Huawei Women Developers Program drives technological innovation

Huawei has officially launched its Huawei Women Developers (HWD) program, which aims to empower women developers to create applications and tools that can change the world. The program is intended to encourage more women to join in technological innovation by providing participants with more opportunities and platforms for career development and skill training. Any woman developer from around the world can register to join the program on the Huawei Developers official website. Huawei states in the announcement that, in the digital era, more opportunities and support must be given to women to ensure they have access to the education and training that they need to be fundamentally competitive in the digital economy. Equipping women with these skills has proven to promote social integration and inclusive and diversified societies. Huawei Senior Vice President, Chen Lifang, says: "We believe that women will lead technological innovation. We hope that the Huawei Women Developers program will help women better leverage their talents and unique value, and give them opportunities to demonstrate their leadership abilities. This will help make our world a better place." The Huawei Women Developers program is the newest initiative that Huawei has taken as part of its commitment to promoting gender equality. The program will provide participants with training on technological innovation and career development paths, along with opportunities to meet with experts in cutting-edge technologies from various fields, and to participate in hands-on scenario-based experiments and drills. Huawei hopes to create a special community for women developers on the Huawei Developers platform, and organise a series of online and offline events. Through its existing Shining-Star program, Huawei also offers women developers special incentives to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Participants from this program who develop outstanding projects with big potential will have the opportunity to be featured in future campaigns and invited to other official Huawei events. To date, Huawei has successfully launched similar digital skill training programs for women in many countries including Ireland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Kenya, and South Africa. Over 30% of trainees in Huawei's other ICT training programs, such as Seeds for the Future, are women. The Huawei Women Developers program is now open to women developers from around the world.

As Holyrood elections loom, SELECT publishes its manifesto

As one of the most influential voices in the Scottish construction industry, SELECT has issued its own manifesto ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections, in which it makes a clarion call for a brighter, more efficient and more sustainable future for the sector. Entitled Creating a Brighter Future, the manifesto has been issued by Scotland’s largest construction trade association, which represents more than 1,250 businesses across the electrotechnical industry. Among its key declarations, SELECT is asking the next Parliament to introduce: Protection of title to stamp out unqualified electrical workers  Laws to make it illegal to carry out electrical work when unqualified  Procurement based on quality, not best bids  Timely payment and no retentions  Recognition of the sector’s role in delivering a sustainable future.  Among its focus on regulation and renewables, the manifesto also emphasises the vital role that electrical professionals will have in delivering the next Scottish government’s plans for reduced energy use, decarbonisation, climate change and other principal policy objectives. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, says: “As our ‘wish list’ for the next Scottish government, this manifesto reflects real needs, not aspirations, when it comes to the future of our industry, our economy and our country. “Ongoing feedback shows that the sector wants, needs and demands the changes we are seeking, so we are merely reflecting the opinions of a significant workforce which contributes so much to Scotland’s economy.” He comments: “We have made great progress in the outgoing parliament on the issue of protection of title and professional recognition, and it is of the utmost importance that our regulation campaign comes to fruition in the next parliament.  “The pivotal role we will play in the roll-out of renewable energy must also be addressed, and our political representatives must recognise how vital it is not only to train and upskill the existing workforce but to make sure new entrants are similarly skilled. These skills will be crucial to the nation achieving its zero-carbon goals.” The manifesto – which will be distributed to candidates ahead of May’s Parliamentary elections – also points out that the existing procurement model used by most of Scotland’s public sector is fatally flawed, as it is skewed towards bids based on always accepting the lowest price rather than favouring a more balanced price and quality approach. Mr Wilson adds: “SELECT favours a whole-life cost bias to construction projects which places the emphasis on getting decisions right at the design and procurement stage to dramatically reduce whole-life performance costs, benefitting everyone. “Tied into a better procurement model, it’s crucial that all businesses are paid in full and on time and we must end the iniquitous practice of retentions, which divert monies away from improvements to the industry.”

Get inspired by @gira.uk Instagram

Gira brings a new level of interior design to Instagram’s thriving online community with the launch of @gira.uk. As the importance of social media grows and platforms like Instagram attract over 1 billion users a month, Gira UK is pleased to launch its brand new Instagram Profile this March, with a focus on inspiring the modern homeowner with the latest smart home solutions and system technology, all characterised by outstanding design quality and technical innovation. Mark Booth, Managing Director at Gira UK says “Following the continued market acceptance from our UK customers and growing network of Gira partners nationwide, we are now in a position to engage the end user and extend the benefits of why a connected home can be flexible, convenient and design oriented. We are more than switches, ‘We are Gira’ and we want to be able to share a more detailed picture with every one of our customers and continue to broaden our multi-layered approach to branding this year.” The company’s new Instagram Profile @gira.uk is now live and gives a detailed overview of the latest designs and innovations by Gira. Providing a unique insight into its range of products, showrooms, events, company news, project references and interior design trends, you can now experience, share and connect with Gira UK by simply following www.instagram.com/gira.uk/.

Carry on screening: EDA Training Awards go virtual

For the first time on screen, the EDA’s Annual Learner Achievement Awards trophies were presented to 10 outstanding individuals from wholesaler and manufacturer businesses recently. Around 70 guests – family members, friends, and business colleagues – joined the virtual ceremony alongside the Association’s Board of Management, celebrating outstanding performances in the Electrical Distributors’ Association’s Product Knowledge Modules or in an apprenticeship. “As President, this event is a high point in my year,” says CEF’s Chris Ashworth. “It is a pleasure to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that these people have invested in their careers and to share their achievements far and wide to encourage other talented individuals to look for careers in the UK’s electrotechnical sector. We need people like this in our businesses today. “It also proves that learning is lifelong: some of our winners are just starting out in their careers but we are also presenting an award to a Managing Director – Joanne Southgate, MDE Electrical Supplies in Suffolk.” Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, adds, “The EDA wasn’t going to let the pandemic stop us celebrating these fantastic achievements. Now in its seventh year, this is the first time (and hopefully the last) that we’ve held it virtually. We hope that next year we’ll be back at our usual location high above the London skyline at The Shard. Of course, this year’s winners will join us there next year alongside the 2022 winners, for a double celebration.” The Awards were sponsored by the EDA’s partner in the delivery of the apprenticeship service, EDA Apprenticeships Plus. EDA Learning Achievement Awards 2021 winners in alphabetical order by company: Olli Jeffs, Sales Assistant, CEF, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: for outstanding performance in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules Megan Longden, Profit Centre Manager, Electric Center, Brighton, Sussex: for outstanding performance in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules Joanne Southgate, Managing Director, MDE Electrical Supplies, Ipswich, Suffolk: for outstanding performance in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules Molly Neary, Trade Counter and Admin Assistant, Medlock Electrical Distributors, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire: for outstanding performance in an apprenticeship Dyllon Parsons, Sales Advisor, Power Wholesale Ltd, Netherfield, Nottinghamshire: for outstanding performance in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules William Burrows, Trade Counter Manager, Regent Electrical Distributors, Rochester, Kent: for outstanding performance in an apprenticeship Callum Partridge, Branch Assistant, Rexel UK Ltd, Braintree, Essex: for outstanding performance in an apprenticeship Lewis Welham, Warehouse Assistant, Stearn Electric Co Ltd, Leighton Buzzard: for outstanding performance in an apprenticeship Lauren Notton, Sales Office Apprentice, Termination Technology, Bristol: outstanding performance in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules James Gulliver, Trainee, Western Electrical, Exeter, Devon: for outstanding performance in an apprenticeship

Innovation lab enables digital solutions for smart buildings and micro grids

Priva has launched a new innovation lab to accelerate the development and deployment of technology and software solutions that enable better, healthier buildings and smarter approaches to energy use. From its base in De Lier, Holland, Priva Lab for Innovation (Lin) has been developed in response to the major energy challenges faced within the built environment supply chain. Together, building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world, with operational emissions (from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings) accounting for 28%. The Lab’s growing suite of smart building technologies will also help organisations to participate in the ‘energy transition’. This will make it easier for carbon-conscious businesses and the public sector to take advantage of smarter, more flexible approaches to energy consumption. It will also enable more efficient balancing of demand from green, renewable sources. Technology suite The Lin Lab capitalises on sophisticated digital twin technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to bring new, data driven solutions to the smart buildings / smart energy market. The launch portfolio is focused on two technologies: ecoBuilding – an already proven technology which is an intelligent layer of cloud-based software that sits on top of an existing building management system. Already deployed in sites across Europe, ecoBuilding uses digital twin and AI technology to learns how to balance indoor climate control against external factors such as fluctuations in energy tariffs and make continuous operational improvements to a buildings. ecoGrid - a cloud-based smart microgrid solution which enables fully-automated balancing of energy consumption, demand and storage by optimising the flows between the connected energy elements. It makes buildings with renewable energy sources even more self-sufficient and ready to connect to energy grids at a local level. Commenting on the launch of Priva’s Lab for Innovation Peter Vandendriessche, VP Strategy & Commerce, says: “We are extremely excited to share Priva’s Lab for Innovation with the world. We are a business that never stands still; we always look to the future. The Lin Lab will act as an important accelerator for cutting-edge technologies that will re-shape the way our customers and partners use – and resource – energy. In doing so, it will be possible to embrace the smart energy revolution and accelerate the journey to Net Zero emissions. We very much look forward to inviting you all to the Lab as soon as we are able.” Online profile To support the launch of Priva’s Lab for Innovation a comprehensive website has been developed which includes case studies and references of ecoGrid and ecoBuilding as well as regularly updated content on topics around energy in the built environment.

Amber Solutions' Energy Traffic Controller promises efficiency and stablilty

Amber Solutions has announced the latest innovative design to leverage its technology — a solid-state based Energy Traffic Controller with embedded intelligence that enables on-the-fly switching of building electricity sources. The new capability relies on the company’s breakthrough digital control of electricity to provide state-of-the-art electricity management. “Amber’s solid-state upgrade to 1950’s-era building electrical is much more than a modernization of outlets and light switches,” says Amber Founder and CEO Thar Casey. “It is the fundamental integration of state-of-the-art intelligence throughout a building’s electrical grid and endpoints. Our new Energy Traffic Controller application is a leading example of the technology’s disruptive nature, enabling the ability to intelligently and, automatically, alternate sources of power to reduce costs, maximize efficiency and guarantee steady power.” The small footprint device would be installed next to the circuit breaker box to enable understanding of a building’s energy demand and available electricity sources, thereby supporting autonomous source optimization. It would empower data crunching for dynamic decision making, using metrics such as the price and stability of grid energy during peak hours, the availability of solar power and the current charge level on any connected battery backups. Crucially, the Energy Traffic Controller would also work in concert with a range of planned Amber powered solid-state building electrical solutions, especially Amber’s retrofittable smart solid-state circuit breaker. Amber’s Energy Traffic Controller design enables bi-directional current regulation and adaptive line synchronization to manage multiple simultaneous input sources. An internal energy discriminator uses real-time data to determine the best current source of power based on data available from each source, such as current grid energy cost and current usage demand. On its own, Amber’s Energy Traffic Controller would be a valuable addition providing upgraded capabilities to any building. When combined with the full range of Amber’s planned solid-state electrical devices, whole-building intelligence enables buildings to be automated, tracked and optimized directly from the building electrical grid. Such an Amber-powered portfolio would include products like solid-state circuit breakers, light switches, outlets and LED lighting solutions – essentially every electrical endpoint in buildings. By leveraging the intelligence of Amber-powered electrical end points, enabling use of more and more IoT sensors and functions, an Amber-powered building will gain significantly more intelligence and capabilities, generate more energy and environmental data insights and enable even better autonomous and human-driven decision making and control. “Amber’s mission is to disrupt building intelligence as profoundly as smartphones disrupted the use of flip cell phones by upgrading such single-use tools to offer a transformative array of advanced functions,” Casey adds. “Similar to how autonomous vehicles will communicate in real-time to make proactive decisions that can avoid collisions, increase safety, decrease jams or improve fuel efficiency, the Energy Traffic Controller enables buildings to more intelligently source and allocate power to eliminate waste and maximize utilization.” Amber is working with strategic manufacturers of building electrical products and silicon chip makers to productize its technology breakthroughs into hyper-intelligent products like the Energy Traffic controller and other building electrical products that these companies sell or support.

NAPIT sets out principles for identifying competence in High Risk Buildings

The Grenfell Tragedy in June 2017 resulted in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety which was published in May 2018. This has led to a wholesale review of building safety regulations in the UK and a flurry of initiatives to determine the competency requirements of those working on or in Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs). The Building Safety Bill, a draft of which has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, will be making its way through the parliamentary process to become law during 2021. Within the draft Bill, there are a number of proposals to enhance the accountability of those who own and manage Higher Risk Buildings, and there is an undeniable focus on the competence of those working on or in Higher Risk Buildings. NAPIT have created an informative infographic which outlines the focus on competence and an overview of the current status of the work on-going within industry to reform building safety. It references a number of industry initiatives currently considering how the competence of those working in Higher Risk Buildings should be defined and sets out 5 Core Principles for identifying and monitoring the competence of those working on or in HRBs: The sector specific competence requirements for those working on or in HRBs must be universally agreed and adopted The competence of those working alone or un-supervised on or in HRBs must be technically assessed and routinely re-assessed by a UKAS Accredited Certification Body Regular Continued Professional Development must be required for certification and be monitored and recorded All those working on or in a HRB must have accredited fire safety in buildings training A digital register should be created, and independently owned, which lists organisations and individuals who are deemed competent to work on or in HRBs Commenting on the infographic, Frank Bertie Chairman of The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers says: “We have created this infographic to provide a clear and concise overview of the work currently on-going within industry to determine the competence requirements of those working in Higher Risk Buildings. It’s clear that enhanced, clear and monitorable competency requirements are needed to be agreed across the industry to enable a meaningful change in this sector and improve the standard of safety given to those who reside in Higher Risk Buildings. Compliance, competence and safety are at the heart of our Association and we urge industry to come together to provide a solution to determining competence which takes into account our 5 core principles.” NAPIT are active participants of the Competency Steering Group Working Group 2; Installers, and the Minimum Technical Competency Review being led by MHCLG.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure secures position on National Grid

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has secured a place on National Grid’s RIIO-2 electricity construction Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) framework. The initial term of the framework is five years, with a further option for a two year extension. The framework is effective from April 2021 and will involve the construction, refurbishment and decommissioning of both overhead line (OHL) and underground cable systems operating between 33kV to 400kV across National Grid’s transmission network. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is one of three companies to have been appointed for the overhead line works and one of four companies to have been appointed for the underground works. It is estimated that over the lifetime of the framework approximately £1bn to £1.5bn will be invested in delivering these works. Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, says: “We are extremely pleased to have secured a position on this framework. We are looking forward to continuing to build on our long-term relationship with National Grid, working collaboratively with them to deliver a clean and efficient electricity transmission network and supporting the UK’s transition to greener energy to achieve net zero by 2050.”

The countdown is on to ECN Interactive Week

ECN Interactive Week is the new online industry initiative brought to you by ECN, taking place 22-26 March. This online event offers participating companies the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a live audience. Each exhibitor will be given a 30-minute time slot during the Interactive Week, which will give them the opportunity to promote their products and services to a live audience. The exhibiting company will also receive a video recording of the live presentation for their own marketing promotion. Additional benefits include: the facility to hand out brochures/literature live to all attendees during the session; the full list of attendees registered for their session for follow up marketing; and all invites and registration confirmations will be branded to each exhibitor and will be promoted across all ATM print, online and social media. There is still time to book your slot for this must-attend event – please contact Kelly Byne for more information at kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com. Please see below for the exhibitors already confirmed, along with the link to book your slot to attend the sessions free of charge. ECA 9am Tuesday 23 March Electric Vehicles and the key considerations for electrical installers. Luke Osborne, ECA Energy Solutions Advisor will be covering the advancing adoption of Electric Vehicles and key considerations for electrical installers when installing EV charge points. Register FREE here. Savant 3pm Tuesday 23 March Why being a Savant Integrator will increase your business potential. By combining intuitive user interfaces with beautiful hardware, the Savant home automation platform is considered amongst the most technologically advanced in the industry. With a wide range of options covering every facet of the automated home, Savant integrators have been powering luxury homes all over the world. With the recent introduction of our soundbars with on-board hosts, becoming a Savant integrator has never been simpler. Join the Savant team as they run through the basic technology and skills required to join one of the most exciting home automation integrator communities in the world. Register FREE here. Scolmore 6pm Tuesday 23 March 2021 During Scolmore's Interactive Week session the company will be discussing the design considerations of Smart product installations - Darren Staniforth and Jake Green will be looking at all types of Smart installation and confirming which forms of communication work best with Smart Technology. They will explain how open protocols work with your installations, whilst discussing what aspects need to be considered when designing a Smart system. Register FREE here. NAPIT 3pm Wednesday 24 March 2021 NAPIT’s EICR Codebreaker webinar presented by Frank Bertie, Chief Technical Officer and Paul Chaffers, Technical Events Manager, addresses the possible dangers of electrical installations, and considers some real-life findings and observations to consider when carrying out Electrical Installation Condition Reports. You will be able to interact during the session and have your say on possible codes as well as engage in Q&A with presenters at the end of the webinar. Register FREE here. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity 9am Wednesday 24 March 2021 Learn more about The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which is the only charity that provides mental, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community and their families. Bill Hill, the charity's CEO, will tell you how during ECN Interactive week 22 - 25 March. Register FREE here. Recolight 9am Thursday 25 March 2021 The WEEE Regulations - An essential update for electrical contractors. Recolight explains how the WEEE Regulations work, what you need to do as a contractor to stay compliant, and how you can use the regulations to your advantage. Join Lyndsey Tweddle, Elaine O’Keeffe, Charlotte Durling and Suzanne Castine for the do's and don'ts on this important subject. Register FREE here. CENTIEL 2pm Thursday 25 March 2021 Louis McGarry, Sales & Marketing Director CENTIEL UK, will explain why CENTIEL's Distributed Decision Making (DDM) technology is a real differentiator for Modular UPS systems. This will include how CENTIEL achieves such high levels of availability, and how an agile approach to UPS implementation, combined with a careful calculation of actual load requirements from day one, means it is possible to reduce costs but be flexible to accommodate future growth. He will also be joined by Sales Engineer, Aaron Oddy, CENTIEL UK, who’s expertise in implementing this technology into smarter configurations can help reduce your systems TCO, creating a compelling argument to help you win the battle of the budgets. Register FREE here.

Signify and Innovative Bioanalysis validate Signify's UV-C lighting

Signify together with Innovative Bioanalysis have conducted research that validates the effectiveness of UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires inactivated 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2 in the air of a room within 10 minutes, and the virus was below detectable levels at 20 minutes. “Based on the understood method by which UV-C exposure deactivates pathogens, we would expect UV-C disinfection lighting to have a similar impact on the various genetic mutations of (SARS-CoV2),” says Sam Kabbani, Chief Scientific Officer at Innovative Bioanalysis. “These test results illustrate the effectiveness of our UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires and the important contribution they can make towards fighting the coronavirus and future viruses,” says Harsh Chitale, Division Leader Digital Solutions at Signify. “It shows how UV-C lighting for upper air applications can be a successful preventive measure for organizations as they seek ways to provide their guests, customers and employees virus-free environments.” Signify in 2020 increased the production of its UV-C light sources eight-fold in support of the fight against the coronavirus and acquired GLA to complement its portfolio with luminaires for upper-room air disinfection. Since then the company has installed UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires in several locations, including retailers EDEKA Clausen in Germany, dm in Slovakia, and Rugby Union Club Harlequins in the UK. The height at which the luminaires are installed, in combination with the luminaires’ design, allows the system to disinfect air as it circulates a space, even when there are people present. Mechanical ventilation and/or natural convection moves the disinfected air back into the lower part of a space. Additionally, shielding and optics in the luminaires are designed to prevent accidental exposure to UV-C radiation for the people underneath them. For more than 35 years, Signify has been at the forefront of UV technology, and has a proven track record of innovation and strong application expertise in UV-C lighting. Signify’s UV-C lighting is designed, installed, and used according to the product-specific safety instructions, and manufactured using well-controlled industrial processes. UV-C light should always be used by professionals in accordance with the safety requirements and instructions.