Sporting arenas are interesting places from an architect’s point of view. You have to build something which is capable of holding thousands of people and catering to any needs they must have. On top of this, many sporting arenas around the world have their own little quirks about their construction
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has officially opened Glenrothes’ new district heating network. Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget. The new network, constructed in
An ambitious project aims to draw up a digital map of all UK underground pipes and cables to end strikes and save workers lives. To achieve that, the government’s Geospatial Commission plans to collate existing data on underground pipes and cables to create an Underground Assets Register. The feasibility of
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Scottish Government’s independent centre of infrastructure expertise, has published its latest five-year corporate plan outlining how it will prioritise its work towards a vision of world-class infrastructure for the people of Scotland. Recognising that high-quality infrastructure underpins inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities and the effective
The Environment Agency has announced a set of new supplier arrangements and partnerships which will increase efficiency, value for money and the green legacy of its £2.6 billion capital investment programme. The programme aims to better protect 300,000 homes from coastal erosion and flooding up to 2021 and beyond. Effective
Work to resurface a major link road in Sheffield has been started by construction firm Amey, part of the highway resurfacing programme which is being rolled out by Streets Ahead. Work to prepare and resurface Europa Drive and Europa Link has now started and will continue, during night-time hours, for
A new form of cleaner and cheaper temporary power, utilising the latest gas microturbine technology from California, is being launched by SSE Enterprise and Pure World Energy. The semi-permanent power solution will help developers cut costs and emissions – thanks to its modular gas micro-turbine technology capable of providing onsite
Hull’s £200 million Energy Works has appointed global engineering firm Black & Veatch as the new principal contractor, after M+W Group had its contract terminated due to concerns over significant delays in the build. Once completed, the site will generate enough electricity to power more than 40,000 homes. It also hopes
After secuting a place on the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework for Defence services, Amey is set to bid for the next round of UK Defence contracts. The firm is one of one of six shortlisted FM providers who will compete for the Future Infrastructure Defence Services (FDIS). The lots
Energy management specialist TEAM has strengthened its software portfolio with the launch of its next generation Sigma Tenant Billing solution. The application enables organisations to accurately and efficiently apportion utility costs between tenants, cost centres or departments delivering transparent accountable billing. The flexible and reliable solution seamlessly integrates with existing
Sporting arenas are interesting places from an architect’s point of view. You have to build something which is capable of holding thousands of people and catering to any needs they must have. On top of this, many sporting arenas around the world have their own little quirks about their construction so here are some of our favourites. La Bombonera Boca Juniors are one of the most popular football teams in Argentina. They are loved by many and their matches always receive a flurry of support and bets from people wanting them to do well, so how about you try your luck at NetBet sport to score a big wager on their next important match. While three sides have the usual tiered seating we see in stadiums all over the world, the fourth side has what is referred to as the “flat” stand. Instead of pushing back, the three tiers of the flat stand are vertical and it can often give the impression that Boca fans are going to dive forward onto the pitch. Victoria Park The Highland home of the football team Ross County might seem ordinary enough to a passer-by or even a football fanatic, however, when you compare its seating capacity to the nearby town of Dingwall, something crops up which is quite amusing. Victoria Park draws crowds of supporters in from all over Ross-shire and so the stadium can support over 6500 fans. Meanwhile, Dingwall has a population of 5491, according to the 2011 census. It’s amusing to think that an entire town can comfortably fit inside the seats of its football stadium and still have plenty of room. The Water Cube Head to the Olympic Park in Beijing and you will be confronted by the Beijing National Aquatics Center, or as it is colloquially known, the Water Cube. The design of this interesting building was chosen from an international competition and, as the name suggests, it resembles a cube of water. The unique pattern to the walls and ceiling makes for a very interesting viewing, whether you are inside the building or out. In addition to its use for the water events in the 2008 Summer Olympics, it will host the curling events of the 2022 Winter Games. The Taiwan National Stadium If you head to the national stadium of Taiwan, you will be confronted by a blue-grey structure half-curving around the stadium itself. This is supposed to resemble a dragon and is the brainchild of architect Toyo Ito. The blue-grey structure is actually thousands of solar panels and they provide 100% of the stadium’s energy in addition to being hooked up to the country’s national grid. Therefore, they can seep off any extra energy for locals to use whenever there is not a match playing. Most people are too focused on what is happening during the games to pay attention to the building they are in, however, this can result in you missing out on some fantastic quirks the architects have put in. Head down to your local sporting arena today and see what you can find out about it. It might be small but there will be something there.
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has officially opened Glenrothes’ new district heating network. Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget. The new network, constructed in central Glenrothes, provides low carbon heating to Fife House complex, Rothes Halls and the sheltered housing complex at Jubilee Grove by using the steam from the RWE biomass CHP plant at Markinch. Scotland’s Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “I am delighted to officially open the Glenrothes Energy Network today. This ambitious project, which has received £8.6 million support from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, is already providing reliable low carbon heat to a number of buildings and has potential for expansion in the future. “I would like to congratulate both Fife Council and RWE on the way in which they have worked in partnership and their success in constructing the new energy centre and network within the town centre which will make a valuable contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and our renewable heat targets.” Vital Energi’s Operations Manager, Scott Lutton explained, “We have been delighted to support Fife Council and RWE in their ambition to provide lower-carbon heat to this local community. The Energy Centre and Heat Network have been constructed through diligent planning and collaboration which has under pinned the success of the project. This is a significant addition to Scotland’s low-carbon energy infrastructure as it continues to prove itself as a leader in renewable energy generation. Cllr Ross Vettraino, Fife Council’s spokesperson for the environment said: “Fife continues leading the way in tackling climate change. Bringing this district heating scheme to Glenrothes helps Fife Council reach its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020. The scheme demonstrates how to tackle the Government’s long-term climate change targets at a local level and helps build confidence in modern, low carbon heat technology.” Along with the three partners, several organisations have provided invaluable support delivering Glenrothes Energy Network: WSP – design and specification Scottish Futures Trust – project assurance and expert advice Brodies – specialist legal advice Balfour Beatty – main network contractor Vital Energi – district heating installation and energy centre contractor. Cllr Vettraino concluded: “This project is an exemplar of partnership working and what it can achieve. Thanks go to everyone involved in bringing this stage of the network to successful completion.” Steve Glover, Director of Hard Coal & Gas Power Plant UK, RWE Generation: “RWE is proud to be part of this innovative partnership; the Energy Centre is one of the quickest built projects of its kind in the UK and represents a significant investment in our Fife operation. This scheme offers the opportunity to provide affordable heat and lower carbon emissions and RWE are delighted to be part of its success.” The official opening marks the completion of the core network construction. Work is currently underway looking at connecting local businesses. The network is ready for the future with the potential to connect more domestic customers when additional funding is sourced. For more information on the project please go to www.glenrothesenergynetwork.co.uk
An ambitious project aims to draw up a digital map of all UK underground pipes and cables to end strikes and save workers lives. To achieve that, the government’s Geospatial Commission plans to collate existing data on underground pipes and cables to create an Underground Assets Register. The feasibility of the project is being tested in London and Sunderland. “The creation of an underground map of utility assets has long been an ambition of Ordnance Survey. And over the last year we have been working closely with Northumbrian Water and a consortia of utility companies and local authorities in the North East of England, to explore how accurate geospatial data can improve underground infrastructure maintenance and inform new-build development projects,” said David Henderson, the managing director of Ordnance Survey Great Britain. “The investment being made by the Geospatial Commission will ultimately enable the utility industry to more efficiently access, use and share data describing otherwise hidden infrastructure, thereby reducing operational costs, minimising disruption and accelerating completion of site works,” he added. One of the biggest issues is that currently there is no comprehensive underground map of the UK’s service network. Organisations have their own maps showing where gas pipes and electricity cables are, but the lack of a combined map creates an increased risk of potentially lethal accidents. Once the project is in place, workers will be able to see all teh right details on mobile phones or laptop computers before they start a dig. It would be wise to gain knowledge in maps with the Chad Kimball course “Working alongside local authorities, other utility services and partners has meant that we are off to a good start in mapping Sunderland’s underground. We are looking forward to working with government and others to showcase the powers of data sharing for public good,” said Heidi Mottram, CEO of Northumbrian Water. It is estimated that the cost of disruption from accidental strikes on underground pipes and cables is £1.2bn a year to the UK’s economy.
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Scottish Government’s independent centre of infrastructure expertise, has published its latest five-year corporate plan outlining how it will prioritise its work towards a vision of world-class infrastructure for the people of Scotland. Recognising that high-quality infrastructure underpins inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities and the effective provision of public services, Scottish Government has set a National Infrastructure Mission to increase infrastructure investment by up to £1.5bn per annum over its £5.2bn 2019-20 baseline, so that it reaches £6.7bn in 2025-26. SFT has a unique role across the whole of Scotland, working with the public and private sectors, to: Plan asset investment and management effectively across sectors and places Innovate in approaches to funding, financing and delivery Deliver projects and programmes to drive life-cycle value and vibrant construction and related industries Manage existing assets, estates and contracts productively SFT’s Corporate Plan sets out the outcomes it will work with partners to deliver, with a particular focus on: Enabling development in places where jobs can be created and homes built – bringing public and private sector partners together with a focus on infrastructure and innovative financing to unlock the potential of places and assets; and Delivering investment programmes in public infrastructure effectively – especially programmes which span multiple organisations such as schools’ investment and elements of the National Infrastructure Mission which need new financing approaches to be delivered. In supporting the National Infrastructure Mission to enable the low-carbon, digitally enabled economy of tomorrow, SFT sees an increased focus on: Low-carbon infrastructure where we are working to deliver better insulated buildings, de-carbonise heat and provide options to increase electric vehicle charging points Digital infrastructure where we are working on 5G technologies as well as rolling out masts to further increase 4G coverage in mobile ‘not-spots’ Infrastructure technology with 3D computer modelling, virtual reality and laser scanning all amongst the new infrastructure technologies we are promoting to virtually build a new school or hospital to help flush out any design flaws before moving the building into the construction phase Maintenance and resilience where a renewed focus on making the best use of the assets we have through effective and joined-up use of buildings and focussed investment in condition can benefit users, the environment and free up budget over the medium term to invest in transformation Much of SFT’s infrastructure work is delivered in partnership with the Scottish construction industry. Recognising its importance to the economy SFT will seek to ensure a vibrant construction industry with increased productivity delivering well-designed and high-quality assets to its customers and fair and rewarding work to a diverse workforce. Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, explained: “Delivering high-quality, well-functioning infrastructure to support and accelerate economic growth will achieve social and environmental benefits right across Scotland. Building the economy is our focus, and we will continue to provide innovative investment models to stimulate additional private sector investment and create jobs. “The target to phase out the need to buy petrol or diesel vehicles in Scotland in little over ten years’ time will require a big expansion of charging points and we are working with colleagues from Transport Scotland to plan for that now. “In addition, the economic impact of Scotland becoming a world-leading digital nation is huge as it could boost GDP by around 10%. But to reap that reward, all of Scotland must be at the forefront of technology. We are delivering the 4G mobile mast infill programme to cover many rural mobile not-spots and working on Scotland’s 5G strategy which will be piloted at Dundee’s waterfront area.” Infrastructure Secretary, Michael Matheson, said: “The Scottish Government’s £5 billion commitment to infrastructure investment in 2019-20 will support 50,000 affordable new homes, delivery of the extension of early learning and childcare, new roads and railways, electric vehicles and delivery of superfast broadband across Scotland. “As part of this, our pipeline report, published last week, shows Scottish Government procured projects, with a value of almost £3.1 billion, are estimated to be in construction across Scotland during 2019-20. “Building on this success, SFT will support the delivery of our National Infrastructure Mission, which will increase annual infrastructure investment by 1% of current (2017) GDP by the end of the next Parliament, helping to protect and create jobs, and boost growth across the country.”
The Environment Agency has announced a set of new supplier arrangements and partnerships which will increase efficiency, value for money and the green legacy of its £2.6 billion capital investment programme. The programme aims to better protect 300,000 homes from coastal erosion and flooding up to 2021 and beyond. Effective from April 2019, the Environment Agency’s Next Generation Supplier Arrangements (NGSA) will form the basis of new ways of working which will help better protect people and the environment whilst ensuring that sustainable development is at the core of Environment Agency projects. The new NGSA arrangements have been developed using the EA’s long experience in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management sector as well as learning from other leading public and private infrastructure providers. The new arrangements promote innovative ways of collaborative working with delivery partners and local communities from the initial planning stages of a project right through to its completion. The new supplier arrangements will also lead to longer term team working and new ways of engaging with local organisations and communities. This closer working will ensure that homes, communities and businesses are receiving the best possible flood and coastal management for the challenges facing their area. At the same time flood and coastal defence projects will promote economic growth, social wellbeing and will seek to enhance levels of natural capital within the local community, making sure that each scheme brings long-lasting benefits for future generations. Toby Willison, Executive Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: “This ambitious new framework will help us to continue to deliver our £2.6 billion flood and coastal defence programme in a way which ensures that sustainability, efficiency and value for money remain at the very heart of the work we do to protect people, homes and the environment.” “The Environment Agency continues to work closely with partners and communities from across the country to deliver our commitment of investing £2.6 billion to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion over six years.” The new arrangements are also a major step forwards for delivering low carbon solutions for projects which will help the EA work towards the Government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The NGSA arrangements run through to 2023 with the opportunity to extend to 2027. The definitive list of new suppliers can be found below.
Work to resurface a major link road in Sheffield has been started by construction firm Amey, part of the highway resurfacing programme which is being rolled out by Streets Ahead. Work to prepare and resurface Europa Drive and Europa Link has now started and will continue, during night-time hours, for the next six weeks. As well as being home to several businesses, Europe Link is a busy connecting route stretching from the Sheffield Parkway, close to the AMRC site, over to Shepcote Lane, Darnall. In recent weeks, Amey have worked closely with affected businesses to communicate their plans in advance, in hope of minimising disruption and enabling local workers to be fully prepared. “It’s been really beneficial to work with affected businesses ahead of works starting on this busy route. A number of them have agreed to close early or even close for the day to allow us to complete the resurfacing with minimal disruption, and we are really thankful for their co-operation,” said Andrew Staniforth, Assembly Steward for Amey. “Our works will start on Europa Drive, and then proceed onto Europa Link, from Wood Lane roundabout towards Shepcote Lane, over the next six weeks. Due to the sheer volume of traffic and the different needs of the businesses based there, including two large-scale distribution companies, we will be working on Sundays and overnight to complete the work,” Andrew added. The 4km route will be prepared first and then surfaced between now and early May. Some road closures will be in place during that period, and there are already diversion signs in place where the work has started.
A new form of cleaner and cheaper temporary power, utilising the latest gas microturbine technology from California, is being launched by SSE Enterprise and Pure World Energy. The semi-permanent power solution will help developers cut costs and emissions – thanks to its modular gas micro-turbine technology capable of providing onsite temporary or medium-term power that is ultra-low in NOx (Nitrogen oxides) and Sox (Sulphur oxides) emissions – especially compared with diesel generation. The technology comes from US company Capstone, which is a leading manufacturer of clean micro turbine systems which has deployed over 9,000 such units globally. Capstone’s microturbines have been developed to pass strict California emissions levels, and have already provided power in varied locations such as remote oil fields and mines. There is currently a great deal of government focus in the UK and Ireland on tackling air pollution in cities, London is leading the way by introducing an Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from April 8th. Capstone microturbines are ideally positioned to meet the new emissions thresholds. Likewise, these intermediate power solutions will also help in cities where the Grid is ‘constrained’ ie where the electricity transmission system is unable to transmit power to the location of demand due to congestion at one or more parts of the transmission network. In Dublin for example, the current high levels of development and consequent demand for power is putting pressure on the Grid, causing potential delays to projects in the city. Neil Kirkby, Managing Director of SSE Enterprise, said the units would offer “total flexibility” to the user, in terms of modular load matching and financial proposition for power requirements from 30kVa to 30MVa. He said: “We believe that the ability of our product to reduce emissions from generation is potentially game-changing. Until now construction companies, developers and manufacturers have had to rely on diesel generation to meet their onsite needs. New tough emissions targets make this hard for developers, who still need to meet demand for their temporary generation. “Demand for new city infrastructure has never been greater. But constrained power networks are now effectively becoming a barrier to development, not least because it can take two years for a Grid connection to be delivered. This means potentially large energy users can’t access readily the energy they require to meet demand. “We’re looking to solve both these issues by providing a cleaner source of electricity from temporary generation tailored to meet the demands of the customer and the regulator. This is a new application of containerised micro-turbine gas technology in the UK that is already proven across the globe.” Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of Pure World Energy (PWE), added: “PWE is delighted to partner with SSE to launch our semi-permanent power solution. Our Capstone micro turbine technology offers a clean, efficient and effective model for medium-term electricity supply. We are offering a hybrid ESCo model that will give customers cost certainty and greater reliability. “Given the amount of focus we are seeing in the UK & Ireland on reducing pollution in our cities we think this is a very timely market intervention. We hope that many businesses will be able to benefit from these units – especially when they face constrained grid issues.” The new service will also transform how customers pay for their temporary generation. Traditionally, customers pay for the cost hire of the plant, fuel and other services but now they will simply pay for the energy they consume at an agreed price for a set period. The units can run off other types of all fuels and will run effectively off a mains gas line or tanked source. Four Key Benefits of the new microturbines are: Cleaner – It beats traditional onsite diesel generation on emissions, noise and space Cheaper – It’s up to 20% cheaper than the equivalent cost of diesel generation Simpler – Customers only pay for the energy they consume, and no back-up generation is required More flexible – The modular configuration of the microturbines means they can be scaled up or down to match demand, making the technology suitable for multiple industries
Hull’s £200 million Energy Works has appointed global engineering firm Black & Veatch as the new principal contractor, after M+W Group had its contract terminated due to concerns over significant delays in the build. Once completed, the site will generate enough electricity to power more than 40,000 homes. It also hopes to reduce the amount of waste heading to landfill by almost 250,000 tonnes. “Black & Veatch are pleased to be supporting Bioenergy Infrastructure Group to oversee the final stages of commissioning of the Energy Works Hull (EWH) project,” said Peter Hughes, director of business development at Black & Veatch Europe. The drastic decision to terminate the contract of M+W Group was taken in March by shareholders at Energy Works, which includes firm Bioenergy Infrastructure Group (BIG). Energy Works bosses said at the time the move “guaranteed the future of the plant,” amid uncertainty over when it will open its doors. The announcement came after months of delays at the site. Last December, it was confirmed the opening of Energy Works had once again been pushed back , with spring 2019 announced as the target. “Black & Veatch has demonstrated both technical capability and organisational commitment to the renewable energy industry, including as a lead contractor at our Ince Bio Power project in Cheshire,” said Hamish McPherson, CEO at Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, of the new appointment. “We are delighted to have brought them on board in Hull. This represents very good news not only for this facility but for the city of Hull. We have regenerated a brownfield site, will be enabling other local businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, and will be providing clean energy to the local grid,” Hamish added. Over 500 people were employed during the construction phase of Energy Works, and a further 25 jobs will follow in the operational phase. More jobs are being supported in the supply chain. BIG recently announced that Ince Bio Power, its facility near Ellesmere Port in Cheshire which uses similar technology to Energy Works, is fully operational. Ince Bio Power is currently the largest facility of its kind in the UK but will be overtaken by Energy Works once the Hull plant is fully operational.
After secuting a place on the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework for Defence services, Amey is set to bid for the next round of UK Defence contracts. The firm is one of one of six shortlisted FM providers who will compete for the Future Infrastructure Defence Services (FDIS). The lots Amey has been shortlisted for are: • Two housing contracts which will include provision of the full range of occupancy management services including allocation and occupation of MOD housing in the UK and Northern Ireland along with housing maintenance services. • The Defence Facilities Management contract which will provide hard facilities management services to ensure a fit-for-purpose MOD Estate and includes barracks, airfields and other defence facilities in the UK and Northern Ireland. “Securing a place on the CCS Framework has provided us with a great opportunity to build on our existing relationships in the Defence sector. Amey is pleased to focus on the defence sector and our efforts to improve the service we provide to the UK’s Armed Forces and their families. We will now draw on our experience to deliver the key elements of the required framework scope and support our business strategy of becoming the MOD’s most trusted partner,” said Amey’s Chief Executive, Andy Milner. The company will now compete in a series of ‘call-off’ contract competitions with each ‘call-off’ contract being seven years in length with options to extend up to a further three years, subject to satisfactory performance and other considerations.
Energy management specialist TEAM has strengthened its software portfolio with the launch of its next generation Sigma Tenant Billing solution. The application enables organisations to accurately and efficiently apportion utility costs between tenants, cost centres or departments delivering transparent accountable billing. The flexible and reliable solution seamlessly integrates with existing energy management systems, delivering effective measurement and sophisticated bill calculation. Users have the added advantage of integrating the data into their accounting system through the Accounts Link interface, speeding-up the billing process. To ensure the software suits the specific needs of its users to deliver on their efficiency targets and economise the tenant billing process, TEAM worked in partnership with its customers on the design and functionality. Tom Anderton, Product and Service Development Manager, TEAM said: ”Tenant billing is the natural next step on the journey to ensuring we can meet the evolving needs of organisations across a wide range of industries. By working closely with our customers, we understand the unique challenges that can come with tenant billing. “This collaboration has led to the inclusion of enhanced functionality to address these issues, such as flexible charging methodologies, allowing users to define their own utility tariffs and use data from a variety of sources. As well as the ability to charge against multiple commodities and calorific value conversion, which ensures greater transparency when billing volumetric consumption.” Developed as part of its flagship energy management software, Sigma, users can manage, monitor and gain insights into their tenant’s energy consumption through one system. By tackling two energy management needs in one, the application offers more functionality than proprietary systems. The approach aligns with the organisation’s first-class ethos, to deliver solutions and services that exceed in addressing the challenges of modern energy management. In adopting Sigma Tenant Billing, customers will receive a dedicated deployment designed to meet their specific requirements, along with continued on-going support. Simon Miles, Chief Executive Officer, TEAM added: “At a time when organisations are feeling the pressures of economic and political uncertainty, we want to help businesses in using technology to support sustainable and efficient operations. “With Sigma Tenant Billing, businesses will see operational benefits and cash savings from day one, and with the built-in option to scale-up as the business grows, customers can expect to achieve added return on their investment.” The launch of Sigma Tenant Billing marks another milestone achievement in TEAM’s product and service roadmap, demonstrating its commitment to delivering innovative and robust solutions that meet the evolving needs of the energy industry. If you have any questions relating to Sigma Tenant Billing please get in touch on 01908 889 866 or email us on enquiries@teamenergy.com.
