UK Power Networks Services enables Port of Felixstowe to step towards net zero

UK Power Networks Services has won a contract to take the UK’s largest container port, and one of the largest in Europe, a step closer to net zero. It will supply new electrical technology needed at the Port of Felixstowe to allow the port to step away from a reliance on red diesel, meet its net zero aspirations, reduce emissions and increase the resilience of the port’s electricity network. This is the energy infrastructure company’s first major project in the ports industry and one of its largest projects in the last five years. The company already has proven experience and expertise from other industries such as rail, defence and aviation. The three-year decarbonisation project includes upgrading the existing 11,000-volt electricity network to supply the 17 new electric gantry cranes to help load and unload some of the four million containers they lift each year. The electrification upgrade will also allow 48 new electric tractor units for the port to replace some of the existing diesel vehicles which transport containers around the port for distribution. This project will not only help the Port of Felixstowe on its sustainability journey but will improve air quality around the port by eliminating diesel powered cranes and vehicles. Steven Muscat, Head of Engineering at UK Power Networks Services, says: “We are excited to be working with the Port of Felixstowe as part of their journey to further decarbonise the port through electrification of its operations. The new electrical infrastructure and the rollout of electric cranes and tractor units will make a significant step in contributing to the port’s sustainability targets.” 40% of the country’s container traffic passes through the Port of Felixstowe.

SCENO - for an impressive and flexible product display

As a shop's design changes, so does the lighting. Zumtobel's new SCENO adapts to any shop-floor challenge; the rotatable luminaire and swivelling wings (in which the lighting modules are integrated) can be adjusted independently. Whether shelves are moved, aisle widths changed, or special sales areas created, SCENO ensures uniform surface lighting. Understated design and brilliant light The luminaire's understated design lets the merchandise take centre stage and draws customers' attention to the products. It also offers an attractive, timeless exterior and straight lines. SCENO delivers both uniform and brilliant light from specially developed lens technology. Instead of a large light source, Zumtobel relies on a series of miniature lighting chambers. Whether fitted with seven LEDs or 14, installed on one or two sides, the combination of lenses and anti-glare honeycombs guarantee the best light quality and effective glare control with a high level of visual comfort. Retailers can use SCENO to create a stimulating atmosphere turning the purely functional task of shopping into an emotional experience. Design freedom thanks to four variants and countless application options In addition to a fixed central section, SCENO has independent wings that integrate light honeycomb louvres. With tilt angles of between -10 and 90 degrees, each wing can be adjusted separately and positioned; furthermore, the entire luminaire is rotatable by 355 degrees. So, if you are adding promotional items, supplementing seasonal ranges, or reorganising stock, SCENO shows shelves and presentation areas in the retail sector in their best light. The range is available in four design variants to meet different needs: one or two wings and seven or 14 honeycomb louvres per side. While the small size (1 x 7 or 2 x 7 LEDs) is perfect for installation up to a height of 3.5m, the large size (1 x 14 or 2 x 14 LEDs) is ideal for mounting at greater heights of 4.5 to 6m. Depending on the variant, the light output varies from 3500, 7000, 8000, or 14000 lumens. Individually customisable Available in three housing colours — black, white, and silver, SCENO blends discreetly into the room. Specially designed for supermarkets and retail spaces, it considers the human perspective. The various optics deliver light exactly where needed. An asymmetrical, symmetrical (55 or 75 degrees), or oval optic is available depending on the desired lighting effect. The luminaire is also available in four different light colours (2700, 3000, 3500, and 4000 Kelvin) to highlight the colours and details of the merchandise. In addition, the special MEAT module is available for deli counters, authentically accentuating the red tones of the food without distorting the colour and creating an impression of exceptional freshness. Efficient, easy-to-install store lighting The overall efficiency of the scheme is ensured by targeted light direction and highly efficient LEDs. This means luminaires can be spaced further apart, reducing the number of luminaires required. This means reduced installation time and costs, and it frees up space for additional elements on the tracks, such as state-of-the-art motion sensors or beacon technology. The lighting infrastructure thus offers room for future digital applications such as store analytics, indoor navigation, or geo-notifications. SCENO can be mounted, by just one person, on three-phase trunking or on the TECTON trunking continuous-row lighting system. It can also be installed as a pendant luminaire in rooms with high ceilings. Flexible and future-proof Thanks to its flexibility, SCENO can be readjusted at any time after initial installation and adapted to room changes and presentation areas. This makes it particularly future-proof and guarantees elegant, sustainable and economical store lighting.

CENTIEL invests in service sales team

CENTIEL has invested further in its service sales team with the addition of Shane Brailsford as Area Sales Manager. Louis McGarry Sales and Marketing Director, CENTIEL UK confirms: “Over the past 18 months, CENTIEL UK has invested heavily in expanding our service sales team for the benefit of our growing customer base. The addition of Shane Brailsford, based in Derbyshire, will strengthen our resources in the midlands and the north although he has responsibility for the whole of the UK. “Shane will act as an external manager supporting our existing clients as well as establishing new business with a focus on service sales, which includes new maintenance contracts, battery replacements, capacitor and fan replacements, decommissioning and the removal of legacy systems which are no longer required.” With over 20 years’ experience working in the power industry, Shane Brailsford joins CENTIEL from Finning UK where he was Sales Manager for two years. Prior to that, Shane was Northern Sales Manager for Dale Power for two years. He is a fully qualified electrician and has also held managerial project management and operation roles at AVK-SEG and Rykneld Homes. Louis McGarry continues: “Shane’s extensive experience in the critical power industry makes him well placed to provide trusted advice to our customers, working to find the optimal solution for their critical power protection and maintenance contract needs.” Shane Brailsford comments: “I’m really excited to have joined Centiel. The company’s cutting-edge UPS solutions lead the industry, and the team has a great reputation. As a salesperson you can’t ask for more!  I’m now looking forward to growing the service division and contributing to the continued expansion of Centiel UK.”

CityFibre's £4.9bn debt raise is one of the largest full fibre financings

CityFibre has confirmed a debt package totalling £4.9bn. These facilities form one of the largest single financings dedicated to full fibre deployment across Europe and fully funds CityFibre’s rollout to a third of the UK market by 2025. The new banking facilities see CityFibre’s full fibre infrastructure platform now backed by many of the world’s leading financial institutions. The debt raise is underwritten by NatWest, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole CIB, BBVA, Intesa Sanpaolo, ING and SEB; with ABN AMRO, Lloyds Bank and the pensions and M&G Investments, the international asset manager, joining as core lenders. Also participating as a core lender is the recently established UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), recognising CityFibre’s contribution to critical national infrastructure deployment and the Government’s levelling up programme. On behalf of CityFibre, NatWest and Société Générale acted as financial advisors, Lloyds coordinated the UKIB's involvement, and Latham & Watkins acted as legal advisor. The financing follows £1.125bn in equity investments that CityFibre has closed in the last ten months from two new investors, Mubadala and Interogo Holding as well as from existing investors Antin Infrastructure Partners and the Infrastructure business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Combined, these debt and equity funds will fully finance the completion of CityFibre’s rollout to 8m homes, 800k businesses, 400k public sector sites and 250k 5G access points. They will also establish the UK’s first large-scale, carrier-neutral Full Fibre infrastructure platform, providing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mobile operators with access to the nation’s most advanced fixed-line network and unleashing over £38bn in economic benefits to help level up the UK1. The funds will also enable CityFibre to upweight its participation in BDUK’s ‘Project Gigabit’ rural programme. By extending its networks to rural areas surrounding the 285 cities, towns and villages identified in its existing rollout, CityFibre is well placed to support the Government’s rural coverage objective, ensuring that millions of rural homes can enjoy the same high-quality digital infrastructure as urban areas. Greg Mesch, Chief Executive Officer of CityFibre, says: “Over the last decade we’ve built a business that has transformed the UK’s digital connectivity landscape for the better. With our rollout now fully financed, backed by so many esteemed financial institutions, we have emerged as a strong national challenger. “But CityFibre’s aim is not simply to challenge. It’s to be better. It’s to establish ourselves as the preferred network wherever we build, bringing higher-quality, more affordable infrastructure within reach of millions and unleashing the transformative economic potential of full fibre to help level up the UK. We have never been more confident that we will succeed.” John Flint, CEO of the UK Infrastructure Bank, says: “We are pleased to act as a cornerstone investor in what will be the largest digital debt transaction in the UK market to date, connecting a third of UK households with fast and reliable broadband throughout England and Scotland. “It is clear how important good quality connectivity is for the UK economy, and in addressing regional inequalities.”

FLIR Systems launches the E52 Thermal Imaging Camera

Teledyne FLIR has announced the addition of the new E52 camera to its range of Exx thermal imaging devices, which currently includes the E96, E86, E76 and E54 models. The E52 camera offers professional quality thermal resolution to ensure that images are easy to read and have on-camera routing capabilities to improve field survey efficiency. Ergonomic and easy to use, the E52 has the same user-friendly design to help professionals detect the early signs of building issues, identify hot spots, troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems, and prevent problems before they cause damage that leads to expensive repairs. The 43,200 pixel infrared resolution and four-times digital zoom provides a professional level of clarity to help detect subtle changes in temperature that are indicative of developing faults and issues. It delivers improved measurement results, so professionals can safely diagnose electrical faults or locate hidden anomalies at temperatures up to 550°C, including harsh manufacturing and production environments where conditions are especially challenging, to help keep the workplace running smoothly. FLIR Inspection Route is now offered as a standard feature on every Exx-Series camera and is complemented by the FLIR Thermal Studio Pro software with Route Creator plugin, sold separately as an annual subscription. The complete routing bundle enables professionals to create and export custom inspection and pre-planned routes, ideal for large or multi-location electrical or mechanical projects. “The Exx-Series advanced thermal imaging cameras enable building professionals, inspectors, engineers, researchers, and facility maintenance personnel to do more than ever before with a handheld thermal camera”, says Rickard Lindvall, General Manager, Solutions Business at Teledyne FLIR. “With excellent thermal resolution and on-camera routing capabilities, the E52 Thermal Imaging Camera can help our customers make better, more informed decisions to complete the job more efficiently and effectively, at a competitive price point.” The full range of Exx cameras includes MSX image enhancement to include details from the visual camera to add depth and perception, and the E52 camera is fitted with a 24° lens which provides a practical field of view suitable for most applications.

Screwfix awarded Best Customer Experience

Screwfix has been honoured at the highly esteemed Retail Week Awards which celebrates excellence within the retail sector. The award was presented at a special evening held on 26th May 2022 at Old Billingsgate in London, during which Screwfix received the prestigious award for ‘Best Customer Experience’ with Screwfix Sprint, Screwfix’s hyper convenient 60-minute same-day delivery service. Nick Burton, Screwfix Technology Director, says: “This is amazing recognition for the team who have worked incredibly hard to create and bring to life this service. The judges described Screwfix Sprint as ‘genius’, but more than this, it underlines how putting our customers first led us to create a service that really makes life easier for busy tradespeople. A huge thanks goes out to all our colleagues who ensure we deliver on our Screwfix Sprint promise and to our customers for their continued support.” Since opening its first store, Screwfix has always been committed to helping busy tradespeople get their jobs done quickly, affordably, and right first time. With Screwfix Sprint, Screwfix has filled a gap in the industry by allowing its busy customers to order a tool, or other essential items via its app and have it delivered in less than an hour, whether they’re at home or on site. Nick continues: “A Retail Week Award is a very prestigious honour and we’re delighted to be recognised by our peers in this way. To have an award-winning convenience proposition is just phenomenal.” With over 9,500 products available for delivery, less than one year after its launch, Screwfix Sprint is now available across 275 Screwfix stores and reaches 40% of the UK population, with the aim to reach even more tradespeople. Whether they need a tool or multiple items, with no minimum spend and a set fee of £5 per delivery, customers can easily purchase the product they need via the Screwfix app and get it delivered straight to their location within 60 minutes.

Eight ways tradespeople can make their work more sustainable

For World Environment Day (5th June), an expert has shared advice on how tradespeople can make their work more sustainable. Improving sustainability can benefit both the planet and your business, as customers are growing increasingly likely to favour tradespeople with green credentials. Recent research by ElectricalDirect, the specialist retailer of electrical products, found that a quarter (25%) of Brits are now more interested in sustainability than they were a few years ago, and over a fifth (22%) of tradespeople have been questioned about the environmental impact of their work over the last year. However, four in five (80%) say that they don’t know how to make their services more sustainable. So ElectricalDirect has partnered with William Hobbs, sustainability and recycling expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, to provide some expert tips on how you can make your trade business more environmentally friendly. 1) Switch to digital Consider how much paper you'd save if you ditched paperwork in favour of an online system. You'll also benefit from automated processes and workflow efficiencies. 2) Invest in equipment When you need new tools or equipment, invest in some that are long-lasting and built to last. What may appear to be a significant outlay at first will almost certainly pay off in the long run. 3) Recycle wherever possible Instead of throwing waste away, consider how to reuse or repurpose it. If items cannot be reused, recycle as many as possible so that they don’t end up in landfill. 4) Go electric When it’s time to upgrade your work van, make the switch to an electric vehicle. This will make each journey and job more eco-friendly, and EV Car Charging is now easier than ever. 5) Learn new skills Stay up to date on how to install and maintain the latest green technologies, such as EV car charging units and heat pumps. This will help your business stay relevant to changing customer needs and open your company up to new customer bases. 6) Source local parts To reduce your carbon footprint, look for parts and materials that are produced and sold closer to home. 7) Reduce plastic and chemical usage Making simple but practical swaps on small items you use daily can reduce your overall environmental impact without costing too much. For example, ditching single-use plastic dust sheets for reusable or biodegradable versions, and switching white spirit for cleaner alternatives. 8) Leave your worksite clean When you leave a job, make sure to clean up properly. Off-cuts and bits of packaging are easy to overlook but could easily end up impacting local wildlife habitats. Take an extra couple of minutes to sweep the area for litter. This will also prevent you accidentally leaving bits of your kit behind, and allow you to re-use any spare parts and materials.

Schneider Electric partners with Tradify to support electricians

Schneider Electric has partnered with Tradify to support electricians across the UK. The partnership will enable electrical professionals to manage all aspects of their business through Tradify and help them work more efficiently, helping their businesses grow. Tradify is a cloud-based construction and field service solution that supports electrical companies. As part of this, it can assist all aspects of a company with its no-nonsense business plans. This includes online job management, scheduling, quoting, invoicing, materials tracking and real-time project updates. Tradify has been giving UK tradesmen access to the best software available for their business since 2013 and can be tailored specifically for UK electrical teams. Tradify users can expect several easy to access benefits such as, effortless accounting. Faultless syncing with Xero, Sage, MYOB and QBO lets users push and reconcile invoices with one click. They can instantly import customers and pricelists into Tradify and settle bills in their accounting system. Automated customer communication will notify customers of upcoming appointments and send reminders about outstanding quotes and invoices. As well as access to Tradify’s cloud-based system that streamlines processes and saves valuable time, members of mySchneider will now be able to sign up to Tradify with 50% off for the first three months. “We are thrilled to announce our partnership. This is another element of our commitment to continually support the electrical industry and provide electricians with the tools for success,” says Nico van der Merwe, Vice President of Home and Distribution, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland. “We want to continue to roll out new promotions and offer a full spectrum of support, alongside Which? Trusted Trader, mySchneider, competitions and giveaways. We recognise the importance of offering a wide portfolio of support and Tradify is further evidence of this.”

A £3m power upgrade is underway in Bromley

Investment is underway on a £3 million project to upgrade power supplies for thousands of residents in Bromley. UK Power Networks is future-proofing electricity cables that help deliver safe and reliable electricity supplies to over 80,000 homes and businesses across the Bromley and Bexley. Specialist electrical engineering teams will be working in joint bays to refurbish the cables that will then be connected to the existing network, which distributes electricity throughout the area. Mncedisi Moyo, Project Manager at UK Power Networks, says: “This is a major investment in the infrastructure for Bromley. This will help us to continue serving residents with reliable electricity supplies well into the future. “We are future-proofing the electricity network by modernising the equipment which delivers power to local homes and businesses, making power supplies even more resilient.” The work is underway and is due to continue until October. As the new equipment is energised, the existing equipment will be decommissioned, having been well maintained and served the residents of Bromley for many years. The investment in Bromley is part of £600 million the company will invest this year in its electricity networks. UK Power Networks maintains the network of cables, substations and power lines that deliver electricity to 8.4 million homes and businesses (a population of about 18 million people) across the South East, London and East of England.

New ‘Powerlimit’ tech unlocks the potential of Vehicle-to-Grid

Octopus Electric Vehicles, alongside UK Power Networks and G99 Professional Services, has announced the integration of a UK-first device that unlocks the power of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and allows for more renewable energy to be connected to the grid. The new device called ‘Powerlimit’, allows V2G technology to work alongside domestic solar or batteries. It was designed for households that took part in Octopus’s ‘Powerloop’ project and will, for the first time, enable homes with V2G technology, alongside other technologies such as solar panels and batteries, to connect and export power back to the grid. Powerloop is the UK’s first large-scale V2G trial which looked into how electric vehicles of households could be used to help balance the grid, make the most of green electrons when they are abundant and save people money on their energy bills. The trial is run by Octopus Energy Group’s electric car specialist business, Octopus Electric Vehicles, as part of an energy industry consortium and funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Powerlimit, a small device that sits between the charger, energy asset and smart meter, can be used to make sure network capacity is maximised and the network is used in the most efficient way possible. Almost a million homes in the UK have already adopted solar power and there is an increasing demand for consumer V2G. With a Powerlimit device, consumers have the option to add a range of energy exporting technologies to their homes and play a part in helping the UK to reach its net zero targets, while saving money on their bills. Claire Miller, Director of Technology & Innovation at Octopus Electric Vehicles comments: “Not only is this a first for the UK consumer market, it paves the way for homes to help balance the grid faster than ever before. Solutions are needed for homes that need additional capacity to export solar, battery and V2G energy to the local grid. As part of a range of approaches, these Powerlimit devices will enable customers to export energy from their homes even where there are restrictions to help develop a more balanced and greener grid.” Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Services and Innovation at UK Power Networks, says: “Collaboration with Octopus Electric Vehicles and Innovate UK is allowing us to develop a solution that allows more customers to adopt low carbon technologies.” Mark Thomas and Steven Cook, Directors of G99 Professional Services comment: “Powerlimit answers the need for a compact and cost-effective export-limitation device to provide a solution to single premise multiple export systems for EV systems where the total export is limited. Drawing on our experience of demand side response and large battery systems we have developed a range of devices that can be used everywhere from people’s homes all the way up to small to medium-sized commercial industrial premises.”