Aggreko and Birmingham 2022 strive to reduce emissions

The fleet of temporary equipment powering the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has been unveiled, with over 120 items of kit tailored to help meet the host’s stringent environmental targets. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games aims to make these the most sustainable Games yet. It is working closely with its partners, suppliers, and wider stakeholder to reduce its carbon footprint wherever possible. Central to this is the way the event is powered and, as energy is a key part of the Games’ carbon footprint, focus has been given to driving emissions down. The Games are taking a ‘mains first’ approach, using the existing infrastructure from venues reducing reliance on additional generators, and where temporary energy is needed, working closely with Aggreko to drive emissions down. As the Official Modular Energy Solutions Supporter for Birmingham 2022, Aggreko is responsible for planning the temporary energy framework for all 15 of the Games’ venues. These include large-scale venues such as Alexander Stadium and Coventry Stadium & Arena, to greenfield sites of regional parks like Warwick and Sutton. The company is also powering additional requirements in sites key to the Games, including the Birmingham 2022 Villages in Birmingham and Warwick and the remote vehicle security site. The fleet includes 117 of Aggreko’s latest Stage V generators from 30kVA up to 600kVa running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) – a more sustainable fuel source. Stage V engines provide greater efficiency than traditional generators, as well as reducing NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and other harmful particulates. The acoustically designed equipment also results in a reduction of noise, considering the local surroundings of the venues. The generators will be operating in Load on Demand configuration, meaning they will replace a large, constantly operating generator with a group of smaller generators that can power up or down automatically according to demand onsite. To support the generator set-up, Aggreko will be supplying several batteries at 300 kVA. A specialist Y-Cube energy storage battery will be used in the fleet depot centre at the University of Birmingham to power the Games’ electric vehicles. The generators and batteries will be used in tandem to aid carbon and fuel savings and at Victoria Park solar power will also be garnered in conjunction with the hybrid generators. Primary generation and distribution equipment will take advantage of Aggreko’s remote monitoring centre which will continually analyse performance to ensure equipment is always running at peak efficiency.

amBX signs new Danish partner, IoT Simplified

amBX’s smart lighting and building software, SmartCore, enables key stakeholders in the supply chain to add extra value to their proposition. IoT Simplified is a commissioning engineering company that integrates ventilation, lighting, access control, meeting booking and several other systems under one single solution. The Danish installer was seeking a flexible, open-architecture platform that would allow them to simply link multiple systems, aggregate data and converge it all into a single source. This requires a system that can communicate in multiple languages or protocols simultaneously. Carsten Joshua Hedegaard, MD, IoT Simplified, states that, “The reality of IoT just caught up with the idea of it. SmartCore differs from other IoT solutions in a number of areas, including fast installation, software-based solution, one unified dashboard for the entire building, flexible architecture, compatible with various protocols and easy to maintain”. amBX designs and develops software solutions for smart buildings and smart lighting with the aim to improve the smart building industry with interoperable solutions. The company is passionate about partnerships and collaborations, providing key users with the very best smart, sustainable solutions for both new and old buildings – driving positive change globally. As a partner of amBX, IoT Simplified will be able to add additional value to its solutions, completing installations faster and saving money. The solution also helps the company overcome data visualisation and technical challenges through bespoke integration. The ability to offer customers a custom UI is an added bonus; having a user-friendly front end enables data that is captured to be viewed in real-time, interacted with and made useful. Phil Cross, CEO at amBX, says, “We are really pleased to be working with IoT Simplified and welcome them into our partner network whilst growing our presence in Europe. Carsten has validated the benefits of SmartCore and has experienced the value we can add, saving him vast amounts of time and money when installing smart IoT solutions; we aim to empower our partners, helping them to overcome challenges such as limited resources”.

Free webinar and guidance on new Welsh Regulations

The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations come into effect on 1 December 2022 for all new social and private rented tenancies and a year later for existing tenancies in Wales. The Regulations place new legal requirements on landlords in relation to electrical safety checks, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. As part of NAPIT’s commitment to educate the nation on the details of new Electrical Safety Regulations, NAPIT’s Chief Technical Officer, Frank Bertie, will be presenting a bespoke NAPIT webinar series. The webinars are aimed at electricians, landlords, tenants, and local authorities who own, manage or work in social or privately rented properties in Wales. With a choice of two dates, an option to sign up to receive a recording, and the webinar featuring Welsh subtitles, the series is highly accessible. The webinars will provide an overview of the Regulations, support for landlords and tips for how electricians can best assist landlords to meet the new requirements. There will also be an opportunity to have your questions answered. Commenting on the initiative, Frank Bertie, NAPIT’s Chief Technical Officer says: "After the success of our recent webinar campaign and guidance on the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, we felt it important to support our members and the wider industry by creating accessible, digestible information about the new Regulations in Wales. The introduction of mandatory electrical safety checks in all social and privately rented homes is a very welcome step toward enhancing electrical safety standards in homes, yet there are some important differences between the English and Welsh Regulations on this subject, which our webinar will cover to provide clarity and enhance understanding." To accompany the webinars NAPIT has created two informative guidance documents that are freely available to download online. Firstly, a guidance document for electricians working in rented properties and, secondly, one for landlords explaining what the new legal requirements are and covering many frequently asked questions. The Regulations were initially due to come into force on 15 July 2022, but due to representation from landlords who were concerned about this implementation date, the Minister has postponed implementation of the Act to 1 December 2022. Read NAPIT’s guidance for electricians in English here and in Welsh here. Read NAPIT’s guidance for landlords, local authorities, and tenants here. Register to join a Webinar or to receive a recording here. Read the Written Statement: Implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: deferral of implementation date here.

Supporting young families in case of a power cut

Frontline workers have engaged with hundreds of young families -including mothers with children under the age of five - to offer extra support. Young Mums’ Support Network (YMSN) partnered with UK Power Networks to ensure residents in Wandsworth, Southwark and Lambeth don’t miss out on free extra support in case of a power cut and help them join the electricity firm’s Priority Service Register. YMSN worked with local schools in Wandsworth, plus Wandsworth Council and the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce to identify families in need of support through their social care work, children’s centres. and through employers. Introductory sessions were run with local businesses and other interested parties to explain the register and how it will help their families, before offering a series of drop-in sessions and coffee mornings while children are in school. The work was supported by social media posts to spread the word about the register. Tom Peyton, commercial director at Young Mums’ Support Network, says: “We created a lot of interest through videos and our social media coverage which increased awareness, but we were most successful where we could actually meet people face-to-face. Sometimes this was complicated by ongoing COVID restrictions in many of our outreach locations, but we continue to work to ensure many people know of the support they can receive.” Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks, comments: “Power cuts do not happen often, but we know they can be an especially worrying time for households in vulnerable circumstances, whether they are ongoing or temporary situations that need a little bit of extra help. The register allows us to direct support where it’s needed. “Joining the register does not always mean we can restore electricity supplies quicker but helps us target updates and offer additional support if needed, so people can plan their lives while our engineers work on the issue. We can also put them in touch with an expert who can offer free independent advice on energy if they are worried about paying their fuel bills or need help to keep their home warm.” Over 65s, families with children under five, those who rely on medical equipment or with a disability, people who are hearing, sight or speech impaired, patients leaving hospital and people with any physical or mental health condition are all entitled to join the two million households already registered in London, the South East and East of England.

Alistair Grant shares his priorities as he’s elected President of SELECT

A veteran small business owner with more than 40 years’ experience in the electrical industry has been elected as the new President of SELECT. Respected professional Alistair Grant pledged to put apprenticeships and regulation of the sector top of his agenda after taking up his post at the body’s AGM earlier this month (June 1). The new President established his family-run business, Alistair Grant Electrical, in 1982, and has built up a first-class reputation in Moray, Aberdeenshire and throughout the Highlands. Alistair, who is based in Lhanbryde, Elgin, says: “One of my main ambitions as President of SELECT is to push forward its campaign to introduce protection of title for electricians. “The association’s Wall of Support now has plenty of politicians, organisations and fellow electricians signed up, agreeing with us that it’s not safe to undertake electrical work if you are not a qualified electrician, but we need to keep up the pressure. “I’m also interested in working with the colleges to promote apprenticeships. I’ve had 15 apprentices through my company in my time and it’s so important to nurture new talent for our industry. “I would also like to get more involved with the various SELECT committees that look at changes in other industry rules and regulations.” Alistair has previously been Chair of SELECT's Inverness and North of Scotland Branch and has also served as Deputy Vice President and Vice President of the association. He replaces Donald W Orr, who has been SELECT President since September 2020 and now becomes Immediate Past-President, replacing Kevin Griffin. The AGM also saw Mike Stark, Director at Atalian Servest AMK, elected as SELECT Vice President. Donald says: “The sector has been through a turbulent period in the course of my presidency and it is now edging into recovery, a delicate time in which Alistair will have skills and the talent to guide us into a new era for the industry. “He knows the industry inside out and has been an unstinting contributor to the interests of electricians and company owners across the country. SELECT, as an association, could not be in better hands.” SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson comments: “Alistair takes up the reins at a time when the importance of the industry to wider society has never been greater. Recognition that the future is electric has been heightened by the growth in electrical vehicle use, the Internet of Things and the transition to a net zero carbon environment, in which electricians will play a crucial role. “It is terrific to have been able to attract a man of his calibre and depth of experience to be the figurehead and public face of our organisation. “Alistair received his electrician’s grade card nearly half a century ago and since then has built up an award-winning company. He epitomises the SELECT ethos of putting the customer’s interests and safety first and foremost and deservedly won the Best Delivery of Customer Service award at the SELECT Awards in 2016."

Schneider Electric introduces Easy UPS 24V DC UPS

Schneider Electric has introduced the new 24V DC Easy UPS. Created for commercial and industrial environments where power disruption risks productivity, the new Easy UPS minimises downtime and protects equipment, resulting in reduced machine maintenance, and improved control over industrial infrastructure. Designed with OEMs and system integrators in mind, Schneider Electric’s new 24V DC Power industrial uninterruptible power supply (UPS) will be available globally in early 2022. “When considering power protection and battery backup in commercial and industrial applications, operators need to focus on power reliability and consider the high cost of downtime,” says Vincenzo Salmeri, VP, Commercial and Industrial, Secure Power Division at Schneider Electric. “When power isn’t controlled it can lead to a host of issues including data loss and the need to restart automation machines from scratch after outages. Schneider Electric’s Easy-UPS helps operators in commercial and industrial environments gain control with remote monitoring and management to fully protect their investment.” Key benefits of the Easy UPS include: Minimise downtime and protect equipment: Battery backup to ensure uptime of controllers and HMIs and minimise equipment damage due to poor power quality Reduce machine maintenance: Save data and programs with equipment shutdown using 0-5V signals from the relay contacts and eliminate the need to restart automation machines after power outages Scalable runtime: Add up to four additional battery packs for additional runtime during extended power outages Better control over industrial infrastructure: Manage and diagnose UPS with relay contacts, and check UPS status with LED indicators The new Easy UPS will be available globally starting in early 2022 for purchase directly from Schneider Electric or the electrical and industrial channels. New research highlights strategies for successful connected operations In addition, Schneider Electric shared findings from a newly released IDC White Paper entitled, Succeeding at Digital First Connected Operations, which discusses the role of edge computing in enabling the shift to a digital-first world. The white paper details responses from over 1,000 IT and operations professionals across industrial, healthcare, education, and other verticals as well as a series of in-depth interviews with industrial enterprises. Responses provide insights about the challenges firms faced while deploying to the edge to enable connected operations, and strategic recommendations to future-proof edge capabilities.

Local job boost as CityFibre appoints contractor to deliver network rollout in Halifax

CityFibre has awarded a £23m contract to Network Plus to deliver its network rollout in Halifax, a project which has sparked the creation of more than 40 local jobs. Halifax has been chosen as one of the latest towns to benefit from CityFibre’s nationwide rollout, which will bring next generation, gigabit-speed broadband to nearly every home and business in the city, and to up to eight million premises nationwide. The latest milestone has spurred a recruitment drive with new workers needed to support throughout the build process. CityFibre is supporting Network Plus in hiring across various roles, from technical and construction, to supervisory, and administrative positions. Work is set to commence in June in the Queens Road area of the town. Once the town-wide rollout reaches completion in 2024, almost every home and business locally will have access to full fibre services from a choice of internet service providers. Steve Moore, Area Manager for Halifax, says: “Our investment is set to transform the digital capabilities of residents and businesses in Halifax, and we’re delighted to announce our partnership with Network Plus as the first phase of the project commences. We cannot wait for residents and businesses to access our network and see what is possible with digital connectivity that propels you forward rather than holds you back. “As well as future-proofing Halifax’s digital infrastructure and capabilities, this project is providing a welcome boost to the jobs market. It’s created 40 new roles, with local talent needed to help us carry out this important project.” Kevin Armer, Operations Manager, Network Plus, says: “Network Plus are delivering the construction programme on behalf of CityFibre and working closely with Calderdale Council and the local community to manage disruption and to ensure a fast and successful roll-out. Meanwhile, residents are being kept informed by mailings ahead of any works being undertaken in their streets. The planning and programming for the project is run from our Brighouse depot where a successful local recruitment drive aligning with our existing experienced team has allowed us to hit the ground running.” As work is completed in each neighbourhood, CityFibre will designate the homes ‘ready for service’, which means residents can choose to connect to full fibre enabled broadband services when they go live in their area.

Makita heats things up

Makita UK has introduced the DHG181ZJ Heat Gun to its LXT 18V range. Designed with air volume and temperature adjustment functionality to reach up to 200L/min and 550°C, the new heat gun is ideal for a wide range of applications. The DHG181ZJ delivers an air temperature of up to 550°C and air volume of up to 200L/min depending on the setting chosen. The air volume and temperature are both adjustable, so users can easily set the output to suit the job; simply flick a switch to change between the two air volume settings and adjust the air temperature with the dial. To protect the operator, the DHG181ZJ features an anti-restart function that prevents accidental start up. There is also a quick release, tool-less mechanism to allow for easy nozzle replacement without the need to touch any hot metal in the process. Supplied in a Makpac Connector Case, Glass Protection, Wide Slot, Reflector, and Reduction Nozzles are all included as standard. To keep professionals working disruption free for longer, the DHG181ZJ offers impressive run times of 30 minutes in low mode and 21 minutes in high mode when using a fully charged 6Ah LXT battery, ensuring maximum user efficiency. Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita says: “We are delighted to introduce this new tool to our line-up, which is compatible with a wide range of accessories to suit every application, including a Welding Nozzle, Solder Sleeves Reflector and Scraper Sets. What’s more, professionals can use the same LXT battery to power over 270 products across the LXT range – making switching between tools and tasks effortless.”

Pace PLUS backlit panel light unveiled

Delivering 180lm/w (lumens per watt), Pace PLUS is the most efficient backlit LED panel light available on the market. Newly developed by Ansell Lighting, it is an innovative luminaire designed for educational, commercial and ancillary buildings and offers a choice of three power selectable outputs – 11.5W, 13.5W and 17W, all in one luminaire. UGR<19 compliant, the 600x600 Pace PLUS assists in the elimination of glare, providing visual comfort for building occupants, emitting a cool white, 4000k CCT. Easy to install in shallow ceiling voids, it also features a slimline design and is TPa as standard. Whilst already crafted with efficiency in mind, Pace PLUS is also available with a range of options and accessories designed to harness further energy savings. Options include OCTO Smart Control and Digital Dimming, whilst the luminaire is also compatible with Panel Pod Sensor Pod which converts it into microwave sensor operation. Pace PLUS can also be used with the Panel Pod Emergency Pod which converts it instantly and easily into an emergency light. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting says: “Pace PLUS is the ideal solution for organisations seeking to reduce energy use and cost. As a stand-alone product, it delivers the highest efficiency of any backlit LED panel on the market, something that can be enhanced further with the addition of technical options such as OCTO which give control of operation and use.”

Electricity at Work Regulations explained…

The Electrical Safety Roundtable has worked collaboratively to create two new technical summary leaflets to promote a better understanding of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EWAR). The leaflets have been produced in collaboration with over 25 different organisations after concerns were raised about the lack of understanding and compliance seen within workplaces in relation to managing electrical safety. It was suggested that this may be because of the multitude of complex and overlapping regulations which can make it challenging to understand what is needed- which is what these freely available leaflets have been created to assist with. The initial two summaries are the first of many to be part of an extensive collection of technical advice documents and summaries of important regulations to enhance electrical safety. The first leaflet provides a three-page overview of the EAWR and the second focuses on systems. It is hoped that the leaflets will be welcomed as useful for raising awareness of the importance of the EAWR and enhance compliance with them. Commenting on the leaflets, Paul Meenan, ESR Workplace Chair says: ‘These leaflets are a welcome step in enhancing industry knowledge of the Electricity at Work Regulations. Often these complex Regulations are skimmed through or overlooked, and these leaflets provide a great overview and starting point for understanding the full Regulations. As a group we hope these leaflets will add to an ever-increasing culture of enhanced health and safety in workplaces. I look forward to working with the technical experts of the ESR Workplace Group and producing more leaflets in the future.’ Whilst these leaflets provide a useful overview and introduction to the EAWR they are in no way a substitute for reading and understanding the Electricity at Work Regulations in full.