The idea is as ingenious as it is unique and has the potential to become a global role model: the Bunhill Heat and Power Network (BHPN) project in central London. By using waste heat from the London Underground network, 1,350 homes, a school and two leisure centers in Islington are
David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association responds to Ofgem’s settlements for the RIIO-2 price control period. Ofgem has published their settlements for the next network price control, known as RIIO-2. For the transmission and gas distribution networks and system operator, RIIO-2 will come into effect next year and
PLANS for an ambitious £300m onshore wind farm have been unveiled by Banks Renewables in a scoping report submitted to South Lanarkshire Council. At 300MW generating capacity, the wind farm would be the UK’s third largest by electricity generated. 300MW is enough to meet the electricity needs of a city
As Scotland continues to attract international attention as a green energy pioneer, the influential trade association for plumbing and heating professionals is forging closer bonds with the leading body representing hydrogen and fuel cell technology interests in the country. SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, is signing
Boutique property company MELT Homes is celebrating the official launch of Lime Grove; a stunning new development in Tuffley, Gloucestershire. Complying with current social distancing regulations, the MELT team is inviting interested buyers to visit the new show home to learn all about the developments’ 19 homes that are being
Water is an indispensable part of our lives. It is paramount for any modicum of life to exist at all. While looking for any sign of life, our astronauts try to find traces of oxygen and water, primarily, amongst other things. Our planet consists of large water bodies that take
Industry insight report from ARMSA Academy proposes a new decision-making philosophy to unlock safer and more productive projects Wind companies leaving money on the table by treating digitalisation as the sole route to project optimisation Report marks official launch of ARMSA Academy, a digital performance support platform to help wind
More than 30 renewable energy, heating and insulation companies have won places on a new £800 million energy efficiency framework for the public sector. The Energy Efficiency Measures and Associated Works (N8) framework from public sector procurement experts LHC allows local authorities, social landlords and other public bodies to source
Triton Knoll investment enables port transformation Able Seaton Port welcomes first ever turbine components to site All 15 blades to arrive are manufactured by MHI Vestas in the UK Triton Knoll is marking a series of project ‘firsts’ as turbine blades destined to be installed at the 857MW offshore wind
As local authorities come under increasing scrutiny around how they invest their pension funds, some innovative financiers in the renewables sector are developing ground-breaking solutions. The trick is to meet the needs of investors and customers who want access to green energy: pension funds need stable returns, minimal risks and,
The idea is as ingenious as it is unique and has the potential to become a global role model: the Bunhill Heat and Power Network (BHPN) project in central London. By using waste heat from the London Underground network, 1,350 homes, a school and two leisure centers in Islington are now heated and supplied with hot water as part of the council’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve CO2 neutrality by 2030. In partnership with main contractors Colloide Engineering Systems, global technology specialist GEA supplied a purpose built heat pump solution for this flagship project, the first of its kind in the world. Bunhill 2 Energy Centre represents a real blueprint for the use of waste heat from public facilities, taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology on the site of the former City Road London Underground station which was decommissioned almost 100 years ago. The remains of the station have now been converted into a huge underground air extraction system that draws warm air from the tunnels underneath, still used by the London Underground’s Northern Line. In close cooperation with Islington Council, Transport for London (TfL) and Colloide, GEA installed a 1000 kW ammonia heat pump, housed within a container at street level. The heat pump extracts the energy from warm exhaust air from the underground tunnels. The slightly cooler air is vented to the ambient and energy is used to heat up water by the heat pump, which is pumped through a 1.5 km network of district heating pipes to the buildings in the neighborhood, where it is finally used to heat the buildings. The heat pump developed and manufactured by GEA for the system consists of a combined evaporator/separator, three compressors and four heat exchangers in the heating circuit. The heat exchangers optimize the heating circuit according to criteria based on the return of heating water at 55 degrees Celsius and the supply up to 80˚C. According to Kenneth Hoffmann, Product Manager for Heat Pumps at GEA Refrigeration Technologies, there were many challenges in the design of the system during the project. These included extensive testing to ensure that dust and dirt sucked into the ventilation air would not clog the heat exchanger coil. Kenneth Hoffmann explained: “Since the project was located next to a residential building, the installation also included a scrubber technology to filter the ventilation air from the plant room. In the very unlikely event of a small amount of the natural refrigerant ammonia escaping into the plant room, the local residents would not be exposed to the ammonia in the air, as it would be absorbed in the scrubber before being vented to ambient. The use of heat pumps is much more environmentally friendly than the use of gas boilers, especially in big cities, as they do not emit nitrogen oxides (NOx). Heat pumps therefore lead to cleaner air in cities and pay off financially. Moreover, ammonia is a natural refrigerant that does not contribute to global warming.” Paddy McGuinness, Managing Director of Colloide Engineering Systems, added: “Colloide have been involved in a large number of renewable energy projects. Colloide partnered with GEA Refrigeration UK Ltd on this project for their knowledge of ammonia refrigeration and heat pump technology. Based on GEA’s experience, 95% of the industrial refrigeration plants installed over the last 10 years have been ammonia based. With the increasing pressure on end users to reduce energy bills, this has brought about a big increase in the interest of ammonia heat pumps.” The Bunhill 2 Energy Centre adds a further 550 homes and a primary school to the existing Bunhill Heat and Power district heating network, originally launched by Islington Council in 2012. The heating costs for residents connected to the network will be cut by 10 percent when compared to other existing communal heating systems, which themselves cost around half as much as standalone systems heating individual homes. So, a real benefit to the environment, to residents and to Islington with the aim of ending fuel poverty. The heating system is particularly environmentally friendly as it reuses heat that would otherwise be wasted. Supplying the connected households and public facilities with the upgraded waste heat will help to reduce CO2 emissions in the Islington Borough by around 500 tons per year. Shaun Hannon, Contracts Manager at Colloide, commented: “Thanks to the cooperation of all involved, this is a ground-breaking district heating scheme. The main technology used is the ammonia heat pump and as a result, this project provides cheaper, greener energy for the local community.” Iain Eckett, Technical Sales Manager, Refrigeration Technologies, GEA UK, concluded: “This was a very ambitious task. But we have shown that GEA has the knowledge, the technology and the ability to successfully implement innovative projects to generate cleaner and cheaper heating. We offer the most efficient solution at an attractive price.” The principle of heat recovery using heat pumps can be applied in London and in underground networks all around the world. London alone has more than 150 ventilation shafts where waste heat could potentially be recovered. GEA heat pump technology, coupled with the experience gained from groundbreaking projects like the Bunhill 2 Energy Centre in Islington, has made GEA a trusted and preferred partner for waste heat projects globally. Further information is available at www.gea.com
David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association responds to Ofgem’s settlements for the RIIO-2 price control period. Ofgem has published their settlements for the next network price control, known as RIIO-2. For the transmission and gas distribution networks and system operator, RIIO-2 will come into effect next year and run for five years until 2026. Speaking on behalf of electricity transmission and gas network operators, David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association said: “Delivering the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, keeping energy flowing to homes and businesses, and achieving Net Zero emissions requires sustained investment, innovation and a supportive and forward-looking regulatory regime. We will be studying the detail of Ofgem’s determination over the coming weeks to ensure it stands up to these challenges.”
PLANS for an ambitious £300m onshore wind farm have been unveiled by Banks Renewables in a scoping report submitted to South Lanarkshire Council. At 300MW generating capacity, the wind farm would be the UK’s third largest by electricity generated. 300MW is enough to meet the electricity needs of a city the equivalent size of Dundee. This wind farm, at Bodinglee, will consist of up to 60 of the latest, most efficient turbines available. The proposed wind farm, at Bodinglee, will be situated in South Lanarkshire, either side of the M74 between Douglas and Abington – not far from Banks’ wind farms at Kype and Middle Muir. The site is situated on farmland owned by the Douglas and Angus Estates. Bodinglee is the latest, and largest, project from the Hamilton-based employer and has the potential to deliver £80m worth of contracts to local firms, directly support around 500 jobs and displace over 150,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This is the equivalent of taking over 58,000 petrol cars off the road. Banks is keen to reproduce its successful Connect2Renewables South Lanarkshire initiative which is currently creating employment opportunities for those living close to its Kype and Middle Muir wind farms. Banks are starting this process by letting people know as early as possible – with the publication of a scoping report – with a view to hosting initial consultations in the first half of 2021. Gordon Thomson, head of projects with Banks Renewables, said: “This is a big project and will make a significant contribution to Scotland reaching #netzero by 2045. Onshore wind is a proven technology and the lowest cost renewable energy, helping keep consumers’ bills low.” “As part of development with care approach we strongly believe that the local communities that host our projects should benefit the most from them. We want the local community involved right from the beginning and so have launched an online consultation so that we can hear their views from now on.” “The size of this project means that there could be investment through a community fund of up to £45m over the life of the project, and we want to work with local people to ensure we deliver a long-lasting positive legacy for those living in the area.” Over the next few years Banks will be commissioning surveys of the local area as they look to design the layout of the wind farm. Banks will use their experience and knowledge of the onshore wind sector industry to deliver a wind farm that is sympathetic to the local landscape and as efficient as possible. To join in the online consultation and to find out more about the project, please visit: https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/projects/renewables/bodinglee-wind-farm/
As Scotland continues to attract international attention as a green energy pioneer, the influential trade association for plumbing and heating professionals is forging closer bonds with the leading body representing hydrogen and fuel cell technology interests in the country. SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, is signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SHFCA, the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, to help both bodies deliver their aims efficiently on behalf of their members. The move closely aligns the interests of the body which promotes and develops one of the most promising technologies of the green energy revolution with an association whose member firms are most likely to be called upon to implement it. The new links will support the growth and beneficial impacts of both sectors in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and will help develop and share best practice in the safe use and deployment of hydrogen technologies. Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said: “SNIPEF has always been a progressive and forward-looking organisation which tries to foresee trends in the sector and there is no doubt that the direction of travel is firmly towards a greener future. “Our new association with one of the largest hydrogen and fuel cell membership organisations in the world will keep us abreast of the core technologies which are coming through and their remarkable economic and environmental potential.” Nigel Holmes, Chief Executive of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA), said: “Our association now has more than 115 members focused on helping Scotland achieve a major hydrogen and fuel cell economy. “SHFCA will work with SNIPEF to support all our members on the deployment of hydrogen for low carbon heat in industry and homes across Scotland. This will make a significant contribution towards delivering Scotland’s ambition for Net Zero by 2045, together with the key milestone of 75% GHG reduction by 2030. “We are delighted to be able to establish such a strong association with a body of professional firms which shares our values in terms of sustainable energy use and the promotion of Scotland’s expertise on the national and international stage.” According to Cleantechnica, the world’s leading source for cleantech analysis, Scotland has significant influence on the global wind energy industry and its resources could be used to decarbonize heavy transport by using wind to produce green hydrogen for fuel cells. Hydrogen, produced when water is “split” by an electrical current, can be used for bulk, long duration energy storage, creating the ability to store electricity at scale from wind farms. It also has applications in agriculture and food processing, refinery operations, metallurgy and scientific research.
Boutique property company MELT Homes is celebrating the official launch of Lime Grove; a stunning new development in Tuffley, Gloucestershire. Complying with current social distancing regulations, the MELT team is inviting interested buyers to visit the new show home to learn all about the developments’ 19 homes that are being built on the former premises of Tuffley Primary School. Alternatively, house hunters can carry out a virtual viewing. With prices starting from £210,000, all of the homes benefit from the stamp duty holiday and can be purchased using Help to Buy. Having stood empty since 2014, the dilapidated building, which also briefly housed the Tuffley Resource Centre, had been in dire need of a new purpose. MELT secured planning permission to create Lime Grove; a residential community that puts particular emphasis on sustainability. Already incorporating the government’s Future Homes Standard 2025, which asks for new homes to be built without gas boilers, Lime Grove will be a completely gas-free development. In addition, all properties will utilise Ground Source Heat Pumps, a highly efficient, renewable energy source that has a low environmental impact and reduces carbon output by as much as 70%. Evan Maindonald, CEO and Founder at MELT comments: “Integrating a new residential community into an existing neighbourhood is a delicate matter. We wanted to ensure that Lime Grove’s design combines technical innovation with timeless exteriors that reflect Tuffley’s surroundings. We are delighted that the feedback during our show home launch has been extremely positive and are looking forward to welcoming our first residents in the near future.” …/ MELT’s forward-thinking and sustainable approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Most recently, Lime Grove scooped up three awards at this year’s UK Property Awards, including recognition for its architectural design and layout. Maindonald adds: “The existing structure of the school building is being protected and preserved but will benefit from a 21st century makeover to feature seven stunning two- and three-bedroom apartments. Naturally, we have named these ‘Schoolhouse Apartments’ to pay tribute to the building’s history. In addition to the apartments, we are creating 12 new family homes, using timber frames; one of the most sustainable building materials available.” Located on the surrounding grounds of the apartment building, the houses are part of either ‘The Oak’, ‘The Lime’ or ‘The London’ collection. The latter differentiates itself by consisting of four semi-detached four-bedroom houses, whereas ‘The Oak’ and ‘The Lime’ properties are detached and feature either five or four bedrooms. All family homes boast private gardens and the apartments benefit from their own outside space as well. To celebrate the school’s Victorian architecture and design, the exterior of the newly-built homes will feature a colour scheme that mirrors that of the existing building. Equal attention to detail is being paid to the properties’ interiors, which flawlessly connect each room to create a homely feel. Whilst the Schoolhouse Apartments measure between 595 to 959 sq. ft. and embrace the building’s Victorian architecture with high ceilings and spacious layouts, the family homes are spread across three storeys, ranging from 1,270 to 1,935 sq. ft. in size. Branded fixtures contribute to the residences’ high-quality feel and include stylish Paula Rosa kitchens with Siemens and Neff appliances as well as bathrooms that are embellished with elegant Villeroy & Boch suites. With the first of Lime Grove’s three building phases due to complete this winter, interested buyers are invited to visit the newly opened show home located at Grange Road, Tuffley, Gloucester, GL4 0DJ. Opening hours are from 10am to 4pm, Friday to Monday and due to COVID restrictions by appointment only. To book your time slot, please contact MELT’s friendly team on 01452 346 174, email sales@limegrovegloucester.co.uk or visit www.limegrovegloucester.co.uk
Water is an indispensable part of our lives. It is paramount for any modicum of life to exist at all. While looking for any sign of life, our astronauts try to find traces of oxygen and water, primarily, amongst other things. Our planet consists of large water bodies that take up more than 70% of its overall area. It is quite similar for our body: our bodies are 70% water, and the rest is muscle, skin, bones, blood, etc. However, water is a resource that we cannot invent. Despite having this resource in massive amounts, scientists have detected a problem regarding the scarcity of water we might have to face in the foreseeable future. Anyway, the water we have been consuming and putting in use has to go through an elaborate process. Some centers inspect and filter the water before it goes to a water filling machine. In this article, we will talk about how water is treated in these large water treatment centers. Water treatment can be divided into five different processes: Chemical Coagulation While the water goes through the first step of the process, it is dirty and carries numerous bacterias and toxic materials. This is the first step towards detoxifying it. Initially, chlorine dioxide is added to the water mixture. Being an oxidant, it helps separate and break down materials like plant matter and leaves. Aluminum sulfate, the primary coagulant, is added consecutively after this process alongside a polymer. The sole function of the polymer is to aid the coagulant in strengthening its bonds. The use of the polymer is suggested as a coagulant aid since its chain of synthetic compounds will be an ideal fit in this situation. These coagulants are subsequently rapidly mixed into the water, which kickstarts the coagulation process. It makes the tiny dirt particles cling to each other and form a giant clump, easily detected and filtered out in the following procedures. Flocculation If we have to describe the process in short, it is nothing but stirring the coagulated water. Stirring the water that has already passed through chemical coagulation makes it come in contact with the particulates. Then, the sediments or the particulates adhere to the floc on the water surface, which can be skimmed through easily. Sedimentation This process focuses on reducing water’s velocity so that all the particles and particulates descend to the bed. As it gets to the bottom, it is then removed slowly. This process accounts for the removal of 90% of the total dirt. Disinfection and Filtration Disinfection refers to the addition of chlorine to the water. Its function is to inactivate or kill any possible microorganisms, bacteria, pathogen, parasites, or viruses. This is where the water is freed of all the possible waterborne diseases like dysentery, giardiasis, gastroenteritis, typhoid, or cholera. As the name seems to suggest, filtration is where the disinfected water is then filtered of all the floc, sediments, and organisms ready to become safe drinking water and fed to an automatic water filling machine.
Industry insight report from ARMSA Academy proposes a new decision-making philosophy to unlock safer and more productive projects Wind companies leaving money on the table by treating digitalisation as the sole route to project optimisation Report marks official launch of ARMSA Academy, a digital performance support platform to help wind industry professionals reduce levelised costs A new industry insight report from ARMSA Academy has found that the wind industry’s drive to digitalise asset management risks obscuring an equally effective route to achieving optimal project returns: improving human performance. Released today, The Great Leap Forward draws on interviews with experts from across the wind industry. It says that, in an industry obsessed with asset performance and marginal gains, companies invest too little in human skills that help projects run optimally, or they instead invest in training methods that are ineffective. In parallel, a majority of companies continue to invest heavily in the use of digital technology to optimise mechanical assets. Amid growing pressure to run leaner projects, it is digitalisation that dominates when operators look at ways to increase profit margins. Companies are more concerned with finding ways to design humans out of their processes – via artificial intelligence and automation – than improving the skills and decision-making of the individuals at all levels in their teams. The report proposes that optimised human performance and decision-making can, if nurtured, act as a catalyst for increased availability, less turbine downtime, safer colleagues and fewer organisational silos. It comes as power sector consultancy ARMSA launches its new ARMSA Academy venture, a provider of safety-led performance support to wind professionals. ARMSA Academy’s digital performance support platform offers operators a new approach that uses technology to improve the performance of their staff at all stages of the project life cycle. Rakesh Maharaj, Managing Director of ARMSA Consulting, explains:“Conventional training approaches safety as an input; a cost of doing business. But we know that safety is an outcome of decision-making, and as such, is a lead indicator of good business performance.” “The daily decisions taken at all stages of the project life cycle have an impact on the safety and financial performance of projects. ARMSA Academy’s platform, accessible at the touch of a button, empowers individuals to cross reference those decisions, ‘in the flow of work’, against best practice and their industry peers. It’s an end to decision-making in a void.” ARMSA Academy’s programmes challenge decision-makers to consider consequence before action at all stages of the project lifecycle. The platform goes beyond the conventional and mechanical daily checklist, or the agreed set of safety procedures, by instilling a mindset of individual accountability, cross-functional integrity, performance optimisation and applied human intelligence. All trialists to have used the platform so far agreed that digital performance support can help the wind industry to further reduce levelised costs in both construction and operation. Khalida Suleymanova, Director of ARMSA Academy, said: “It’s exciting to be launching a new approach to skills development that fits, hand-in-glove, with the challenges the global wind industry itself acknowledges.” “It’s my own view that workflow learning represents the future of skills development in most industries and especially those chasing ever-leaner projects, as with wind power.” “But the theory is only as good as the tools that enable it. Our digital performance support platform is based on extensive research, as well as over a decade of direct experience promoting a philosophy of informed decision-making in the global wind industry. We’re confident it will help wind professionals to embrace active problem solving, making classroom learning a thing of the past.” You can download The Great Leap Forward industry insight report here: https://armsa.academy/thegreatleapforward/
More than 30 renewable energy, heating and insulation companies have won places on a new £800 million energy efficiency framework for the public sector. The Energy Efficiency Measures and Associated Works (N8) framework from public sector procurement experts LHC allows local authorities, social landlords and other public bodies to source specialist suppliers who can install a variety of carbon-cutting improvement measures for domestic and public buildings and can carry out any associated repairs and retrofit work. The framework is worth up to £500 million in England, £200 million in Scotland and £100 million in Wales. The regional lots cover the procurement of 21 individual energy efficiency measures across the UK as well as providing a multi-disciplinary offer. Mij Rahman, director of procurement at LHC, said: “This framework provides contracting authorities with an easier route to procure a variety of new and emerging energy efficiency technologies along with low carbon retrofit services. Implementing these efficiency measures is essential to help reduce fuel bills, improve asset value and performance, as well as delivering on our obligations to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s ambitious environmental targets. “There is huge interest and demand in the public sector for this work, but many councils and social housing providers need guidance and support with such technically-led procurement demands. To implement their decarbonisation plans, public authorities can take advantage of professional support, through technical and practical guidance available through the N8 framework contractors, and could also seek consultancy support from LHC’s Energy Efficiency Consultancy framework (N8C). “LHC is also here to provide its experience, through local procurement expertise and energy efficiency knowledge, which can certainly help to get best value for money locally.” The N8 framework covers a range of energy efficiency measures including: external, internal and cavity wall insulation; biomass heating systems; solar PV with battery storage; air to water heat pumps; electric vehicle charging infrastructure; solar thermal systems; building energy management systems; ground source heat pumps; commercial boilers; and electric heaters. The full list of appointed companies in alphabetical order is: A C Whyte (Scotland) Aaron Services Absolute Solar & Wind AD Construction Group (Architectural Decorators Ltd) AES Alisa Building Amaresco Aran Services Ltd BCA Insulation Limited (Scotland) Breyer Group British Gas Social Housing CCG Scotland (Scotland) Crystal Electronics Custom Solar Ltd E.On (Midlands) Easy Heat Systems Limited Engie Everwarm Gibson Specialist (Wales) Insulated Render Systems (Scotland) Ltd Ivor Cook K&T Heating Kensa Lawtech Low Carbon Exchange Mi-Space MP Group U K Limited SERS Energy Solutions (Scotland) Limited Sure Maintenance Sustainable Building Services (UK) Limited Swarco UK Ltd Synergize Ltd The Casey Group Thermal Earth Ltd (Wales) United Living (South) Zing Energy www.lhc.gov.uk
Triton Knoll investment enables port transformation Able Seaton Port welcomes first ever turbine components to site All 15 blades to arrive are manufactured by MHI Vestas in the UK Triton Knoll is marking a series of project ‘firsts’ as turbine blades destined to be installed at the 857MW offshore wind farm, arrive at its chosen construction port in Teesside. Able Seaton Port, near Hartlepool, is receiving offshore wind turbine components for the first time in its history, after a combined multi-million pound investment has helped transform the port into a specialist assembly and construction facility for use on the project by turbine supplier MHI Vestas Offshore Wind. Triton Knoll, which is being constructed by RWE(1), will install and operate 90 MHI Vestas state-of-the-art V164-9.5 MW turbines, each stretching 164 metres tip to tip, and capable of powering a typical home for up to 29 hrs with a single rotation of its 80 metre long blades. The first 15 turbine blades to arrive at the port were manufactured by MHI Vestas at its Isle of Wight UK facility and finished at its Fawley plant across the Solent. Julian Garnsey, Project Director for Triton Knoll and RWE Renewables, said: “Triton Knoll has made a significant investment into Able Seaton Port to establish wind turbine handling facilities there for the first time. It’s an investment that secures the North East of England at the very heart of the delivery of Triton Knoll, and which leaves a lasting legacy for future offshore wind farm projects to be constructed from the region. “At Triton Knoll we remain committed to ensuring that our investments from this flagship project benefit local coastal communities, and the UK’s expanding offshore supply chain as much as possible. We are delighted to be working with MHI Vestas and Able UK delivering this new UK infrastructure, and to see the first Triton Knoll components arriving at Seaton, ready to begin installation early next year.” MHI Vestas recently moved onto the 140,000 sq metre Able Seaton Port, where it is establishing a full turbine logistics and pre-assembly hub for the RWE-managed joint venture project. During its site preparations, MHI Vestas has prioritised UK companies in the delivery of the project. ASP now hosts technicians on-site from local suppliers, including Global Wind Service (GWS), Dawson and Boston Energy, as well as MHI Vestas employees. The main crane and Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) to be used at ASP for moving turbine components will be supplied by Weldex, based out of Alfreton, UK. Finally, site stevedoring services are supplied by Able. MHI Vestas Project Director Torben Damsgaard said: “We are proud that first components, including our blades from the Isle of Wight, for the V164-9.5 MW turbines have now been delivered to the pre-assembly site at Able Seaton. Our V164 turbines are currently the largest turbines installed in commercial projects in the world, and the 80m blades to be used at Triton Knoll will be the largest blades installed in UK waters. MHI Vestas is committed to the UK, as not only are these world-leading blades produced in the UK, but the Triton Knoll project as a whole is bringing substantial value to local communities. The successful preparation of the Able Seaton site has been one key value driver, as the joint effort by AbleUK and MHI Vestas to prepare the site will pay dividends to the Teesside region as an offshore wind hub for the present and future.” Able’s transformation of the site is a clear sign of its intent for the future as the facility, renowned for end-of-life handling of oil and gas platforms, is gearing up for a future supporting the renewable energy industry. It began the transformation of ASP ready for Triton Knoll in November 2019, and has established a 140,000 sq metre handling facility with specialist quayside, complete with roads and utilities infrastructure, accommodation and office units for those working on site. Peter Stephenson, Able’s Executive Chairman said: “There is no doubt in my mind that offshore wind is fast becoming a key element not only in terms of clean power generation, but also as a major factor that will drive the whole economy forward. The UK has the biggest market and our combined task is to seek to maximise local content and activity. We play our part by developing specialist future-proofed facilities that meet the demanding needs of our customer.” The state-of-the-art Triton Knoll offshore wind farm will have a maximum installed capacity of 857 MW and, once fully operational, will be one of the three largest offshore wind farms in the world, capable of powering the equivalent of over 800,000 UK homes(2). The project is located over 32 kilometres off the Lincolnshire coast, with a turbine array that covers an area of 145 square kilometres, bigger than the City of Manchester. It is jointly owned by RWE, J-Power and Kansai Electric Power, with RWE managing the wind farm’s construction and long-term operation and maintenance works, on behalf of its project partners.For more information about the project, please visit: www.tritonknoll.co.uk (1) RWE Renewables RWE Renewables, the newest subsidiary of the RWE Group, is one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies. With around 3,500 employees, the company has onshore and offshore wind farms, photovoltaic plants and battery storage facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 9 gigawatts. RWE Renewables is driving the expansion of renewable energy in more than 15 countries on four continents. For further growth a net investment budget of €5 billion is available until 2022. When adding in possible partnerships, the medium term investment budget could reach up to €9 billion. The focus is on the Americas, the core markets in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. (2) Energy Generation It is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site could be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of an expected minimum of 800,000 average UK households. Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal is derived using wind speeds monitored in the local area and correlated with long term
As local authorities come under increasing scrutiny around how they invest their pension funds, some innovative financiers in the renewables sector are developing ground-breaking solutions. The trick is to meet the needs of investors and customers who want access to green energy: pension funds need stable returns, minimal risks and, ideally, investments that stand up to scrutiny against ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards. Meanwhile, customers want access to cheaper renewable energy, but they might not have the funds available to purchase the equipment. One innovative asset-backed deal appears to have neatly ticked all these boxes. Engenera Renewables Group has established a bond programme that provides it with the funds to install a wide range of renewable technology projects at no outlay to the customer and which provides long-term (c 25 years) stable cash flows as the investment return. Working directly with an experienced renewable business, Convexity Capital Partners, the arranger of the £100 million Engenera Green Bonds notes programme, issued by Engenera Green Bonds Plc, has already signed up local authority pension funds as investors and is in due diligence with several more. Launched in late 2019 to little fanfare, the first series of bonds were issued from the programme in November 2019. The initial series of bonds offer investors a 5-year senior secured, asset-backed bond, which is listed on Euronext Dublin (GEM) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, paying 7.00% interest. Proceeds from the initial series (and future series) will allow renewable energy specialist Engenera Renewables Group to install a range of renewable technologies, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic and renewable heat, to its customers, which are typically companies and public sector bodies with a lot of roof or ground space. Proceeds from Engenera’s bond programme can be used to install rooftop solar panels free-of-charge for clients who then enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA), which typically lasts for 20-25 years. The costs of the electricity under the PPA is usually around 20-25% less than charged by the incumbent energy provider, but importantly it includes the cost of the equipment, the installation and the maintenance during the term of the PPA. At the end of the PPA, the ownership of the equipment is transferred to the customer. Since solar panels can last for up to 40 years, this could give clients a further two decades of nearly free energy. Engenera is an established operator. Since 2017, it has completed nearly 200 installations. Having initially started out by selling, installing and maintaining systems for its customers, Engenera diversified its offer to include projects installed under PPAs with the backing of a small number of investors. Engenera’s bond programme now enables the company to fund projects itself, and this has increased the number of installations it is able to achieve while also speeding up the decision-making process. The key benefits for customers are that the generated electricity is often 25%-30% cheaper and that it comes from a sustainable source – enabling the customer to cut its carbon emissions. This is achieved at no capital outlay to the customer since the funding for the project is provided by the proceeds from Engenera’s bond programme. There is a growing momentum towards companies seeking to manage their carbon footprints. A recent survey carried out by Professional Engineering, in association with Engenera Renewables Group, found that 38% of businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprints within the next year, while 36% are targeting reductions in the next three years. Engenera’s bond programme provides the capital that enable the company to offer the no capital outlay solution to its customers. Bondholders receive a 7.00% fixed rate of interest on their bonds with the cash to pay the coupon coming from the PPA cashflows that Engenera puts in place with its customers. Furthermore, the deal is asset-backed to include with underlying PPAs. Therefore, once all proceeds have been successfully deployed, investors’ security is a pool of long term, index-linked cash flows. Once the full £100m has been issued and successfully deployed, Engenera expects that the portfolio will contain as many as 400 PPAs diversified by size, demographics and sectors. Over time as the bond programme establishes itself, Engenera intends to establish a number of portfolios, each dedicated to a specific sector. The purpose of this is that each portfolio could be sold to a long-term investor willing to hold them for the duration of the long-term PPAs. The initial series of notes have a 5 year-term, which means that at maturity (or before) the projects funded by the bond proceeds will have a further c. 20 years of inflation-linked cash-flows remaining. Based on current demand for long-term, stable cash flows from long-term investors, Engenera believes that these cash flows will be attractive to investors and a key source of refinancing. Engenera’s bond programme ticks a lot of boxes from an ESG standpoint. But it also has an additional attraction, specific to local authorities; Engenera is also willing to agree that the proceeds of any specific investment be spent within the boundaries of that local authority, meaning that businesses and public sector entities in their immediate area will benefit directly. Therefore, if a local authority’s pension fund invests an amount of £5 million in the programme, that investment will be used to fund free rooftop solar installations in that local authority area. The investor might designate public buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and council buildings for installation and/or stipulate the scheme be offered to private businesses. This means the benefits of an investment for a local authority can be fourfold: in addition to the 7.00% return, it can make an investment in renewable energy, boosting its ESG credentials, utilise local labour through Engenera’s installation network, and provide cheaper energy for local businesses and public bodies. Engenera’s funding solution for green energy is an important development and innovation. While a number of large renewable energy companies can self-fund large installations, this is believed to be the first time a company has raised money specifically to self-fund installations
