Leading independent energy developer Balance Power today announces it has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire. The project, located in Cheadle, will store renewable energy at times of peak generation and export it back on to the grid when demand is high, balancing intermittency and
By Eve Pope, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx In a world with a growing population and a rapidly expanding construction sector to match, how do we prevent building homes from damaging our climate? Concrete is the second most consumed material on Earth, but its key ingredient, cement, is responsible for 7%
A STATE-OF-THE-ART leisure, enterprise and education centre being developed by leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is one step closer to realisation, following council approval. The Five Acres site in Berry Hill, Coleford, is set to undergo transformation via Pick Everard and contractor BAM Construction Limited, after unilateral agreement on plans
The KönigOutdoor showroom at the Sky House Design Centre is the perfect starting point for any outdoor living project. The three beautiful outdoor kitchens, made with the most durable materials, feature an array of configurations and design elements to provide inspiration to the interior or garden designer, architect and homeowner.
With policy reforms for national projects high on the agenda for the UK government, major infrastructure leaders will come together at the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) Forum in London on 6-7 March 2024, to examine the latest policy updates and plans to speed up the consenting process. The two-day
Following the announcement of Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 shortlisting for three awards at the Building Performance Awards organised by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Glazpart team is now looking forward to attending the prestigious awards event in London on 29th February. Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director
Leeds College of Building and leading technology firm Collsys have joined forces to pioneer a new software package for the further education sector. The Collsys ‘Academic Suite’ is designed to track knowledge, skills, and behaviours across all academic disciplines. It combines with their ‘Employability Suite’ to provide a comprehensive single
Baxi is set to unveil its district heating and thermal solutions portfolio that will help support the anticipated growth of UK heat networks at Futurebuild 2024. The exhibition, which takes place from 5-7 March at ExCeL London, is one of the built environment sector’s biggest events. The exhibition aims to
After hearing about the damage the North Nottinghamshire based animal rescue centre incurred during recent storms, local construction specialists PermaGroup, Mercial Garden Products Ltd, C Toyne & Son and Prism Construction joined forces to contribute to the rebuilding and repairs, providing materials, expertise and labour. Noting the extensive repairs required
Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, is supporting eleven organisations across the UK to investigate how quantum computing could benefit key industrial sectors, such as energy, infrastructure, and engineering. The Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) assists companies in trialling novel use cases, to demonstrate the potential for
Leading independent energy developer Balance Power today announces it has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire. The project, located in Cheadle, will store renewable energy at times of peak generation and export it back on to the grid when demand is high, balancing intermittency and providing grid stability for around 90,000 homes. This will be crucial as the UK transitions towards net zero and renewable power plays an increasing role in the country’s energy mix. Staffordshire Moorlands Council unanimously voted in favour of the project after Balance Power conducted extensive community engagement and received no objections to the project from members of the public. Balance Power worked closely with the community, town council and local district councillors in Staffordshire Moorlands during a period of consultation, listening to their views and addressing any concerns about the project. By enabling more renewable power onto the grid, the Cheadle project will lead to the avoidance of around 5,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road. The project has also been designed to produce a biodiversity net gain of 61% for habitats and 15% for hedgerows, bringing wider environmental benefits and safeguarding existing wildlife. This forms part of Balance Power’s commitment to finding clean energy solutions to meet communities’ power needs whilst creating positive environmental impacts. The storage facility is due to be operational in 2028, with construction planned to begin as early as 2026. After its 40 year lifecycle the project will be decommissioned, and the site will be returned to its former use and condition. Dan Levy, Planning Lead at Balance Power, said: “We’re extremely excited about securing planning permission for this battery storage facility. Not only will it make a significant contribution to Staffordshire Moorlands achieving its objectives to be carbon neutral by 2030, and bring new clean energy infrastructure to the area, but battery storage is also essential for the UK’s transition to net zero. It’s crucial in diversifying the energy network and reducing the need for fossil fuel technologies. We’re also really proud to have received unanimous support from Staffordshire Moorlands and for the strong support we also received from Cheadle Town Council and nearby residents.” Balance Power has led the way in decentralised energy projects since 2017, working with landowners, communities, and councils in the UK to decarbonise in line with national targets. It has now taken nearly 40 energy projects through to planning consent, creating 426MW of capacity to support the grid. With a further 1.4GW+ of projects under development, Balance Power has a growing pipeline nationwide and is leading the way in engineering a new energy landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Eve Pope, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx In a world with a growing population and a rapidly expanding construction sector to match, how do we prevent building homes from damaging our climate? Concrete is the second most consumed material on Earth, but its key ingredient, cement, is responsible for 7% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The answer could come from thin air – CO2-derived building materials. The new IDTechEx report “Carbon Dioxide Utilization 2024-2044: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players” explores many ways to valorize captured carbon dioxide to create useful products. Among these, CO2-derived building materials showed particular promise due to performance improvements and cost-competitiveness, as well as sustainability benefits. IDTechEx forecasts over 170 million tonnes of captured CO2 will be utilized in building materials by 2044. Carbon dioxide can be utilized in concrete production in three different ways: injection of CO2 during curing of precast concrete, injection of CO2 during mixing of ready-mixed concrete, and formation of carbonate aggregates/additives Unlike some other carbon dioxide utilization pathways, such as the conversion to e-fuels, which requires large amounts of energy and green hydrogen (often prohibitively expensive), the basic mineralization chemistry underpinning the uptake of CO2 during concrete manufacturing is thermodynamically favored and less energy-intensive because stable metal carbonates are formed. These carbonates represent effectively permanent sequestration of CO2, so CO2-derived building materials double up as simultaneous carbon dioxide utilization and carbon dioxide storage. The process is compatible with many different sources of CO2. Valorizing waste In addition to waste CO2, solid waste streams can also be repurposed into new concrete using CO2 mineralization chemistry to form carbonates. For example, CO2-derived concrete players include Swiss company neustark, who uses the reaction of CO2 with demolished concrete to store carbon dioxide and produce concrete aggregate. Another aggregate producer, UK-based O.C.O Technology, instead uses CO2 and waste materials from industrial thermal processes. Meanwhile, building materials giant Heidelberg Materials has ongoing R&D into recycling concrete using CO2 to form a cement substitute. Steel slag is being explored by companies including Carbonaide and CarbiCrete as a cement replacement during CO2-aided curing. Additional revenue can be generated through waste disposal fees, with some CO2-derived concrete players reporting to having already achieved price parity with incumbents. Accelerating adoption Concrete production is typically low-margin, and willingness to pay a green premium is low. Therefore, widespread deployment of CO2-derived concrete will rely on CO2 utilization technology players, creating easy-to-adopt solutions that are minimally disruptive to existing manufacturing processes. In CO2-aided curing, some players have targeted retrofittable curing chambers. Elsewhere, plug-and-play and mobile unit solutions are also being commercialized. 2023 saw the release of several ASTM standards around CO2-aided curing, improving confidence in the safety and quality of CO2-derived precast concrete. While many CO2-derived building materials have yet to achieve price parity with conventional concrete, some customers are willing to pay a premium due to enhanced performance (such as higher strength and improved aesthetics). Going beyond net-zero The direct uptake of CO2 into concrete can be a net-zero process if the carbon dioxide is sourced from a fossil point source (such as a coal power station) or a net-negative process if biogenic or direct air-captured CO2 is used. In 2023, a collaboration between direct air capture (DAC) company Heirloom and CO2-derived concrete player CarbonCure stored CO2 captured from the ambient air into concrete for the first time. But is CO2-derived concrete still net-negative when considering the CO2 released during cement production? The formation of metal carbonates during CO2 mineralization can increase concrete strength and reduce the amount of cement needed. Alternatively, some carbonate additives can act as supplementary cementitious materials and replace cement. Therefore, according to IDTechEx’s analysis of players, several can produce carbon-negative concrete products. The permanent storage of CO2 into concrete enables players to sell high-value carbon dioxide removal credits on the voluntary carbon market. The way forward Although the production of CO2-derived concrete is more expensive than conventional concrete, revenue can be generated through waste disposal fees and carbon credit sales, with some players already reporting to achieve price parity. In the future, stronger regulatory support (for example, increased carbon pricing) will accelerate uptake further, with IDTechEx forecasting over 170 million tonnes of captured CO2 will be utilized in building materials by 2044. With carbon capture solutions for cement kilns continuing to develop, CO2 could be sourced from cement production, creating a circular solution. To find out more about the new IDTechEx report “Carbon Dioxide Utilization 2024-2044: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players”, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/CO2U. For more information on IDTechEx’s CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) market research portfolio, please refer to the IDTechEx “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Markets 2023-2043” and “Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Markets 2023-2040: Technologies, Players, and Forecasts” reports Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A STATE-OF-THE-ART leisure, enterprise and education centre being developed by leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is one step closer to realisation, following council approval. The Five Acres site in Berry Hill, Coleford, is set to undergo transformation via Pick Everard and contractor BAM Construction Limited, after unilateral agreement on plans submitted by Forest of Dean District Council. The work, which will commence after the Easter holidays, will be completed in phases. The first of these will focus on repurposing classrooms at an existing educational building – Speedwell House – to create new office and community spaces, alongside a cafe and outreach space for Hartpury University’s Aspiration Centre. The new building will connect Speedwell through a glazed atrium and include the construction of a new multi-purpose four-court sports hall, small performance space, party rooms/dressing rooms and internal changing rooms. Outside there will be a separate external changing block, a secure cycle hub and a new car parking layout, which will introduce 12 electric vehicle charging spaces on the site for the first time. The project, accelerated through the SCAPE Consultancy direct award framework, designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects, will be delivered by Pick Everard, operating through Perfect Circle to provide a wide range of services, including project management, cost management, health and safety, and sustainability consultancy. Guy Rossiter, principal project manager at Pick Everard, said: “This is a significant milestone in a journey to bring a host of benefits to the community of Berry Hill and further afield. It is a fully encompassing project, that reflects a shift in the way we view and design our local hubs – bringing, leisure, education and business opportunities all under one roof, helping drive future prosperity from one generation to the next. “With planning approved, we look forward to the next phase of this development, collaborating closely with the project team and the council to bring its vision to fruition.” The planning application for the Five Acres site was submitted in November 2023, following community outreach on the proposed redevelopment plans. It is part of the UK government’s wider Levelling Up Fund, with 52 Levelling Up Together grants awarded across the Gloucestershire region in recent months. Councillor Johnathan Lane, cabinet member for economy at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that planning permission has been granted to refurbish the Speedwell building and support the new building designs at Five Acres. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the hard-working council staff and partners, including demolition experts Armac, architects AHR, project and cost consultants Pick Everard and leading construction and property developer BAM, who have all helped make Five Acres a reality. I’d also like thank all our residents for their comments and suggestions, which have allowed us to shape Five Acres into a project that the whole community can be proud of. “The regeneration of Five Acres is hugely important for the community of Berry Hill and the Forest of Dean as a whole. Once completed it will provide leading sport and education facilities, and I can’t wait to see it starting to take shape once construction has begun.” Full details for the Five Acres site redevelopment, as well as documents including designs and comments and questions from previous public forum events can be found here: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/planning-and-building/regeneration/five-acres-redevelopment-site/ To learn more about Pick Everard and its range of services, visit here: https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The KönigOutdoor showroom at the Sky House Design Centre is the perfect starting point for any outdoor living project. The three beautiful outdoor kitchens, made with the most durable materials, feature an array of configurations and design elements to provide inspiration to the interior or garden designer, architect and homeowner. The displays show a variety of sintered stone finishes, from classic marble to more industrial styles, and showcase various design options including handleless doors and drawers, a corner unit for a Kamado grill and a bar-style seating area with a granite worktop and cedar circular support. Pictured is: Königstone island with 12mm handleless drawers in Estatuario (large-veined marble effect). KönigOutdoor is a sophisticated high-end solution for aspirational outdoor living. Combining luxurious sintered stone surfaces with a durable weatherproof structure, a KönigOutdoor kitchen provides the look of an indoor kitchen; with the ability to withstand the elements outdoors. Each kitchen is made to order here in the UK, allowing the customer or designer to create a unique outdoor kitchen to exacting specifications. The outdoor kitchens can also be designed to accept mains services gas, water and electrical services for fully functional outdoor kitchens, outdoors. To start planning a dream outdoor kitchen, please contact Sky House Design Centre to arrange an appointment. Pictured is: KönigOutdoor island with 12mm handleless drawers in Estatuario (large-veined marble effect), 100mm black granite plinths, 30mm feature circular granite and B/Bar with cedar support. For further information on KönigOutdoor, please email info@konigstone.co.uk or visit www.konigoutdoor.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With policy reforms for national projects high on the agenda for the UK government, major infrastructure leaders will come together at the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) Forum in London on 6-7 March 2024, to examine the latest policy updates and plans to speed up the consenting process. The two-day event, which will take place at the Royal National Hotel in London, will provide an opportunity for key stakeholders in major infrastructure projects, to network and share ideas concerning some of the biggest challenges currently facing the sector. Some of the key issues under discussion will be policy reforms, changes impacting the regime,and practical advice on all elements necessary for developing NSIPs that lead to the successful granting of Development Consent Orders (DCOs). A keynote address at this year’s forum will be delivered by James Heath, chief executive at National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). He will explore recommendations made in the second National Infrastructure Assessment. Other speakers include Natalie Freislich-Mills, strategic lead – skills for infrastructure at Suffolk County Council, who will give practical advice on how to build an effective skills strategy for NSIPs. While Douglas Johnson, director of advocacy at the global strategic communications and advocacy group SEC Newgate, will provide valuable insight into improving consultation and community outreach for major infrastructure projects. A panel comprising Jamie Baldwin, development project director at Ørsted (the largest energy company in Denmark), and Charlotte Rushmere, principal planning officer for national infrastructure at Essex County Council, will discuss the future of major infrastructure planning and how to create certainty in the process while navigating timeline constraints. Another panel discussion involving Jim Kitchen, national infrastructure manager at the Environment Agency, will explore how to create a collaborative planning process – one that includes working with key stakeholders across the heritage, nature and environment sectors. The event will be chaired by Gideon Amos OBE, the former planning inspector, UK Infrastructure Planning Commissioner and head of the Town and Country Planning Association, now managing director of Amos Ellis Consulting. As a current Council member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association, Mr Amos keeps a close eye on policy and practice developments and feels it is essential for the industry to come together after a sustained period of economic and political upheaval. Mr Amos said: “The NSIPs Forum 2024 offers a valuable platform for leaders in national infrastructure projects to reflect on the past year, provide practical insights into planning and delivery, and identify opportunities for organisations to make good progress amid ongoing economic instability. “This year I’m delighted our programme will span across a range of salient issues involving policy reforms and provide practical solutions to help improve outcomes for communities, contribute towards net zero and meet future population needs. “There will be plenty of opportunities during the event for delegates to network with over 250 major infrastructure leaders. We look forward to welcoming all our attendees.” The two-day event is organised by Waterfront Conference Company, which delivers physical and virtual policy conferences for the planning, energy, rail, ports and maritime sectors. For more information and to register for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Forum 2024, visit the event website https://www.nsipsforum.co.uk/ or for other Waterfront events, visit https://www.waterfrontconferencecompany.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the announcement of Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 shortlisting for three awards at the Building Performance Awards organised by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Glazpart team is now looking forward to attending the prestigious awards event in London on 29th February. Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director enthused, “Just to be a finalist in three awards for best product innovation for building performance is quite exceptional in its own right. The Link Vent 4000 is not only an essential product that is in much demand in our industry, but it is also now being recognised for its contribution to homeowners’ wellbeing and for the difference it makes to the quality of their lives when living in their homes.” As the only glass or glazing product to be shortlisted in this year’s awards, Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 has been nominated for three “Best Product Innovation” awards in the following categories: Wellbeing, Air Quality and Thermal Comfort. The Link Vent 4000 has proved to be an important addition to Glazpart’s trickle vent range since it was launched in 2022 in time for the Building Regulations’ changes to Approved Document F (ventilation). Its design and easy control mechanism, as well as its availability in a vast range of colours and finishes has made the Link Vent 4000 an extremely popular choice for fabricators, installers and homeowners – especially for windows and doors of smaller rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and utility rooms. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is the professional body that advances and promotes the art, science and practice of building services engineering. CIBSE also supports the community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. The CIBSE Building Performance Awards always attracts high quality entries and a diverse selection of projects, companies, people and products from across the building industry. The annual event showcases the achievements of companies and individuals who develop strategies for refurbishment and energy-efficient operation of existing buildings, design new buildings that operate more effectively and develop the products and systems that support them. Those shortlisted included detailed evidence which demonstrated actual measured performance and not just design intent or performance specifications. Dean Bradley summarised, “We are looking forward to the awards event in a few weeks and flying the flag for the glazing industry. It promises to be a great occasion.” Winners from the shortlisted entries will be announced at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards on Thursday 29 February 2024, at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. For more information on the Awards, please visit the awards website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leeds College of Building and leading technology firm Collsys have joined forces to pioneer a new software package for the further education sector. The Collsys ‘Academic Suite’ is designed to track knowledge, skills, and behaviours across all academic disciplines. It combines with their ‘Employability Suite’ to provide a comprehensive single platform solution including work placement, enrichment, apprenticeships, and careers. The project began when Leeds College of Building reviewed its existing systems post-pandemic and asked for staff feedback. Increasingly complex requirements and software that was no longer fit for purpose meant that investing in a new college-wide system became a priority. Steve Connell, Assistant Principal at Leeds College of Building, said: “As a busy further education college, we deliver a host of construction specialisms from plumbing, carpentry, and brickwork to civil engineering and transport planning. As such, we needed software that could not only track student work placements and enrichment, but also monitor progress, hold Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), link well with maths, English and support areas, hold student reviews and exam results and monitor attendance and punctuality. “However, little is available to the FE sector which can manage data for both employer placements and student progress, and which is also user-friendly. Market leaders tend to offer solutions for one or the other but not together and can also be difficult to retrieve the correct information. We needed software that would be a one-stop-shop and present data quickly and consistently. “Our old systems were labour intensive and lead to silos or pockets of good practice, so I began talking with one of our existing software suppliers, Collsys. Their CEO, Brian Varley, was keen to explore this further and use expertise in his team to expand existing Collsys software parameters.” The College Work Based Learning and Employer Engagement teams already used Collsys modules for tracking work placements, enrichment, and employer engagement data. The aim was to extend this to a bespoke management platform used by all Leeds College of Building staff. Brian Varley, CEO Collsys, said:“This project has been a great opportunity to enhance our existing Employability Suite offering. Together with Leeds College of Building, we designed the Academic Suite to be easy to use with additional options for tracking ‘Knowledge Skills and Behaviours’ of vocational courses. This means staff can monitor if students are on track at any point in the year and put in earlier interventions. “We also included a joint training plan and review system that is not readily available on the market, given products are often not specifically designed with colleges in mind. A benefit of our system is that because we offer our Employability Suite alongside the Academic Suite, all data is in one place. Tutors can easily look at all aspects of a student’s data without having to switch between systems for reports.” Over the last 12 months, a joint project team spent time researching, developing, designing, testing, and eventually rolling out the Academic Suite project. The new system is now live at Leeds College of Building and manages all aspects of students’ learning. Users can drill down to faculty, departmental, course, or individual student level data. Staff can quickly access vital data, generate reports, and view insights using a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rating to quickly identify at-risk students, monitor progress, and tailor interventions. Adam Sharpe, system super-user and Leeds College of Building carpentry and Joinery lecturer, said:“The new system has great potential. The fact that Collsys has been made to suit our needs as a college is really pleasing, as this means that people like me and others within our organisation can make this new system the best it can be. Working with the Collsys team has been a pleasure; they have been so responsive when we have had technical issues and very patient when delivering training.” Work is now underway on the next phase of development. The project team has hosted drop-in staff training sessions, created champions and super users, and helped with data transfer to the new system. Plans also include a portal and mobile app to allow employers, parents and carers to monitor a student’s attendance, progress, results, and staff feedback.Steve concluded:“This was an ambitious project, but it paid off. We’ve never had this level of data before! It’s fantastic to have everything in one place and quickly access data in real-time. It’s very user-friendly and is a much more efficient use of precious staff time. This bespoke platform will be crucial for external assessors moving forward as it ties together all aspects of apprenticeships and study programmes. Thanks to Collsys for listening to our needs and building a bespoke system for us. ”Visit www.collsys.co.uk to find out more about Collsys Academic and Employability Suites or email customerservices@collsys.co.uk to learn how Collsys can support other Further Education providers… Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Baxi is set to unveil its district heating and thermal solutions portfolio that will help support the anticipated growth of UK heat networks at Futurebuild 2024. The exhibition, which takes place from 5-7 March at ExCeL London, is one of the built environment sector’s biggest events. The exhibition aims to highlight the advancements in technologies and applications that can drive improved sustainability and heat decarbonisation. With no one-size-fits-all solution to decarbonising homes and buildings, heat networks have been identified as an essential part of the UK’s pathway towards its 2050 net zero commitment. On Stand K19, in Futurebuild’s Heat Network Zone, Baxi will showcase its thermal substations that can be provided along with pre-engineered low carbon packaged energy centres by its specialist prefabrication business, Baxi Packaged Solutions. Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to discuss the full breadth of Baxi heating and hot water solutions that can be tailored to meet customer requirements to support the transition to low carbon heat. Stephen Hart, Baxi’s Sales Director – Integrated Thermal Solutions, will also take part in Futurebuild’s panel discussion on Innovations in the District Energy Sector for 2024 on Wednesday 6th March. An established champion of district heating, Stephen has 24 years’ experience in promoting energy efficient hydronic heating and cooling systems across 40 countries, including market leading control valve technology from Denmark and heat interface hardware and software from the Netherlands. He now heads Baxi’s Integrated Thermal Solutions business which combines Baxi’s wide portfolio of low carbon heating and hot water brands, its extensive service and maintenance capability and offsite manufacturing experience from its Baxi Packaged Solution division. Stephen said: “Futurebuild is a huge event within the building services calendar. It’s a fantastic chance for industry experts to discuss the latest innovations and advances as well as explore ways of partnering with companies like Baxi to accelerate the growth of heat networks. We look forward to lively discussions on the best ways of driving the energy transition and making heat decarbonisation a reality. See you on Stand K19!” To register to attend, visit Futurebuild.co.uk and to find out more on Baxi Packaged Solutions, see Baxi.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
After hearing about the damage the North Nottinghamshire based animal rescue centre incurred during recent storms, local construction specialists PermaGroup, Mercial Garden Products Ltd, C Toyne & Son and Prism Construction joined forces to contribute to the rebuilding and repairs, providing materials, expertise and labour. Noting the extensive repairs required to fix the centre, which was already 20 years old and had now started to leak, the quick-thinking suppliers and contractors rallied to provide the necessary materials to re-weatherproof the roof, equivalent to thousands of pounds of labour and supplies. From putting out an appeal to completion of the repairs, the project took no more than 18 days. Lee Moore, specialist products manager at PermaGroup, said: “We were more than happy to aid BARK when we heard about its unfortunate turn of luck during the storm. The work the team is doing is massively important and as part of the local community, we wanted to help. “Now, the dogs staying in BARK’s care get to enjoy a whole new roof that’s warm, dry and will last a lifetime. The project just goes to show how easily and how quickly different businesses can work together when something as important as rescue pups are at stake.” Canine champions BARK have been rescuing animals since 2005, when founders Elaine and Darren Shaw took in their first pound dogs to save them from being put down. Almost two decades on, they’ve saved hundreds of animals internationally, helping them thrive and find new homes. Emily Beatson, marketing manager at Mercia Garden Products Ltd, said: “When we saw Babworth Animal Rescue Kennels needed help after the recent localised flooding, it was impossible not to want to help. At Mercia Garden Products, employees of ours have rescued dogs from BARK and given them lifelong homes, so we know firsthand the wonderful work they do with limited funding. “The rescue required quality roofing materials to ensure the longevity of its kennels as well as timber for the structure itself. We were able to supply the timber for the kennel rebuild and knowing that our long-standing supplier PermaGroup’s EPDM would be the ideal solution, we called on the team for support. We are so grateful to Lee and PermaGroup for their generosity towards this cause.” To donate or adopt one of the animals from BARK, visit its website here: https://www.barkonline.co.uk/home To learn more about PermaGroup and its work, visit its website here: www.permaroof.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, is supporting eleven organisations across the UK to investigate how quantum computing could benefit key industrial sectors, such as energy, infrastructure, and engineering. The Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) assists companies in trialling novel use cases, to demonstrate the potential for quantum technology to transform critical parts of the UK economy. The programme results will soon be shared with broader industry to promote a deeper understanding of quantum’s commercial applications. Marking a paradigm shift for the participants, the programme’s focus extends beyond theoretical understandings of quantum technology, to successfully investigate illustrations of real-world business applications for leading corporations including Arup, Airbus and the Port of Dover. These industrial applications range from Frazer Nash demonstrating the potential of quantum computers to optimise the UK energy grid to meet demand for electricity, to Tees-Valley-based SeerBI building a quantum machine learning model to predict shipments that were at risk of late arrival. Rolls-Royce aims to build small, autonomous nuclear reactors that could operate safely in remote mining colonies, the moon and on Mars. During the programme, the company used data from the Fukushima nuclear event to investigate the feasibility of a quantum machine learning model to quickly identify potentially hazardous situations; enabling the reactor to operate safely and be shut down if necessary, with minimum human involvement. Delivered in partnership with Riverlane and ORCA Computing, QTAP provides participating companies with access to the ORCA PT-1 quantum photonic computer, a team of quantum experts and ongoing technical support, establishing a first-of-its-kind commercially neutral ecosystem for businesses interested in quantum technology. Paving the way for ongoing industrial collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the participating companies, Digital Catapult’s programme exemplifies the value of a community committed to exploring industrial applications of quantum, as the technology evolves. Digital Catapult and partners supported triaging and framing relevant use cases, delivering education and training on theoretical and practical aspects of quantum computing and providing ongoing technological assistance, as well as enabling opportunities for knowledge sharing between participants. This has increased the quantum readiness of leading UK companies and SMEs, such as Oxford Sigma, Neptune New Space and UKAEA, empowering them to embrace quantum technology, as new use cases emerge and capabilities increase. The programme has three streams: two on optimisation and quantum machine learning with ORCA Computing, involving simulating and running small-scale industrial challenges on the ORCA PT-1 quantum computer. The fault-tolerant stream, delivered with Riverlane, investigates the Quantum Singular Value Transformation, an algorithm that will run on the large, fault-tolerant quantum computers available in the future. During a demonstration day, participating companies including DNV Services UK Ltd, and Bahut tested their challenge on the ORCA PT-1 quantum computer, as part of the optimisation stream. The quantum computer successfully solved industrial problems, demonstrating the potential to solve more complex and sophisticated challenges in the future. Director of Innovation Practice at Digital Catapult, Katy Ho said: “The remarkable success achieved on QTAP underscores the increasing interest in quantum computing within industry. From its inception to the showcase, participating companies have consistently shown commitment to enhancing their understanding of quantum technology. At Digital Catapult, our mission is to demonstrate the value of embracing quantum-enabled solutions, and this programme will undoubtedly sharpen participating companies’ competitive edge, as quantum computers evolve and present substantial commercial opportunity.” Richard Murray, PhD, Co-founder, and CEO of ORCA Computing comments: “The results of the QTAP programme have been impressive. Participating companies have showcased exceptional dedication and commitment to exploring use cases that not only enable them to explore the potential of quantum computing technology for their businesses but also help drive progress in key sectors. For ORCA, partnering with Digital Catapult, industry experts and leading UK companies in the programme has enabled us to understand how near-term quantum devices can enhance a wide range of business use cases across different industries.” Jonathon Adams, Assistant Chief Engineer at Rolls-Royce said: “The Novel Nuclear team at Rolls-Royce is very future focussed, seeking to develop revolutionary new technologies and explore energy efficient applications for nuclear power on Earth and in Space. Quantum technologies, including quantum computing, will be an enabler for this over the next 15 years. It’s important that we develop an understanding of how and when we can adopt this technology. “The Digital Catapult Quantum Technology Access Programme has been a timely boost to this effort, and I’m delighted that Chris completed the programme, including using an actual quantum computer for a machine learning test case relevant to the nuclear industry.”Owain Brennan, CEO of SeerBI said: “The QTAP programme has proved invaluable for our team so far, we have been able to pick up new skills and interact with technology which at the start of the programme we didn’t even know existed. Applying this technology to our problem area of logistics and on time delivery classification using quantum binary classification opened our eyes to a different way of looking at problems, we would like to give out thanks to the digital catapult team for their support and Orca Computing for access to their systems and SDK throughout the programme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
