Following the creation of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, an industry expert is highlighting the need for increased supply of energy-efficient equipment to help lower emissions and ensure cost-effectiveness. The cabinet reshuffle, which saw Grant Shapps appointed as the UK’s first Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, indicates that the construction sector must be prepared for new developments in the UK’s wider industrial energy strategy. This news follows the recent publication of the Net Zero Review from former energy minister Chris Skidmore, which claims frequent shortages in both labour and skills means the UK is missing some net zero opportunities. With the report underlining the need for supply chains to “grow significantly to meet demand over the coming years” and change expected with Schapps’ appointment, Ian Ross, European Building Services & Construction Leader at temporary power and temperature control specialist, Aggreko, is highlighting the role of suppliers in easing the pressures of transitioning towards low-carbon construction.  “As noted in the Net Zero report, construction projects are competing for limited labour and materials, which are creating supply chain bottlenecks and placing undue pressure on the sector. To minimise these difficulties while mitigating the impact of rising costs, the sectors supply chain must be bolstered with further energy-efficient equipment provisions,” said Ian.  To improve accessibility to new technologies across the sector, Aggreko has invested £150 million in its Greener Upgrades fleet – including boilers, Stage V generators, batteries, chillers, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The report also suggests the UK faces a “huge challenge” to meet the skill requirements needed to transition to net zero. Aggreko is therefore highlighting the need for suppliers to provide expert support for the implementation of greener solutions on-site. Ian told us: “Given the industry’s well-documented skills shortage, collaboration with partners to ensure equipment measures align with businesses’ long-term ambitions while tackling the immediate energy struggles, is becoming increasingly important. To support the adoption of greener practices, suppliers should therefore work to provide cost-effective solutions engineered to the individual complexities and needs of each project. “Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades initiative sets out to support the construction workforce navigate their journey to net zero reducing emissions whilst also recognising the cost benefits that can be achieved. Incorporating the right technology is key, but it’s also fundamental to monitor performance and with supplier support  determine if and where improvements can be made. For instance, adding a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) or rightsizing generators can reduce operational costs and carbon emissions significantly. We have seen first-hand the impressive carbon and cost savings our customers have gained through switching to a Greener Upgrade solution and are confident these insights coupled with expert advice and proactive support will ensure construction professionals are well-placed to seize the opportunities of net zero.” For more information on Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades initiative, visit: https://www.aggreko.com/en-gb/sectors-and-services/greener-upgrades Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Following the announcement of its One Europe strategy late last year, global provider of modular power, temperature control and energy solutions, Aggreko, has confirmed a £150m investment into its European fleet this year. The majority of this investment is centred on the business’ ongoing Greener Upgrades portfolio, comprising of new boilers, Stage V generators, batteries and chillers. Greener Upgrades is Aggreko’s commitment to helping companies choose the most efficient and sustainable solutions to meet their net zero ambitions. It is a portfolio of newer technologies and solutions which lower carbon emissions, NOx and deliver fuel savings. The new fleet is available from Aggreko’s depots across Europe and strategically placed to address local challenges and support flexibility of supply chains. Regions include Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Aggreko partners, consults, and delivers for different industries across the world, including data centres, manufacturing, petrochemical and construction. According to its sector experts, most of these energy decision makers are increasingly conflicted by balancing planet with profitability. As such, Greener Upgrades is designed to simplify the decision making process so businesses can make small switches that make a big difference. This could be displacing a 200 kVA generator for a smaller one with a battery, to much larger decentralised energy projects using load on demand configuration to improve efficiency. Aine Finlayson, Director of Product Management and Manufacturing, comments: “Greener Upgrades has been a real step-change for our customers and business in the UK, but there is still so much more to achieve together. The nature of our inbound enquiries has seen a fundamental shift lately, with more people wanting to now minimise risk, save on running costs and meet sustainability goals all at the same time. Our business model is structured to confidently respond to these challenges, but most importantly while keeping things simple for energy decision makers in a time of extreme complexity.” For more information, CLICK HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Utilising their 250 Tonne girder bridge, Collett & Sons Ltd deliver two 215 Tonne super grid transformers from GE Stafford to Leylodge, Kintore. Located at GE’s Stafford engineering facility, the two 5 metre high, 215 Tonne transformers measured 8 metres long by 4 metres wide and required a transport solution to Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Delivering each of the transformers on separate occasions, Collett mobilised their 250 Tonne capacity Goldhofer girder bridge in modular form, arriving in Stafford to configure the trailer and load the first of the cargoes.  Once loaded, the transformer and girder bridge combination featured a 65.8 metre overall length, with a rigid length of 41.6 metres.  This required extensive surveying and route planning ahead of the first leg of the project, transporting the cargo from Stafford to Ellesmere Port. Having undertaken route access surveys, visual route inspections and numerous swept path analysis reports, the Collett Team identified several modifications and traffic management procedures to allow the cargo to safely navigate the route from the point of origin to the port.  This included extensive street furniture removal (including electrical elements), tree trimming, parking restrictions and designated hold points to allow the continual flow of traffic.  With all this in place the Collett Team began the project.  Departing from the Stafford facility, Collett travelled 70 miles over two days, with a total of 11 hours travelling time.  Undertaking contraflow manoeuvres at several highlighted pinch points along the way, the Collett Team travelled from Stafford, via Stoke-on-Trent and Congleton, before heading west towards Chester and final onward arrival at Ellesmere Port. At the port Collett were welcomed by an awaiting Leibherr LG1550 mobile crane.  Here, working under CPA Contract Lift Conditions, the Collett Heavy Lift Team unloaded the 215 Tonne super grid transformer from the girder bridge.  Having undertaken all ship’s chartering operations, the transformer was loaded directly to a coaster vessel for onward shipment to the Port of Aberdeen.  With the cargo safely lashed and secured on board the vessel, the coaster set sail for Aberdeen whilst Collett dismantled the girder bridge trailer.  Then, travelling once again in modular form, the Collett Team transported the trailer via road to greet the incoming vessel and transformer at the Port of Aberdeen. Arriving three days later in Scotland, the 215 Tonne transformer was discharged from the vessel by a 600 Tonne strut crane directly to the girder bridge trailer for the final leg of the journey.  With the final 14 miles having also been extensively surveyed in the planning stages of the project, all street furniture and route modifications had already been completed.  This also included the relocation of a post box and the widening of site access roads to allow the 4.2 metre loaded combination to access the site.  With all this in place, the 65m long loaded girder bridge arrived on site at the 400kV substation extension site at Leylodge, Kintore. Once unloaded on site, and having undertaken detailed ground bearing and pressure calculations, the Collett Team began jacking and skidding operations to position the cargo.  Utilising their specialist hydraulic equipment, Collett were able to jack and skid the super grid transformer, accurately monitoring force and pressure during the operation, including forces on the jacks, on each skid shoe and maximum ground pressures throughout. All this combined allowed Collett to safely and successfully deliver the first of the two 215 Tonne super grid transformers, returning to GE Stafford’s facility in the coming weeks to begin the operation to deliver the second.  Following the same procedure, the Collett Team loaded, transported, shipped and positioned the second of the transformers, completing the Kintore substation extension project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Doosan Bobcat will be showing the company’s new E19e two-tonne electric mini-excavator for the first time in the UK on Stand I40 at the Executive Hire Show (EHS) from 8-9 February 2023 at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry. Alongside the E19e, the company will also be presenting the popular 7/45 portable compressor from sister company, Doosan Portable Power.   The EHS is firmly established as the only annual national event aimed at tool, equipment and plant hirers and the suppliers serving this dynamic industry. The EHS enables hire professionals to not only see key suppliers they already do business with, in one place, but also to get in front of new companies from around the world who are looking to serve this important market. Clean and Quiet Operations Building on the success of Bobcat’s smaller E10e, the world’s first 1 tonne electric mini-excavator, the E19e adds to Bobcat’s expanding range of electrically powered machines. As a true pioneer in the field of battery-powered equipment, Bobcat is driving an industry-wide shift towards electric excavators and other construction equipment such as the company’s unique T7X model, the world’s first electric compact track loader. The Bobcat E19e features the same profile, external dimensions and comparable performance as the popular E19 mini-excavator, more than 10,000 of which have been sold worldwide. The E19e boasts the same stability, lift capacity and breakout forces as its conventional counterpart, while its constant torque curve (a feature of electric motors) ensures dependable and powerful operations. With a width of just 98 cm, the new electric model is easy to operate in even the most confined workspaces, making it ideal for tasks such as demolition as well as outside applications that require quiet, zero-emission operations. The E19e features a 3.5-hour battery capacity and can be recharged quickly using a super-fast charger. This means that by topping up the power during work breaks, the machine can be used all day for the majority of typical applications. Thanks to the model’s ergonomic design, its battery capacity and service codes are clearly displayed, making planning simple. The E19e is also immensely versatile, with a wide array of compatible attachments available. Bobcat’s hydraulic clamp attachment, for example, is unique in the market for this size category. Doosan 7/45 Stage V Compressor Continues Success in the Market Designed with a focus on simplicity, durability, reliability and transportability, the 7/45 Stage V portable compressor provides 4.0 m³/min (140 cfm) of compressed air at 7 bar nominal pressure. Like all Doosan portable compressors, there is a wide range of options and customizations available for the 7/45 to meet customer needs. The 7/45 Stage V compressor on the EHS stand will feature a Tough Top (polymer) canopy, which is a standard feature on all the latest small compressors from Doosan Portable Power. This easy-to-open canopy creates a fantastic line with the polymer mudguards and bumpers. Integrated LED lights are also offered as standard for all the machines as well as environmentally important bunded bases. The long-standing metal canopy versions are still available to customers as an option. There are three more 7 bar Stage V compressor models in the small compressor range including the 7/20, 7/25 and 7/55, with outputs of 2.0, 2.5 and 5.0 m³/min (70, 90 and 180 cfm), respectively. The small compressor range is completed by the 14/35 higher pressure model providing 3.0 m³/min (105 cfm) of compressed air at 13.8 bar. The E19e and E10e are part of a comprehensive selection of mini-excavators from Bobcat covering models from 0.8 to 8.5 tonne, alongside a full line-up of skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders, telehandlers, compact wheel and small articulated loaders and attachments. Also aimed at the tool and plant hire industry and the markets it serves, Doosan Portable Power offers a comprehensive range of portable compressors, generators and lighting products for the construction and rental industry. For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com For more information about Doosan Portable Power products, visit the website: www.doosanportablepower.eu Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Akela Construction has been appointed by Dawn Homes to lead a diverse package of works for the new Quarriers Gate development at Bellshill. Following approval last year, the 3.1-hectare site, sitting on land formerly occupied by Bellshill Athletic Club, will be transformed to create 74 new two-storey detached, semi-detached and terraced homes off Hattonrigg Road. “This is an extensive package of work and will allow us to showcase our skill and experience in delivering a wide range of ground engineering works. Quarriers Gate is an exciting, yet complex development at Bellshill and one which presents us with a great opportunity to put our expertise into practice. We’re committed to delivering the very best service for our clients and we’re looking forward to working with our colleagues at Dawn Homes once again when our team arrives on site in March,” said Paul Winters Operations Director of Akela Construction. With a combined value of £4.2m, Akela will deliver full development earthworks, including creation of a SuDs pond and sewers, including a diversion to a large combined sewer around the boundary of the site parallel to Hattonrigg road, floor slabs and plotwork. “We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Akela Construction as we shortly begin work to transform this previously neglected site into a vibrant community with much needed modern, energy-efficient housing and will provide lasting benefits to the local area for years to come,” added Dawn Homes Managing Director, Martin Egan. Akela will also deliver the road and footpath network, driveways, and street lighting. Work is due to begin onsite towards the end of March. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals