The 128-tonne unit will arrive in North Wales via an 80-metre long barge The delivery of a huge electricity transformer that was set to land on a Gwynedd beach has been delayed. National Grid had hoped to bring the 128-tonne unit by barge to Traethy Graig Ddu (Black Rock sands), at Morfa Bychan in Gwynedd, on September 2. However, due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Francis the date has now been changed to Wednesday, September 16 – providing there is no further spells of bad weather. A 330m temporary trackway will be laid on the beach on Tuesday, September 15, ready for the transformer to arrive by an 80-metre barge the following day. A 10m wide cordon will be in place around the transformer which will remain at the beach until Friday, September 18. The transformer will then begin to make its way to Trawsfynydd Substation arriving at around 12.30pm by road transport. National Grid said that there will be rolling road closures to ensure the safe delivery of the unit. The route is as follows: • Depart Black Rock Sands • Turn right onto High Street • Continue onto Britannia Terrace • Continue onto A487 • Continue onto A470 • Arrive at Trawsfynydd Substation Wendy Williams, project manager said: “National Grid has been planning the transformer delivery for months, taking into account potential delays to the schedule due to adverse weather conditions. “The change to the delivery date does not have an impact on electricity supply and we hope to follow the same plan and route beginning on 15 September, weather permitting.” National Grid added that the delivery is to replace an existing transformer at Trawsfynydd substation and is not connected to nuclear reactors at any site. National Grid and North Wales Police recommend anyone planning to use the roads mentioned above should try to find alternative routes or allow additional time for their journey. A broadcast text service will be available to keep motorists and residents updated on the morning of the transformer movement. To subscribe to this text messaging service, please text INFO to 07860 027 842.

Scottish developers gain exclusive access to a turnkey solution including the Flygt Concertor pump – a state of the art waste water pump with energy savings of up to 70%. Scottish Water Horizons, a commercial subsidiary of Scottish Water, and Xylem Water Solutions, a world leading water technology company, have announced an exciting new partnership that will help developers improve efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. The two organisations have teamed up to provide the Scottish developer market with exclusive access to the world’s first waste water pump system with integrated intelligence, Xylem’s Flygt Concertor system. The Flygt Concertor system offers a host of significant benefits. The system’s smart technology can sense environmental operating conditions and adapt the pumps performance to ensure they always operate at the optimum level, whilst providing intelligent feedback to station operators. Compared to traditional pumps, the Flygt Concertor system offers up to a 70 per cent saving on energy consumption, drastically reducing carbon and running costs. All of these benefits have a positive impact on Scottish Water vesting the asset, making the process easier for developers. Previous installations of the Xylem technology have proven to be a huge success for Scottish Water. With the pumps working significantly more efficiently and with increased resilience compared to other technologies, Scottish Water saw both cost and carbon savings at two sites in Ayrshire. David Thompson, Capital Liaison Engineer for Scottish Water, said: “With the installation of Xylem pumps at two of our pumping stations, we saw reduced energy bills combined with savings made through fewer call outs, repairs, pump replacements and maintenance time, which amounted to Scottish Water making collective cost savings of just over £42,000 per annum. The increased efficiency of the pumps also meant that we saw energy savings of around 30 – 40 kilowatts per year.” Scottish Water Horizons’ Operations Manager, Colin Lindsay, said “Our new partnership will offer developers peace of mind whilst contributing to a greener future for Scotland. “In the midst of climate change, we’re committed to supporting Scotland’s journey to Net Zero Emissions. Scottish Water have pledged to Net Zero five years before the Scottish Government targets, so we want to do everything we can to drive efficiency and protect precious resources. The developer community is constantly looking for innovative systems that will help them reduce their carbon footprint whilst driving down costs. This partnership means they can choose the Flygt Concertor system, safe in the knowledge that installation will be managed and carried out by our team. “This agreement is exactly what Scottish Water Horizons is all about – bringing fresh thinking and innovative ideas together to help our customers, our environment and our economy thrive.” Scottish Water Horizons have years of experience in the developer market, providing a range of water and waste water services throughout Scotland. Their pumping station service starts at initial design and carries right through to vesting with Scottish Water. Chris Stewart, Xylem’s Regional Sales and Operations Manager for Scotland, said: “Xylem are delighted that Scottish Water Horizons have embraced the opportunity to drive innovation and efficiencies into this market.  This collaboration will offer significant reductions in capital and operational costs to the housing developer, while contributing significant carbon reductions in line with the Scottish government’s carbon neutral strategy”. “Historically pump stations can be inefficient, expensive to install and maintain, with significant operational costs. Many of the problems that developers experience with pump stations, such as clogging and breakdowns can be alleviated through the use of innovative Xylem technology that has a proven track record within the Utilities market. With this agreement, Scottish Water Horizons and Xylem Water Solutions can offer a proven alternative from a trusted provider.” Two Scottish Water Horizons and Xylem projects in the Scottish developer market are already underway featuring the Flygt Concertor system at sites in Renfrewshire and Argyll & Bute. The projects, which were temporarily on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions and safety measures, are due for completion later this year. For more information about Xylem’s intelligent solutions and services, please visit https://www.xylem.com/en-uk/products-services/pumps–packaged-pump-systems/pumps/submersible-pumps/wastewater-pumps/flygt-concertor.

Global industry leader will provide design, construction and project management services Bechtel to oversee and create resource-efficient utilities and a highly advanced transport system to connect NEOM’s cognitive cities. NEOM Co. has awarded a contract to U.S.-based Bechtel for executive project management work on the development of the primary, base infrastructure for NEOM as the Giga-project advances work to create the world’s leading destination to attract talent and investment. NEOM, a beacon for the future of urban living, selected Bechtel to oversee and create resource-efficient utilities and a highly advanced transport system to connect NEOM’s cognitive cities. Integrating sustainable land use, intelligent urban design and multi-modal mobility, NEOM will deliver a community of exceptional liveability. Work will include simultaneous construction in multiple locations requiring extraordinary engineering solutions in challenging terrain. NEOM’s next generation cognitive cities will support its cutting-edge urban environments, improving the lives of residents and businesses far beyond the capabilities of today’s smart cities. NEOM’s infrastructure will utilize AI, robotics, and human-machine fusion to deliver greater predictive intelligence and enable faster decision making across all NEOM sectors. Commenting on the award, NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al Nasr said: “Built from the ground up as a model of future living, NEOM will be one of the largest, most sophisticated and advanced infrastructure projects ever undertaken globally, and we are delighted to have a major industry leader like Bechtel on board to work with us to realize our ambitions.” Bechtel Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Bechtel said: “NEOM is one of the most complex projects in living memory and we are proud to be part of it. The vision for a futuristic, innovative and sustainable ecosystem is unique and bold, and we believe NEOM will change the way new cities are developed by future generations. We have helped our customers shape the Kingdom’s history with many key projects and we are honored to be a partner in building its future.” Bechtel has deep experience of working in the Kingdom having been involved in many other high-profile Saudi projects, including Jubail Industrial City and the Riyadh metro. In its role as Executive Project Manager, Bechtel will draw on over 120 years of industry experience to deliver a lasting positive impact in NEOM. NEOM will be home to an economy and society oriented to the future with a technologically advanced, sustainable infrastructure powered by 100% renewable energy to support truly liveable cities. NEOM has accelerated work this year in many areas including a contract with Saudi telecom giant, stc, for the establishment of a 5G network infrastructure that will accelerate NEOM’s digital ambitions. It also signed a $5-billion partnership with US-based Air Products and Saudi Acwa Power to develop the world’s largest green hydrogen and green ammonia plant to be operational in 2025. About NEOM NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a New Future might look like. It is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future. It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses, and reinventing environmental conservation.    NEOM will be the home and workplace to more than a million residents from around the world. It will include hyperconnected, cognitive towns and cities, ports and enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues, and tourist destinations. As a hub for innovation, entrepreneurs, business leaders and companies will come to research, incubate and commercialize new technologies and enterprises in ground-breaking ways. Residents of NEOM will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking and diversity – all supported by a progressive law compatible with international norms and conducive to economic growth. For further information email: media@neom.com or visit www.neom.com. About Bechtel Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.   Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

In the energy sector, there is so much resistance towards the construction of new pipelines. One of the major reasons is the adverse effects of these pipelines. For instance, in the last decade, the stats for oil spillage is alarming. Just so you know how bad it is, not less than 34 million gallons have been lost to terrible pipe maintenance. Regardless of how it happens, when there is a spillage, there is a lot of strain on the environment. Aquatic life is affected, and so is every other thing within that location. This is not to mention the bad effects on the balance sheet. This is against the ideals of an eco-friendly environment and best business practices. In a bid therefore to prevent these environmental pollutions, there is so much resistance put up by some conservationists against the construction of these pipelines. Should Pipelines be Eradicated? Truth be told, most times, the problem is not the constructed pipes. These pipes are important for ensuring that the average household gets the needed gas, among other benefits.  It is even the safest way to transport products in the energy industry. It is way better than rail or moving these highly flammable items through densely populated areas with large trucks. Based on this, the answer the question of whether or not they should be eradicated is a definite no! To know more about pipelines in the energy industry, you can click here. What Causes Oil Spillages? The problem of oil spillage is usually down to the attitude toward maintenance. These usually occur when key players in the energy sector fail to hire sufficient or qualified hands to handle potential problems on time. Actually, most spillages from these running pipes are proof of lapses in maintenance. With the right approach to maintaining these transport systems, we will all have the eco-friendly environment we desire. Pipeline Repair Services – The Way Forward for Pipe Maintenance As far as the energy sector is concerned, there is a need for pipe maintenance of the highest order. This is an area that cannot be left to chance. To ensure this, bringing on board a reputable pipeline repair company is particularly important. Industries That Need Pipeline Repair Companies While there is so much talk about offshore oil pipes, there are other industries that use a lot of pipelines. Here, we are talking about power plants, water plants, refineries, chemical plants, paper mills, steel mills, sewages, and a few others. These pipes act as a transport system for moving important items from one point to the other. As seen with offshore oil pipes, the distance covered can sometimes be very extensive. To ensure the smooth running of all the sectors listed above, the pipes must always be in good working condition. Hiring the right hands for the job is particularly important. It saves a lot of time, money, and prevents the possibility of accidents occurring. Frequently, a good pipeline repair company will carry out tests on all the pipes as well as equipment related to it. This will help them to effectively detect when repairs or an entire replacement of parts is necessary. Tips for Hiring the Right Pipeline Repair Company As seen above, the subject of pipe maintenance is important. As a result, every effort must be made to ensure that only sufficiently qualified companies are given this task. Below are some tips that can help make the right decision: A Tested and Trusted Company When searching for a pipeline repair company, you should take history seriously. What you need are people who have experience in this line of work with a remarkable success rate. Frankly, it does not have to be a fortune 500 company. An impressive startup with success stories can serve as well. To be certain that the company is not pulling a publicity stunt, you need to do your research. This is because anyone can make up a story about successful jobs that never took place. A Company with Capable Hands What you need is a company with a highly qualified team. People who have the experience, skill, and character to keep the pipes in good working conditions. You cannot just trust a company because they have a bunch of licenses and paperwork. How they employ their staff and the quality of people they recruit is of utmost importance as these are the people that will handle your job. It is better to spend quality time assessing than trying to pull the plug after a deal has been sealed. Good Response Time In the world of maintaining pipes, everything can happen so fast. There can be emergencies that call for prompt attention. To ensure you’ve got this covered, you need a company that is always on standby. Once they are alerted, they swing right into action. This is a non-negotiable attribute of a good pipeline repair company. You should therefore go for a company with effective hot-lines and platforms that give quick feedback. In this line of work, every minute counts. A Company with Diverse Specialty While this tip is not as important as the others, it can help improve the overall value that a company will be bringing to the table. It is strongly advised that you deal with a company with professional expertise in various pipeline fields. For example, a company like the RJ Stacey pipeline repair company that understands pipeline freeze craftshave, line stopping, hot tapping as well as other methods for fixing emergencies in this field will be your ideal choice. You will have rest of mind, knowing that they can deal with anything the situation throws at them. Many times, the knowledge and experience gained working on different job types can help a lot. You should therefore make this a yardstick for recruitment. A Company that Can Handle Difficult Moments So, the real intent is to avoid leaks and damages to the pipe. However, sometimes, things get out of hand even in the best hands. In such a situation,

Anesco has completed the sale of Clayhill to GRIDSERVE for an undisclosed sum, marking a major step forward in Anesco’s transition from asset owner to services provider, and further cementing GRIDSERVE’s leadership position with subsidy-free solar in the UK.   Clayhill, located in Flitwick near Bedfordshire, was the UK’s first solar farm developed free from government subsidy. Comprising 10MW of solar PV co-located with a 6MW energy storage facility, the site generates enough electricity for around 2,500 homes while saving around 4,500 tonnes of carbon annually.   Anesco will continue to provide operations and maintenance services for the site, as part of a 20-year agreement with GRIDSERVE.   Mark Futyan, Anesco CEO, commented: “Engineering a subsidy-free development at Clayhill was a landmark achievement for the industry and is something we’re very proud of. It has proven to be a solid investment and we look forward to working with GRIDSERVE to ensure Clayhill continues to generate the optimal financial and environmental returns.”  Mark continued: “Moving from being an asset owner to a services provider was always our intention and the sale of Clayhill forms a significant part of that. This transaction will fuel growth by enabling us to bring new projects into being and to expand our operations and maintenance, asset optimisation and ECO divisions. Overall, creating a truly integrated proposition for renewable energy investors.”  GRIDSERVE’s plans include sleeving some of the power generated by Clayhill for its ground-breaking Electric Forecourt® in Braintree, which forms part of its ‘Sun-to-Wheel’ model – delivering net zero carbon electric vehicle charging, powered by clean energy generated from solar power.  Jeremy Cross, Chief Commercial Officer at GRIDSERVE, said: “The addition of Clayhill to our portfolio – which marks GRIDSERVE’s first acquisition of an operational solar farm – will enable us to guarantee that the amount of energy used at our Electric Forecourt® in Braintree has been generated from zero carbon solar power.   “Our mission is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change, and this project will help us to support the UK’s transition to net zero transport in the earliest possible timeframes.”   Jeremy added: “GRIDSERVE is in a unique position in the industry, having developed sites at York and Hull at the end of last year, with a further pipeline being built out this year, and now acquiring the only other operational solar-plus-storage project in the UK. We look forward to working with Anesco on this exciting project.”  Anesco has developed 115 utility-scale solar and energy storage projects to date, with a total capacity in excess of 750MW. To support the advancement of the UK’s subsidy-free markets, Anesco invested directly in a number of projects but is now selling these assets to focus fully on its core offering: providing full lifecycle engineering services to solar and energy storage markets.   GRIDSERVE’s inaugural Electric Forecourt® in Braintree is scheduled to open to the public later this year and marks the first in a planned roll-out of over 100 Electric Forecourts® and electric vehicle charging solutions across the UK in the coming years. Both this acquisition and the roll out of GRIDSERVE’s Electric Forecourt’s® are being supported by GRIDSERVE’s strategic partnership with Hitachi Capital UK, as announced earlier this year.  

A local energy system demonstrator project aiming to evidence how ground source heat pumps with smart heating controls can reduce heating costs for residents, whilst also lowering carbon emissions, is officially underway in Oxford. Leading housing provider Stonewater has partnered with Kensa Contracting to have 60 of its homes at Blackbird Leys installed with Kensa’s innovative low carbon heating solution. Individual Kensa Shoebox ground source heat pumps in each property, connected to a communal ground array, will integrate with smart controls and time-of-use tariffs to optimise heat production for cost and carbon savings. The heat pump installations form part of Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO), a a world-first project showcasing an integrated approach to decarbonising power, heat and transport across Oxford. Supported by Innovate UK, ESO is led by consortium partners Oxford City Council, Pivot Power, Habitat Energy, Kensa Contracting, Invinity Energy Systems and the University of Oxford. The renewable heating scheme with Stonewater is the first phase of Kensa Contracting’s aim to pilot the smart technology in 300 homes around Oxford over the next two years under the ESO project. ESO aims to demonstrate how ground source heat pumps with smart controls can help balance the electricity grid as part of an integrated local energy solution that also includes grid connected batteries and smart electric vehicle charging. Leon Storer, Assistant Director – Capital Investment at Stonewater, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this innovative and forward-thinking project, supporting the local authority in achieving a net zero carbon future. “By replacing our residents’ current high carbon night storage heaters with Kensa’s ground source heat pump systems, we’re able to not only work towards a more sustainable future, but an economical one too. This is because a benefit of transitioning to this type of heat pump system is the significant cost savings it provides for residents.” Dr Matthew Trewhella, Managing Director of Kensa Contracting, said: “Kensa is delighted to partner with Stonewater for the first phase in this 300 property pilot ground source heat pump project. The residents will benefit from clean, renewable heat with savings of up to 25% compared to a standard ground source heating system. Smart meters enable residents to switch to Octopus’s unique Agile Tariff, which varies the electricity price every half hour and optimises energy use when renewable power is prevalent on the grid, and together with Switchee internet connected smart heating controls will automatically run resident’s heating systems at the lowest cost times to reduce their bills while maintaining their comfort levels, and caring for the environment.” Despite delays to commence as a result of coronavirus, Kensa expects to complete the installations across the Stonewater homes before winter 2020.