Major public realm improvements and upgrades around Prescot train station are due to commence, along with walking and cycling routes to the £26 million Shakespeare North theatre. The 350-seat, 30,000 sq ft Jacobean court-style theatre also includes a study centre, education, and exhibition space. Knowsley Council is set to formally
A number of multi-million pound contracts has been awarded by Network Rail in Scotland and the North East. Totaling £467 million, the contracts were handed over under two Control Period 6 frameworks. Valued at £320 million, the most significant contract for a renewals and enhancements framework went to BAM Nuttall.
A vacant land at South Humber Bank Power Station will see the arrival of a new multi-million pound energy centre. Set to create around 50 new jobs, the £300 million facility would generate 49.9MW of electrical power, which is the equivalent to supporting around 500,000 homes. The planning application for
A £2 million funding boost has been offered to a number of energy projects in the South West. Bristol City, Devon and Plymouth Councils secured a grant from the European Investment Bank and the European Commission to fund new energy efficiency, renewable, sustainable transport and heat networks projects across the region
Building professionals understand that there are many steps to ensuring that the power system in a construction runs properly– but what are the essential power requirements to remember for large projects? These three tips will highlight the key areas to aim for when incorporating secure power sources and appliances into
A 12-month contract has been agreed between Siemens Gamesa and the ABP Port in Hull to store 37 wind turbine blades destined for the world’s largest offshore windfarm, the Hornsea One Project. A six-acre area located at the Port of Hull’s Eastern Access, on King George Dock, is now being
As part of Yorkshire Water’s “big goal” for the environment, more than 14,000 trees were planted at Ogden Water last month, aiming to create new “green infrastructure”. One million trees will be planted in total on land owned by Yorkshire Water and leased by the Woodland Trust to enhance the
The £250m Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of The UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first of its kind large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network which will be delivered by Vital Energi. The
As the world looks to reduce its impact on the environment, one area that’s changing is construction. Governments and officials throughout the globe have started to introduce new guidelines for the construction of new buildings. Manufacturers need to be more mindful over the materials used and buildings now need to
Since the official turf cutting back in September 2018, significant progress is being made on the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm project managed by lead shareholder, Innogy. Construction specialist Mick George Ltd has now been appointed on behalf of J. Murphy and Sons Ltd to complete Earthworks at the main
Major public realm improvements and upgrades around Prescot train station are due to commence, along with walking and cycling routes to the £26 million Shakespeare North theatre. The 350-seat, 30,000 sq ft Jacobean court-style theatre also includes a study centre, education, and exhibition space. Knowsley Council is set to formally sign off £8.2 million funding for this project. Shakespeare North, which is currently being built by contractor Kier, will benefit from better links, which are set to transform the area around the railway station and features a shared-use walking and cycling route from the station to the town centre and on to the theatre. The project also includes a remodelled car park to up the number of spaces from 38 to 48, additional lifts to provide step-free access to the station and platforms and better wayfinding and signage to direct visitors to the town centre and towards Knowsley Safari Park. Liverpool City Region’s Strategic Investment Fund offered £7.9 million and the majority of it will be drawn down between 2019 and 2021. There is also a local contribution of £186,000 to take the total funding package up to nearly £8.2 million. Knowsley Council is set to sign off the funding at a meeting next week. Tarmac and SSE are the chosen contractors for the scheme. They will deliver all the public realm works, while Network Rail will deliver the new lifts and station access. Meanwhile, Kier is set to complete the theatre by December 2020, after beating rival bidders Morgan Sindall and Wates to the job last year. The public realm works are also likely to be completed around the same time. The theatre has been backed by £5 million from the Government, which was first announced by then-chancellor George Osborne in May 2016. The council is also providing £6 million towards the scheme, with the remainder coming from a £14 million contribution from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Single Investment Fund.
A number of multi-million pound contracts has been awarded by Network Rail in Scotland and the North East. Totaling £467 million, the contracts were handed over under two Control Period 6 frameworks. Valued at £320 million, the most significant contract for a renewals and enhancements framework went to BAM Nuttall. The contractor will replace and refurbish structures across the rail route, as well deliver improvements at stations. Meanwhile, two Geotech frameworks worth a combined £147 million have been awarded to Story Contracting (London North East) and QTS (Scotland) as part of the procurement process. “We are exceptionally proud of the collaborative work QTS has carried out during the last control period, with some outstanding geotechnical projects delivered across Scotland. It is a testament to the hard work of our team during the CP5 contract, and the strong relationship that we have built with Network Rail, that has allowed us to be successful in this CP6 tender process,” said Alan McLeish, QTS Managing Directo. “Our expertise and commitment to finding further efficiencies for Network Rail by using innovative plant and methods, stands us in excellent stead to continue providing a high standard of work over the next five years,” he added. In addition, five-year contracts have also been awarded, with an option of two-year extensions on the Geotech framework. “Work to renew our infrastructure is increasingly important to improve reliability for our passengers, and making sure we have the right suppliers to deliver those improvements is paramount. We look forward to working closely with our supply chain to build on the progress that has already been made and ultimately, build a better railway for our customers,” commented Kris Kinnear, Interim Regional Director for SNE. The latest contract awards complete the procurement activity for Scotland and North East, which is anticipated to hold one of the largest work-banks for the coming five-year funding period.
A vacant land at South Humber Bank Power Station will see the arrival of a new multi-million pound energy centre. Set to create around 50 new jobs, the £300 million facility would generate 49.9MW of electrical power, which is the equivalent to supporting around 500,000 homes. The planning application for the scheme has been submitted by EP UK Investments Ltd (EPUKI), which owns and operates South Humber Bank Power Station. The application was validated in December by North East Lincolnshire Council and a decision is due to be made by the end of March. “We are very pleased to announce the proposed development of an Energy Centre at the South Humber Bank Power Station and it follows the completion of our recent £53 million investment in the existing site,” said James Crankshaw, head of engineering at EPUKI. “The project is not dependent on securing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or other form of secured income such as a Contract For Difference (CFD) as other EFW projects have required and, as such, EPUKI expect to progress to the construction phase soon after planning is approved,” he added. If the planning permission is granted, the South Humber Bank Energy Centre will be powered by approximately 620,000 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel annually. “The Energy Centre will provide much needed new power generation and energy recovery facilities, as well as creating permanent local jobs. We look forward to working with the planning authority and local community over the coming months,” James concluded. A subsidiary of Europe’s seventh biggest power generator EPH, EPUKI aquired in 2017 2.2GW of combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power stations from energy giant Centrica. Moreover, the firm put plans in place last year to boost its portfolio further by commissioning a new 420MW biomass power station at Lynemouth, Northumberland. EPUKI also has development consent to deliver up to 4.2GW of new build CCGTs in Eggborough and King’s Lynn.
A £2 million funding boost has been offered to a number of energy projects in the South West. Bristol City, Devon and Plymouth Councils secured a grant from the European Investment Bank and the European Commission to fund new energy efficiency, renewable, sustainable transport and heat networks projects across the region over the next three years. “This is yet another really exciting step towards carbon reduction in Bristol. The scale of sustainable development generated by the last ELENA grant made an enormously positive impact on our ability to deliver clean energy for the city, so we have high hopes for the opportunities that come with this latest round of European funding,” said Cabinet Member for Energy, Waste and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kye Dudd. “It’s great that Bristol has once again been recognised as a national leader in the field of sustainability as our goal to become a carbon neutral city by 2050 moves a step closer. It’s even more exciting now that we are in a position to share our knowledge and expertise with other parts of the region, helping them to reduce carbon and provide clean energy to towns and cities across the South West,” Cllr Kye added. Bristol City Council is the lead organisation, therefore it will manage the projects with its central delivery team. Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, also commented: “The funding will help us to kick start a range of projects which will support the council in delivering its target of reducing the Devon region’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. These projects will also give us more control over energy use, will reduce air pollution from transport and generate energy which will improve the quality of life for Devon’s residents.” “We anticipate that this funding will stimulate Devon’s renewable energy sector and lead to at least £16 million being invested into low carbon projects in the county,” Cllr Roger concluded.
Building professionals understand that there are many steps to ensuring that the power system in a construction runs properly– but what are the essential power requirements to remember for large projects? These three tips will highlight the key areas to aim for when incorporating secure power sources and appliances into the process of building on a large scale. Speedy energy sources are vital for any building, especially if built to host a range of different activities simultaneously, such as an apartment block or a hospital. Cost-Effective Outlets When planning a large-scale construction, such as an apartment block or school, ensuring that energy can be consumed as cheaply as possible can help maintain the reputation of both businesses in a building partnership. This can be achieved most easily through smart planning by the building and design team, a process that benefits immensely from regular engagement with the buyer. Advice from energy-efficiency as well as financial experts may also help to produce a power source design that is affordable for both the buyer and the prospective property users and works to protect the environment through conserving energy. Locating cost-effective power sources is, therefore, an important requirement, and hugely advantageous, for a large construction project. Green Energy Sources Building regulations are greener and more sustainable than they have ever been: initiatives like the Code for Sustainable Homes ensure that a high percentage of properties built in the UK are as energy-efficient as possible – but unfortunately, this is yet to extend to all buildings. So, when it comes to large structures, it is especially important to use the greenest products on the market. Construction project leaders that locate brands offering AC-DC power supplies for multiple applications, who comply with the latest global energy efficiency standards such as XP Power, are able to power large buildings through efficient energy sources. As this benefits the reputation of a building company as well as the planet, professionals who adopt a greener power supply service may even benefit from more building business partnerships in the future. Back-up Power Supplies Once power has been installed in a large property or construction, a back-up system is necessary for making sure that operations expected to take place in the building can still function should the original supply cut out. This can be particularly critical for large buildings where supplementary power facilities can guarantee that a large number of people are not left without means to carry out essential activities like cooking when one power source fails. Power failures that have occurred in densely-populated areas like East Midlands Airport highlight how full accessibility to all power systems can help to secure the constant and reliable running of energy in a large, heavily-used area. Large Construction Projects require a huge amount of attention and consideration in their planning, particularly when it comes to power sources. However, the environmental and financial advantages that successful power systems bring to most people underlines the significant role that building continues to play in everyday life.
A 12-month contract has been agreed between Siemens Gamesa and the ABP Port in Hull to store 37 wind turbine blades destined for the world’s largest offshore windfarm, the Hornsea One Project. A six-acre area located at the Port of Hull’s Eastern Access, on King George Dock, is now being leased for the storage of the 75 metre, 30 tonne blades in order to accommodate the expanding business. An operation is underway to transport the fibreglass blades nearly two miles from the current site on Alexandra Dock. “We’re proud to be able to say that we have been an essential link in a major green project such as this, which will eventually see the blades powering one-million homes. It’s also another example of our expertise in handling such large and specialist components. We have worked closely with Siemens Gamesa to offer solutions and to support their business growth, so that together as partners, we can keep Britain trading and provide the nation with environmentally-friendly power,” commented David Morriss, ABP Humber Head of Property. The transportation process requires for a remote-controlled loader to be guided by an operator to carefully transport the wind turbine blades through the port to its new location at 5mph. Each blade takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to move during the early hours of the morning to cause minimal disruption to port traffic. “Siemens Gamesa is delighted to again be working with ABP, continuing a ground-breaking partnership in Humberside. To deliver clean, green energy to millions of UK households is a complex team effort, and ABP is a crucial member of that team,” said Anton Bak, Factory Director, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Hull. Hull City Council has also made improvements to the Northern Gateway Roundabout to help facilitate the movement of abnormal loads, as well as create further investment opportunities in the city and port. The council utilised funding from the Green Port Growth Programme to create a route through the centre of the junction and part-time signals to control traffic during the movements.
As part of Yorkshire Water’s “big goal” for the environment, more than 14,000 trees were planted at Ogden Water last month, aiming to create new “green infrastructure”. One million trees will be planted in total on land owned by Yorkshire Water and leased by the Woodland Trust to enhance the environment and reduce the risk of flooding. “We made a commitment in January 2018 to plant one million trees in the county over the next ten years to help reduce flood risk, capture carbon and boost woodland wildlife opportunities. I am thrilled to see trees being planted at Ogden as part of our commitment to tree planting within the new Northern Forest,” commented on the scheme Yorkshire Water’s catchment and recreation manager Geoff Lomas. The partnership between the water company, the Woodland Trust and the Forest of Bradford will help expand the White Rose Forest as part of the new Northern Forest project. A mixture of native trees and shrubs including oak, beech and silver birch will be planted to enhance the biodiversity of the site while protecting its archaeology and retaining public access. The scheme received backing from the prime minister, Theresa May and environment secretary Michael Gove in 2018, and over the next 25 years the Northern Forest will see the planting of more than 50 million trees from Liverpool to Hull, the first of its kind for more than a quarter of a century. “The launch of this ambitious project at Ogden Water is a huge milestone for Calderdale and will have far-reaching benefits for future generations to come. With the Calder Valley being a flood-prone catchment, we truly value this programme of work not only for its benefits for ecology, biodiversity and air quality but also as a complementary measure to support traditional engineered flood defences,” said Councillor Barry Collins of Calderdale Council. Spanning more than 120 miles between the cities of Hull, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, the proposed Northern Forest will help boost habitats for woodland birds and bats and protect species such as the red squirrel.
The £250m Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of The UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first of its kind large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network which will be delivered by Vital Energi. The ground-breaking scheme will initially see the installation of 5MW of water source heat pumps (2 x 2.5MW) which will take heat from the river Clyde and use it to provide heating and hot water for the surrounding development. The heat generated at the energy centre will be pumped through 2.5km of district heating pipe connecting local homes, businesses and public buildings. Scott Lutton, Operations Manager for Vital Energi says, “This is a very exciting moment in the history of the Scotland’s energy infrastructure. While there have been small open water source heat pumps in the past, this is by far the largest to date. Water source heat pumps are a low-carbon technology which will become more effective in reducing emissions as the grid decarbonises and we hope that, when complete, it will prove an inspiration to other local authorities who want to reduce their carbon emissions.” The £15m energy project will provide heat for the areas homes, businesses and some public buildings including West College Scotland, Clydebank Leisure Centre, the Town Hall and Clydebank Library. The Queen’s Quay development will also see the creation of 1,000 private homes and 200 homes for social rent. Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development said: “The District Heating Network will have a hugely positive impact on Queens Quay and Clydebank as a whole and we are delighted to welcome Vital Energi on board to help us deliver it. “Once completed, the network will provide heating and hot water to existing buildings including Clydebank Leisure Centre and the Council office campus as well as serving the new homes. The Council aim to expand the network to include areas of Clydebank and Dalmuir and to address fuel poverty by providing affordable heat to local residents. West Dunbartonshire Council is leading the way with this project and our residents, businesses and the environment will reap the rewards.” Councillor Marie McNair, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The people of Clydebank will see the benefits of this pioneering project for generations to come. “The system has been designed to not only serve the developments at Queens Quay but has the potential to serve businesses and houses further afield. “It will also make a major contribution towards the Council’s climate change targets to reduce CO2 emissions.” David Pearson, Director of Star Renewables Energy who are manufacturing the heat pumps said, “As a local company, we’re extremely proud that Scotland’s first major water source heat pump project will not only be delivered in Glasgow, but also manufactured in Glasgow. This project, once again, underlines that Scotland is at the forefront of embracing renewable technologies and driving down carbon emissions.” West Dunbartonshire Council will meet 60% of the cost of the system with the Scottish Government funding £6m through the European Regional Development Fund via the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Program (LCITP). If you’d like to know more about Vital Energi and the work they do then please visit www.vitalenergi.co.uk
As the world looks to reduce its impact on the environment, one area that’s changing is construction. Governments and officials throughout the globe have started to introduce new guidelines for the construction of new buildings. Manufacturers need to be more mindful over the materials used and buildings now need to feature a more sustainable design in order to meet new regulations. It’s not just the environment which can benefit from more thoughtful construction. Businesses could also feel the benefits, particularly in their pockets! Here, we’ll look at how more thoughtful construction can help businesses to save on their energy bills. Insulating warehouses One of the biggest costs’ businesses face is keeping their warehouses at adequate temperatures. They are renowned for being cold and when built incorrectly, can waste a lot of energy throughout the year. This is where insulation comes in really useful. Adding high-quality insulation into warehouses can help to trap the heat in, reducing the strain on heating systems. It can also keep the warehouse cooler in the summer months too, ensuring more heat is kept outdoors. Using air source heat pumps Speaking of heating, if businesses switched to air source heat pumps, they could save over 50% on their energy bills. They’re efficient, cost effective and renewable, making them an excellent choice for new buildings. These types of heating systems can even eliminate the need for a gas boiler, electric, oil and LPG. It’s thought that using air source heat pumps can save thousands of pounds for businesses each year. Efficient lighting controls A simple thoughtful construction element which could also save businesses money on their energy bills, is the use of efficient lighting controls. Using sensors, timers and lighting controls can make significant cost reductions, as well as proving to be much better for the environment. Of course, even in existing buildings cost savings can still be delivered through the use of energy management. Companies such as Utilitywise, can ensure businesses have the best energy deals. Overall, thoughtful construction can help to really lower business energy costs. The above is just some of the ways new buildings can be constructed with energy savings in mind. Adding insulation and switching to more efficient heating systems such as air source heat pumps are both great examples of how small installations can make a huge difference to a company’s energy bills.
Since the official turf cutting back in September 2018, significant progress is being made on the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm project managed by lead shareholder, Innogy. Construction specialist Mick George Ltd has now been appointed on behalf of J. Murphy and Sons Ltd to complete Earthworks at the main onshore cable site off the A16 near Stickney. The firm will be stripping the easement where the cables will be placed for this 860MW project and will have the capability to transmit renewable electricity from the wind farm to more than 800,000 UK homes per year. This estimated £2bn renewable energy scheme will not be without its engineering challenges. It involves the installation of more than 57km of underground high-voltage electrical export cable in Lincolnshire. The route starts at the landfall location north of Anderby Creek, where the onshore and offshore cables connect. It runs to a new substation being constructed near Bicker, and then to the existing National Grid Bicker Fen Substation where the electricity from the offshore wind farm will ultimately connect into the grid. Both are on the outskirts of Boston More than 300 individual directional drills – a record for a UK infrastructure project – will ensure the onshore cables can be installed without obstructing any roads, highways, rivers or drains. Although the two-year onshore construction programme is underway, offshore activities are not expected to begin until late 2019. First energy generation could be as early as 2021. At the peak of the development, the project is anticipating upward of 3,000 employment opportunities. Michael George, Managing Director at Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’As a business that is well experienced in providing sustainable solutions through our waste management division, we recognise the importance of projects such as this and are excited to be involved.’’
