£102 million investment to future-proof network

UK Power Networks is this year making an investment of more than £100 million in its electricity networks serving communities across London, the East and South East of England. Engineers from UK Power Networks are carrying out an ongoing programme of works for over 100 projects to install and upgrade electricity equipment such as substations, transformers, and circuit breakers, that help to ensure reliable power supplies for 8.4 million homes and businesses. This year the network operator is investing £102m, £72m of capital programme projects and a further £30m as part of its 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. UK Power Networks’ teams work in consultation with interested parties including councils, residents, local business and community groups, to replace vital infrastructure to ensure it is fit to support the local economy, residents and businesses in the area for years to come. For example, a project to replace three large transformers at Leicester Square substation in London is due to be completed ahead of schedule this summer, providing the additional capacity and resilience to the existing network. The company’s strategy is supported by the investment and flexibility needed to adapt the electricity network ready for people to use low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles, matching the speed and scale that they are adopted by the public. John Southgate, Head of Alliance at UK Power Networks, says: “This investment will provide long-term benefits for residents and businesses across our networks. A lot of our work involves the construction of new electricity supply points, to allow for an increase in capacity that helps meets new demand. As more customers turn to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, we are working to deliver a network infrastructure that meets future needs. “This year’s major investment in network capacity is going to enable a number of low carbon technologies to connect to the electricity grid, contributing to reduce carbon emissions and improved air quality across our regions, as well as promoting jobs and economic recovery.”

Swindon set to enjoy economic boost from CityFibre’s full fibre rollout

A new report commissioned by CityFibre has identified that Swindon stands to be a huge beneficiary from the rollout of future-proof full fibre infrastructure which is now well underway across the city. The study by the consultancy Hatch, (Economic Impact of Full Fibre Infrastructure from CityFibre’s Network), estimates that, over a 15-year period, the positive impacts of CityFibre’s £40m investment in Swindon will include £335m in productivity and innovation gains, £74m from a widened workforce, £10m in Local Authority efficiency savings and £150m in increased housing value. Technological benefits are also a major focus of the report, which demonstrates that CityFibre’s network in Swindon will help unlock £797m in gross added value (GVA) from 5G services, £163m from the Internet of Things and £141m from Smart City initiatives, like intelligent traffic management systems and street lighting. The continuing transition to home and flexible working, supported by full fibre access at home and in the office, is also unlocking access to a larger pool of labour for employers. In Swindon, working productivity uplifts are estimated to exceed £19m. The direct impact of network construction is also identified as a major contributor of Swindon’s economic growth, creating network construction jobs within CityFibre’s build partners and supply chain. Wherever possible, the new jobs will be recruited locally to support the rollout. The UK stands to benefit from over £38bn in potential economic benefits. Productivity improvements and innovation are responsible for the largest impact, driving more than £22bn in GVA gains nationwide. This is due to the positive effect that far faster and more reliable digital connectivity has been shown to have on business productivity and innovation, increasing turnover and contributing to the formation of new businesses and business models. Neil Madle, Area Manager for Swindon at CityFibre, says: “This report demonstrates just how powerful and essential full fibre is as a catalyst for growth in the town and a platform for innovation and investment. “We’re extremely proud of our £40m rollout in Swindon and grateful for the council’s support. We look forward to seeing the benefits for residents and businesses really unfold over the coming years and decades to come.” Councillor David Renard, Leader at Swindon Borough Council, comments: “The rollout of full fibre infrastructure across the borough is essential if we want our already successful economy to continue to thrive in the years to come and this report outlines some of the huge benefits we can expect to see. “We were really keen to work with CityFibre to ensure our town was at the front of the queue to receive lightning fast and future-proof broadband because it will be a game-changer for both residents and businesses in Swindon.”

Families urged to stay safe this summer

With the school summer holidays approaching, UK Power Networks is urging families to ensure they stay safe around high voltage electricity when seeking fun in the sun. The UK’s biggest electricity distributor has compiled a set of summer safety tips outlining the potential dangers and the need to take care near overhead power lines. The company, which distributes electricity to 8.4 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England, wants all household members to heed the warnings. With the staycation trend of recent years likely to continue amid possible airport disruption for those travelling overseas, the advice takes in a range of countryside activities such as pitching a tent and kite flying where looking out and looking up for overhead lines is essential. The company is also stressing that substations should never be seen as potential play areas and people should never climb into these sites to retrieve items such as balls. Debbie Chachulski, Safety Advisor says: “With the summer holidays almost here and schools breaking up, we want everybody to enjoy the break, but would always urge people to do so safely and be mindful about when they need to think about electricity. “We are encouraging people to be aware of their surroundings as there are risks posed by overhead power lines. These lines can carry anything from 230 volts to 132,000 volts and even coming into contact with the lowest voltage cables can be fatal.” Six top tips to stay safe around electricity during the summer months include: If possible avoid pitching tents or caravans directly under or close to an overhead power lines especially at pop-up sites If flying a kite or drone keep well away from overhead lines to avoid contact with high voltage electricity Anglers, who use long carbon fibre fishing poles, are reminded to always ‘Look Out, Look Up’ for overhead power lines before setting down to fish. Electricity can jump across gaps so always carry poles horizontally and parallel with the ground Never enter a substation site to retrieve anything, be it a ball or even something more valuable like a dropped phone, because nothing is more costly than serious injury or even death. Substation sites should never be used by children as a hiding place or den If camping, never attach or tie anything to electricity poles, pylons or electrical equipment and never light a fire under an overhead line as heat could cause the wires to sag or break If hosting an outdoor event be careful where you site small marquees to avoid contact with overhead power lines and never attach anything to awnings or canopies

UK electricians reveal the 10 most dangerous electrical mistakes they see in homes 

Electricians have revealed the 10 most dangerous mistakes that Brits make when attempting electrical DIY at home, with some possibly leading to serious injuries or worse. Almost half (49%) of Brits have meddled with their home’s electrics, so ElectricalDirect, the specialist retailer of electrical products, asked hundreds of electricians to reveal the most common errors people make, and then rank them in terms of severity. The most dangerous mistake is not protecting plastic-sheathed cable. John McCallister, electrical expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, explains why this is problematic: “Leaving plastic-sheathed cables unprotected exposes them to snagging and cuts, which could lead to fires or lethal shocks. Running them through a conduit minimises this risk.” People living in Northern Ireland are most guilty of making this top mistake, with 40% of electricians in the country saying they see it regularly. The 10 most dangerous electrical mistakes Brits make at home are: # Electrical mistake  1 Leaving plastic-sheathed cable unprotected 2 Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected 3 Cutting wires too short 4 Recessing boxes behind the wall surface 5 Installing cable without a clamp 6 Connecting wires outside of electrical boxes 7 Overfilling electrical boxes 8 Reversing hot and neutral wires 9 Wiring a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) backwards 10 Installing electrical outlets close to water   Second on the list is leaving switches or outlets loosely connected. John says: “Loose connections cause movement that can potentially disrupt the power supply or allow live wires to wiggle loose, exposing them to your fingers. This means that there’s a potential risk of electrocution or fire.” However, the most common mistake tradespeople come across is Brits over-stacking extension cords or electrical outlets. This is dangerous because “plugging too many devices into a single socket may result in the socket overheating and catching fire”, John explains. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, says: “Interest in DIY has massively increased over the last few years and while this is great to see, it’s important that people stay away from certain electrical jobs that can lead to injuries. “That’s why we consulted electricians from across the country to reveal the tasks which are best left to the professionals.”

UK Power Networks Services announces David Mitchell as new Director

The energy infrastructure specialist has announced David Mitchell as its new Director, effective from Thursday, 7 July. He replaces Ian Smyth, who will join Electricity North West as Chief Executive Officer later this year. David is an experienced leader who has worked for the company in its various forms since joining as an apprentice in 1980. In his most recent position as Head of Client Delivery, David has been responsible for the delivery of major projects for key clients including works at Hinkley Point C, Great Western train line (GWEP) and London Underground. The internal promotion reflects UK Power Networks Services’ commitment to long-term expertise and professional development within the firm. The announcement comes during an exciting period of growth for UK Power Networks Services, as it continues to deliver for existing clients and expand to support industries through the sustainable energy transformation. The company’s clients include some of the UK’s highest profile business, including airports, ports, rail operators, public sector developments, utilities, manufacturers, and logistics firms. Last month, the company announced a new three-year project with the Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port, to meet its net zero aspirations, reduce emissions, and increase the resilience of the port’s electricity network. New Director, David Mitchell says: “I’m of course delighted to be stepping into this role. This is a hugely exciting time for UK Power Networks Services as we continue to deliver a bright energy future for our clients. There is plenty of work to do to meet the challenge, but I believe we have the right blend of skill, experience and determination to deliver.” Basil Scarsella, CEO of UK Power Networks, comments: “David is an outstanding leader with a proven track record. His determination and passion will allow UK Power Networks Services to continue to support some of the UK’s most important industries through this critical phase in the transition to net zero.”

Switch on to Movion, the modular emergency lighting solution from ABB

With a global valuation of $5,386 million in 2020, the emergency lighting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2021 to 2030. This demand stems from the increasing number of construction projects, lowering costs of LED lights, and continuing government initiatives to drive usage of energy-efficient lighting around the world. In response to this growing demand, ABB will launch its innovative and easy-to-install modular Movion emergency lighting range designed for commercial applications such as offices and retail, as well as schools, restaurants and hotels. This comprehensive new escape route signalisation and lighting line features a clever, modular design that is suitable for a range of applications including recessed and surface mounting, as well as walls and ceilings. In addition, the exit signage can switch from ceiling to wall mount, by simply changing the position of the electronics box 90 degrees. The range provides better cable access and terminal connections for quick and easy installation, whilst offering a new track mounting option using a 3C interface for mounting to any type of track adapter available on the market, making it highly flexible and adaptable. The batteries are also simple to replace which reduces maintenance time. For installations where there is a need to optimise the number of luminaires, ABB has developed a hybrid Movion version, which combines escape route signalisation and lighting into one product. The solution can be used to provide one lux as escape route lighting and five lux on safety equipment. For these specific applications, different lenses are available, and both are supplied with the product. On site, the lens can be rotated to adjust to the actual situation, or the escape route lighting lens can be replaced by the lens designed for illuminating safety equipment. With Movion, ABB delivers impressive lighting performance with escape route signalisation that provides a bright and equal 500 cd/m2 distribution on the pictogram. The new lighting range also offers good spacing performances, with 18m at 3m ceiling height for escape routes and 10m by 10m at 3m ceiling height in open areas. Commenting on the launch, Gerben Achterberg, Global Product Manager of Emergency Lighting from ABB’s Smart Buildings division says: “We know how critical lighting is to evacuate buildings safely and smoothly in the event of an emergency. We also know how much pressure there is on our customers to reduce wastage and improve efficiency. With Movion, we’ve developed a clever solution that will reduce installation times and total cost of ownership without compromising performance.” ABB’s new Movion range will launch in Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and the UK.

Dorset Council uses renewable energy to boost EV charging power

Mer will install and operate an additional 27 fast and rapid charging stations for Dorset Council. This phase extends the number of Mer chargers across the county to over 52. The increased coverage will help to satisfy the demand of EV drivers who visit vacation hotspots, as well as the county’s residents. Mer is owned and operated by Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy. Its EV chargers are powered by 100% renewable energy. Expanding the network of Mer chargers will contribute to Dorset Council’s goal of reducing its carbon budget by 71% by 2030 and achieving overall carbon neutrality by 2040, as outlined in its Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy. Alex Hinchcliffe, Sales Director at Mer UK explains, “Sustainable, future-fit solutions are what local authorities need. We’re working with several councils like Dorset to ensure they provide the right charging stations for EV drivers. Results from our recent industry survey highlight that 69% of people want to see more public charging points, and we’re glad to more than double the number of Mer stations in Dorset with the new tranche of fast and rapid charge units.” This phase of the project is partly funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, who awarded £125k to Dorset Council to help boost charge-point availability for households without private access to off-street charging. Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council says, “The greater spread of EV chargers in Dorset will urge people to make the switch to electric vehicles, support the reduction of vehicle emissions across the county, assist where home charging is not an option and help reduce holidaymakers’ range anxiety. More coverage means tourists can relax while they’re visiting, rather than worrying about their journeys around the Jurassic coast. We hope this will encourage more EV drivers to explore Dorset, giving the county’s tourist figures a boost.” Plans are in place to further expand Dorset’s EV charging network, and all residents are encouraged to contribute suggestions for new locations. As the new charging stations come online, residents and visitors alike can use the Mer Driver Portal to find their nearest charge point location.

Focussing on the future: Domus Ventilation launches Net Zero Roadmap

Domus Ventilation has released its Net Zero Roadmap in time for Net Zero Week (2nd – 8th July). Net Zero Week has been created to raise awareness across the UK of the 2050 net zero goal. The net zero goal requires greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to as close to zero as possible, plus any that remain must be balanced out by removing an equivalent amount. By reaching net zero, we can keep temperature rises below 1.5°C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Domus Ventilation has been working on reducing its emissions since 2015 and has so far reduced carbon emissions at its manufacturing site by 25%. This has been achieved through a range of actions, including investing in new waste processing equipment and a screw compactor for wood recycling (a first in the UK), which has enabled the company to achieve zero waste to landfill. Single use plastic has been reduced by eliminating instapak product packaging. Energy supply is now 100% renewable. Furthermore, the company has committed to transparency in its efforts to reach net zero and is EcoVadis rated, listed on the CIPS sustainability index, and submits ESOS Phase 1 energy savings reports. The next strategic phase in Domus Ventilation’s Net Zero Roadmap has now been revealed and will see its scope 1 and 2 carbon impact reduced by 66% without offsetting by 2025. This will see further changes being made to its Caerphilly site, with a transition to LED lighting in dispatch bays and implementation of ISO 50001 to develop an energy management system to improve energy use. In addition, there will be a focus on transport, changing all Domus Ventilation sales staff cars to hybrid and installing electric vehicle charging points on all sites. An innovative employee incentive scheme will also be introduced to help staff move towards personal electric vehicles. The last phase of the net zero strategy will see Domus Ventilation working with customers and its supply chain to further reduce scope 3 emissions. Domus Ventilation General Manager, Jessica Cook, comments: “We are 100% committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and our new Net Zero Roadmap is our strategy to achieve this. As part of the Genuit Group, we have already made significant changes to our operations, which have resulted in tangible reductions to our carbon emissions. We know what needs to be done and are passionate about doing it.”

Scolmore Group achieves the Gold Standard by EDA

Scolmore Group has announced that it has met the Gold Standard for EDATA and ETIM by the EDA. The group is one of the few manufacturers to achieve this across multiple company brands - CLICK wiring accessories, OVIA lighting and UNICRIMP electrical accessories ranges. EDATA currently holds information in three categories: Manufacturer Master Data, the core data needed to identify a product; Digital Assets such as images and data sheets; and Technical Attributes including dimensions, suitability and performance characteristics. The Technical Attributes held in EDATA will be structured in accordance with ETIM, the international data model for the standardisation and classification of technical product data enabling wholesalers to enhance their web sites with powerful product searches and filters. The EDA has led the ETIM initiative for the UK’s electro-technical sector since 2017. Scolmore Group is one of the manufacturers who signed up as Founder Members of EDATA, a new ‘by the industry for the industry’ product data pool. EDATA is the latest strategic initiative from the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) under their EDA Data Services banner. E-commerce and digital transformation are inextricably linked to the availability of the highest quality product data, and EDATA offers manufacturers a central ‘single source of truth’ resource for uploading product information, technical data and images which wholesalers can download and serve up on their customer-facing e-commerce channels. Karl Rawlins, Technical Author for Scolmore says; “Achieving the Gold Standard data across the CLICK wiring accessories, OVIA lighting and UNICRIMP electrical accessories ranges has been a huge but rewarding challenge and one that will continue to be upheld by Scolmore Group. We are currently working hard towards achieving Gold Standard status for the ESP range of fire protection and security products.”

ESP introduces its largest CCTV monitor to date

Capitalising on the growing demand for larger monitors to display images from multiple CCTV cameras, ESP has added a new 32in LED monitor to its range. With more and more homeowners and businesses relying on multiple cameras to cover and protect all areas of their properties, the new, larger format monitor will allow them to capture and view all images on one screen, helping them to easily keep track of any movement or activity. The new monitor offers the perfect combination of 4K resolution and a widescreen 32in panel size. The 4K resolution is supported through two HDMI ports. The monitor features in-built speakers and is supplied with a desktop stand. An additional wall mount bracket is available separately. The new 32in 4K LED monitor joins ESP’s existing range, which currently comprises 18in, 21in and 23in options. It is suitable for use with ESP’s extensive analogue and IP CCTV systems, and it will also offer support for other HDMI enabled devices. ESP also offers a range of wire-free HDMI senders and receivers to offer flexible installation solutions.