The design stage is crucial for a successful construction project, and Vital Energi are delighted to offer a complete design process across all RIBA stages to help organisations achieve their energy ambitions. By influencing key decisions made early on in the design process, the team at Vital ensure buildings are
Trading power and carbon presents on opportunity for the energy industry to capitalise on high-growth, high-value markets, in addition to the obvious benefits presented by the move to renewable, sustainable, Earth-friendly generation and decarbonisation solutions. Like any other, carbon emissions—as well as electricity—can be considered a specification for commodities and
Installing rooftop solar panels can provide home and property owners with the ability to power their homes using clean, renewable electricity generated on-site. Selecting the optimal location for panels to be installed can help to ensure superior output and performance. Home-Solar Installations Solar panels are devices which are used to
The government has been warned that it faces a major public backlash if it attempts to use an increase in domestic gas prices as a way of forcing homeowners to buy expensive low carbon heating appliances in own homes. A consultation is due to launch shortly which is believed will
The UK’s hydrogen transition must comply with global gold-standard sustainability benchmarks, say GB gas network companies. The call comes ahead of World Environment Day on Saturday 5 June. The companies responsible for building the UK’s hydrogen economy should do so in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all
Leading the green recovery electricity network companies are to invest over £300 million in network capacity for electric transport, clean heat and wider infrastructure development. Following a successful call for evidence, in which local authorities, developers and other parties stated the case for extra network capacity to receive investment, Britain’s energy networks
Solar energy has bombarded the planet for the last 4 billion years. Harnessing the sun’s power to get electricity is a good option if you want cleaner and better energy sources. Besides, they’re so efficient and cost-effective. Rather than depending on the grid for electricity supply to heat your pool
Osprey Group is delighted to work with Orbital Marine Power to aid in the final planning stages of its ground-breaking tidal turbine, the Orbital O2 2MW. Orbital’s marine technology has the potential to unlock a new source of clean, predictable power for millions of people, homes, and businesses around the
Leading renewable bioenergy specialists Fleetsolve has signed a partnership with Dutch engine company MAN Rollo BV to supply the growing UK combined heat and power market as part of their ambitious growth plans. Under the new partnership Fleetsolve becomes the UK distributor for MAN Rollo’s engines, parts and services for
Work to deliver the £170m of infrastructure which will make the £6bn Meridian Water project a reality took a huge step forward on Tuesday 16 March with the appointment of the first contractors. Enfield Council was awarded the money by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government last year
The design stage is crucial for a successful construction project, and Vital Energi are delighted to offer a complete design process across all RIBA stages to help organisations achieve their energy ambitions. By influencing key decisions made early on in the design process, the team at Vital ensure buildings are designed in an optimum way by working alongside M&E consultants, sustainability consultants, structural engineers, and architects, to ensure clients benefit from design efficiency from the beginning. Vital have recently been working with one of the UK’s largest developers, Taylor Wimpey, on their Hepscott Road project in Hackney Wick, which comprises 145 apartments and 23,820 sq. ft of commercial space. Early involvement in the project from RIBA Stage 2 has allowed Vital to work with the architects at the pre-planning stage, influencing key decisions and providing optimal support to Taylor Wimpey. Spatial provisions, such as the location of HIUs and utility cupboards, rooftop plant areas, riser sizes, ceiling void depths, and energy centre plant areas have been determined. These key considerations provide the architect with valuable information to ensure the building works get the best out of the heat network. Amanda Daly, Senior Technical Manager for Taylor Wimpey London, said: “The introduction of Vital Energi at concept stage has been invaluable. Design input has been consistent, and the Vital team have fully integrated with the design team to make the process efficient and successful.” Elliott Sharpe, Vital Energi’s Design Director, said: “It’s great to be able to share the company’s experience from design, installation and operation of heat networks with the project design team and clients at such an early stage of a development. Not only does the professional team benefit, but so does the end customer through the creation of an efficient, low carbon heat supply.” With over 30 years’ heat network experience, Vital Energi’s design team specialise in creating robust and creative energy generation, distribution and conservation solutions of all sizes for small to large scale projects across all sectors, and are proud to have developed schemes for over 83,000 properties and installed upward of 30,000 HIUs. The Vital team can share their knowledge at any stage of the design process, however by RIBA Stage 4, many of the key decisions have already been made, some of which may be irreversible, such as defining the energy strategy, size and location of the energy centre, number and size of risers required, and the optimum district heating route. If the initial concept needs reworking, this can cause project delays, redesign work and additional cost. Having a heat network specialist on board from the early stages also integrates Vital’s experience of installation, ESCo services, metering & billing, and operation & maintenance into the design from day one. If you’re based in the South and would like to see your energy ambitions become reality, please contact Elliott Sharpe on Elliott.Sharpe@vitalenergi.co.uk.
Trading power and carbon presents on opportunity for the energy industry to capitalise on high-growth, high-value markets, in addition to the obvious benefits presented by the move to renewable, sustainable, Earth-friendly generation and decarbonisation solutions. Like any other, carbon emissions—as well as electricity—can be considered a specification for commodities and the industry is experiencing a development, acquisition, and consolidation “boom” right now. Nord Pool exchange links Norway and Britain Nord Pool, Europe’s leading power market has announced that it has received an operating license to host day-ahead power trading auctions for the first electricity cable linking Norway and Britain from this autumn, Norway’s Energy Regulatory Authority (NVE-RME) said. Much the same in principle as any British trade platform, Nord Pool offers day-ahead and intraday trading, clearing, and settlement to customers regardless of size or location. 360 companies from 20 countries trade on Nord Pool’s markets and the concession allows Nord Pool to run auctions for delivery over the new 1,400 megawatt (MW) North Sea Link cable once trial operations begin on Oct. 1. US private equity firm acquires UK renewable energy firm Anesco On the back of this news comes that of the acquisition by Ara Partners, an industrial decarbonisation-focused private equity firm, of Anesco Holdings, a UK market leader in renewable energy that develops, designs, and manages the construction, maintenance, and market optimisation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Anesco has developed and constructed more than 115 solar farms and energy storage facilities—including the UK’s first solar farm free from subsidies—while its operations and maintenance service now has close to 1.2 gigawatt (GW) of renewable assets under management. Charles Cherington, co-founder and managing partner of Ara Partners, said, “Our focus is on accelerating decarbonisation by investing in and building ambitious companies such as Anesco that have energy efficiency and sustainability at their heart.” Mark Futyan, who joined Anesco as CEO in 2020, will continue to lead the business with the support of the senior management team. “This is a pivotal moment for Anesco, as we gear up to deliver the next wave of large scale, subsidy-free solar and energy storage capacity,” he said. Ara Partners invests in the industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and green fuels and food and agriculture sectors, seeking to build businesses that are focused on sustainability and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles. Ara Partners and Anesco are considered ideal partners owing to their strong focus on the services business model and commitment to supporting the net zero energy transition.
Installing rooftop solar panels can provide home and property owners with the ability to power their homes using clean, renewable electricity generated on-site. Selecting the optimal location for panels to be installed can help to ensure superior output and performance. Home-Solar Installations Solar panels are devices which are used to convert the sun’s rays into useful electricity. The amount of sunlight exposure that panels receive can be a limiting factor in their ability to provide adequate performance. Installing panels on too sharply pitched or poorly angled roofs or locations where they may not face the sun could negatively impact performance. Optimal Position and Placement Ideally, solar panels should be installed in such a way as to maximize the volume of surface area that will be exposed to sunlight. Sunlight that hits the panels at too shallow of an angle can inhibit power output, so it is important to choose installation options that can help to offset the pitch or angle of a roof. Shade can also cause power output to drop, so the best locations for panel installation are those that offer full, unobstructed sunlight. Position is important, however protection is also and Solar Panels Pigeon Proofing is a must when installing. Seasonal Track The angle of the sun changes throughout the year, which is even more pronounced at higher latitudes. Positioning panels to face in either an easterly or westerly direction can help to maximize sunlight exposure during the early or later portions of the day. Having multiple banks of panels can help to minimize the impact that seasonal changes are likely to have on performance. Positioning panels to catch both the morning and evening rays while also utilizing panels positioned to capture sunlight during peak afternoon hours is often the most efficient approach. Roof Shape and Structure There are equipment and installation options that can allow homeowners to work around a roof with a steep pitch or that may not offer ideal mounting points. The best equipment and solar panel installation options can make it easy to adjust the pitch, angle, or even panels’ position once installed. Dynamic positioning ensures that a home-solar system or setup will be able to function even when installed in less than optimal locations. The ability to quickly and easily adjust solar panels can also allow them to be repositioned from one season to the next in order to track the changing angle of the sun better. Identifying the Best Location The best location for solar panel installation is the one that will afford them the most sunlight. While positions that may be less ideal could cause problems, investing in panels with higher output or increasing the number of panels to be installed can help to improve performance. Mounting equipment can also be a factor when selecting a location. Options that allow for dynamic positioning can enable panels to function more effectively even when installed in a sub-optimal location. Proper installation and placement are essential for ensuring that solar panels can provide superior performance. Positioning solar panels to optimize the angle of the sun and ensure maximum surface exposure can help to increase power output.
The government has been warned that it faces a major public backlash if it attempts to use an increase in domestic gas prices as a way of forcing homeowners to buy expensive low carbon heating appliances in own homes. A consultation is due to launch shortly which is believed will propose an increase to gas prices to encourage consumers to ditch their gas boiler in favour of an electric alternative, such as a heat pump. However, a new survey of homeowners has found that the public is adamantly opposed to this approach, with predictions of a public backlash made by some senior politicians, highly likely. It has found that four in ten voters (40%) would be ‘less likely to vote’ for a Government that announced an increase in the price of gas as a way of encouraging people to switch from boiler to heat pumps. In an added twist, nearly eight in ten (76%) would support reducing VAT on domestic gas, something that was promised by senior Ministers during the Brexit campaign, as European Union rules on VAT no longer apply. Mike Foster, Chief Executive of the Energy and Utilities Alliance who commissioned the online research of 2,000 homeowners, says a move to increase levies on the price of gas would be a kick in the teeth of hard-pressed consumers who are still smarting over the breach of trust around VAT not being cut. “During the referendum campaign people were promised that, if we came out of Europe, we would be able to set our own levels of VAT on domestic fuel and that this would allow the government to reduce VAT and effectively cut fuel bills. They have been let down. But to make matters worse, Whitehall officials are now planning to force the price of gas up, to encourage consumers to rip out their gas boiler in favour of a £10,000 heat pump. Some politicians get it. Others need to start taking back control from Whitehall officials who are planning to make politicians look ridiculous. Far from cutting gas bills, they are set to increase. It will be a gross breach of trust and a very reckless political move for any political party to make.” Gas is currently the most popular fuel for heating, hot water and cooking in UK homes with more 21 million households on the mains gas network. “I would remind the government that gas users are also voters. 21 million households on the gas grid, the majority of which are multi-occupancy, equates to a huge number of voters who are the recipients of heat and hot water from a boiler. The reaction from the public when the energy companies put up their prices should act as a warning to Ministers,” says Mr Foster. The research also reveals that whilst the public support efforts to combat climate change, nearly three quarters would prioritise fuel poverty over action on climate change. “I believe the public supports efforts to deal with the climate crisis but not at the expense of plunging more people into fuel poverty. If the government does force up the price of gas, it is vital that the fuel poor are supported. And if a carbon levy is placed on gas, let’s ring-fence the proceeds to make sure they are used to incentivise the investment in the hydrogen economy the government is keen to talk about.” Mr Foster concludes: “Yes, we have to deal with the climate emergency, but the public wants a thought-through strategy not a knee-jerk tweaking of gas prices that will impact the poorest in society and do nothing to encourage the uptake of low carbon heating technologies.”
The UK’s hydrogen transition must comply with global gold-standard sustainability benchmarks, say GB gas network companies. The call comes ahead of World Environment Day on Saturday 5 June. The companies responsible for building the UK’s hydrogen economy should do so in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all five of Britain’s gas network companies have said today, as they published a new joint commitment to them. The call comes as industry awaits the publication of the UK Government’s Hydrogen Strategy, which will set out how the country will build the foundations for a hydrogen economy to reach the country’s 2050 Net Zero target. Many experts see hydrogen as an adaptable alternative to fossil fuels. When hydrogen is burned it produces no greenhouse gases. Hydrogen blended with natural gas also has the potential to be delivered and used in the same way as natural gas, reducing carbon emissions. If a 20% hydrogen blend were rolled out across the country it could save around 6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 2.5 million cars off the road. Published as part of Energy Networks Association’s Gas Goes Green programme, ‘A Joint Commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals’ sets out how the companies are fulfilling their shared commitments to delivering the SDGs, as they manage 284,000km of gas pipelines that supply energy to 85% of homes across Great Britain. The report includes 2021 commitments from the companies to: Reduce fuel poverty amongst their customers, by supporting them in accessing affordable energy (SDG 7 – Affordable & Clean Energy) Continue to work towards ensuring their organisations better reflect the communities they serve (SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth). Reduce waste and support sustainable consumption across their businesses and supply chains, working towards a truly ‘less but better’ circular economy (SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production). Work towards the UK’s goal of Net Zero by 2050, including through the Gas Goes Green programme and gas network innovation projects (SDG 13 – Climate Action). Transition to low carbon vehicles fleets and help drive the decarbonisation of freight and heavy transport (SDG 13 – Climate Action). “For the companies who will deliver the UK’s hydrogen economy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the ethical backbone for how they go about that.“Converting our safe and reliable gas network to green gases like hydrogen and biomethane will not only reduce our carbon emissions, it will also help build a more sustainable and responsible energy system, both for the people we serve and the people we employ. Today’s report sets out the steps the UKs gas networks will take to do that.” Commenting, Energy Networks Association’s Gas Goes Green champion, Chris Train says:
Leading the green recovery electricity network companies are to invest over £300 million in network capacity for electric transport, clean heat and wider infrastructure development. Following a successful call for evidence, in which local authorities, developers and other parties stated the case for extra network capacity to receive investment, Britain’s energy networks will now accelerate funding over the next 12-24 months. David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association which represents the UK and Ireland’s energy networks businesses said: “With just a few months left until COP26 we are delighted to have been able to bring forward such a crucial enabler of the Prime Minister’s green recovery ambitions. Delivering a green recovery for seas, skies and streets, over £300m of electricity distribution network investment will enable wide-ranging projects which help tackle some of our biggest Net Zero challenges, like electric vehicle range anxiety and the decarbonisation of heavier transport. “This new funding shows the social, economic and environmental benefits that can be brought forward by industry working closely with a flexible regulator.” Projects selected include those in the areas of electric flight, shipping, heating and road transportation. These projects will not only play a critical role in driving a green recovery but will provide a foundation for the emerging technologies needed for a Net Zero future. Details of some of the projects can be found below. Key case study map Further case studies from across Britain Network operator Location Details Western Power Distribution South West – Truro In Truro Western Power Distribution are replacing two 132/33kV transformers, bringing on 30MW extra capacity for demand and for generation. Reflecting a £2m investment there are a multitude of uses for this new capacity. The area has abundant existing and proposed solar resources as well as a proposed garden village where a number of low carbon technologies are being considered. Crucially, Cornwall is also an area with many homes which do not have access to the gas network. With improved capacity in the county, more homes in Cornwall will have the option of switching to electric solutions. Western Power Distribution Wales Every year the Brecon Beacons are visited by over four million people; that’s four million people who, before long, will need to charge their electric vehicles. As part of the Green Recovery programme, Western Power Distribution are making multiple 11kV network investments through new cabling and substations, representing a £1million investment in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells. Whilst not solely intended for electric vehicle charge points, there has been a strong interest in establishing charge points in this area, catering to the rural tourist areas between Brecon Beacons National Park and Shropshire Hills AONB Western Power Distribution West Midlands – Gloucester Services M4 At the Gloucester services on the M4, Western Power Distribution are to build a 11kV network extension via two new cables from Tuffley 33/11kV substation towards Gloucester Services. In short, this allows for an increase of 8MW in demand and 6W in generation. Representing a £1.6m investment this facilitates connection of charging points for electric vehicles along this major, arterial road, as well as other growth in this area on the outskirts of Gloucester. Crucially, the cables will be laid rated at 33kV for efficiencies in future as growth increases – effectively futureproofing the project for the further growth anticipated in the area. Western Power Distribution East Midlands – East Croft Nottingham Nottingham City Council aim to transform the area into the first carbon neutral city by 2028. With that in mind, Nottingham is a known growth area with significant plans for low carbon technology growth in the coming years whilst also handling existing network constraints. To enable this, Western Power Distribution are investing £3.5m in a new 33/11kV substation in the city centre. This investment will provide 24MW of extra capacity for demand and 18MW extra capacity for generation. Electricity North West Windermere Cumbria County Council’s Carbon Management Strategy aims for the county to become “carbon neutral” by 2037. Decarbonisation of transport plans include; tourist activity, which will ensure electric vehicle charging facilities at major tourist carparks, and the replacement of the existing aging diesel Windermere ferry with a new environmentally friendly electric ferry. To accommodate these new low carbon connections in the Windermere lakeside area, Electricity North West plan to invest approximately £700k to install 4km of 11kV cable to enhance the network capacity there before 2022. A further investment of up to £1m is planned to strengthen the upstream 33kV network to ensure the security of this new capacity. Electricity North West St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, Carlisle Building on Carlisle’s designation by the World Health Organisation as a World Healthy City, St Cuthbert’s will be a place that encourages and facilitates a healthy lifestyle. Walking and cycling, supportive neighbourhoods, planned educational facilities and a strong sense of community spirit will all improve health and wellbeing. An objective for St Cuthbert’s is to promote sustainable energy use and the development of renewable energy resources, where feasible. It will also set out to promote energy efficient buildings whilst maintaining thermal comfort levels. Renewable and low carbon heat supplies being considered for the sites include: Solar thermal Air source heat pumps Water source heat pumps Ground source heat pumps Energy from sewers Deep geothermal Energy from waste Industrial waste heat Electricity North West propose to utilise the replacement of the overhead lines that currently traverses the area with cables as an opportunity to uprate the circuits in the area and meet the developments needs for an additional 8.5MW of electrical capacity. The new electrical network will be designed with the requirements to support both electrical consumption and generation in mind, enabling the decarbonisation vision of the Garden Village. As well as installing a higher capacity replacement circuit, Electricity North West plan to install ducts to futureproof the development, enabling future cables to be easily installed, providing the potential for even more capacity. This includes provisions for the connection of electric vehicle charging capacity at Southwaite Service Station on the M6 motorway.
Solar energy has bombarded the planet for the last 4 billion years. Harnessing the sun’s power to get electricity is a good option if you want cleaner and better energy sources. Besides, they’re so efficient and cost-effective. Rather than depending on the grid for electricity supply to heat your pool or power your home, you can install efficient solar panels to do these for you effectively. Since summer is approaching fast, you can switch to a solar attic fan to cool your home rather than an electrical fan that would use a lot of power to run. There are several inexhaustible reasons to turn to solar panels. You should, however, note that an efficient panel doesn’t necessarily translate into improved economic benefits for a modern home. While the idea of saving money monthly seems promising, initial investment might have you wondering if it’s worth the time, money, and efforts. Let’s dig in deeper to help you comprehend more about solar power efficiency. Efficacy of Solar Power on A Modern Home Solar panel efficacy is a measurement of a solar panel’s capability to convert sunlight effectively into vital and usable electricity. All factors (sunlight amount and durational time) constant, a more efficient solar panel will produce significant power compared to a non-efficient one. The efficiency of solar panels is typically determined by the amount of electricity produced by the solar cells. They are consequently directly influenced by surrounding components, electrical configuration, and their composition, amongst other factors. Solar panels can process up to 22% of solar energy per day and convert it into vital energy based on various variables. The sunlight amount that’s convertible into electricity is referred to as performance, and its outcome determines the efficacy of the solar panels. Top-notch solar panels may exceed efficiency to even 23%, but standard photovoltaic panels cannot go beyond 20% efficiency. A PV’s conversion efficiency is the percentile of solar energy that’s directly shining on the device. Enhancing this efficiency should be the primary goal of solar panel companies. It is this conversion energy percentile that makes them cost-competitive. Panel installation companies are looking for extra ways to make their systems more efficient every day. Factors That Determine And Impact The Efficacy of Solar Power Undeniably not all the sunlight reaching PV cells is convertible into usable electricity. Most are often lost. Several factors in solar cells designation impact a cell’s capability to convert the received sunlight. Designating with the following factors in mind will increase the achievable efficiency of solar panels. Wavelength Photons make up light. These photons possess a vast range of energies and wavelengths. Sunlight which reaches the surface of the Earth contains ultraviolet-based wavelengths via visible ranges to infrared. After light strikes the solar cells’ surface, some pass through while others are reflected. Absorbed photons turn their energy into heat while the other remainders usually separate electrons using their power from atomic bonds. They then produce electric currents and charge carriers. Temperature Low temperatures favor the efficiency of solar cells. If there are high temperatures, the semiconductor properties can shift, resulting in the increased current but decreased voltage. An increase in temperatures damage modules and cell materials, reducing the durability of the solar panels. Most of the bright sunlight on cells turns into heat. Therefore thermal management can enhance the lifetime and efficiency of solar panels. Recombination A charge carrier like an electron should easily flow across materials to enable electric current in the semiconductor. A’ hole’ which is also another charge carrier, represents electron absence in the materials. It then acts as a positively charged carrier. If electrons experience a hole, they tend to recombine and stop contributing to the flowing electric currents. Direct recombination is the process of a hole and light-generated electron encountering each other, recombining, and then emitting photons. This process reverses the entire process wherein there’s the generation of electricity in the solar cells. It limits efficiency. On the other hand, indirect recombination can be described as a process wherein holes and electrons encounter impurities, then recombine and finally emit their energy to become heat. Reflection When the amount of reflected light is significantly minimized, solar cells become very efficient. This can be done using textured surfaces as well as an anti-reflection coating. Black or dark blue cells in the solar panels are highly efficient. Shade Shade, no matter how small on the solar panel, can decrease the output. Panels are wired systematically together, so any shade on the part of a panel will lower the energy production and overall system. You should install solar panels in maximum sunlight exposure areas to mitigate this issue. However, this might be hard sometimes, so you need to look for better available alternatives. Panel Installation How you installed a solar panel is vital because it will determine how much sunlight will be captured. The panels’ angle and sunlight hitting will highly impact the efficiency of your solar system. If your panel is mounted on the roof, its slope will determine the amount of sunlight that will hit it. Commercial installations compensate for Earth’s imminent movement through installing tracking systems. However, they’re expensive, so they’re not used for residential purposes. Ice A buildup of ice can occur on solar panel surfaces when silicon coating wasn’t applied. Ice buildup decreases the efficiency of solar panels by up to 100%. UV Degradation UV degradation can delaminate solar cells structure. It also causes discoloration. Remember, efficient solar cells are either black or dark blue. Thermal Cycling This causes cell components to reduce efficiency drastically. Solar cell components are inclusive of module connections, solder bonds, interconnections, and internal cells. Conclusion If your roof is small, there are high chances of getting efficient PV panels, although they’ll be expensive. On the other hand, if you possess huge space amounts, you can get satiating energy needs with cheaper yet less efficient panels. That said, when you switch to a solar system for your house, you need to maintain and care for them to
Osprey Group is delighted to work with Orbital Marine Power to aid in the final planning stages of its ground-breaking tidal turbine, the Orbital O2 2MW. Orbital’s marine technology has the potential to unlock a new source of clean, predictable power for millions of people, homes, and businesses around the world. Moored via anchors in powerful tidal stream or river currents, the tidal turbine’s underwater rotors capture the hugely dense, predictable, renewable energy that flows in the world’s ocean and river currents. As a team, Osprey’s 25-year marine heritage provides the transferrable skills necessary to deliver an end-to-end project plan incorporating inland water, onshore, and offshore specialist logistics. The Orbital O2 turbine itself is being assembled in Dundee. A line-configuration of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) will be used to move the equipment from its construction site to a launch site, where it will be loaded onto a barge. In a world’s first, the barge will then be taken to the float-offsite and submerged to a depth of seven metres, from which point the O2 will be floated off and tugged out into position. Nigel Fletcher, CEO, Osprey: “The innovation behind our logistics lets us develop new methods of logistics’ deployment, and it enables us to transfer those techniques from one sector to the next. We’ve been working with all kinds of renewables’ clients for 25 years. We’re thrilled to win this contract and be delivering these services to a client that has the same shared ethos and values – validating the benefits for the planet of combined engineering expertise and a commitment to delivering cleaner energy.” The O2 tidal turbine will be installed in Spring, 2021 at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. Images and footage will be available.
Leading renewable bioenergy specialists Fleetsolve has signed a partnership with Dutch engine company MAN Rollo BV to supply the growing UK combined heat and power market as part of their ambitious growth plans. Under the new partnership Fleetsolve becomes the UK distributor for MAN Rollo’s engines, parts and services for the combined heat and power (CHP) sector from its Wirral headquarters and its five regional service centres. This partnership also creates 20 new jobs in the North West. MAN Rollo BV is a global player and has been supplying diesel and gas engines to the industrial and maritime sectors across 9 countries for over 100 years. The engines are used in power and heat supply, agricultural machines, cranes and trains, work vessels, coastal and inland vessels. “This partnership is a significant milestone in the Fleetsolve journey. We’re proud to partner with such a prestigious global company as MAN Rollo and relish the opportunity to work together to support the existing and new customer markets that are out there. We both have ambitious plans for growth and continue to buck the trend of the pandemic by expanding and recruiting more people to support this opportunity,” said Keith O’Connor, CEO of Fleetsolve. “It not only future proofs the supply of MAN parts and service for the UK market following Brexit, but it also supports our plans to supply all industry sectors with all fuel types and all sizes of power generation, ranging from 5KW to 2.5MW.This partnership is a significant first in providing a seamless customer journey helping UK businesses transition from gas and diesel engines that need to be maintained in a sustainable way, to a carbon-zero future in line with legislation,” he added. Although Fleetsolve is best known for its ‘green’ biofuel CHP systems, the UK CHP market is dominated by a range of complementary technologies including natural gas, methane and diesel which need to be supported and maintained efficiently for the next 10 years as the market moves to renewable fuels of the future. Rather than customers abandoning their legacy heat and power equipment, Fleetsolve understands that in the short term these engines will need to be expertly maintained and serviced. The partnership with MAN Rollo is a logical step next step for Fleetsolve and sees their ambitious growth plans develop opportunities to support a full range of CHP systems powered by gas, methane, biopropane (bio-LPG), biofuels and diesel. For CHP units nearing the end of their engine life, Fleetsolve’s hydrogen-ready engine swap service will see these units operating into a low carbon future to meet the 2050 Carbon Commitment. “We believe that Fleetsolve is in the position to fulfil customer demand for premium industrial solutions. Their knowledge, experience and customer relations make them a powerful partner. We welcome them to our team,” Michel van Gulik, General Manager MAN Rollo concluded.
Work to deliver the £170m of infrastructure which will make the £6bn Meridian Water project a reality took a huge step forward on Tuesday 16 March with the appointment of the first contractors. Enfield Council was awarded the money by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government last year (2020) from its Housing Infrastructure Fund. It will be used to build the roads, bridges, cycle lanes and parkland, as well as the water, gas and communications networks required to deliver the flagship 10,000 home, 6,000 job Meridian Water scheme. Today, Tuesday 16 March, Enfield Council can announce that it has entered into a Framework Agreement with Vinci Taylor Woodrow, BamNuttall and VolkerFitzpatrick to support the delivery of £90million of the works following a competitive procurement process. Furthermore, the Council has today appointed Vinci Taylor Woodrow, as the first ranked framework contractor, to provide pre-construction services. Construction works are due to start on site later this year. The scheme is expected to generate 150 jobs that last for a year or more, with at least 30 of those roles going to local people, and supporting 10 skilled apprenticeships. In addition, there will be an anticipated boost to Enfield’s construction sector, with at least £4 million of contracts with Enfield construction companies, supporting further local jobs. The Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, said: “This is a major step forward for Meridian Water, the delivery of infrastructure on the site will pave the way for the 10,000 homes and 6,000 jobs we will be creating in this development. “Successfully delivering the infrastructure on the site will be a major step forward in what will be a transformational plan for the area, providing homes, jobas and parkland for the lasting benefit of our borough’s residents. “We are proceeding with pace on this ambitious programme which transform the face of Enfield and play a major role in tackling the housing crisis locally and providing a new, state of the art development which will provide the good quality jobs and homes our residents need.” Enfield Council has made major strides forward in the delivery of Meridian Water, a brand new £46million station was funded by the local authority to improve transport links to the site and the first homes – on the first phase of the development – which will provide circa 950 homes – are due to achieve first completions in 2022. In terms of job creation, the Council has struck a deal with Troubadour Theatres that will provide jobs and increase skills to build film and television studios at its £6bn Meridian Water development. The complex will be known as Troubadour Meridian Water Studios and will assist with the economic regeneration of the Edmonton and Enfield. Work on converting the former VOSA building on the Meridian Water development, to create workspace for Building BloQs to provide to thousands of freelance designers, makers and small businesses, started in December last year. The new workshop will provide 30,000sq feet of workspace and support up to 1,000 makers and creators across a range of departments – engineering, wood, metal, digital and additive technology, paint finishing, and a fashion studio for many years to come. For more information contact Andrew Golder, Press and New Media Manager, Enfield Council. Tel: 020 8379 5147. Email: Andrew.golder@enfield.gov.uk
