising drive for Macmillan

Klein Tools have teamed up with City Electrical Factors to launch a limited-edition pair of 6in VDE insulated cutters to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. For every pair of VDE cutters sold, £5 will be donated to the charity. The iconic orange and grey handles have been swapped for orange and green, and the Macmillan logo has been added to the blade, creating a must-have tool for Klein Tools collectors. Super Rod/Klein Tools UK, Founder and Managing Director, Malcolm Duncan says: “Macmillan Cancer Support does whatever it takes to help people living with cancer to live life as fully as they can. It is a charity that so many trade professionals in the electrical industry hold close to their hearts and we are extremely proud to be supporting CEF in this fantastic initiative.” The cutters are VDE certified and 1000V rated for maximum safety when working around live wires and feature Klein Tools’ trademark three-part insulation. This special insulation has a white underlayer to act as a visual warning sign to installers that the insulation layer in the handle may be compromised. Also, the integral thumb guards help prevent hand contact with conductive parts. Manufactured in the US and designed specifically for the UK market, Klein cutters provide a clean cut and are induction hardened for durability and longevity. Like the standard version, the limited-edition cutters also feature a hot-riveted joint for smooth action-preventing handle wobble. The limited-edition cutters are available exclusively from City Electrical Factors, in store at their 390 locations across the UK and also online. Macmillan Cancer Support has been CEF’s chosen charity partner since 2017. In 2020 CEF committed to partner with them for the next five years with an ambitious aim of raising £1 million in that time. www.kleintools.com www.MacmillanCancerSupport.com www.cef.com

ECA responds to Energy Bill Relief Scheme

ECA has welcomed the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, announced by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Jacob Rees Mogg to provide support for businesses facing sharp rises in their energy bills. The support includes discounts on wholesale gas and electricity prices for businesses, equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee for households announced by PM Liz Truss last week. However, ECA has warned that immediate action is needed to prevent a shock to businesses when the scheme ends in March 2023. SMEs in the electrotechnical and engineering services sector are especially vulnerable to price volatility and need confidence to plan ahead. ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs Andrew Eldred says: “This morning’s announcement will provide welcome relief for an anxious electrotechnical sector which has already been hit hard by escalating material and labour costs. “Our sector relies heavily on forward planning and will be desperate to know how electrotechnical businesses will be supported after 31 March 2023, when these measures fall away. “While this short-term measure gives us breathing space, we are eager to hear whether electrotechnical SMEs will continue to qualify for support in the same way as the hospitality sector. “However, we remain deeply concerned that a focus on extracting more natural and shale gas will bring no short-term relief from the high cost of energy for UK businesses.” The government has set a Supported Wholesale Price - expected to be £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas, less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter - which is a discounted price per unit of gas and electricity. This is equivalent to the wholesale element of the Energy Price Guarantee for households. It includes the removal of green levies paid by non-domestic customers who receive support under the scheme. www.beis.com www.eca.com

Cheaper public charge points to combat EV charging inequality

Public electric vehicle charge points are being installed on-street in areas that risked being left behind in the UK’s transition to net zero - thanks to a new approach which cuts the cost. Working with Cambridgeshire County Council, Norfolk County Council, Cambridge City Council and Redbridge Council, UK Power Networks has led the way in incentivising charge point installers to provide EV chargers in places where the market has so far failed to deliver. The new approach, evolved as part of the Charge Collective innovation project, reduces the cost of reinforcing the electricity network for connecting customers, so keeps costs as low as possible. Over 50% of households where UK Power Networks delivers electricity, (London, South East and East of England) do not have off-street parking, making it harder for them to consider an EV as they would solely rely on public chargers. The local electricity network operator is collaborating with local authorities to show the value in a scalable, long-term means of incentivising new charge points. Following a recent regulatory review by Ofgem, a similar model will now be rolled out across the country. For example, 8,000 people in the West Chesterton and Riverside areas of Cambridge (which lack public EV charge points) are the first under the initiative, to get access to charge points within a five-minute walk of their homes. Charge points will continue to be installed across Cambridge and Norwich so that 50,000 people will have charging within a five-minute walk of their front door. The findings from the project are informing local authorities’ Local Area Energy Plans, which ensure that people who park on the street can take part in the transition to EVs. UK Power Networks is making it easier for local authorities to understand where charge points should be and how best to purchase them, with the first in a series of handbooks already available. Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Service and Innovation at UK Power Networks, says: “We are making it easier for everyone to make the switch to an EV regardless of where they park, ensuring that those who need to charge in public have access to the charge points to do so, at a reasonable cost. If we can roll out suitable charging infrastructure, EV adoption will follow. “We are making significant strides to bridge the gap between on and off-street charging, and our collaborative approach with industry leaders and local authorities is beginning to pay dividends for our customers.” The Charge Collective project is being carried out as part of UK Power Networks’ Green Recovery scheme which is fast-tracking the infrastructure required by low carbon projects at 86 sites, to help achieve the government’s Ten Point Plan towards net zero by 2050. Councillor Lorna Dupre, Chair of Environment and Green Investment Committee, Cambridgeshire County Council says: “Supporting our communities to move away from fossil fuel vehicles is increasingly important, however delivering a network of electric vehicle chargers across the county is not easy. “Collaborations like this, with our partner local authorities and electricity network operator, are vital for us to collectively find solutions to the big challenges we face when rolling out EV infrastructure at scale. I am pleased that the Charge Collective project has been such a success and its results are being translated into the pilot charge point project currently being installed in Cambridge.” Councillor Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor Climate Action, Biodiversity and Environment, Cambridge City Council, says: “We are pleased to have been able to support this important collaboration with UK Power Networks and OZEV which has delivered residential charge points to areas where this otherwise would not have been possible.” www.OZEV.com www.ukpowernetworks.com

Time and money stop tradespeople from pursuing further training

Almost half (45%) of UK tradespeople want to do additional training but are unable to do so because of barriers like time and finances. In line with the Festival of Learning (September), an awareness event designed to celebrate lifelong learning, IronmongeryDirect surveyed trade workers from across the nation to reveal the appetite for professional development. Half (50%) say that they enjoy learning new things, but one in eight (12%) have reached a stage where they rarely do so anymore. This is largely due to the obstacles preventing them from pursuing further training, and the most cited barrier is a lack of awareness. Almost one in seven (13%) tradespeople say that they wouldn’t know where to look for development opportunities. The money and time (both 12%) required for training courses is also discouraging, and sadly, so too is social pressure. One in 12 (8%) say that they don’t ask for more training as they worry what other people would think of them for making such a request. Such barriers are significant, as less than a fifth (17%) of tradespeople say that their initial training was enough to set them up fully for their career, highlighting the importance of continuous learning. Out of all the trades, building surveyors (48%) are the most likely to face training obstacles, with money (19%) being their main stumbling block. The trades most and least likely to face barriers to further training are: Building surveyor (48%) Carpenter (46%) Plumber (42%) Roofer (40%) Bricklayer (36%) Scaffolder (33%) Window fabricator (33%) Painter decorator (32%) Plasterer (31%) Electrician (30%) Builder (28%) Landscaper (27%) Joiner (13%) Worryingly, despite being the most eager to learn new things, young tradespeople are the most likely to face barriers. Gen Z (18-24s) and Millennial (25-34s) workers are the keenest to continue developing, but are the worst affected by each of the main obstacles, with time (21%) being the primary issue. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, says: “It’s brilliant to see that many tradespeople want to continue training, as keeping up with the latest industry trends and regulations can provide a real career advantage. “However, our research has highlighted the numerous barriers that often get in the way, particularly for young workers, and that is concerning. “With this in mind, we’ve partnered with a careers coach to share advice for tradespeople on how to continue learning throughout their working lives.” www.ironmongerydirect.com

Skills for Security open new training centre in North London

Skills for Security continues its national expansion by opening a major new training centre in North London. Based in Watford, the new flagship training centre will be used to deliver both apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training to the fire and security sectors. The opening of the training centre in the North London region is the latest in Skills for Security’s expansion programme to deliver high quality apprenticeships and training, after its recent launch of a training centre in Glasgow. The centre which has 4000sq. ft of classrooms and workshop space is kitted out with the latest products and technologies to give apprentices the best start to their working lives. The workshops were designed to create a realistic working environment for the engineers of tomorrow. David Scott, Managing Director, Skills for Security, says: “The opening of our latest centre in North London is a significant milestone for us. We are expanding nationwide to train apprentices from all areas of the country and meet the demand for developing the next generation of fire and security engineers. “It is vital that we plug the skills shortage in our industry by investing in work-based training and development which will help businesses to grow and help the industry keep up with technological change. Increasing our centres and accessibility to deliver this training is a huge positive. “We have had fantastic support from our partners in the opening of our new site with the likes of CSL, Hikvision, Texecom, Apollo and TDSi all having donated large volumes of product to support the learners in their journeys. “This move enhances our coverage of the UK to reduce travel for our Installers and their students.  With Glasgow, Warrington, Birmingham and now Watford we are catering on a by-population basis and have plans to become more regional as we scale.” www.skills4security.com

Flat and flush Trojan Energy EV chargers go live across London

Brand new on-street electric vehicle (EV) charge points are now live for testing in the London boroughs of Brent and Camden. The project has been led by energy consultancy Element Energy and will result in local EV drivers trialling 150 new on-street charge points. The innovative charge points, designed by Trojan Energy, sit flat and flush with the pavement so have no permanent raised structure. This technology will provide vital on-street charging for those without driveways or garages, whilst keeping our streets clear of additional clutter. For the STEP trial, 10 sets of 15 charge points are installed on six streets in Brent and four streets in Camden. Currently nine streets are live, with the final street in Camden due to be operational later this year. More than 150 EV drivers have signed-up to use the technology, with the trial scheduled to run for several months. If the trial is successful and passes council consultation, the system will remain in use for years to come. Trojan Energy designed the unique flat and flush charging system for those without access to off-street parking. Importantly, Disability Rights UK provided design input to improve usability for all drivers and increase safety for all street users. The full launch of the trial is a key milestone in the three-year Subsurface Technology for Electric Pathways (STEP) project, funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and delivered by Innovate UK, which has seen the charge points developed from concept, through manufacturing and now deployment. Element Energy have designed surveys for trial participants alongside academic partners from the Institute of Transport Studies at the University of Leeds to evaluate the success of the project. Success will not only be defined by feedback from local EV drivers using the technology, but additionally by more than 150 nearby non-trial residents providing their feedback on the new infrastructure in their area. Results from this research will feed into Trojan Energy’s future deployment strategy of these innovative charge points. Key electricity industry project partners have brought their expertise to the team. UK Power Networks have provided the connections to the electricity network and assisted in finding the balance between power and availability for the systems. Octopus Energy has brought its innovation team’s expertise in areas such as tariffs and metering and is Trojan’s ongoing 100% renewable energy supply partner. Ian Mackenzie, CEO of Trojan Energy, says “The whole Trojan Energy team is grateful for the support of the project partners in achieving the next milestone in volume deployment of our systems. The learnings from here will underpin our whole market approach as we move from trials to commercial roll out, across the UK and around the world.” Oliver Robinson, Project Manager and Senior Consultant at Element Energy, comments “The project has achieved its impressive goal of bringing over 100 well-designed, neat on-street chargers to people across Brent and Camden. I am proud of the consortium and looking forward to seeing the future of commercial rollout for Trojan Energy as they accelerate the transition to net zero for drivers who park on street.” Neil Madgwick, Head of Service Delivery at UK Power Networks, says “Projects like this are vital to delivering greater accessibility to charging infrastructure that truly works for everyone. Whether you’re driving an EV, are yet to make the switch or are a pedestrian using the street, these innovative charge points are keeping the pavement clear for all who are using it, whilst ensuring those who need to charge their car can.” www.trojan.energy.com www.element-energy.com www.ukpowernetworks.com www.OZEV.com www.innovateuk.com

Wireless solutions for energy efficient and healthy buildings

Smart Buildings Show at ExCel, London, connects visitors to the latest information and technology in the smart buildings industry. The event covers all key aspects of creating and managing a smart building, including energy efficiency, health and safety as well as workplace and wellbeing. This year’s show will also have a particular focus on sustainability. In this context, the EnOcean Alliance and selected members will present maintenance-free solutions for smart homes, smart buildings and smart spaces based on the EnOcean wireless standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10). On a joint booth (B18), the EnOcean Alliance and its member companies Eltako, EnOcean, Prysmian, Ready ControlsA and Aruba will spotlight the following topics: - Sustainability - wireless technology for energy-efficient and healthy buildings: overall, buildings account for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. To achieve the climate targets set, energy-efficient buildings are absolutely vital. This also includes retrofitting existing buildings. Consistent use of building automation alone could save around 12% of total global energy consumption and 10% of CO2 emissions. EnOcean Alliance members will provide an overview of current developments at British and other European level and explain what these requirements mean in terms of building automation and integrated energy-efficient operation. - Smart spaces for companies - intelligent use of space saves costs and increases productivity and employee well-being: smart spaces are physical or digital environments in which people and technology-based systems interact in open, connected and intelligent ecosystems. Sensor-generated building condition data provides the basis for this. Smart spaces adapt to the needs of their users. They can reduce operating costs, improve health and well-being, optimise productivity, and save energy and CO2. Smart space specialists will share their insights on ongoing pilot projects for the smartification of operational building spaces and explain the benefits for companies and employees. - Wireless standards for smart homes, intelligent buildings and smart spaces - a technology comparison: EnOcean Alliance experts provide an overview of established wireless technologies, discussing their most important parameters and preferred areas of application. They also explain how the EnOcean Alliance is collaborating with other organisations such as the OCF (Open Connectivity Foundation) and Matter to develop and implement open protocols for wide-ranging interoperability. The EnOcean Alliance, which has more than 400 members worldwide, is one of the most successful alliances in the area of smart building monitoring and control. The non-profit organisation standardises and develops intelligent building solutions with integrated energy harvesting technology based on the EnOcean wireless standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10). More than one million buildings all over the world now have wireless networks of this type, making EnOcean the international reference technology when it comes to wireless standards for building automation. The EnOcean ecosystem of battery-less wireless sensor solutions comprises currently 5,000 product variants that build on 1,500 basic products, with new ones being added all the time. Thanks to their standardised sensor profiles, the products can be combined with each other. These interoperable system solutions reduce installation and maintenance costs and provide significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency, safety and comfort. Using EnOcean based maintenance free wireless sensors, data can be integrated into networked system solutions. www.smartbuildingsshow.com www.enocean-alliance.com