Schneider, E.ON sign long-term switchgear agreement

Schneider Electric, a company concerned with the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced the signing of a long-term framework agreement with E.ON, one of Europe’s largest energy companies. This partnership, according to Schneider Electric, "marks a step forward in the deployment of sustainable and digital-ready energy infrastructure across Europe." Schneider Electric will support E.ON’s goals with its latest SF₆-free medium-voltage (MV) switchgear and a suite of digital technologies. The contract The collaboration between Schneider Electric and E.ON, they say, is founded on a shared objective: building the "energy grids of the future - grids that are sustainable, intelligent, and efficient." This partnership builds on over two decades of cooperation between the two companies. Lisbeth Buschkühl, Chief Procurement Officer of E.ON SE, comments, "In order to actively shape the green transformation in Germany, we are investing massively in a future-proof energy infrastructure. "This long-term contract secures access to SF₆-free technologies, supports standardisation, and enables a cost-efficient implementation of the energy transition." The framework agreement stipulates that Schneider Electric will supply GM-AirSeT primary switchgear panels and RM-AirSeT secondary switchgear panels (Ring Main Units, RMUs) on an annual basis. Prior to the signing of the agreement, a pilot project with SF₆-free gas-insulated primary switchgear (GIS) was launched at Westnetz (an E.ON subsidiary) to assess its suitability for E.ON's requirements. Schneider Electric will supply a significant portion of E.ON's primary and secondary requirements. Melton Chang, Executive Vice President of Power Systems at Schneider Electric, says, “This agreement with E.ON is a powerful example of accelerating the shift to more sustainable digital energy infrastructure." Transition to SF₆-free technology and compliance with new GHG regulations The greenhouse gas SF₆ has a global warming potential (GWP) of 24,300, i.e. one kilogram warms the atmosphere as much as 24,300 kg of CO₂. It also persists for around 1,000 years, making its effects long-lasting. With the impending EU F-gas regulation banning SF₆ and other F-gases in new medium-voltage switchgear up to 24 kV from 1 January 2026, moving away from SF₆ in electricity distribution is now becoming increasingly concrete and critical. AirSeT technology AirSeT technology, which replaces SF₆ with pure air and vacuum, has garnered industry recognition, such as the iF Design Award for RM AirSeT. The AirSeT technology has also reportedly been validated in the field across industrial and grid applications, such as examples at Romande Energie in Switzerland and EAM Netz in Germany. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Fergus introduces new tools for job management

Fergus, a job management software platform for the trades sector, has released two new features aimed at reducing administrative work and improving documentation consistency. The first addition allows users to create jobs by uploading or dragging and dropping a work order in PDF format. Using AI-driven processing, the system extracts key details from the document and generates a new job automatically. If any data is missing, the user is directed to complete the relevant customer fields before proceeding. This is intended to reduce time spent on manual data entry and minimise errors. The second feature aims to give users greater flexibility in how quotes and estimates are presented. Fergus now includes tools to create multiple branded templates, allowing changes to layout, colour, font, and content. Users can adjust orientation, choose whether to display item-level details, and insert links or images if required. The updates are designed to support consistency and clarity across customer-facing documents, while reducing the repetitive manual tasks often associated with quoting and job setup. These features are now available to Fergus users and are aimed at small- to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline operations and improve workflow presentation. For more from Fergus, click here.

Sero strengthens team with trio of appointments

Cardiff-based net zero specialist Sero has announced three new appointments to its growing team, aiming to bolster its ability to deliver retrofit social housing projects across the UK. Matt Elliott joins Sero as a Retrofit Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience from his time with Severn Wye Energy Agency and The Retrofit Academy. Having led several large-scale retrofit programmes including SHDF, WAVE 1 and 2.1, and HUG schemes, Matt brings hands-on experience in coordination, assessment, and training. At Sero, he is reportedly already playing a key role in delivering projects in Cheltenham and for Sovereign Housing, focusing on design review and quality assurance. Antonia Craze also joins as a Retrofit Coordinator, following extensive work with Portsmouth City Council and the South West Net Zero Hub. Antonia has managed multi-million-pound retrofit initiatives, developed resident engagement campaigns, and liaised directly with DESNZ on policy and delivery. At Sero, she now manages SHDF projects with SNG, ensuring contractor coordination and KPI performance. Rafia Nadeem has been appointed as a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) Project Coordinator, focusing on TrustMark lodgements and project compliance. With a master’s degree in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, plus experience at Wales & West Housing, Rafia brings a blend of technical expertise and administrative precision. Since joining the team, the company says she has been "instrumental in ensuring accurate documentation and data management" across Sero's retrofit projects. Emma Williams, Chief Commercial Officer at Sero, comments, “At Sero, we’re passionate about delivering retrofit the right way and making a real, lasting impact for landlords, their homes, and the people who live in them, as well as for the planet. "Welcoming Matt, Antonia, and Rafia to our Retrofit Services team marks an exciting milestone, especially as we look to support more landlords with Wave 3 of the Warm Homes Programme. "Each brings deep expertise and a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and making a meaningful impact. Their arrival strengthens our ability to deliver retrofit at scale and to do it well.”

Council to deliver largest networked heat pump system in Scotland

Renfrewshire Council is to replace the gas supply in two of its council housing high-rise blocks with a networked ground source heat pump system, which will be the largest installation of its kind in Scotland. Residents at the two multi-storey blocks in Gallowhill, Paisley, will see their gas supply replaced with the renewable heating system, installed by contractor Kensa. The new system collects heat from underground pipes and transfers it to homes using an individual shoebox ground source heat pump, aiming to provide reliable, efficient heating and hot water all year round. The project is the first time a local authority in Scotland has delivered a system of this nature and scale in its properties. The flats at Gallowhill Court and Glencairn Court were selected as the gas pipework is nearing the end of its lifespan. A review of potential heating systems revealed ground source heat pumps to be the most cost effective and efficient solution for tenants. Work is set to start on site this month, with the project expected to be completed by summer 2026. In the long term, once the gas supply has been removed, residents will no longer need to pay gas standing charges and heating costs will be included in their electricity usage, which may help to simplify bills and potentially reduce overall costs. Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, says, “We want to make our homes as comfortable and efficient as possible for our tenants. "By introducing the ground source heating solution in Gallowhill, we will deliver a reliable and environmentally friendly system which will help to simplify our tenants’ energy bills. “As a Council, we continue to consider climate change in every decision we take, and we’re reducing our emissions wherever possible in the services we deliver while continuing to access funding opportunities to make the large-scale changes we know are needed.” Renfrewshire Council was awarded £1,788,382 of funding from the Scottish Government’s 'Scotland Heat Network Fund' to support the delivery of the project. Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan comments, “I am very pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support this project via Scotland’s Heat Network Fund. “This is an excellent example of the growing role that heat networks have to play in Scotland, supporting our twin aims of delivering affordable heat and reducing fuel poverty whilst also cutting carbon emissions. "We want to encourage greater use of heat networks and, later this year, we will set out measures to attract further investment by encouraging non-domestic and especially public buildings to connect to these schemes.” Kensa, a company which specialises in networked ground source heat pumps, has been appointed by the council to carry out the works. Mark Potter, Regional Manager for Scotland at Kensa, states, “We’re proud to be working with Renfrewshire Council on this landmark decarbonisation project. "Networked heat pumps offer an effective, energy-efficient solution to help flats transition away from gas and other inefficient heating systems. "By connecting each flat to this system, we’ll help residents stay warm and comfortable during winter, while keeping energy use and heating costs low. “Kensa has a strong track record of delivering ground source heat pump systems for projects like this, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits it will provide for the Council, residents, and the wider community.” This project is part of wider regeneration plans for Gallowhill which include the development of 65 new build council homes, which will also feature low carbon air source heat pumps. Also included in the plans is the Gallowhill Link project, which would provide a new active travel and safe route to the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus currently under construction. For more from Kensa, click here.

£330m pension investment for clean energy transition

Workplace pension provider Smart Pension has announced an initial £330 million investment in two funds managed by Octopus Energy’s renewable arm, Octopus Energy Generation, to fast-track the UK’s transition to clean energy. This commitment supports companies like Kensa, a manufacturer of ground source heat pump technology, to generate sustainable growth for Smart’s 1.5 million pension savers. The move is part of a 15% allocation commitment to private markets within Smart Pension’s default fund, helping the UK to accelerate the transition to a net zero economy. Smart Pension will be investing 5% of its default fund into two funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation - Sky (Octopus Renewables Infrastructure SCSp) and OETF (Octopus Energy Transition Fund SCSp) - both carrying high sustainability ratings. This commitment aims to help finance a broad range of green energy projects, including the UK’s first investor-funded ground source heat pump network in South Wales, delivered by Kensa. The project intends to provide affordable renewable heating and hot water to 114 new homes at Parc Eirin and position ground source heat pump networks as an investable low-carbon utility. The homes will be part of the new generation of housing developments built without gas as the UK moves towards net zero. Octopus Energy Generation brings 15 years of experience and a £7 billion portfolio of over 270 wind, solar, and battery projects across 21 countries. As part of the investment, Smart Pension’s 1.5 million members will have access to a range of materials including case studies and carbon reporting to help them better understand how their pension savings are making a difference both financially and environmentally. Comments Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, comments, “Our reforms are about unlocking investment to deliver higher returns for savers, drive growth, and create good jobs. This means more money in the pockets of working people, our Plan for Change in action. “That’s why I’m so excited about Smart Pension’s investment in the UK’s first commercially funded ground source heat pump network in South Wales, delivering returns, growth, and jobs.” Andrew Evans, Group CEO and co-founder of Smart, says, “As a leading workplace pension provider in the UK, we’re always looking for innovative ways to grow our members’ pensions and support the UK economy. "That’s why we’re so proud to be investing in Octopus Energy, a fantastic British tech company, who set up next door to us when we set up our first offices a decade ago. "By the end of next year, supported by innovative investments like this, we will have scaled and reached £10 billion AUM. “This collaboration will help deliver strong, long-term returns for UK retirement savers, and also will support efforts to lower household bills and reduce emissions for homeowners. "It’s a great example of how UK tech businesses can come together to tackle important challenges and create a positive impact.” James Lawrence, Director of Investment Proposition at Smart Pension, claims, "We are dedicated to providing strong, sustainable returns for our members while supporting the country in a sustainable way to reach a low-carbon economy. "Partnering with Octopus and Kensa allows us to invest in British infrastructure to deliver measurable environmental and social impact for years to come. "From renewable surplus power generation to support local leisure facilities to cutting-edge clean tech like heat pumps, these are the kinds of investments that not only align with our own ethical standards, but also help members feel a deeper connection to their pension savings.” Zoisa North-Bond, CEO at Octopus Energy Generation, adds, “This partnership shows how pension savings can literally power the future — turning contributions into green electrons that heat homes, replace gas boilers, and drive down energy bills. "It brings everything full circle: the very money people are saving for retirement is helping to build the smarter, carbon-free energy system they’ll rely on in years to come. "By teaming up with Smart Pension and innovators like Kensa, we’re proving that smart investment doesn’t just deliver long-term returns, it creates real, tangible change for communities and speeds up the UK’s journey to net zero.” Tamsin Lishman, CEO at Kensa, comments, “As pioneers in ground source heat pump technology, we are proud of our role in delivering the switch to better, more affordable heating and hot water, powered by ultra-efficient, ground source heat pumps designed and made here in the UK. "The Parc Eirin investment demonstrates the transformative role private funding will play in helping both housebuilders and homeowners transition to effective, low-carbon heat – the critical next frontier in the UK for carbon reduction, which currently contributes around 13% of national greenhouse gas emissions. “The investments made by Smart and Octopus Energy Generation are encouraging for the UK’s ever-growing renewables sector. They will support the UK’s Net Zero goals, generate growth, and provide more well-paid green sector jobs.” For more from Kensa, click here.

First graduates of Tridonic's Academy employed

Tridonic, a supplier of lighting technology, has announced the recruitment of James Trudgill, a 21-year-old student and the first graduate of its Academy to join its Spennymoor team. Working in partnership with New College Durham, the education scheme is designed to deliver and develop skills across the electronics industry, with the objective of attracting young talent into manufacturing careers. Since September 2024, students have been able to access a Level 2 electronics course at New College. The 1st year course led by Tina Taylor, Ideas & Training Coordinator at Tridonic, is specifically an EAL Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations with a Mechanical and Electrical Bias. This has recently been confirmed as a 5-year programme, with trainers Joe Jameson and Alison Cox ready to teach 2nd year students from September 2025, aiming to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the engineering industry. The Academy was designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering students hands-on training in key manufacturing principles and skills, including hand soldering and NXT FUJI machine operation. Through the partnership, students like James have benefitted from first-hand experience of real-world engineering and manufacturing environments. This, according to the company, is vital component of Tridonic’s wider long-term workforce strategy. James Trudgill, Operator at Tridonic, shares his experience of the programme, stating, “It was very informative and very practical - in fact, it was my most enjoyable lesson of the day - and the trainer was excellent. "I felt I had everything I needed to help with my training; the soldering and machine training gave me the opportunity to prepare for the start of my new role. "Everyone at the Spennymoor facility has been very friendly and I can chat with all the operators. I’ve been made to feel relaxed.” Looking ahead, James is already setting goals for his future, continuing, “I want to work on my leadership skills through courses and guidance from staff. My first goal is to become a cell leader at Tridonic.” Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Manager at Tridonic, adds, “We’re thrilled to see James thriving in his new role. "His success is a testament to the value of the Academy, and we look forward to welcoming more students into the programme over many years to come.” Tridonic says its Academy model allows it to tailor training to its specific needs, creating a pipeline of "skilled, motivated, and well-prepared candidates" in the North East of England. For more from Tridonic, click here.

Metrel launches new PAT tester

Metrel UK, a manufacturer of test and measurement equipment for the electrical industry, has released a new portable appliance testing (PAT) unit, the MI3340 AlphaEE XA. The product has been designed for use across a range of electrical testing applications, including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) diagnostics, portable RCD testing, and testing devices with floating inputs (such as Comms equipment). It is also 3-phase capable. The Li-ion-powered tester has the option of touchscreen or push button controls, and the operating system should be familiar to those used to the range of Metrel touchscreen test devices. Results can be saved in the on-board memory, which can be used to drive the testing protocol if desired. Designed to be easy to hold one-handed, the MI3340 brings different tests to the table such as socket testing and standby power, offering power factor and harmonic distortion. The interface has been developed for ease of use and quick familiarisation, aimed at supporting faster job completion and certification. For more from Metrel, click here.

JTL apprentice helps deliver DIY SOS build

A JTL apprentice from Preston has played a hands-on role in transforming a Lancashire home for BBC One’s DIY SOS, helping a local family welcome their teenage son home for the first time in three years. Joe Bibby, who is in the second year of his electrical apprenticeship with JTL and his employer, Progress Housing, was among a team of tradespeople and volunteers who worked to adapt a house in Freckleton for a young boy recovering from major surgery. The extensive renovations were needed to ensure the home met the boy’s complex medical needs. The episode, filmed earlier this month, is part of the long-running DIY SOS series in which local communities, suppliers, and contractors come together to support families through life-changing home renovations. Joe was able to attend the ‘big reveal’ for the programme and see the real impact of the project for Daniel Flemen and his family. Joe undertakes his apprenticeship at JTL’s Preston training centre, supported by the Independent Training Provider’s specialist delivery team and his Training Officer, Liam Tyrer. The Freckleton build comes shortly after the official opening of JTL’s new £1.4 million Preston Training Centre, which supports over 190 apprentices a year across the electrical and plumbing sectors. The project also reflects JTL’s focus on preparing apprentices for high-impact, real-world environments. JTL claims, "With access to hands-on training, industry expertise, and personalised support, learners like Joe are equipped not just for the workplace, but for projects that have a genuine social impact. "His involvement demonstrates the calibre of apprentices emerging from JTL’s national training network and the role they play in supporting essential work across communities." Joe comments, “Being part of this project was a real eye-opener. It’s not every day you get the chance to use your apprenticeship to help change someone’s life. "Working alongside experienced tradespeople on such a meaningful build showed me just how far I’ve come and how much of a difference we can make in this job. "I’m grateful to both JTL and Progress Housing for supporting me and giving me the skills and confidence to get involved.” Chris Claydon, Chief Executive at JTL, adds, “Joe’s involvement shows what apprenticeships are all about: learning a trade, building confidence, and making a meaningful contribution. "Stories like this remind us why investment in apprenticeships matters, for individuals and for society.” For more from JTL, click here.

Thorn launches College 2 luminaire

Thorn Lighting, a manufacturer and supplier of outdoor and indoor luminaires and integrated controls, has introduced College 2, a new luminaire developed to support the changing requirements of educational spaces. The product builds on the design of its predecessor and includes updated features to enhance visual comfort, energy efficiency, and ease of installation. Product overview The College 2 luminaire incorporates a low-glare (UGR <19) diffused light distribution and provides 14% upward light, improving illumination for tasks, spaces, and facial visibility. It meets the IP44 standard for ingress protection, making it suitable for science laboratories, workshops, and other such environments. The design allows for "straightforward" installation with seven mounting options available, including surface, wire suspension, continuous-run, and BESA box compatibility. The unit is intended to replace legacy College fluorescent or early LED models on a one-for-one basis. Functionality can be expanded through DALI-2, Bluetooth, emergency lighting, and sensor-based control options. Use cases and technical detail The luminaire is specifically designed for use in classrooms, lecture theatres, and libraries, but is also suited to offices, meeting rooms, and healthcare settings where visual clarity and user comfort are essential. College 2 integrates a single LED light engine, a Bi-Lens Primary optic, and a Quad Linear prismatic diffuser, resulting in uniform light distribution. Manufacturing and performance College 2 is manufactured at Thorn Lighting’s facility in Spennymoor, County Durham. It is engineered for a long service life of 100,000 hours (L80) and features a patent-pending hinged gear tray for easier maintenance. Luminous efficacy reaches up to 145 lm/W, supporting reduced energy use in day-to-day operation. Comment David Williamson, Senior Product Manager for Indoor Luminaires at Thorn Lighting, claims, “With College 2, Thorn Lighting reaffirms its leadership in delivering innovative, reliable, and sustainable lighting. "This next-generation luminaire has been completely reimagined with advanced optics and a market-leading specification—designed and developed entirely in-house. "It’s a clear reflection of our commitment to enhancing educational spaces and supporting the future of learning.” For more from Thorn, click here.

'Electricity networks face growing risk from extreme weather'

The increased frequency of abnormal weather events such as intense heatwaves, more violent storms, and heavy rainfall presents a growing risk to countries’ electricity distribution networks, threatening customers’ power supplies. That’s according to VisNet from EA Technology, a specialist energy management and grid-edge intelligence firm. As the UK and all of Europe once again experiences record high temperatures and the risk of severe thunderstorms this summer, distribution network operators (DNOs) should expect significant rises in the number of so-called “pre-faults,” a split-second spike in current caused by a breakdown of insulation on the line. An analysis David Clements, Data Analytics Manager at EA Technology, explains the issue in the following terms: “We know from conversations with electricity operators in continental Europe that in the days following extreme heat, networks can experience very significant spikes in pre-fault numbers. “The underlying causes of pre-faults during extremely hot weather is still uncertain and needs further investigation. They could be the result of underground distribution cables expanding when the temperature rises, which then warps the cable or causes its insulation to crack. “We’ve not yet seen the same scale of increased pre-faults in the UK that operators in mainland Europe have to deal with. For now, numbers are noticeably lower than what has happened following heatwaves on the continent, which are typically much hotter than a British heatwave. “But based on current climate trends, it's only a matter of time before the UK experiences the similar intense heatwaves as the rest of Europe. There is a window of opportunity for operators in the UK to prepare for this eventuality. “By identifying pre-faults more quickly, operators get in front of the problem and make the necessary repairs before the pre-fault gets worse and leads to a full outage. “Operators taking pre-emptive action in anticipation of possible disruption isn’t a new development. "In 2016, French operator EDF drafted extra repair crews into Paris during a heatwave in the city, in anticipation of needing to deal with a surge in faults in the distribution network due to the higher-than-normal temperatures. “EDF correctly predicted that the number of faults would rise above expected levels once the heatwave subsided, temperatures dropped, and the cables cooled down.” But it’s not only extreme heat that can disrupt energy operators’ underground distribution cables. Pre-fault data collected by VisNet from low-voltage networks across the UK between last October and March of this year shows that four of the five major winter storms that the UK experienced during this time period caused a significant rise in pre-fault events. The pre-faults that occurred during each storm were caused by rain that permeated into the ground and made its way via cracks in cable casings into the electrical wires inside. In particular, what stands out from the VisNet data is that the largest spike in pre-fault events took place over a three-day period from 4 to 6 January. This was not due to a storm but instead because of three days of sustained precipitation – specifically, extensive snowfall in northern England and southern Scotland, plus heavy rainfall in central England and Wales. This three-day period of sustained bad weather led to a surge in pre-faults on the UK’s electricity distribution networks. David continues, “The data from the UK’s 2024/25 storm season clearly shows a one-off event like a storm causes a rise in pre-fault levels - but nowhere near to the same extent as sustained rainfall. "Storms are more violent and inflict physical damage, but rain can also seriously disrupt electricity supplies if operators overlook their distribution network. “Fault-finding used to be slow and laborious, and customers would be off supply while you were doing it. But an operator who knows more precisely where to look for a pre-fault along a particular cable saves significant time and effort in locating and then fixing it. "As a result, the operator avoids penalties from the regulator for customer minutes lost. “The effects of climate change means that more extreme weather events are now increasingly commonplace in the UK and elsewhere - not only intense heatwaves, but also storms, bouts of heavy rain, and flash flooding. “By using in-depth monitoring systems to identify pre-faults earlier, operators get in front of the problem and proactively address pre-faults caused by extreme weather conditions. "They can mitigate - or entirely prevent - full outages before they occur to ensure people’s lights stay on in even the most challenging of conditions.”