Civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale will lead a new scheme to protect critical water infrastructure from the impact of erosion on the Suffolk coastline. The programme of works will be carried out at Corton Beach, Lowestoft on behalf of Anglian Water by Barhale as part of the @one Alliance,
The Government must increase the scope of green subsidy schemes for UK homes to successfully transition from gas-based heating and address skyrocketing energy costs, according to polymer pipework specialist REHAU. REHAU’s comments follow recent criticism from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee that the Government’s plans to
In value terms, 79% of energy generation construction projects over the past five years have been related to renewable energy, with gas and nuclear representing a combined 21%. While construction projects for energy generation using solar power represent the largest proportion of contract awards by volume; in value terms, solar
Exclusive opinion poll finds key Red Wall political background seats backing hydrogen heating as a means of hitting Net Zero targets, avoiding unaffordable, upfront costs of the alternatives, saving the UK £35 billion. The YouGov poll was commissioned by not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), to examine a
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says: “Now we know the impact of the global energy crisis upon the average consumer, a price cap increase of £693 to £1971 a year. Millions more households will now be thrown into fuel poverty, through no fault of their own
Unlike some ideas, hydrogen fuels provide an opportunity to safeguard jobs and industry whilst reducing our carbon footprint says GMB Union GMB has hailed plans for a Humberside hydrogen plant as a ‘massive step forward’ to secure jobs and a green future for the gas industry. The union welcomed the submission
Exclusive opinion poll finds key political background seats backing hydrogen heating as a means of hitting Net Zero targets, avoiding unaffordable, upfront costs of the alternatives, saving the UK £35 billion. The YouGov poll was commissioned by not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), to examine a range of
Britain’s gas grid is set to be ready to start to blending hydrogen around the country from next year, helping provide families with more secure, homegrown energy supplies, new plans published by energy network companies announce today. Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan, setting out
Exclusive polling conducted for the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting ‘Red Wall’ voters hard, with an astonishing 79 per cent saying the Government does not understand the financial pressures on working families. EUA and YouGov polled 1600 voters in
Teams working at Tideway’s Victoria Embankment Foreshore site have completed work to uncover the original Bazalgette sewer at the site, taking another important step towards Tideway’s integration with London’s existing sewer system. In order to connect to Bazalgette’s sewers to divert sewage into the main tunnel, the team at Victoria
Civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale will lead a new scheme to protect critical water infrastructure from the impact of erosion on the Suffolk coastline. The programme of works will be carried out at Corton Beach, Lowestoft on behalf of Anglian Water by Barhale as part of the @one Alliance, the collaboration of consultants and contractors working together to deliver more than half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme. Continued coastal erosion has made it necessary to move three sewer pipes that currently run along the beach to a new route approximately 100 metres inland. They include the primary 700mm Lowestoft domestic wastewater pipe which runs to the Lowestoft Water Recycling Centre (WRC) to be treated before being taken away by a second 800mm pipe to the Nesspoint outfall. A third pipe (300mm), dedicated to the nearby Birds Eye factory will also be moved. The replacement pipework will be laid through opencut to a depth of 2.5m in ductile iron with a special lining to protect against saline water. The new route will take the pipelines through the Gunton Warren Nature Reserve and the project has been subject to intensive involvement from East Suffolk Council, ecologists, arboriculturists and Suffolk Wildlife Trust to ensure there is minimal impact on the environment and ecology found in the reserve. It has also led to the agreement of a five year plan on completion of the project that will deliver a net biodiversity gain of 10%. Barhale’s contract manager, Stuart Kempster underlined the importance of the works and of proactively managing the risks presented by coastal erosion. “This is a critical project to protect the water infrastructure of Lowestoft and the surrounding area,” he said. “Anglian Water’s early intervention will significantly extend the life of the existing assets and ensure that the retreating coastline does not have any impact on waste water management. “Anglian Water and the @one Alliance have been very mindful of the new pipeline route and have worked closely with stakeholders to create a post-completion ecology programme that will actually enhance biodiversity. We are proud to be playing our part not only in leading these important works but also helping to make sure that we leave the site with ethe best possible future.” Work is scheduled to start in early 2022 and to take approximately 12 months.
The Government must increase the scope of green subsidy schemes for UK homes to successfully transition from gas-based heating and address skyrocketing energy costs, according to polymer pipework specialist REHAU. REHAU’s comments follow recent criticism from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee that the Government’s plans to end the country’s reliance of gas were inadequate and lacked clear direction. With domestic heating constituting 17% of the UK’s carbon emissions and gas currently warming 86% of homes, the company is highlighting the need for effective, innovative technologies that can make an instant impact. “The issue of how we are going to decarbonise heating for new and existing residential building stock is not a new one,” explains Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions. “Yet as the recent comments from the BEIS select committee demonstrates, there is currently an unacceptable gap between good thought and good practice. Though the Government’s Heating and Buildings Strategy lays out welcome steps, including the £450m Boiler Upgrade Scheme, this pot is too small to make a meaningful difference. “The adoption of heat pumps and district heating systems at scale is a clear and obvious solution that can be adopted in the here-and-now. But in order for these technologies to be as impactful as possible, the Government needs to expand the rollout of low-carbon and waste heat networks. Only by doing so can we fulfil the enormous potential of these transformative technologies in the UK.” Beyond expanding the scope of existing schemes, Steve is advocating for a review of energy subsidies on electricity bills, which would make heat pumps more attractive to end users currently on mains gas. Since the closure of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, there are also very limited funding options for private commercial buildings to transition from fossil fuels to these more sustainable options. “As highlighted by the various trade associations, while the need for action is clear absolutist moves such as shifting policy costs onto gas bills could create further price spikes that could badly affect UK households,” Steve concludes. “As such, policy needs to be carefully enacted to level the playing field between gas and other solutions and ensure this necessary transition is as cost-effective as possible. “While a nuanced approach is clearly required in the medium-to-long term, the end goal is clear – a national energy mix that is sustainable and not hostage to spiralling fuel costs. District heating and heat pump technologies offer the best way forward in this regard.” For more information on REHAU’s low carbon district heating solutions, visit: www.rehau.co.uk/districtheating
In value terms, 79% of energy generation construction projects over the past five years have been related to renewable energy, with gas and nuclear representing a combined 21%. While construction projects for energy generation using solar power represent the largest proportion of contract awards by volume; in value terms, solar projects represent just 4% of total value across energy related construction projects. Laura Pardoe, Product Manager at AMA Research and editor of the Utilities Construction: Gas and Electric Market Report comments “This is an incredibly exciting time to be monitoring construction in the energy sector and charting the real time transition to renewable sources of energy generation. There has been a 70% increase in electricity generation from renewables since 2016; over the same period 80% of contract awards have been for low carbon options showing a clear direction of future travel. Twin forces driving for energy security and carbon neutrality mean construction projects are focused on sustainable energy generation utilising natural resources.” In the period 2016 to 2021(Q2), projects in the wind sector (onshore and offshore) made up just under half of all energy generation projects, by value, and 58% of all renewable projects. Increasing generation from wind and solar is the focus to further increase renewable generation to deliver on the net zero target by 2050. While the bulk of generation needed is planned to be provided by renewables, there is also need for more reliable sources of power such as nuclear or power stations that burn hydrogen or gas with carbon capture and storage. In 2020 UK electricity construction contributed 41% of total infrastructure work, an increase from 24% in 2019. Electricity construction output grew 66% year on year in 2020. Electricity is likely to remain a key driver of growth into the medium-term within the gas and electricity market as generation capacity is renewed and larger-scale renewables generation, particularly offshore wind and biomass, is commissioned.
Exclusive opinion poll finds key Red Wall political background seats backing hydrogen heating as a means of hitting Net Zero targets, avoiding unaffordable, upfront costs of the alternatives, saving the UK £35 billion. The YouGov poll was commissioned by not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), to examine a range of questions about the UK’s energy future. Excluding ‘Don’t Knows’, 85 per cent of the 1600 residents across 18 Red Wall seats in the north of England back Government plans to allow hydrogen to be blended with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions in the home, from 2023. This figure rises to 92 per cent of Labour voters. These findings support the recent publication by the Energy Networks Association of their “Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan” launched last week. Hydrogen can be safely blended into the natural gas network at levels up to 20 per cent without any changes required to gas boilers, cookers or fires, meaning consumers can reduce their carbon footprint automatically. Across the UK, this offers the potential of a 6 million tonnes a year carbon saving. “We have always believed the great British public want to do their bit on reducing carbon but are worried about the costs and don’t trust some new technologies. Blending hydrogen into the gas network has been given a huge thumbs up from voters,” commented on these findings, Mike Foster, CEO of EUA. “They can continue to use their gas boilers, cookers and fires as they do now, and their carbon emissions will be cut, with them doing nothing. It’s a real win-win situation that is recognised by voters, already struggling with energy bills and having no spare cash for expensive alternatives to gas boilers.” “And the impact is huge. Across the UK’s 23 million homes, it amounts to 6 million tonnes a year saved – the same as taking 2.5 million cars off our roads. Instead of switching 3.5 million homes from gas to heat pumps, to save the same amount of carbon, at a cost of £35 billion, consumers can simply keep warm knowing that the switch to hydrogen is helping to save the planet.”
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says: “Now we know the impact of the global energy crisis upon the average consumer, a price cap increase of £693 to £1971 a year. Millions more households will now be thrown into fuel poverty, through no fault of their own and that unenviable choice, between heating and eating will become the reality for more in our communities. “It would be churlish to ignore the Government’s response, any help is better than none. But using council tax to rebate bill increases seems a very blunt instrument, which fails to take into account actual household incomes but does reflect 1991 house values. I fear the distribution of this rebate will not be fair and many winners will not be the low paid. “The proposed loan to energy companies to keep bills £200 lower now, but to be paid back later, is a stunt designed to appear to help. It is a heat now, pay later scheme that simply delays the pain not reduce it. “But the fundamental root cause of the problem has not been addressed in today’s announcement. How does the UK shift away from global fossil fuel prices? We now need a firm commitment from the Government to wean us off natural gas and onto hydrogen, which we can produce ourselves, and convert our world-class gas network to run on hydrogen. That way, Putin will not hold us hostage, with his fingers turning the gas taps off, jacking up prices and forcing UK households to choose between heating and eating.”
Unlike some ideas, hydrogen fuels provide an opportunity to safeguard jobs and industry whilst reducing our carbon footprint says GMB Union GMB has hailed plans for a Humberside hydrogen plant as a ‘massive step forward’ to secure jobs and a green future for the gas industry. The union welcomed the submission by Norwegian firm Equinor to build the plant, which has been backed by six potential users including British Gas owner Centrica and chemical giant Inneos. If given the green light, the project could provide up to 600MW of hydrogen with the potential to triple production, as well as creating more than 2,000 jobs in the region. Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “Unlike some ideas being mooted, hydrogen fuels provide an opportunity to safeguard jobs and industry whilst reducing our carbon footprint. “This development not only ensures heavy industry gets the power it needs but helps secure a future for our gas grid. “This is vital as it could use the current gas network whist protecting well paid, unionised gas jobs in the industry. “Britain can become a market leader in this technology, which could become a major exporting industry if we can lead the way. “GMB fights constantly to secure decent jobs whilst managing the just transition to a carbon neutral future. “Developments like this provide real confidence it can be done.”
Exclusive opinion poll finds key political background seats backing hydrogen heating as a means of hitting Net Zero targets, avoiding unaffordable, upfront costs of the alternatives, saving the UK £35 billion. The YouGov poll was commissioned by not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), to examine a range of questions about the UK’s energy future. Excluding ‘Don’t Knows’, 85 per cent of the 1600 residents across 18 Red Wall seats in the north of England back Government plans to allow hydrogen to be blended with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions in the home, from 2023. This figure rises to 92 per cent of Labour voters. These findings support the recent publication by the Energy Networks Association of their “Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan” launched last week. Hydrogen can be safely blended into the natural gas network at levels up to 20 per cent without any changes required to gas boilers, cookers or fires, meaning consumers can reduce their carbon footprint automatically. Across the UK, this offers the potential of a 6 million tonnes a year carbon saving. Commenting on these findings, Mike Foster, CEO of EUA said: “We have always believed the great British public want to do their bit on reducing carbon but are worried about the costs and don’t trust some new technologies. Blending hydrogen into the gas network has been given a huge thumbs up from voters.” “They can continue to use their gas boilers, cookers and fires as they do now, and their carbon emissions will be cut, with them doing nothing. It’s a real win-win situation that is recognised by voters, already struggling with energy bills and having no spare cash for expensive alternatives to gas boilers.” “And the impact is huge. Across the UK’s 23 million homes, it amounts to 6 million tonnes a year saved – the same as taking 2.5 million cars off our roads. Instead of switching 3.5[1] million homes from gas to heat pumps, to save the same amount of carbon, at a cost of £35 billion[2], consumers can simply keep warm knowing that the switch to hydrogen is helping to save the planet.” For more information, visit www.eua.org.uk [1] A gas boiler typically emits 1.58 tonnes of carbon dioxide more than an Air Source Heat Pump. [2] The Prime Minister and BEIS calculate the cost of buying and installing a heat pump is £10,000 per household.
Britain’s gas grid is set to be ready to start to blending hydrogen around the country from next year, helping provide families with more secure, homegrown energy supplies, new plans published by energy network companies announce today. Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan, setting out how all five of Britain’s gas grid companies will meet the Government’s target for Britain’s network of gas pipes to be ready to deliver 20% hydrogen to homes and businesses acround the country from 2023, as a replacement for up to a fifth of the natural gas currently used. It will also mean that Britain’s fleet of gas-fired power plants will be able to use blended hydrogen to generate cleaner electricity. The companies are also calling for the UK Government to double its domestic 2030 hydrogen production target from 5GW to 10GW, to ensure that as much hydrogen as possible is produced from sources here in the UK, to better protect homes and businesses from international gas market changes. Blending 20% hydrogen into the gas grid will reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 2.5 million cars a year, without any changes needed to be made to people’s cookers, boilers or heating systems, ENA says. Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan sets out: A new ‘Target 2023’ timeline that all five of Britain’s gas network companies will follow, to ensure homes are able to benefit from hydrogen as a replacement for up to a fifth of the natural gas currently used, from the winter of 2023/4 onwards. Two options that the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy should choose from for the energy infrastructure changes that need to be made to allow hydrogen blending to happen from 2023 – a Strategic Approach and a Free Market Approach. The legal changes that must be made by Government and regulatory bodies across five key ‘Market Pillars’ to ensure gas network companies can start blending hydrogen into the gas grid from 2023. The Plan builds on the progress made by gas network companies through the HyDeploy project, which has demonstrated that blending hydrogen with natural gas is feasible and safe. The project began blending hydrogen into the public gas network in Winlaton, Gateshead, in summer 2021. David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, says: “Whether it be heating our homes, powering our businesses or generating cleaner electricity, hydrogen will help drive up our energy security, while driving down our carbon emissions – and Britain’s gas grid companies are ready to get on with the job of delivering that. “This plan sets out the changes needed to deliver cleaner, more secure energy supplies for all. What’s key is that the Government does its bit too by lifting its target for homegrown hydrogen production this decade. Doing that today will help gas grid companies deliver for tomorrow.”
Exclusive polling conducted for the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting ‘Red Wall’ voters hard, with an astonishing 79 per cent saying the Government does not understand the financial pressures on working families. EUA and YouGov polled 1600 voters in 18 Red Wall constituencies across the north of England, covering seats won by the Conservatives for the first time in 2019 on a range of energy issues. The figures will put pressure on the Government to relieve the pressure of escalating energy bills. The joint poll also found that 80 per cent of Conservative voters in 2019 now believe the issue of energy bills to be important to them, with nearly 60 per cent stating that rising energy bills are having a big impact upon their personal finances. EUA’s analysis of the polling found that 17 of the 18 seats would switch back to Labour if there were to be an election now. The survey comes a few weeks away from a predicted £719 (56 per cent) increase in energy bills, as the Price Cap is reviewed, taking effect in April. Commenting on the findings, EUA’s Chief Executive Mike Foster said: “These numbers confirm just how deeply the cost-of-living crisis is hitting working families. And at the heart of this crisis are escalating energy bills. When there is such strong sentiment expressed by the public, the Government must listen. Sky-high energy bills are not the fault of consumers, but they are paying a heavy price. It is also very clear that politicians will pay a price for not tackling sky-high bills.” “In October, the average Price Cap bill rose by £140, another £700 is simply not affordable. Voters will expect action before April’s figures kick in. There is plenty the Government can do but in the short-term, their options are limited. Cutting VAT on energy bills and switching environment levies onto general taxation will help. They could increase the Winter Fuel Payment paid to pensioners too, but they do need to act.” “To provide long-term relief from high energy bills, the Government needs to prioritise energy efficiency measures such as insulation. It also needs to confirm its intention to switch away from fossil fuel gas to hydrogen for home heating. This will meet the UK’s net zero obligation without adding further financial burdens to consumers.” The constituencies polled as part of the research were: Barrow and Furness, Bishop Auckland, Blyth Valley, Burnley, Darlington, Don Valley, Great Grimsby, Hartlepool, Leigh, North West Durham, Penistone and Stocksbridge, Redcar, Rother Valley, Scunthorpe, Sedgefield, Stockton South, Wakefield, and Workington. For more information, visit the EUA’s website: https://eua.org.uk
Teams working at Tideway’s Victoria Embankment Foreshore site have completed work to uncover the original Bazalgette sewer at the site, taking another important step towards Tideway’s integration with London’s existing sewer system. In order to connect to Bazalgette’s sewers to divert sewage into the main tunnel, the team at Victoria Embankment had to uncover part of the Northern Low-Level Sewer, which formed part of the original Victorian sewerage system. While works were carried out, a temporary flume pipe was installed within the existing Victorian brick sewer to ensure sewage can continue to flow through during work. An interception chamber has also been constructed that will redirect sewage flows towards the new super sewer via a 48m deep shaft. Adnan Noor, Project Manager at Victoria Embankment, said: “This milestone, after 13 months of civil engineering and demolition work, represents an important step towards our mission to clean up the River Thames from sewage pollution. Making these connections with Bazalgette’s existing system are a great reminder of the scale of his work and its contribution to London. We’re proud of our part in updating it for future generations.” The Ferrovial Construction and Laing O’Rourke (FLO) joint venture, the principal contractor for the 12.7km central section of the 25km Thames Tideway Tunnel, appointed Barhale to carry out the works at Victoria Embankment Foreshore. Barhale Regional Director Phil Cull, said: “The completion of the breakout of the Northern Low-Level Sewer at Victoria Foreshore and the construction of the interception chamber is an important step in the integration of London’s systems – old and new.” “We are very pleased to have successfully delivered this key element of the Tideway project at Victoria Embankment Foreshore. Tideway is a huge project and we are proud to be playing our part in upgrading London’s infrastructure not only to meet existing demand but also for generations to come.” The Victoria Embankment Foreshore site will be used to control the existing local Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), known as the Regent Street CSO. After commissioning, the connections will allow overflows at the CSO to be intercepted and carried into the 25km Tideway “super sewer” tunnel, before being treated at Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. Northern Low-Level Sewer No.1 starts in Hammersmith in the west of the city then runs beneath Fulham before joining, and becoming an integral part of, the Thames Embankment at Cheyne Walk in Chelsea. Its flows are ultimately raised at the Abbey Mills pumping station to join the Northern Outfall Sewer.
