Pryme Group, an innovative engineering collective that designs, creates and delivers solutions to diverse global industrial markets, has launched two specialist tooling systems for offshore wind installations, via Caley Ocean Systems. The tools have been launched to the global market, furthering the company’s commitment to innovative engineering solutions for a
Innovative ways to replace massive underground equipment without disrupting communities are set to be copied from UK Power Networks’ recent Leicester Square substation upgrade. The firm used a ‘megalift’ self-loading trailer for the first time to reduce each new transformer’s delivery time by four weeks and achieved new heights of
THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR is investing millions of pounds in the expansion of the South Hook LNG terminal in Milford Haven, as the UK becomes more dependent on shipments of the liquefied fuel imported from abroad. To accommodate around 25% more liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from around the world,
Following on from the delivery of a 100Te gas turbine rotor to Saltend Power Station, Hull, the Collett Team were once again appointed by Expeditors to undertake transport of the original turbine. The Saltend CHP (Combined Heat & Power) Power Station generates power efficiently using exhaust heat from the gas
Nicola Sturgeon has marked the connection of the UK’s tallest and most efficient onshore wind turbines to the national grid. The 200-metre structures are part of Banks Renewables’ Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire that will consist of 15 new ultra-efficient turbines. Lying just south of Strathaven, Kype
VELUX Group and BayWa r.e. today announce a groundbreaking dual-site deal to address the world-leading roof window manufacturer’s European operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2024. The Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will drive the development of two new solar parks in Gerena and Alhendín in Southern Spain. The Alhendín park
Wind farms awarded contracts over the last 7 years by the UK Government to generate clean power will save each household nearly £250 per year, compared to the cost of generating electricity from gas at this winter’s prices, according to an analysis by RenewableUK. The analysis showed that the 19
An exciting new stage of a ground-breaking solar generation system at Portsmouth International Port has been reached, with 888 solar panels now been switched on. The scheme has been managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port‘s engineering department. Installation began in February 2022 by specialist
Lancashire County Council’s delivery partner, Costain, and hydrogen industry start-up, Hydrologiq, have successfully trialled the use of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell generator at the Preston Western Distributor Road project’s M55 compound. The trial is the first for Lancashire County Council in line with its carbon reduction ambitions and demonstrated carbon savings
Balfour Beatty Living Places today announces that it has been awarded a new, seven-year, £297 million contract by East Sussex County Council for the maintenance of highways assets and delivery of infrastructure services across the county. There is an option to extend the contract by a further seven years based
Pryme Group, an innovative engineering collective that designs, creates and delivers solutions to diverse global industrial markets, has launched two specialist tooling systems for offshore wind installations, via Caley Ocean Systems. The tools have been launched to the global market, furthering the company’s commitment to innovative engineering solutions for a net zero future. Pile Fixation Tool (PFT) and PileProp are designed to support the installation of monopile and jacketed foundations for offshore wind, by providing a localised, rigid deflection constraint – and in the case of the PileProp system independent of vessel interaction or station – prior to the critical grouting process of securing the foundations. “Pryme Group is dedicated to developing the tools, technology and equipment for the energy transition. Our offshore wind capabilities have been significantly bolstered by these two innovative solutions, successfully operating in the field, and we are eager to work with existing and prospective partners to implement them across the world. We are dedicated to delivering solutions along with our partners to support current and future rapid growth opportunities within the offshore wind market,” said Kerrie Murray, CEO at Pryme Group. PFT is a bespoke monopile foundation installation support solution, designed to address the stabilising issues involved with monopile foundations being placed in pre-drilled boreholes, due to challenging seabed conditions. This proven technology has been used to support DEME with the foundation installation on the St Nazaire offshore wind farm. PileProp has been designed to aid securing the fixing of jacket foundations over pre-installed pile pins. This solution was designed to comply to DNV regulation ST-0126, which advised minimising movement in all planes to 1mm, prior to grouting. PileProp is currently being deployed in support of foundation installation work on St Brieuc offshore wind farm, with Caley’s client, Ailes Marines, being the developer. These systems were developed as part of Caley’s collaboration with engineering design specialists Houlder, which covers a wide range of engineering design and installation tooling for offshore wind farm projects. Both tooling systems minimise early age cycling and reduce weather and wave limitations to installation. This results in minimised downtime due to severe conditions, therefore lengthening the installation window, increasing efficiency and speed of the installation process, limiting risk of early failure of grouting and reducing initial project and through life costs. Pryme Group has broad capabilities supplying engineering products, services and solutions to diverse markets from oil and gas to nuclear to defence and marine to offshore wind and renewables. The group comprises five businesses with a total of 260 staff operating over 12 sites across the UK. Each business operates under its own brand name as part of the Pryme Group. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Innovative ways to replace massive underground equipment without disrupting communities are set to be copied from UK Power Networks’ recent Leicester Square substation upgrade. The firm used a ‘megalift’ self-loading trailer for the first time to reduce each new transformer’s delivery time by four weeks and achieved new heights of community engagement by working closely with local business and community groups to offer them unprecedented insights into the project’s progress. This included working with businesses to design interactive hoardings, sharing video updates and hosting underground tours for about 150 visitors. A youth training scheme was also run to help lift 16–19-year-olds and their families out of fuel poverty towards the national Levelling Up agenda. Both ways of working proved so successful in the £15million flagship project that is now drawing to a close, that project managers across the company’s sites in London, East and South East will now use them where possible in future. Similar hoardings are already being designed at a new East Ham project to protect, communicate and educate, and larger investment schemes now use video updates and QR codes to keep communities informed. Engineers from UK Power Networks have worked with Alliance partner Clancy to finish the two-year upgrade this month ahead of schedule and budget. The project replaced three 60-megawatt, 132,000-volt transformers which were originally installed under Leicester Square in 1991. They weigh 100 tons each and are the size of a shipping container, providing enough energy to power an area the size of Brighton. More than 250,000 people visit Leicester Square daily and the company worked with the Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA), the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), and Westminster City Council to help ensure business and tourism could continue and flourish. Ros Morgan, chief executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “UK Power Networks has been working hand in hand with HOLBA to plan the works around business needs from the outset. With the aim of minimising the impact as much as possible for our members, UK Power Networks took advantage of lockdown, advancing the works as much as possible during this period and reducing the work schedule from three to two years. This infrastructure investment is critical to building a brighter future for this great city.” Jason Gunning, project manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Capital projects don’t get much more sensitive than this; replacing three 100-tonne transformers underneath the heart of London’s theatreland needed to not impact theatre goers, numerous businesses, architecture, and some very precious trees. To add to this, a pandemic made our protecting workers in confined spaces difficult. “Extraordinary planning, care, ingenuity, an innovative and seamless approach to on-site work and community collaboration was the recipe for success and we are sharing this so colleagues and the industry can adopt similar methods. “This project was successfully achieved in two years not three, giving Leicester Square increased resilience and energy capacity for decades to come, and serving one of the UK’s most heavily populated and congested areas.” Neil Byrne, contracts manager at The Clancy Group, added: “‘The Leicester Square project showcased excellent engineering, customer engagement and overcame logistical challenges required to replace the major infrastructure in this iconic location.” UK Power Networks delivers electricity to 2.3 million London properties including homes, businesses, schools and hospitals. With more than 10 million people due to be living in London by 2030, the firm is making sure the electricity network is ready for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR is investing millions of pounds in the expansion of the South Hook LNG terminal in Milford Haven, as the UK becomes more dependent on shipments of the liquefied fuel imported from abroad. To accommodate around 25% more liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from around the world, Qatar is upgrading to meet demand. ExxonMobil is also making a significant investments to help increase the capacity of the South Hook. Prices for fuel have skyrocketed as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, prompting the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe to scramble for a deal securement with the world’s biggest LNG exporter, Qatar. After the Cop27 climate change summit in Egypt, UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make a significant supply announcement with the United States, the Telegraph revealed. The two major players in the global LNG industry are Qatar and the US. The development of the $10 billion new Golden Pass terminal in the US, which is scheduled to open in 2024 and is anticipated to export to the UK, is being carried out in tandem with the investment in South Hook LNG by state-owned QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil. In recent years, the UK has relied more and more on LNG, despite previously vilifying gas producers and pushing for an urgent end to fossil fuel production. Approximately 17% of the UK’s gas demand was met internally in 2021, with its significance expected to increase as output from the ageing North Sea declines. In the midst of an LNG market boom, Qatar and relevant partners completed the South Hook terminal in 2009. The terminal is one of three UK LNG facilities, with the other two in Kent and Wales, respectively. The processing capacity of the station is 15.6 million tonnes of gas per year, or, according to the proprietors, nearly 20% of the UK’s annual gas demand. One of the largest in Europe, the terminal is already. Analysts believe that Qatar’s plan to extend South Hook’s capacity to over 20 million tonnes of gas annually might cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Midway through 2025 is the anticipated completion date. The US and Qatar are both already major LNG suppliers to the UK. 51 of the 175 shipments made to the UK between January and September originated from Qatar and 81 from the US, S&P Global Platts data detailed. This year, the UK has received significantly more international cargoes than usual because it serves as a “gas bridge” to Europe, which is rushing to replace Russian supplies but does not yet have sufficient import infrastructure, the UK Government said. A spokesperson for South Hook LNG in Milford Haven has confirmed there are plans to expand the facility by July 2025. “Our shareholders have taken a positive final investment decision to increase the Terminal’s re-delivery capacity to 812.5GWh/d.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following on from the delivery of a 100Te gas turbine rotor to Saltend Power Station, Hull, the Collett Team were once again appointed by Expeditors to undertake transport of the original turbine. The Saltend CHP (Combined Heat & Power) Power Station generates power efficiently using exhaust heat from the gas turbine to produce steam which, in turn, drives a steam turbine on the same shaft, increasing the energy output of each generating unit and producing more power for less fuel. The Collett Team, on behalf of Expeditors, were tasked with this two-stage project, firstly delivering a new 100 Tonne gas turbine rotor to the CHP station, before removing the old module to allow for refurbishment. Having undertaken the delivery and positioning of the new 100 Tonne gas turbine rotor from the Antonov 124 aircraft at Doncaster Airport the previous month, the original unit remained in storage at the power station awaiting transport and transshipment overseas. With the new turbine now in position and operational, our Team were on hand to begin stage two of the project, to extract and remove the old turbine rotor from the power station site. Stored on stools since its removal, we arrived on site ready to load the cargo. Utilising a 12-axle drawbar trailer, our Transport Team reversed directly under the module before employing the hydraulic capabilities of the trailer to raise the trailer bed. This, in turn, lifted the 100 Tonne turbine free of the support stools, loading directly to the trailer. Once secured, the cargo left Saltend Power Station, under escort, for the short journey to our Goole Heavy Lift depot for secure weekend storage. As Monday morning arrived, the loaded cargo took to the road again. Continuing to travel under escort, the convoy made the short 50-mile journey to the CLdN Terminal at North Killingholme, north-west of Grimsby, ready for short sea shipping to Rotterdam. Still loaded to a 8×4 MAN TGX equipped with a drawbar 12 row trailer, and accompanied by the driver and steersman, the gas turbine rotor arrived at the Port of Rotterdam. After rolling off the CLdN vessel, the cargo was then transshipped from the trailer by 500Te mobile crane for onward shipment to Antwerp. With all transshipment operations complete, the our Team hopped back on the ferry, returning to Goole and completing stage two of the Saltend Power Station project.
Nicola Sturgeon has marked the connection of the UK’s tallest and most efficient onshore wind turbines to the national grid. The 200-metre structures are part of Banks Renewables’ Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire that will consist of 15 new ultra-efficient turbines. Lying just south of Strathaven, Kype Muir Extension’s turbines will have an installed generation capacity of up to67.2MW of renewable electricity, providing around 53,700 households with green electricity annually[1] over its 30-year lifetime – the equivalent of taking 23,550 petrol cars off the road each year[2]. The First Minister marked the turbine connection at a key time for renewable energy in Scotland. Just a year on from Glasgow playing host to COP26, clean, green energy is high on the Scottish Government’s agenda, with onshore wind power a key player in the country’s drive towards its net zero ambitions. During her visit to Kype Muir Extension on the morning of the 16 November, the First Minister unveiled a plaque at the site, as well as having the opportunity to discuss the future of renewable energy with members of the Banks Renewables team. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Onshore wind is the biggest source of renewable energy in Scotland, making it a vital part of our mission to become a net zero economy by 2045. “In addition to being a cheap and reliable source of electricity that harnesses one of our most abundant resources, onshore wind can also help us meet that target in a way that benefits communities – through the creation of high quality jobs, and investment in local businesses and supply chains – as part of a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. “The damaging impacts of the climate emergency recently highlighted at COP27 and the spike in energy prices since the war in Ukraine demonstrate the importance of accelerating that transition. Kype Muir extension is a significant example of that in action, and the Scottish Government will shortly outline how we plan to boost the country’s onshore capacity by up to 12 gigawatts by 2030, which could produce enough electricity to power 10 million homes for a year, or every home in Scotland for more than four years.” The South Lanarkshire wind farm is an extension of Banks Renewables’ 26-turbine Kype Muir Wind Farm site. The extension will feature four 156m, three 176m and eight 200m-tall wind turbines. Scottish civil engineering firm RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd which was originally appointed by Banks to construct the first Kype Muir wind farm has also been appointed as the contractor for the extension site. The adjacent Kype Muir wind farm and the new extension will have a combined capacity 155.4MW which will generate enough electricity for around 124,000 households each year. Banks Renewables’ existing Kype Muir site was chosen as the location for the launch of the Scottish Government’s Onshore Wind Policy consultation just last year and was praised by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, for its positive impact on the surrounding South Lanarkshire community. Andrew Liddell, development director at Banks Renewables said:“To welcome the First Minister to the site and have her mark such a major milestone for Scotland’s renewable energy sector is an incredible privilege and proud moment for everyone involved in the project. “Kype Muir Extension and its impressive turbines are an excellent example of a project that can make a real and positive impact towards the Scottish Government’s ambitious net-zero targets. “Not only does the wind farm have the tallest and most efficient turbines on UK land, but it will also play a key role in providing the surrounding community with major benefits – something that is high on our agenda. Over its 30-year lifetime, there is no doubt that Kype Muir Extension will prove valuable in many different ways for South Lanarkshire and Scotland as a whole.” The Kype Muir project is a flagship development for Banks Renewables and its site is where the company’s first Scottish Community Partnership, the Kype Muir Community Partnership was launched, pledging to support local projects that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose through the distribution of funding. Funding is also available for Banks’ flagship Connect2Renewables Charter to maximise the benefits of its renewable electricity developments for local people and the local economy. With the introduction of Kype Muir Extension, the Hamilton-based firm will look to reinforce and enhance the principles of community partnership originally founded at Kype Muir. Kype Muir and Kype Muir Extension are set to deliver community benefits equating to more than £700,000 per annum, with funds available to surrounding communities each year. The impressive Kype Muir Extension is set to be fully complete and producing clean, renewable electricity to the national grid in early 2023. To find out more about Banks Renewables Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm, please visit; https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/KypeMuirExtension Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VELUX Group and BayWa r.e. today announce a groundbreaking dual-site deal to address the world-leading roof window manufacturer’s European operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2024. The Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will drive the development of two new solar parks in Gerena and Alhendín in Southern Spain. The Alhendín park includes BayWa r.e.’s first installation of innovative Agri-PV technology in Spain, which will allow for crops growing in between the solar panels. Bringing more renewable energy online Connecting to the grid in 2023 and 2024 the two plants will generate 167 GWh of renewable electricity every year for VELUX, equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 45,000 European homes. 80% of the total electricity generated by the plants will be generated due to the PPAs with VELUX. The new PPA will reduce the carbon footprint of VELUX with appr. 40.000 ton CO2e from the company`s European operations and activities on a yearly basis. Commenting on the project, Lars Petersson, CEO of the VELUX Group, said: “VELUX has always been about bringing daylight into people’s lives, and now we are very excited to apply the use of daylight, or more specifically solar power, to decarbonize our operations with renewable energy in the coming years. In our company we have committed ourselves to fight the climate crisis and show sustainable leadership. And with this agreement, we are well on our way to achieving our aim for a 100% reduction of our emissions from operations by 2030”. Pioneering solar plant symbiosis About 10% of the Alhendín solar park will be an Agri-PV installation, a new solar application that combines energy generation and food production, of which BayWa r.e. is a pioneer and leader. This installation will be specially designed with taller rows of panels, more widely spaced to allow farming to continue and modern farming machinery to pass between the panel rows, in this case to produce crops. The PV modules will also be used to collect rainwater, which will help the farmer manage the continuing risks posed by climate change and droughts in a very dry area. This PPA is pioneering the concept of solar plant symbiosis – a concept integrating solar power production with nature and community for mutual benefit. The development of both the Alhendín and Gerena plants will include a comprehensive plan and suite of community and environmental measures that will enhance local biodiversity and foster community involvement. To ensure that the parks will always prioritize their local environment and communities, BayWa r.e. will be partnering with nearby universities – namely Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad de Córdoba – to form an interdisciplinary research group whose findings will ultimately inform a comprehensive and bespoke site strategy. “This project is so exciting because it perfectly embodies the synergies between new solar generation, Agri-PV, community partnerships and biodiversity. It also underlines our deep commitment to sustainability initiatives,” commented Matthias Taft, BayWa r.e.’s CEO. “Leading companies such as the VELUX Group play a crucial role in the fight against climate change and can be a game-changer in unlocking more sustainable pathways and solutions. Advancing the corporate energy transition is a huge focus for us, so it’s a major milestone for BayWa r.e. to help the VELUX Group achieve its renewable electricity targets with these PPAs.” Helping to deliver on VELUX Group’s historic carbon capture commitment Once connected to the grid, the new solar farms will enable VELUX to achieve its 2030 target to reduce emissions from its own operations and activities by 100%. This target is part of the company`s 2030 sustainability strategy commitment to pioneer climate and nature action. The commitment also includes targets to capture its historical carbon footprint since its founding in 1941 and up to 2041 through forest conservation projects with World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and halving its value chain emissions by 2030. Schneider Electric, the leading advisor on global corporate renewable energy procurement, supported VELUX in the selection of the projects and their negotiations.
Wind farms awarded contracts over the last 7 years by the UK Government to generate clean power will save each household nearly £250 per year, compared to the cost of generating electricity from gas at this winter’s prices, according to an analysis by RenewableUK. The analysis showed that the 19 gigawatts (GW) of wind farm capacity which have won Contracts for Difference (CfDs) so far will generate 93 terawatt hours (TWh) by the time power stations come online in 2027. This represents 30% of annual UK electricity generation at present and is enough to power nearly 25 million homes a year. RenewableUK said that costs have fallen sharply over the past seven years, with the latest round of offshore wind projects coming in 70% cheaper than those awarded contracts in 2015 – making offshore wind the cheapest source of new power in the UK. Wind farms supported by CfDs will generate 93TWh at a total cost of £5bn. The equivalent cost of getting that electricity from gas would be around £26bn at current prices, according to RenewableUK – something they claim represents a saving to consumers of over £20bn, with every UK household benefitting by £246 a year. The renewable energy trade association is now urging the Government to accelerate the roll-out of new renewables to avoid future gas crises for consumers. “Our analysis shows that the faster we can grow wind energy in the UK, the more consumers will save,” RenewableUK CEO Dan McGrail said. “To do that, we need a stable framework for investment so that companies are confident they will make a return. There is a global race for renewable investment and I want the UK to be the most attractive place in the world to invest in wind so that bill payers and the wider economy benefit fully from cheap, renewable power. He added that cross-party support has been “central to the success of renewables over the past decade”, and that “MPs can be confident that consumers are benefiting from CfDs for wind farms which have paid back over £500m in the last twelve months alone”. “Wind energy can cut bills for consumers quicker than other large-scale technologies and I look forward to working with Rishi Sunak so that industry can speed up the roll-out of cheaper, home-grown energy,” McGrail said.
An exciting new stage of a ground-breaking solar generation system at Portsmouth International Port has been reached, with 888 solar panels now been switched on. The scheme has been managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port‘s engineering department. Installation began in February 2022 by specialist contractors Custom Solar, and incorporates roof-mounted solar panels across a number of buildings, a large battery and solar canopies. The solar panels mounted on rooftops around the port have now been switched on. They are now generating 400kWp of renewable energy that can be used to reduce consumption at the port, or can be exported back to the grid. This is just a third of the total number of solar panels installed at the port over the past year. Once they are all switched on, the power produced by all 2,660 panels will contribute around 35% of the port’s energy needs. This will be a big step forward for Portsmouth International Port’s ambition to reach net-zero by 2030. From L-R: Tony Denney, Custom Solar, Owen Hughes; Portsmouth City Council’s energy services team; Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council and Elly Howe, Portsmouth International Port, stood in front of the equipment that turns solar energy into power the port can use When fully commissioned in January 2023, the 1.2 megawatt peak system will be the council’s largest solar and battery installation to date. The project has broken new ground for the council and in the national context. The port is the first in the UK to have solar canopies, and also recently won the ‘Commercial Solar and/or Storage Project of the Year’ award at Solar & Storage Live 2022 Awards. The system will also include a 1.5 megawatt hour battery, which is enough power to run a typical home for 4 months. It will capture green power that can then be used at the port at another time, such as to power lights at night. When complete, it is estimated that in peak conditions that 98% of the electricity consumed by the port could come from the combined solar and battery installation. Owen Hughes from Portsmouth City Council’s energy services team showing Cllr Kimberly Barrett the technology that turns the power from the sun into usable energy Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council said: “It is the council’s priority to support clean growth. I’m delighted that we’ve met our target to begin generating clean energy at the port by the end of 2022. “I’d like to personally thank the energy services team at the council and the engineers at Portsmouth International Port for all their efforts. It shows that by working across the council, we can achieve our important ambitions. “When fully operational, the scheme will reduce annual emissions by 239 tonnes at this busy site. We’re committed to take positive action to tackle climate change, and this cut in emissions will boost our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the city to net-zero by 2030”. James Hill, director of housing, neighbourhoods and building services at Portsmouth City Council added: “I am really pleased that our energy services team have been able to support the port with this exciting initiative. The team have gone from strength to strength with a range of services to support residents, businesses and our own local authority services to increase our use of renewable energy. “I would encourage anyone interested in their work to contact utilities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. If you need further guidance in resident energy support, please contact energysaving@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.” This project is all part of an integrated approach at the port, that will eventually allow them to offer shore power for smaller ships, without having to take extra power from the local electricity grid. Councillors from Portsmouth City Council alongside staff from the Energy Services Team, Portsmouth International Port and Custom Solar, who all worked together to make the project a success Jerry Clarke, pilot and senior project manager at Portsmouth International Port added: “The port is owned by the people of Portsmouth, so we have an obligation to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, whilst reaching the ambitions set out in our 20 year Masterplan. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to help enable this project to happen, and I’d also like to thank Brittany Ferries and their passengers for their patience over the busy summer months whilst the installation took place. “Combined with other sustainability initiatives, it will help us achieve our ambition of reaching net-zero carbon by 2030, and becoming one of the UK’s first zero emission ports by 2050. With government support, we really can make a clean maritime industry a reality”. The work is the latest in a series of solar and battery projects being managed by the council’s in-house energy services team. The team procured Custom Solar after a competitive tender exercise through the council’s recently established PV and Storage framework. Gary Sucharewycz, CEO of Custom Solar, said: “We are delighted to have won the award for Commercial Solar and Storage project of the year. To have been recognised at the main industry awards for such a prestige project that the team have developed from concept, is a great reward for everyone involved. “We have worked with a fantastic client in Portsmouth City Council to have successfully delivered the project through many challenges. We see this as a great case study for how solar and storage can be deployed in major operational environments, with solar car port canopy’s set to play a big role in clients generating their own power and assisting their net zero ambitions to be realised.”
Lancashire County Council’s delivery partner, Costain, and hydrogen industry start-up, Hydrologiq, have successfully trialled the use of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell generator at the Preston Western Distributor Road project’s M55 compound. The trial is the first for Lancashire County Council in line with its carbon reduction ambitions and demonstrated carbon savings from onsite operations of between 70% and close to 100%, when powered by grey and green hydrogen respectively. Moving from diesel to green hydrogen on a similar compound could save up to 11 tonnes CO2e per month. Hydrologiq funded the trial through an innovation grant from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which aims to support the deployment of hydrogen generators on real-world sites throughout the UK. This innovation established significant benefits for the local community from the use of a EODev GEH2 fuel-cell and battery integrated generator, including extremely quiet operations and the emission of water as sole by-product from its use. The trials also showed that hydrogen could transform performance by reliably and efficiently powering an entire site compound, comprising offices, a canteen, drying room, toilets and two battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging stations. Benjamin Lindley, director at Hydrologiq, said: “On-site power provided via hydrogen fuel-cell technology has the ability to make construction sites quieter, cleaner, and healthier places to work. The generator itself ran so quietly that a diligent security guard raised a false alarm that the power had cut off when he didn’t hear the expected rumble from the diesel unit. And, whatever the source of hydrogen, a fuel-cell generator only produces water at point of use, eliminating NOx and particulates.” “At Hydrologiq, we believe that replacing diesel with hydrogen will happen quicker and safer if businesses are open to collaboration. We are grateful to everyone at Costain who worked with us to make this trailblazing deployment a success. Thanks also to our grant collaborators Blue Lightning Solutions, and our suppliers: generator manufacturers EODev, and fuel providers BOC.” Tara McCracken, Project Environment Manager at Costain, said: “Costain has set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2035 at the very latest. Our aim is to be a clean growth leader, enabling the uptake of low carbon solutions such as hydrogen and supporting our supply chain to achieve net zero carbon. “By 2023, every solution delivered by Costain for our clients will propose low carbon options. The successful trial deployment of hydrogen at Preston Western Distributor Road demonstrates our commitment to improving lives, today and for the future by making infrastructure sustainable and resilient. Our approach to sustainability on the project was recently recognised by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, who awarded us top marks in all categories, including Respect the Community and Care for the Environment. We are looking forward to seeing more hydrogen-powered generators on our projects in the future.”
Balfour Beatty Living Places today announces that it has been awarded a new, seven-year, £297 million contract by East Sussex County Council for the maintenance of highways assets and delivery of infrastructure services across the county. There is an option to extend the contract by a further seven years based on the successful delivery of the initial seven-year term, worth up to a total value of £730 million. Balfour Beatty Living Places will work alongside East Sussex County Council to maintain the county’s highway network and infrastructure, including roads, pavements, drainage, streetlights, traffic lights and bridges. In addition, the company will also provide winter gritting services and deliver highway improvement schemes. Building on the success of its ‘Operational Control Hub’ in Herefordshire and Southampton, the company will establish a new facility in East Sussex, using the latest in innovative technologies and systems designed in-house to provide a single source of visibility to monitor all activities in real-time, track progress of works and enable data-driven decision making to drive efficiencies across the network. Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places said: “This latest award builds on our longstanding expertise and commitment to providing best-in-class highways and infrastructure maintenance services across the UK. “Our dedicated team of professionals will seek to introduce new technologies and innovative solutions wherever we can, helping us to create great places to work, live and play, whilst also leaving behind a lasting positive legacy for the communities in East Sussex.” Cllr Claire Dowling, the county council’s Lead Member for Transport and Environment said: “It is vital for our residents and our economy that our road network is well-maintained, and work carried out is of the right quality. “This new contract has undergone extensive scrutiny to ensure it reflects the feedback we receive on our highways work and that it builds on the successes of the current contract and is fit for purpose for our residents and communities. She added: “As well as demonstrating that this could be achieved, Balfour Beatty Living Places also showed how its activities would align with our ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon emissions and how its actions would benefit the communities of East Sussex through its social value plan, including training, apprenticeships and community projects and events. “Balfour Beatty Living Places has a lot of experience with highways maintenance and major infrastructure projects, delivering services with a number of councils across the country and we look forward to working with them in East Sussex.” As part of its commitment to The 5% Club, the company expects the number of people in earn and learn positions will increase to 10% during the contract term through its partnership with the Youth Employability Service East Sussex. The contract is scheduled to commence in Spring 2023.
