A new survey by UK Construction Week Birmingham has revealed that those who work in the industry believe better school careers advice and improving the sector’s ‘dirty’ image are key steps to resolving the current skills gap in construction. With just two weeks before the three-day show returns to the
Green power replaces natural gas and coal in process heat generation (high-pressure steam, thermal oil, hot air) with the use of the power-to-heat storage Green Heat Module Together with the Solar Institute Jülich and industrial partners, Kraftanlagen Energies & Services has for the first time researched, developed and demonstrated an
With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable
Workers at Laing O’Rourke are confident that Everton Stadium will have the ‘wow’ factor – because they have already built it once! Craig Wallace, a Digital Engineer for Laing O’Rourke, is one of a select few with the responsibility for ensuring the project’s approach towards ‘digital’ uses leading processes, technology
Energy price cap for business welcomed to support project stability Association for Project Management, the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, responds to the Government‘s ‘mini budget’ today. Speaking after the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, announced tax changes for individuals and businesses, APM’s Head of Public Affairs, Andrew Baldwin, commented:
Sciontec Developments, the commercial, spin-out property development company of KQ Liverpool, has announced it will be taking ownership Sensor City. The Liverpool-based hub for the development of sensor and IoT technologies will be joining the growing Sciontec group of innovation facilities, which already includes Liverpool Science Park. Sensor City, which
Heat the Streets, a project coordinated by Kensa Utilities, has moved onto its next phase with the installation of ground source heat pumps in newly built apartments in Carlyon Bay near St Austell. The renewable heating project enables developers to get ahead of the Future Homes Standards, set out by
A new survey by UK Construction Week Birmingham has revealed that those who work in the industry believe better school careers advice and improving the sector’s ‘dirty’ image are key steps to resolving the current skills gap in construction. With just two weeks before the three-day show returns to the NEC on October 4th, the survey polled over 1,100 people across the sector, including architects, engineers, housebuilders, installers, joiners, contractors and consultants. It found over a quarter (26%) of respondents felt the solution to fixing the skills gap was ‘better career advice at school/college to paint a more attractive picture of construction to young people’, while 24% said the answer was ‘a long-term strategy to attract and retain talent, not just a short fix’. Key barriers to young people pursuing a career in construction were seen as the industry being perceived as ‘dirty job’ (23%), lack of careers advice (19%), and the sector being seen as male-dominated (15%). Other survey results included: The main barriers to people’s own advancement in construction was due to lack of training support from their employer (18%); poor careers advice (18%); and lack of funding (17%) 57% of respondents thought the skills gap had either worsened or stayed the same in the last two years, with ‘the great resignation’ (19%); uncertainty (17%); and long lead times and the rise of materials and product costs (17%) being the principal causes Respondents said the best things about working in construction are the tangible results (25%); learning new skills (20%); and the fact that no two days are the same (15%) When asked what the construction industry workforce will look like in 2050, the most popular responses included ‘a more diverse/female workforce’; ‘more use of AI’; ‘increase in mechanisation/robotics’; and ‘it will be more lucrative and attractive to graduates’ 84% of respondents said flexible/hybrid working was now an option in their role, with the key reasons for the 16% who don’t have that flexibility being ‘not practical – we need to be on site at all times’ (52%); ‘the directors do not like it’ (18%) and ‘it’s never been discussed’ (16%) Nathan Garnett, UKCW Birmingham’s event director said: “Our survey is a clarion call to both the government and construction sector, and outlines what we need to change if we are to tackle the skills crisis we currently face. We plan to use our event in just two weeks’ time to set out some of the solutions that our survey points to so we can create real culture change. “Our survey not only highlights the challenge, but it also illustrates the variety and truly rewarding nature of being part of the built environment – a message we will get across loud and clear.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “As we continue to work hard to supercharge our region’s economic recovery, the construction sector will play a key role. Many of our young people – and indeed local job seekers of all ages – have recognised that joining this industry can offer an exciting, practical and well paid career path for those willing to grasp the opportunity. “However, it’s clear from the survey that we have more work to do to change perceptions and highlight the positive side of this booming sector which will shape the West Midlands for many years to come. I hope to play my part in fostering interest in construction – working together with the industry and other bodies like CITB – not only to connect local residents with great jobs but also to alleviate the skills shortage in the sector which is essential if we are to reach our full potential.” Tim Balcon, Chief Executive, CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) said: “We welcome this insight, which highlights the challenge that is being faced to attract and retain talent and to address the skills gap. We need to work collaboratively across industry to strengthen the entire talent pipeline and increase the number of people joining and staying in construction. “By investing over £233m across the sector this year, we’re doing all that we can to facilitate key routes into industry such as apprenticeship and employer grants, occupational traineeships, and onsite experience hubs. In short, we’re working hard to support the construction industry to address the gap highlighted in this report so that we can build a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce both for now and in the future.” This year UKCW Birmingham is expecting around 25,000 attendees, will officially be opened by Channel 4 presenter George Clarke and features guest speaker Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands. Celebrating culture change in the construction industry with an exciting programme of debate and discussion from top speakers, the show will also shine a spotlight on over 6,000 products from more than 300 exciting exhibitors. Visitors will also be able to find sections dedicated to Net Zero, Building Materials, Digitalisation, Infrastructure, Surface & Materials, Offsite Construction, and Skills & Careers. Register for free here, UKCW Birmingham registrations and if you are part of an industry group or community and you’d like to host your own networking event please get in touch via info@ukconstructionweek.com. Follow on social media @uk_cw #UKCW2022
Green power replaces natural gas and coal in process heat generation (high-pressure steam, thermal oil, hot air) with the use of the power-to-heat storage Green Heat Module Together with the Solar Institute Jülich and industrial partners, Kraftanlagen Energies & Services has for the first time researched, developed and demonstrated an experimental plant operating at 1000 degrees Celsius in the multiTESS project Focus on CO2-free and base-load-capable heat and power supply from regional sources Green Heat Module The reliable and CO2-free supply of heat and electricity from regional renewable energy sources is a complex problem in industry. Kraftanlagen Energies & Services solves it as a general contractor with its new Green Heat Module (GHM) product. In order to decarbonise an even greater number of industrial processes, Kraftanlagen Energies & Services, together with the Solar Institute Jülich of Aachen University of Applied Sciences (SIJ) and consortium partners Otto Junker and Dürr Systems, developed a so-called power-to-heat storage system in the multiTESS project, which operates at a temperature level of 1000 degrees Celsius. This allows energy to be stored in the form of high-temperature heat (“loaded”) and this heat to be converted back into electricity when needed (“unloaded”). In addition, external heat sources – such as waste heat from industrial processes – can also be included. It is also conceivable to use the stored heat not only to produce electricity, but also to feed it into public district heating networks or to provide process heat for (heavy) industry. To make this possible, the test facility has now been opened in Jülich. At the opening ceremony, Oliver Krischer, Minister for the Environment and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, said that the multiTESS technology could become a model for many residential areas as well as commercial and industrial zones. The energy supply of the future must be based on renewable energies. Jeanette Lemmes (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) affirmed that the common goal must be to ensure security of supply, prosperity and climate protection. The centrepiece of the plant in the Jülich Brainergy Park is a six-metre-high chimney extension painted bright blue. Inside are several layers of ceramic honeycomb bricks that have vertical ventilation channels. Air flows through these stones – when they are loaded, 1000-degree hot air is introduced from above, which releases its energy to the stones on its way down. When unloading, cooler air is introduced from below and flows upwards, absorbing the heat energy. The actual building houses the electric heating system, which heats the air to up to 1000 degrees, and turbines to generate electricity. CO2-free base load supply The temperature range above heat pumps – i.e. between 150 and 1000 degrees – has so far posed a major technical and economic problem for CO2-free base load supply. It is precisely this problem that is being successfully addressed for the first time at 1000 degrees in the multiTESS project. This is also the first time that an electric high-performance heater is used in conjunction with a high-temperature storage tank and heat utilisation as a complete system at a nominal temperature of 1000 degrees. The process couples the electricity sector with the heat sector. In doing so, the power-to-heat storage system enables the use of cheap but volatile renewable energies for a compellingly demand-controlled industrial heat and coupled power supply. Due to the very high efficiency, multiTESS systems can make a relevant contribution to supply security and decarbonisation in connection with renewable energies. Due to the use of existing standard components that have been used industrially for decades, multiTESS systems can already be used in industry today at lower temperatures of around 750 degrees, for example, for a CO2-free process heat supply. With parallel integration to existing heat generators, storage capacities of about 1 GWhth and thermal discharge capacities of 1 to 200 MWth can already be realised at these lower temperatures. In the future, the processes will also be operated at higher temperatures. Industry and science worked hand in hand in the planning and construction of the plant. The high-temperature heating system was designed and built by Otto Junker GmbH, Dürr Systems AG built the ceramic heat storage system and an ORC plant, and Kraftanlagen Energies und Services GmbH was responsible for the overall planning. Alfons Weber (CEO Kraftanlagen Energies & Services) sums up: “We are facing a historic turning point in industrial heat supply: Increasingly, power generation from renewable energy sources is cheaper than fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Our Green Heat Module product takes advantage of this game change. It produces and stores process heat in a way that serves the grid, namely whenever renewables are available at a favourable price, thus enabling a CO2- and emission-free base load supply. The GHM shows a high potential for reducing fossil fuels, and thus reducing import dependencies and climate-damaging emissions, because it is available now and scalable for storage capacities of gigawatt hours.”
With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice. He believes a greener modular building approach can increase sustainability, reduce construction time and begin to tackle the huge volumes of waste generated by the construction industry. The UK’s housing crisis is well documented, with ambitious targets set by the government of 300,000 new homes a year. With that comes a secondary problem, that of construction waste. A DEFRA report highlighted that in 2018, construction, demolition and excavation accounted for 62% of the UK’s total waste. So how do developers continue to build at speed, reduce the volume of waste materials and create more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is staring us all in the face – modular homes. Modular homes are designed to be energy efficient and very efficient to manufacture. They’re created off site – where waste can be kept to a minimum – and different elements of a build can all be happening at the same time. Offsite construction enables phases of work to be undertaken concurrently. Onsite substructure and infrastructure work can be taking place whilst the superstructure is being built in a factory. Factory conditions also mean that there are no delays due to inclement weather. And there are environmental benefits to working offsite, helping us to fight the climate crisis. It is more straightforward to manage waste in a factory environment rather than on a construction site. It allows for far more control meaning less contamination, more recycling and less overall waste. Another large contributor to climate change is pollution and energy output. Modular designs see a 40% reduction in HGV movement at construction sites, and manufacturing off site also minimises the time and energy spent on site. This cuts travel and transport, as workers are more likely to be concentrated around a specific factory. Due to these factors, overall pollution is reduced. Recycling is another big focus across every sector. Materials in traditional construction like timber, brick and concrete, are very rarely re-used and it can be hard work to do so. The volumetric and panelised systems found in modular building lend themselves to recycling in a much more practical and efficient way. There are challenges, as there are with every construction project, and they do require a different approach to traditional methods of construction. Modular projects and units do differ from the traditional, standard residential units. They have specific requirements in terms of their sub-structures and external works. This is particularly the case in sites with gradients and water management requirements. On our first modular project, we worked very closely with the manufacturer on specific design standards, in particular with regards to the National Housebuilding Council’s requirements for the substructure. This was a condition of the offsite manufacturing partner, to ensure that each of the plots met the requirements of building control. As engineers, we need to be agile, responsive to site specific needs and challenge design to ensure modular methods of construction get the recognition they deserve. We’ve realised technology’s potential and are driving the change. It’s our duty to think creatively to develop new, more sustainable ways of construction and ultimately living.
Workers at Laing O’Rourke are confident that Everton Stadium will have the ‘wow’ factor – because they have already built it once! Craig Wallace, a Digital Engineer for Laing O’Rourke, is one of a select few with the responsibility for ensuring the project’s approach towards ‘digital’ uses leading processes, technology and data. One of the ways this is evident is through a process known as Building Information Modelling (BIM), which has provided Laing with the opportunity to build the project twice – virtually, and now in reality. As such, the 52,888-seater stadium has already been completed in digital form, in mind-boggling and minute detail, from the millimetre-accurate assembly of steelwork, prefabricated concrete walls and giant roof trusses, through to pinpoint positioning of wiring, plumbing, light switches and plug sockets. “We like to think we have already built Everton Stadium,” explained Craig, who works within the offices at Bramley-Moore Dock. “It’s been built virtually on screen in a simulated environment, and now physically on site. “The real benefit is that this enables us to resolve issues upfront, in a simulated environment, before work begins on-site. “That promotes efficiency gains, reduction in risks, leads to programme and cost benefits and provides certainty throughout the life-cycle of the build. “It took some teamwork to pull together and it’s a real collaborative effort, in that our entire supply chain contribute to the model. “All of the different disciplines, such as electrical, mechanical, structural and architectural, develop their own 3D model, involving their scope of work, and then share them with us on a collaborative online platform. “That provides us with around 1,500 shared model files, which we then combine into a master model for the entire team to use. “From that, the entire project team can work to co-ordinate the build and ensure there are no clashes within the disciplines.” The 3D model, representing what will be constructed in terms of the design, incorporates the three dimensions of width, depth and height. Then, by introducing the vital dimension of time and linking model elements to the construction programme activities, the cutting-edge 4D model allows the Laing O’Rourke team to visualise the construction sequence and assess potential risks or clashes in the programme, along with opportunities that might not have been seen using more traditional methods. “What you might see in the industry is the model being linked to the programme and that shows the sequencing of the build,” explained Craig. “In addition to this, we focus on including elements such as coordinating mobile cranes, storage zones, engineering controls, walking routes and more. “That really helps to drive what we do on site and how we can coordinate different pieces of work safely. This is our highest value.” The rolling model can be accessed by the workforce on site, via screens or mobile phones, enabling them to undertake the precise workloads and feedback on progress to keep the information flow going. “Working with our supply chain, we can use the model and embedded data to visually track the progress of the build and then communicate this through dashboard reporting,” added Craig. “The model is integral to dictating, with precise detail, the just-in-time delivery slots for tonnes of steelwork and the thousands of concrete wall panels, pillars and beams. “The model is accurate as it can be, and by coordinating the disciplines we can then increase the accuracy as the design progresses. “Out of the models we can then extract the drawings and then they, along with the 3D models, can be used in parallel by the workforce.” CLICK TO SEE VIDEO – https://evertonfc.sharefile.com/d-s20d9a1b82c3d426c817084986d914c26
Energy price cap for business welcomed to support project stability Association for Project Management, the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, responds to the Government‘s ‘mini budget’ today. Speaking after the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, announced tax changes for individuals and businesses, APM’s Head of Public Affairs, Andrew Baldwin, commented: “The Chancellor’s update was primarily focused on tax cuts and helping households and businesses navigate the energy crisis. We acknowledge the importance of this, at a time when many people and businesses have been financially impacted. “Organisations need stability to ensure projects are delivered on scope, on time and on budget, so the Government’s energy price cap is welcome; particularly because so many project costs will have been defined before the energy price hikes. “However, given the project costs, and indeed scopes, are defined at the start, the decision to bring in a sunset clause on all EU-derived legislation, unless otherwise preserved, through the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could cause much confusion, particularly for those companies delivering projects across the UK and the EU. Projects being considered now need to know the regulations they will be expected to deliver against in the future. “APM research has shown the crucial role that projects and project professionals play in both economic and societal growth. We therefore urge the Government to further commit to ongoing investment in the projects that are needed to boost economic growth and deliver net zero, including nuclear, solar and wind power generation. “The list of transport and infrastructure projects due to be streamlined and ‘prioritised for acceleration’ shows some commitment to that, although the precise details of what streamlining entails needs to be set out; we are keen to work with the Government to enhance the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill.”
Sciontec Developments, the commercial, spin-out property development company of KQ Liverpool, has announced it will be taking ownership Sensor City. The Liverpool-based hub for the development of sensor and IoT technologies will be joining the growing Sciontec group of innovation facilities, which already includes Liverpool Science Park. Sensor City, which is located on Copperas Hill in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Innovation District (KQ Liverpool), first opened in 2017 and was later closed during the national lockdown in December 2020. Although closed to the public, the building has played an important role as a vaccination centre for students and as part of a European Research programme. Sciontec has been working with Sensor City’s current owners, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, and key grant funders, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities to obtain the consents it needs and finalise a deal to transfer the ownership of the Sensor City company to Sciontec. “We are looking forward to finalising the details with Sciontec for the new investment in the building, which will enable us to drive forward research and business growth in the technology sector,” said Professor Keith George, chair of Sensor City Liverpool and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Liverpool John Moores University. Upon completion of the deal, Sciontec’s shareholders, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and Bruntwood SciTech, plan to invest in excess of £2 million to upgrade, modernise and relaunch Sensor City as a global hub for innovation, technology, digitalisation and the internet of things, building on its existing commitment to sensor technologies. This will include submitting planning proposals by the end of the year for the redevelopment and reconfiguration of Sensor City to provide additional innovative workspace and labs across its four floors. “This landmark deal with our University partners will mark an exciting transformation in the life of Sensor City. We are really looking forward to operating Sensor City alongside the successful Liverpool Science Park and further helping to create high value jobs and grow the City Region economy, through science and technology, health and wellbeing,” added Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool and Sciontec. Sciontec completed a similar process in taking ownership of Liverpool Science Park in 2020, which saw occupancy levels improve significantly and increased retained profits over the last two years, with the three Science Park buildings operating at full capacity and over £1 million recently invested in the new entrance and other enhanced customer facilities. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
Heat the Streets, a project coordinated by Kensa Utilities, has moved onto its next phase with the installation of ground source heat pumps in newly built apartments in Carlyon Bay near St Austell. The renewable heating project enables developers to get ahead of the Future Homes Standards, set out by the government, and install highly efficient, renewable heating. “I was pleased to meet the team from Kensa and see their innovative project in Carlyon Bay. The Heat the Streets initiative is an excellent one and it was useful to hear more about the benefits of ground source heat pumps as an energy supply method that will be critical to help the country achieve its green energy goals for the future,” commented Cornwall Councillor for Mevagissey and St Austell Bay, James Mustoe. “It is good to see Kensa working with a range of properties across Cornwall, New and old, private, and social rent, to showcase the flexibility of the ground source heat pump and the ease in which it can be installed and then left in situ. I look forward to seeing this work continue as a viable option for a greener and cleaner energy future for Cornwall.” To motivate developers switch to renewable heating, Kensa Utilities has decided to pay for the ground array infrastructure through Heat the Streets. This means that they can install ground source heat pumps in their developments for less than the costs of air source heating. Although air source heat pumps cost less to install than ground source, they can suffer corrosion damage at coastal locations such as Carlyon Bay, this increases maintenance costs and reduces the lifespan of the equipment. These new apartments will benefit from ground source heat pumps which are located inside, away from the elements. Better yet, the heat pumps are manufactured by a Cornish company just twenty miles from site. Heat the Streets will soon enter its most ambitious phase street by street retrofit of ground source heat pumps in the Cornish village of Stithians. Kensa Utilities are replacing existing heating systems in the village with efficient Cornish made heat pumps, with no upfront costs to the homeowners. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
