Schneider Electric relaunches mySchneider with new updates 

Schneider Electric has announced the relaunch of mySchneider for electricians in the UK and Ireland. mySchneider provides the electrical community with one-stop-shop access to products, tools and business advice to help set up, finance, promote and grow an electrical business. Increasingly, the electrical industry is transitioning to digital, meaning that catalogues, product orders, quotes, and installation guides are moving online. The industry recognises this and more electricians are embracing digital than ever before. With everything in one place, mySchneider embraces digital to help save time and make life easier. mySchneider can assist electricians with: Continually improving knowledge and skills – through online training courses on key topics for electricians Keeping up to speed with the latest industry trends – via news and updates Gaining access to one of the widest product portfolios in the market – including product literature, technical information, and opportunities to attend focus groups to influence new product ranges Accessing exclusive rewards – earn points for purchases of qualifying Schneider Electric products and spend them in the gift catalogue Benefitting from special discounts – through Schneider Electric’s network of trusted partners Growing a business with dedicated global and local support – with benefit from Schneider Electric’s ecosystem of certified partners throughout a project’s lifecycle Nico van der Merwe, VP Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric says, “The mySchneider electricians are the beating heart of the electrical industry. We are committed to providing the platform to build the professional skillset and business acumen needed to remain competitive in the market. mySchneider for electricians does just that by enabling users to remain on the pulse of latest industry trends and regulatory compliance through exclusive access to industry insights.”

Over half of UK local authorities cannot afford EV charging

A freedom of information request issued by the ECA has revealed that over half (52%) of local authorities in the UK said that electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs) are prohibitively expensive to install. The data also highlighted rapid changes in technology and energy network constraints as other barriers to EVCP deployment in UK districts. Luke Osborne, ECA energy solutions advisor, says: “Members of our industry are remarkably well placed to help deliver a net zero carbon UK by 2050. But if local councils don’t have the right infrastructure or funding in place within the next few years, all the promises made at COP26 will have been simple rhetoric. “Following the pledge at COP26 by 24 nations to ‘end the era of fossil fuels’ by 2040 or earlier, it is disappointing to find that a lack of funding and joined-up policy at the local government level is hindering the rollout of charge point installations. “More funding must be made available to local authorities, which in turn should work with industry to create a credible plan for deployment, and actually deliver on the promises made today.” Steve Bratt, ECA CEO, said new EVCP technology and boosted industry skills must be reinforced by joined-up thinking. He adds: “Without an integrated plan to install a comprehensive charging network, customers will not make the necessary switch to EVs. Drivers are understandably worried about being stranded without fuel. We must make the EV charging network a priority in the shift to fossil-free motoring.” A report produced by the Green Jobs Task Force earlier this year showed that the UK could produce up to 1.6 million electric vehicles (EV) by 2040 and 50,000 vehicle technicians and EVCP installers will need retraining or upskilling by 2025 to meet predicted demand. ECA’s 2,700 member businesses, with a combined turnover of over £4 billion, ranging from SMEs to large, nationwide contracting businesses, are at the forefront of grid decarbonisation and the electrification of heat and transport.

First F-gas-free NXPLUS C 24 circuit-breaker panel from Siemens goes into operation

In cooperation with Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Westnetz has expanded its Bekond substation in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate with a fluorine gas-free NXPLUS C 24 circuit-breaker panel. It is the first panel of its type in the world to go into operation using Clean Air, the climate-neutral insulation gas. This installation demonstrates the functionality of fluorine gas-free solutions in grid operations and shows an easy way to extend existing technology with the latest environmentally friendly technology. Trial phases by grid operators are crucial prior to large-scale deployments of fluorine gas-free medium-voltage switchgear. “Until now, sulfur hexafluoride, or SF6 for short, has been used in many medium-voltage switchgear. This gas has excellent insulating and extinguishing properties, but it can be harmful to the environment if it leaks from the switchgear,” said Stefan Küppers, Chief Technology Officer of Westenergie AG and formerly Managing Director for Special Technology and Digitalization at the wholly owned subsidiary Westnetz GmbH. “For this reason, we’re intensively looking for new technical solutions that combine high level of security of energy supply with climate-neutral technology. Together with Siemens AG, we want to test the new Clean Air technology and gather operational experience. This is an important step towards a climate-neutral future.” “What particularly excites us as a company about the new Siemens NXPLUS C 24 product is its compatibility with the existing SF6 switchgear and its proven design and operating concept,” says Bastian Wölke, technical product manager for medium-voltage switchgear and systems at Westnetz GmbH. “Our fluorine-gas-free switchgear enables our customers to achieve sustainable, safe and cost-efficient operation,” says Stephan May, CEO of the Distribution Systems Business Unit at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “Our installed base of more than 130,000 NXPLUS C units can be expanded with the latest climate-neutral technology. The dimensions and operability of the unit remain unchanged. This creates security of investment for our customers and facilitates the transition to sustainable fluorine gas-free technologies.” Westnetz GmbH supports the energy transition in Germany with numerous innovation projects and is a committed partner in the development and testing of new climate-neutral technologies for switchgear. With the environmentally friendly extension of its substation in Bekond, Westnetz now aims to combine high security of supply with climate-neutral technology. The Bekond substation supplies approximately 25,000 residents in the Trier-Saarburg district and the Trier Region Industrial Park (IRT) with electricity and is the feed-in point for renewable energy from photovoltaics and wind power into the distribution grid. Increased demand for connections from industrial customers and producers of renewable energy necessitated the extension of the existing gas-insulated 24-kV switchgear.

Making sure retirement works for you with the Electrical Industries Charity

Retirement is a huge life change. It can mean slowing down spending days in the garden, reading, golfing, cooking or it could mean looking after grandchildren, volunteering or learning a skill. It is important we understand what funds we have for when we retire and how we can make the best decisions for our retirement no matter if it is close or far away. The Electrical Industries Charity recently supported Jilly, an office manager for an electrical distributor. Jilly had worked in the sector for over 23 years and she contacted the Electrical Industries Charity for information and advice regarding retirement. She had been thinking about retirement for more than five years but because of issues with her mortgage and a recent divorce she had been unable to retire until the age of 68. Jilly had recently become aware of an old employer’s pension and wanted to combine her private pension pot with her employer’s pension and her delayed state pension. Jilly had carried out some internet research into combining her pots and managing her pensions but felt overwhelmed with the advice online and was unsure of a lot of its legitimacy. The Charity welfare team signposted Jilly to The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) which provides free, impartial guidance about pensions. TPAS cover all workplace, general, personal, stake holder and state pension schemes and can handle general and specific enquiries. TPAS were able to advice Jilly on combining her pots and how to make them work best for her and her retirement plans. The Electrical Industries Charity also advised Jilly to contact the governmental pension service as she had deferred her state pension for more than one year. Alongside TPAS and the governmental pension service Jilly’s Charity caseworker also directed her to the Money Advice Service. The Money Advice Service is a free service set up by the government to help manage finances. Here, Jilly could find an independent financial advisor to ensure her pension was working as hard it could for her needs. With the help of a financial advisor Jilly is looking forward to a financially comfortable future. Jilly has downsized and is now living on the coast, a forever dream of hers. The Electrical Industries Charity have now closed Jilly’s case and wish her the best of luck in her retirement.

Knightsbridge now simplifies switching to LED fittings

As LED technology continues to overtake fluorescent lighting in popularity, Knightsbridge has introduced the SUR5LED dual-mount LED luminaire that can be surface-mounted or suspended. It’s an easily installed, retrofittable alternative to twin 5ft fluorescent fittings with a commercial grade output of 4790lm. The 230V IP20 45W fitting is suitable for a wide range of sectors – including office, education, healthcare and retail – and complies with the latest Eco Design and ErP requirements. The light output is 4000K Cool White. Featuring a modern, low-profile design, the SUR5LED is lightweight yet robust, as it is constructed from pressed steel and polycarbonate. What’s more, it is quick to fit because it has push-fit, loop-in-loop-out terminals for easy wiring. It can also work with many of the motion and daylight sensors offered by Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – for greater energy savings and improved user comfort. A panel with emergency functionality – SUR5LEDEM – is also available.

Bureau Veritas hails Government's latest steps on supporting Net Zero targets

Following the publication of the Government’s landmark Net Zero Strategy in October, Bureau Veritas has welcomed further clarity on the UK’s sustainability commitments. Referencing the economy-wide plans for how British businesses and consumers will be supported in making the transition to clean energy and green technology, Bureau Veritas describes the Strategy as ‘long-awaited and necessary detail’ in the race to meet net zero emissions by 2050. Published ahead of the UN COP26 summit, the Net Zero Strategy sets out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net zero. It outlines measures to transition to a green and sustainable future and plans for reducing Britain’s reliance on imported fossil fuels by boosting ‘clean energy’. As part of the Strategy, new investment was announced to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains – including targeted EV grants and infrastructure, which will put thousands more local on-street charge points and zero emission cars and vans onto UK roads through a zero emission vehicle mandate. It also commits to substantial funding towards ‘clean energy’, including £180 million towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), £500 million towards innovation products, £3.9bn for decarbonising heat and buildings and £120 million towards the development of nuclear projects, which could see the decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity system by 2035. The move towards both electrification and clean energy are both crucial pathways in meeting net zero targets, according to Bureau Veritas’ South & West Europe Sustainability Services Leader, Julie-Anna Smith. She says: “The new climate policies outlined in the recently announced Net Zero Strategy are a step in the right direction for the scale of transformation needed to meet net zero emissions by 2050 and to improve the air quality across the nation. “The funding commitment outlined by the Government – and since backed up in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review – provides reassurance that the electrification of our vehicles and the transition to green energy is high on the agenda; though whether the funding announced in both the Strategy and subsequent Budget is enough to make the impact required in the relatively short space of time we have remains the be seen.” The Government’s commitment to increasing infrastructure to support the transition to electric vehicles is a positive move in ensuring the services are in place to support the growing number of EVs on our roads. But with increased charging points comes the need to ensure periodic inspection and testing to protect public safety – it is here Bureau Veritas can help businesses. Julie-Anna comments: “Like all electrical equipment, it is important to manage the safety and compliance of EV charging infrastructure throughout its full lifecycle. This includes health and safety management of the charging point, from installation to the day-to-day management, to evaluating fire safety risk when fitted. Bureau Veritas is on hand to support businesses in understanding and meeting the necessary requirements when it comes to the installation of EV infrastructure. This includes practical guidance and advice to full testing, inspection and certification to ensure safety and compliance with reference to EAWR and other associated documentation.” Likewise, the role that clean energy plays in the fight against climate change is pivotal – though, according to Julie-Anna, the need to ensure its availability is key in delivering a low carbon future. She says: “The commitment the Government is making to clean energy as a whole is very positive, however much needs to be done in making energy available if we’re to meet the sustainability goals we’re striving for. Safe and sustainable assets such as offshore wind is one of the ways we can increase the availability of renewable energy sources, though – as a sector – it needs to grow fast. This is where a third party can really help, with organisations such as Bureau Veritas on hand to support the industry as an independent partner by verifying conformity, achieving compliance, and optimising costs effectively throughout all stages of offshore wind projects.” From certification and procurement to design, asset operation and management, Bureau Veritas’ team of experts are able to provide an unrivalled understanding of regulatory requirements and end-to-end solutions of offshore wind assets.

ERA celebrates five year partnership with Neighbourhood Watch

ERA is continuing its partnership with Neighbourhood Watch, the largest crime prevention voluntary movement in England and Wales, to help create safer communities. Having renewed its sponsorship for 2022 as Primary Smart Security Sponsor, the partnership reflects ERA’s ongoing commitment to helping homeowners enhance their security, through product innovation, improving standards, and expert advice and support. Since 2016, ERA has supplied homeowners, window and door manufacturers, and professional installers with a range of Neighbourhood Watch recommended products, including window and door hardware, in addition to the intelligent ERA Protect ecosystem of smart alarms, security cameras, video doorbells and accessories. Helen Downer, UK and Ireland President of ERA’s parent company, Tyman, comments: “Neighbourhood Watch has unparalleled reach with communities across England and Wales, and we are extremely proud to be supporting them by providing members with exclusive advice and access to innovative security products that offer maximum protection and peace of mind. “ERA has been developing total security solutions that deliver on both quality and functionality since 1838. The continued partnership with Neighbourhood Watch reflects our ongoing commitment to increasing awareness of crime prevention and equipping homeowners with the products and knowledge to live in safer communities.” With over 2.3 million members, Neighbourhood Watch enables individuals to be connected, active and safe to increase wellbeing and minimise crime. John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, comments: “With over 180 years’ experience in manufacturing traditional mechanical security solutions and now smart security systems, ERA has provided us with exclusive support and insight over the last five years into how we can help homeowners improve their security to ensure local communities feel safe and secure. “We are delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with this leading British brand and over the next year, we will be working closely to ensure members and homeowners have access to the very best crime prevention and security advice.” Throughout 2022, ERA will be working in close collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch as it expands its ERA Protect smart security ecosystem and introduces new locking and hardware solutions.

Pharos powers up dynamic forest fascia

Located 2km from Copenhagen’s downtown area, the original Amagerværket power plant was built in 1971 and was located far from residential areas. However, the city’s growing population has led to homes getting closer, and to guarantee safety for those living nearby, the power plant has gone through several upgrades to eliminate any production of harmful emissions, and ensure it is not an eyesore.   As part of this development work, an extensive competition was run to appoint an architect to design a new biomass-fired CHP unit called BIO4 at Amagervaerket; the winner being Gottlieb Paludan Architects. The winning competition bid also included a lighting concept by prominent lighting designers Speirs Major.  With the unit holding a prominent position so close to the city, and diagonally behind the Copenhagen Opera House, the architectural design of the 46-metre building is critical. To symbolise renewable and green technology, Gottlieb Paludan Architects used a forest theme, with the unit being fully wrapped in a fascia made up of suspended tree trunks. The vision for this was to represent the move from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Enhancing this further, to mimic the brightness and shadows that are uniquely experienced in a forest, Speirs Major proposed integrated lighting that creates texture and movement after dark. Light is constantly moving in a forest, whether illuminated by the sun or moonlight, and the lighting scheme beautifully recreates this.  Part of the project also opened up the sustainable landmark to allow those living, working, and visiting the city to enjoy a breath-taking view of Copenhagen from a rooftop viewing deck. The experience when moving up the stairs to reach the viewing deck was equally important, so animated, textured lighting accompanies visitors until they reach the stunning views across the city and beyond.   To achieve the lighting design, Speirs Major have used 49 Martin Professional Exterior 1000 projectors, alongside 150 DALI controlled lights for downlighting, linear stair handrails, and other elements of the design.   To accomplish the striking and experiential lighting effects on both the exterior and stairwell of the CHP unit, they specified Pharos Architectural Controls as the core of the lighting control system. Enjoying a longstanding relationship with Pharos, Speirs Major was confident its technology and solutions would perfectly deliver the desired results.   An LPC 2, TPS and 4 RIO Ds have been used from the extensive Pharos portfolio. The LPC 2 (Lighting Playback Controller) features 1,024 channels DMX/eDMX. With the flexibility to be installed anywhere, thanks to its compact form and minimal power requirements, it also allows for dynamic pre-programmed lighting effects with the freedom of real-time manual overrides.   The LPC 2 works in conjunction with the Touch Panel Screen – TPS – to offer an elegant touch screen interface, which is available in a range of different coloured bezels and overlays. Completing the system, the 4 RIO D – Remote Input Output DALI – devices provide a convenient and scalable way to control the DALI fixtures used in the BIO4 project and are easy to install thanks to a single Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) network connection.   Even with the complexity of the lighting scheme, the Pharos solutions were programmed smoothly and efficiently.   As well as automatically and reliably ensuring the theatrics of the lighting, the Pharos controls offer unique modes that can align with calendar events or special occasions, including red to celebrate Danish celebrations, and Pride colours.  Iain Ruxton, Associate at Speirs Major, says: “The architecture of the BIO4 facade is captivating. It tells the story of the transition to renewables perfectly, and the lighting design enhances this to create the abstracted look and feel of light in a forest.    “Having worked with Pharos on many previous occasions, we knew their award-winning solutions would help us to deliver our ambitious lighting design. The technologies are fantastic, and the results are phenomenal. It was a wonderful project to be part of.”   Tim Edwards at Pharos adds: “We are very proud to have supplied the control system to the BIO4 project. The lighting scheme from Speirs Major is superb; cleverly using textured and animated lighting from DMX projectors to recreate the atmosphere of a forest. Combined with the practical elements controlled via DALI, really highlights how Pharos can control both decorative and task lighting seamlessly in a single control system to great effect.”  As well as providing a fascinating story and a beautiful building to gaze upon, the biomass-fired CHP unit is part of Greater Copenhagen Utility and Copenhagen Local Authority’s joint goal to become the world’s first CO2-neutral capital by 2025, and it’s already making a significant contribution to that aim. This ambitious plan also includes the building of a new waste-to-energy plant, new wind farms, and the Adelgade cooling plant. BIO4 will serve 30% of Copenhagen’s energy and district heating.  

Schneider Electric enables 86% carbon footprint reduction on railways

Schneider Electric has announced that they are working with Network Rail to install cost-effective and environmentally friendly intelligent signalling equipment across four locations in Scotland. The new equipment will enable a more sustainable solution to reducing infrastructure failures and downtime for repairs, which will help lessen disruption for passengers and improve value for money for taxpayers. "Providing a safe and reliable experience for passengers is our top priority," says Craig MacKenzie at Network Rail. "These new compact power supply points will ensure our signalling equipment operates more reliably, and more efficiently. The new kit is smaller, lighter and easier to transport and install. It means we have managed to deliver 80% cost savings and stay on track with our climate commitments by reducing our carbon footprint by 86% compared to the larger version." Embracing the cutting edge with Compact PSP Schneider Electric’s Compact PSP solution provides signalling equipment with the secure power required to operate reliably whilst offering the benefits of reduced size, cost and the ability to access the system remotely. Following successful trials in Derbyshire, the solution has now been installed at four locations in Scotland: Pitlochry, Blackford, Mosspark and Insch. Key features of the Compact PSP include its small size, which gives engineers greater freedom in system architecture by facilitating the use of more cPSPs connected by short feeder runs, making it a more cost-effective solution. The size of the cPSP makes it ideal for placement in track-side areas where space is limited or for islands of signalling assets where a traditional PSP would not be suitable. The Compact PSP includes an electro-mechanical bypass of the Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) and internal system monitoring to Network Rail intelligent infrastructure, essential in meeting industry standards. It also includes an Insulation Monitoring Device (IMD), which monitors the insulation resistance of each outgoing feeder cable and notifies RADAR if a measurement falls below permitted limits. The solution is also virtually maintenance-free as its internal monitoring system enables remote status monitoring. This means the software can alert supervisors to detected faults before they develop into potential crises. As the UK transitions to net-zero by 2050, switching to greener solutions will be critical in meeting the rail industry's climate goals. The Compact PSP solution can not only provide up to 80% in financial cost savings over its life cycle compared to a traditional PSP, but it can also be delivered at a fraction of the carbon footprint, saving 86%. Peter Selway, Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, comments, "Schneider Electric is committed to delivering a reliable and sustainable electrical power supply solution. We understand the importance of a seamless rail service with minimal delays and disruption. The Compact PSP can mitigate signalling power problems whilst providing a greener solution to meet the rail industry's climate goals."

ESP welcomes new area sales manager for Scotland

ESP is delighted to welcome Peter Hampson on board as the new Area Sales Manager covering Scotland. Peter has a wealth of experience and expertise garnered during his career spanning some 23 years and spent with some of the industry’s leading security products manufacturers. Having started out as a security installation service engineer and holding this position for almost 20 years, he has an in depth understanding of the security sector as a whole, as well as some solid practical experience in the workings of the products and systems as they have evolved. Transitioning from an engineering role to one in sales, Peter progressed from an account manager position with Chubb - one of the UK's best‑known providers of fire safety and security solutions for businesses and organisations nationwide - to business development manager with Hikvision – a world leading IoT solution provide with video as its core competency. Peter joins ESP at an exciting time for the company with a number of significant new product launches having taken place this year. These include the revamp of the Sangamo heating and timer controls range, the relaunch of the Rekor 2MP CCTV range and most recently the launch of the brand new Fort Smart Security range. Peter will be instrumental in developing and implementing strategic sales plans to bring these new products to an expanded customer base and solidifying ESP’s presence in the region. He will be responsible for building on established relationships with customers as well as forging new partnerships. Commenting on this new appointment, Barry Taylor, Scolmore Group sales director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, says: “We are delighted to have been able to secure someone of Peter’s calibre for this key role in Scotland. His in-depth knowledge of the industry and the product categories make him an ideal asset to the business as we continue to drive our growing range of security solutions through the electrical wholesale channel here in Scotland.”