Climate change is an issue for governments and businesses alike, with both wrestling with the problem of being competitive whilst being green and sustainable. Energy usage is a major concern as corporations aim to reduce their carbon footprint, and energy costs. This debate is pertinent to the 16% of the
Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) is generating growth in the peaking plant market, recently working alongside project managers Stag Energy, and Keekle Power, to bring a 20MW gas peaking plant online near Southampton to help National Grid balance its power requirements. The plant will enable Keekle Power to provide low cost,
Tidal defences in Great Yarmouth are set to receive a £40.3 million refurbishment, upgrading the level of protection from tidal flooding to more than 4,500 homes and businesses in the area. Nearly 4km of flood walls will be improved and updated as part of the project which will better protect
The 2019 East Midlands RICS Awards have recognised the £30 million Lincoln Transport Hub, winning the top prize in the Infrastructure category. The Wilmott Dixon-built development garned praise from the judges for being delivered “on time and within budget”. In addition, this major win has also secured the project’s place at
The decision to build a pipeline is usually based on the necessity of transport over a long distance. Most likely, a type of liquid or gas will be transported. Examples can be oil, natural gas, water or even steam. The purpose can be commercial or private. The raw material and
Naturgy, a company led by Francisco Reynés, has presented the results for the first quarter of 2019, focused on progress in the implementation of its Strategic Plan with a great challenge ahead such as renewable energy, which highlights the great industrial plan of the energy company, both nationally and internationally.
Sporting arenas are interesting places from an architect’s point of view. You have to build something which is capable of holding thousands of people and catering to any needs they must have. On top of this, many sporting arenas around the world have their own little quirks about their construction
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has officially opened Glenrothes’ new district heating network. Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget. The new network, constructed in
An ambitious project aims to draw up a digital map of all UK underground pipes and cables to end strikes and save workers lives. To achieve that, the government’s Geospatial Commission plans to collate existing data on underground pipes and cables to create an Underground Assets Register. The feasibility of
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Scottish Government’s independent centre of infrastructure expertise, has published its latest five-year corporate plan outlining how it will prioritise its work towards a vision of world-class infrastructure for the people of Scotland. Recognising that high-quality infrastructure underpins inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities and the effective
Climate change is an issue for governments and businesses alike, with both wrestling with the problem of being competitive whilst being green and sustainable. Energy usage is a major concern as corporations aim to reduce their carbon footprint, and energy costs. This debate is pertinent to the 16% of the UK not serviced by the main gas grid, which relies on alternative fuels to meet its energy needs. For the majority of off-grid operations, this means a choice between oil, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) or LNG (liquefied natural gas) for high-volume commercial applications. But what exactly are the differences between these fuels – and what should off-grid users consider when making decisions about their energy supply? Here, business gas supplier, Flogas, take a look at the issue: Oil and climate change With the Committee on Climate Change urging the UK government to legislate as soon as possible to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the pressure is on all industries to adopt greener energy policies. What this means for off-grid businesses in practical terms is moving away from conventional, carbon-heavy fossil fuels. When considering the key features of oil, it’s not hard to see why it’s becoming an outdated off-grid option: •Increased carbon emissions: As a major contributor to climate change, the burning of oil for heating and cooking purposes releases far higher levels of carbon into the atmosphere than more efficient off-grid fuels like LPG. •Cost: Through a combination of factors such as dwindling oil reserves, environmental pressures and strained international relations, the price of oil remains volatile. This makes it difficult for businesses to forecast the cost of fuel and can cast doubts over the future of their supply chain. •Maintenance: Due to its viscous nature, machines that operate on oil often take a large amount of maintenance to ensure they are running at optimum performance. This can also mean messy repairs if anything goes wrong. Looking at LPG and LNG With so many factors now working against businesses that are still using oil, it’s no surprise that many are now looking for an alternative fuel supply. The good news is that there are viable off-grid alternatives that offer compelling economic, environmental and logistical benefits. LPG and LNG are two such fuels. So, what are they, and how do they compare to oil? •Chemical makeup – LPG is a blanket term for two types of natural gas (Propane and Butane) and is a natural by-product of gas and oil extraction (66%) and oil refining (34%). LNG is composed primarily of methane and is created by cooling natural gas to an extremely low temperature (-162°C). •Finance: Businesses can make immediate savings when switching to LPG or LNG through a reduction in energy usage. •Carbon emissions: LPG and LNG have the lowest CO2 emissions of any 0ff-grid fossil fuels: LPG emits 36% fewer than gas oil, 22% fewer than kerosene and 17% fewer than heating oil. It also emits no black carbon (a significant contributor to climate change). •Cleaner air: LPG and LNG are clean, smoke-free burning fuels, that emit fewer pollutant emissions, including NOx, Sox and particulate matter (PM). •Compliant: Because they’re cleaner, LPG and LNG help businesses to meet carbon and pollutant reduction targets set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, ULEZ, Marpol and Medium Combustion Plant Directive. •Efficiency: With a higher calorific value per tonne than other liquid fuels, an LPG and LNG flame can burn hotter, releasing energy quicker. When used in conjunction with the likes of a steam boiler this can produce even greater efficiencies. •Extensive supply: LPG and LNG are in global abundance, so business owners can rest assured that they will have a dependable source of energy when they need it most. Flogas will be significantly increasing the UK’s total LPG storage capability with its new Avonmouth storage facility – the largest of its kind. •Easy Installation: For businesses looking to switch from oil to gas, the process isn’t complicated. Specialist LPG companies can design and install a replacement heating system to meet your business’ needs. From the initial brief process to installation and even the removal of your old oil tank, with the right supplier there’s the option to have everything taken care of with minimal downtime. •Versatility: One of the main attractions of LPG is its versatility. From leisure and hospitality to agriculture and industrial heating, and even fuel for forklift trucks and fleet vehicles, LPG can be used as an energy supply for all manner of industries. A brighter future? As the cleanest, most efficient and effective fuel compared to conventional off-grid fuels like coal, oil and electricity, switching from oil to LPG (or LNG) could help businesses energy savings, ensuring compliance with government energy policies, and cutting down on maintenance time. Sources
Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) is generating growth in the peaking plant market, recently working alongside project managers Stag Energy, and Keekle Power, to bring a 20MW gas peaking plant online near Southampton to help National Grid balance its power requirements. The plant will enable Keekle Power to provide low cost, dispatchable power to the local distribution system and fulfil its Capacity Market obligation. Peaking plants are being created across Britain and come into operation when there is a peak in demand for power from the electricity grid. EAU is one of the leading utility network construction businesses working in the sector, having completed more than 40 such schemes. The latest project involved the design and construction of a particularly complex gas infrastructure, including a 140m directional drill under the main Southampton railway line to connect the site to the gas network. The 10 gas fired reciprocating engines generating the electricity required a gas load of 54MW at around 250mb inlet pressure. Dennis Habergham, EAU Design & Technical Manager, said that a root protection area meant open-trench digging works were not feasible, so a non-intrusive directional drilling approach was employed instead. “The undercrossing of the railway was another one of the major challenges,” said Dennis. “We originally planned a total drill length of 120m passing 7m below the track level, but we had to contend with an unforeseen World War II concrete structure, which meant going deeper and extending the drill length to 140m. The completed supply pipeline was then connected to an IP to LP gas regulator/ meter skid also installed by EAU.” Joe Grant, Project Manager at Stag Energy, said that peaking power plants were playing an increasingly important role in balancing the nation’s power requirements due to the increased volume of intermittent renewables which require balancing. “This plant will provide power to local homes and businesses at times of high demand or unexpected drops in supply,” he said. “The site was selected for its proximity to the nearby electricity sub-station and was originally going to be a diesel site, but regulatory change meant it was then developed as a gas operation. We spoke to a number of contractors, but Energy Assets had a wealth of experience in technically challenging projects and we are really pleased with the job they have done here.” EAU spotted an opportunity in the peaking plant market around four years ago and has since developed a specialist design and network construction team that has gone on to complete more than 40 schemes on behalf of operators. Nathan Schofield, Sales and Marketing Director at EAU, commented: “In addition to our established gas network construction and metering operations, we have also extended our in-house electrical design capability, so that we can deliver a true ‘end-to-end’ service for peaking plant customers. Today, we are one of the leading utility network design and construction companies in this sector in Britain.” Picture shows the peaking plant near Southampton (aerial image). www.energyassets.co.uk
Tidal defences in Great Yarmouth are set to receive a £40.3 million refurbishment, upgrading the level of protection from tidal flooding to more than 4,500 homes and businesses in the area. Nearly 4km of flood walls will be improved and updated as part of the project which will better protect the local community from the threat of east coast flooding. Great Yarmouth has a history of flooding. During the 1953 east coast tidal surge, the tidal river defences in the town were breached in several places resulting in loss of life. More recently, in December 2013, approximately 9,000 people were urged to evacuate their homes as a result of the highest ever recorded tide in Great Yarmouth. The work will see 46 flood defence walls refurbished at locations across the town using an innovative technique that will extend their lifespan by up to 30 years. It follows on from the initial five-year phase of work which included the use of a specialised dam, known as a limpet dam, to inspect and repair the steel sheet piles that form the flood walls in a dry environment that would otherwise be underwater. Funding is now in place for the next phase of the multi-partner project, which is being led by the Environment Agency and due to start later this year. The £40.3 million investment, plus £6.2 million for ongoing maintenance, has come from a range of sources including £32.4 million provided by central government. Partnership contributions have come from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, £8.2 million through the Growth Deal programme, and £2.8 million from the Anglian Eastern Regional Flood & Coastal Committee. Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council have also contributed towards the project and local quayside businesses are supporting through contributions and the provision of compound space. Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “I’m very pleased to see the funding is now in place for this significant improvement to Great Yarmouth’s flood defences. An extra £5.4 million of funding was added to our standard Defra grant in view of additional regeneration objectives to allow this project to proceed with important partnership funding contributions. “Over £32million from direct government investment alongside the partnership funding will ensure 4,500 homes and businesses in the area are better protected from any future tidal flooding.” Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: “We have worked very closely with our partners to enable this important project to go ahead. The upgraded defences will ensure that the flood defences in Great Yarmouth provide the best standard of protection to the local community for many decades to come. “We are currently consulting on our Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy and this project is a perfect example of some of the ways in which, by working together, we can make communities more resilient for the future.” The first five-year phase of works to replace more than 500 metres of tidal defences was completed in early 2017. The next phase of works is being delivered by the Environment Agency’s contractor JBA-Bentley. Preliminary work for this new phase of improvements began in February. A public drop-in event is being held on 13 June, 2019 at the Kingsgate Community Church, Kings Centre, 30 Queen Anne’s Road, Great Yarmouth, NR31 0LE. The session, which runs from 2pm and 7pm, will offer people the chance to find out more about the project and the partners involved. Cllr Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “The River Yare Tidal Defences are a huge benefit to everyone who lives in, works in and visits our borough, reducing flood risk to our homes, workplaces, and the highways and other vital infrastructure that we use every day, better protecting communities and helping the borough to realise its full economic potential. “Together with the Environment Agency and local businesses, the borough council has played an instrumental role over the years in securing this crucial and most welcome investment from multiple sources, helping with lobbying and developing the robust business case. I’m pleased that work will soon be getting underway on the second phase.” Chair of the Anglia Eastern RFCC, Paul Hayden OBE, said: “Members visited Great Yarmouth both to see the great work that has already been completed on flood defences in the town, and to show their support for partners working together to deliver these vital further improvements. “Our £2.8m contribution to these works comes from a Local Levy collected across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Southend and Thurrock, and this investment is a demonstration of our commitment to protecting homes, jobs and businesses, and in encouraging further economic investment in the town.” Doug Field, chair of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This project is a great example of how partnership working can deliver projects which have a real impact on our people, places and economy. “Great Yarmouth is a vital part of our all-energy coast. It sits at the centre of the world’s largest market for offshore wind and is of huge strategic importance to our region. “By protecting homes and businesses and creating a safe environment for more to be created, these sea defences will allow the town to reach its potential as a key contributor to our economy.” Cllr Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council said: “This refurbishment work will help to safeguard the future prosperity of Great Yarmouth. This is an important funding partnership which we are happy to support.” The Environment Agency has been leading a conversation with people and organisations who are affected by or work to manage flooding and coastal change. We are now consulting on a draft strategy, which sets out a vision for a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change up to 2100.
The 2019 East Midlands RICS Awards have recognised the £30 million Lincoln Transport Hub, winning the top prize in the Infrastructure category. The Wilmott Dixon-built development garned praise from the judges for being delivered “on time and within budget”. In addition, this major win has also secured the project’s place at the RICS national finals in London later this year. “The Lincoln Transport Hub involved complex stakeholder engagement as well as presenting numerous operational challenges from the outset. By working in collaboration with the council and other organisations involved, we were able to collectively deliver a real success story for Lincoln,” said Nick Heath, director of delivery for Willmott Dixon. “We are delighted to have been recognised by our peers for this project, which we are certain will continue to be the bedrock of growth in Lincoln city centre. We have previously worked with Lincoln University Technical College (UTC) to refurbish and extend its iconic building and we are continuing to deliver a number of exciting schemes across Lincolnshire, such as a next generation emergency services hub for Lincolnshire County Council.” Thornton Firkin and John Roberts Architects worked alongside Willmott Dixon to deliver the hub to meet the needs of City of Lincoln Council. It is a vital element of the council’s plans to transform Lincoln’s city centre with a better integrated and improved interchange into the city centre which will also encourage further inward investment in Lincoln. The scheme included a new bus station with 14 bus bays and a six-level multi-storey car park housing 1001 spaces. “The transport hub scheme helps the city council achieve our vision of delivering Lincoln’s ambitious future and our priority of driving economic growth in Greater Lincoln. The new bus station and wider transport hub project will help revitalise the key visitor arrival point into the city centre. Our commitment to the Transport Hub project demonstrates to people locally, regionally and nationally that Lincoln is a thriving city and we are confident enough in this belief to invest significantly in its future,” added Kate Ellis, director of major projects at City of Lincoln Council.
The decision to build a pipeline is usually based on the necessity of transport over a long distance. Most likely, a type of liquid or gas will be transported. Examples can be oil, natural gas, water or even steam. The purpose can be commercial or private. The raw material and the distance are relevant for the choice of the right material. Choosing the right material is critical to the success of the construction. Fortunately, there are websites available online to help with this task. They offer a huge variety of different materials and shapes. The different stages As already mentioned, pipelines are built for transport and resemble an assembly line. Often pipeline construction projects are consistent with manageable segments, the so-called “spreads”. Each segment then becomes a specific part of the finished pipeline. Firstly, it is common practice to carry out a pre-construction inventory that allows the localisation of supply lines, etc. At this stage, the centre line and the outer boundaries of the pipeline are also defined. Secondly, some grubbing-up and planning must be carried out in order to install temporary erosion control measures. The topsoil will then be removed by continuing the excavation of the pipe trench. After much of the soil has been excavated, individual pipe connections are placed near the trench before the tube bending machine is used to create the desired pipe shapes for adaptation to the pipeline. At this stage, once the tubes have been aligned, it is time to weld them together. The pipeline must be inspected thoroughly at this stage to ensure that the entire length of the pipeline is not leaking. The pipeline is then covered again with soil and after a test run the pipeline should be ready to be put in operation. As always, protective measures are required from an ecological point of view. The example of steel pipes One type of pipe that might be used when constructing a pipeline is steel pipes. Steel is a durable and sturdy material and steel pipes in particular are customisable,rendering them useful for a variety of applications. Steel pipes come in different shapes, lengths and thicknesses and are truly a unique material which may be used for many purposes. Keep an eye on the market When constructing a pipeline, a reliable and cost-effective material is essential. The search for the right material therefore requires some considerations. It is a good start to find out about the shapes and materials on the market. However, in order to find the best possible solution, expert opinions may be required, so it is advisable to consult experts before building a pipeline.
Naturgy, a company led by Francisco Reynés, has presented the results for the first quarter of 2019, focused on progress in the implementation of its Strategic Plan with a great challenge ahead such as renewable energy, which highlights the great industrial plan of the energy company, both nationally and internationally. The company has also lowered its risk profile and increased its exposure to regulated assets with innovative investments. From the outset, Francisco Reynés has focused on cash generation, reducing his net debt and complying with shareholder remuneration at the end of the dividend payment against the previous year’s results. Francisco Reynés Massanet, executive president of the company, indicated that the “group continues with its industrial project, investing in renewables and networks, which allows us to adapt to the energy mix of the future and the quality of service that customers need and demand. We also continue to meet the commitments we made a year ago in terms of shareholder remuneration, while maintaining stable debt levels. Naturgy continues to make progress in implementing the Strategic Plan, with significant progress in efficiency and in reducing Naturgy’s risk profile. This progress has been made in part thanks to the tariff updates in some Latin American countries and undoubtedly to the progressive improvement in the risk profile of the liberalized businesses. The results recorded in the first quarter show that the strategic plan launched by Francisco Reynés on his arrival in 2018 has borne fruit with ordinary EBITDA reaching 1,167 million euros, 6% more than in the same period of the previous year, and ordinary net profit of 377 million. This represents an increase of 16%. Reynés commented that investments amounted to 301 million euros in the period and show primarily the development of a new renewable capacity planned by the electricity company, as well as growth in distribution networks, always complying with the Strategic Plan 2018-2022. The growth in investments has led to progress in Naturgy’s industrial project, which includes 138 MW of solar and wind projects put into operation in Spain in the first quarter and another 777 MW that will come into operation during the year. All in all, the installed capacity in the country now stands at around 1,320 MW, an increase of 15%. The company has also invested in the development of 180 MW of wind energy in Australia and 324 MW of wind and solar capacity in Chile, which will come into operation before the third quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, respectively. During the first quarter of 2019, net debt amounted to 15,003 million euros, 2% less than on December 31, 2018, thanks to a greater focus on cash generation, after having allocated 560 million for the payment of the final dividend for 2018 and a total of 135 million for the share buyback program during the quarter. Efficiency plan and risk profile reduction Naturgy by the hand of Francisco Reynés, has continued to make progress on its efficiencies plan and the gradual de-risking of its business profile. The efficiencies achieved since the launch of the SP 18-22 are noticeable across the businesses and will remain a key driver of performance going forward. In this respect, the company has incurred additional capture costs of €50m during 2019, accounting for the bulk of non-ordinary effects in the quarter. Naturgy is on track to deliver the €100m additional efficiencies expected for 2019, and reiterates its total commitment of €500m efficiencies by 2022. Shareholder remuneration Naturgy, the company chaired by Francisco Reynés, continues to comply with the remuneration promised to shareholders. Furthermore, and since the beginning of its strategic plan until 31 March 2019, Naturgy has invested €238m on a share buyback program, as part of its €400m annual schedule to be completed by the end of June 2019. In this respect, the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting, held in March 2019, approved a share capital reduction of the company through the amortization of the shares bought under the abovementioned program. Results by business unit By business units, Gas & Power recorded an ordinary EBITDA of €409m, an increase of 1.2%, mainly due to the fact that the group’s new commercial policies which, together with efficiencies and new renewables capacity, have helped offset the global decline in gas prices during the quarter. Infrastructure EMEA increased its ordinary EBITDA by 7.7% to €475m euros, as a result of a good performance across all business. In gas infrastructures, the efficiencies achieved have compensated for the lower volumes due to the mild temperatures recorded this winter. The reduction of costs has also been key in the electricity networks, together with the entry into operation of new assets. The result of Infrastructure South LatAm (Chile, Argentina and Brazil, mainly) grew significantly, with an ordinary EBITDA of €194m (+ 15%), thanks to the efficiencies achieved and the tariff indexation. In the case of Infrastructures North LatAm (Mexico and Panama) the ordinary EBITDA was €101m, with a rise of 68% compared to the same period of 2018, on the back of positive regulatory impacts, higher demand and efficiency improvements.
Sporting arenas are interesting places from an architect’s point of view. You have to build something which is capable of holding thousands of people and catering to any needs they must have. On top of this, many sporting arenas around the world have their own little quirks about their construction so here are some of our favourites. La Bombonera Boca Juniors are one of the most popular football teams in Argentina. They are loved by many and their matches always receive a flurry of support and bets from people wanting them to do well, so how about you try your luck at NetBet sport to score a big wager on their next important match. While three sides have the usual tiered seating we see in stadiums all over the world, the fourth side has what is referred to as the “flat” stand. Instead of pushing back, the three tiers of the flat stand are vertical and it can often give the impression that Boca fans are going to dive forward onto the pitch. Victoria Park The Highland home of the football team Ross County might seem ordinary enough to a passer-by or even a football fanatic, however, when you compare its seating capacity to the nearby town of Dingwall, something crops up which is quite amusing. Victoria Park draws crowds of supporters in from all over Ross-shire and so the stadium can support over 6500 fans. Meanwhile, Dingwall has a population of 5491, according to the 2011 census. It’s amusing to think that an entire town can comfortably fit inside the seats of its football stadium and still have plenty of room. The Water Cube Head to the Olympic Park in Beijing and you will be confronted by the Beijing National Aquatics Center, or as it is colloquially known, the Water Cube. The design of this interesting building was chosen from an international competition and, as the name suggests, it resembles a cube of water. The unique pattern to the walls and ceiling makes for a very interesting viewing, whether you are inside the building or out. In addition to its use for the water events in the 2008 Summer Olympics, it will host the curling events of the 2022 Winter Games. The Taiwan National Stadium If you head to the national stadium of Taiwan, you will be confronted by a blue-grey structure half-curving around the stadium itself. This is supposed to resemble a dragon and is the brainchild of architect Toyo Ito. The blue-grey structure is actually thousands of solar panels and they provide 100% of the stadium’s energy in addition to being hooked up to the country’s national grid. Therefore, they can seep off any extra energy for locals to use whenever there is not a match playing. Most people are too focused on what is happening during the games to pay attention to the building they are in, however, this can result in you missing out on some fantastic quirks the architects have put in. Head down to your local sporting arena today and see what you can find out about it. It might be small but there will be something there.
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has officially opened Glenrothes’ new district heating network. Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget. The new network, constructed in central Glenrothes, provides low carbon heating to Fife House complex, Rothes Halls and the sheltered housing complex at Jubilee Grove by using the steam from the RWE biomass CHP plant at Markinch. Scotland’s Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “I am delighted to officially open the Glenrothes Energy Network today. This ambitious project, which has received £8.6 million support from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, is already providing reliable low carbon heat to a number of buildings and has potential for expansion in the future. “I would like to congratulate both Fife Council and RWE on the way in which they have worked in partnership and their success in constructing the new energy centre and network within the town centre which will make a valuable contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and our renewable heat targets.” Vital Energi’s Operations Manager, Scott Lutton explained, “We have been delighted to support Fife Council and RWE in their ambition to provide lower-carbon heat to this local community. The Energy Centre and Heat Network have been constructed through diligent planning and collaboration which has under pinned the success of the project. This is a significant addition to Scotland’s low-carbon energy infrastructure as it continues to prove itself as a leader in renewable energy generation. Cllr Ross Vettraino, Fife Council’s spokesperson for the environment said: “Fife continues leading the way in tackling climate change. Bringing this district heating scheme to Glenrothes helps Fife Council reach its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020. The scheme demonstrates how to tackle the Government’s long-term climate change targets at a local level and helps build confidence in modern, low carbon heat technology.” Along with the three partners, several organisations have provided invaluable support delivering Glenrothes Energy Network: WSP – design and specification Scottish Futures Trust – project assurance and expert advice Brodies – specialist legal advice Balfour Beatty – main network contractor Vital Energi – district heating installation and energy centre contractor. Cllr Vettraino concluded: “This project is an exemplar of partnership working and what it can achieve. Thanks go to everyone involved in bringing this stage of the network to successful completion.” Steve Glover, Director of Hard Coal & Gas Power Plant UK, RWE Generation: “RWE is proud to be part of this innovative partnership; the Energy Centre is one of the quickest built projects of its kind in the UK and represents a significant investment in our Fife operation. This scheme offers the opportunity to provide affordable heat and lower carbon emissions and RWE are delighted to be part of its success.” The official opening marks the completion of the core network construction. Work is currently underway looking at connecting local businesses. The network is ready for the future with the potential to connect more domestic customers when additional funding is sourced. For more information on the project please go to www.glenrothesenergynetwork.co.uk
An ambitious project aims to draw up a digital map of all UK underground pipes and cables to end strikes and save workers lives. To achieve that, the government’s Geospatial Commission plans to collate existing data on underground pipes and cables to create an Underground Assets Register. The feasibility of the project is being tested in London and Sunderland. “The creation of an underground map of utility assets has long been an ambition of Ordnance Survey. And over the last year we have been working closely with Northumbrian Water and a consortia of utility companies and local authorities in the North East of England, to explore how accurate geospatial data can improve underground infrastructure maintenance and inform new-build development projects,” said David Henderson, the managing director of Ordnance Survey Great Britain. “The investment being made by the Geospatial Commission will ultimately enable the utility industry to more efficiently access, use and share data describing otherwise hidden infrastructure, thereby reducing operational costs, minimising disruption and accelerating completion of site works,” he added. One of the biggest issues is that currently there is no comprehensive underground map of the UK’s service network. Organisations have their own maps showing where gas pipes and electricity cables are, but the lack of a combined map creates an increased risk of potentially lethal accidents. Once the project is in place, workers will be able to see all teh right details on mobile phones or laptop computers before they start a dig. It would be wise to gain knowledge in maps with the Chad Kimball course “Working alongside local authorities, other utility services and partners has meant that we are off to a good start in mapping Sunderland’s underground. We are looking forward to working with government and others to showcase the powers of data sharing for public good,” said Heidi Mottram, CEO of Northumbrian Water. It is estimated that the cost of disruption from accidental strikes on underground pipes and cables is £1.2bn a year to the UK’s economy.
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Scottish Government’s independent centre of infrastructure expertise, has published its latest five-year corporate plan outlining how it will prioritise its work towards a vision of world-class infrastructure for the people of Scotland. Recognising that high-quality infrastructure underpins inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities and the effective provision of public services, Scottish Government has set a National Infrastructure Mission to increase infrastructure investment by up to £1.5bn per annum over its £5.2bn 2019-20 baseline, so that it reaches £6.7bn in 2025-26. SFT has a unique role across the whole of Scotland, working with the public and private sectors, to: Plan asset investment and management effectively across sectors and places Innovate in approaches to funding, financing and delivery Deliver projects and programmes to drive life-cycle value and vibrant construction and related industries Manage existing assets, estates and contracts productively SFT’s Corporate Plan sets out the outcomes it will work with partners to deliver, with a particular focus on: Enabling development in places where jobs can be created and homes built – bringing public and private sector partners together with a focus on infrastructure and innovative financing to unlock the potential of places and assets; and Delivering investment programmes in public infrastructure effectively – especially programmes which span multiple organisations such as schools’ investment and elements of the National Infrastructure Mission which need new financing approaches to be delivered. In supporting the National Infrastructure Mission to enable the low-carbon, digitally enabled economy of tomorrow, SFT sees an increased focus on: Low-carbon infrastructure where we are working to deliver better insulated buildings, de-carbonise heat and provide options to increase electric vehicle charging points Digital infrastructure where we are working on 5G technologies as well as rolling out masts to further increase 4G coverage in mobile ‘not-spots’ Infrastructure technology with 3D computer modelling, virtual reality and laser scanning all amongst the new infrastructure technologies we are promoting to virtually build a new school or hospital to help flush out any design flaws before moving the building into the construction phase Maintenance and resilience where a renewed focus on making the best use of the assets we have through effective and joined-up use of buildings and focussed investment in condition can benefit users, the environment and free up budget over the medium term to invest in transformation Much of SFT’s infrastructure work is delivered in partnership with the Scottish construction industry. Recognising its importance to the economy SFT will seek to ensure a vibrant construction industry with increased productivity delivering well-designed and high-quality assets to its customers and fair and rewarding work to a diverse workforce. Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, explained: “Delivering high-quality, well-functioning infrastructure to support and accelerate economic growth will achieve social and environmental benefits right across Scotland. Building the economy is our focus, and we will continue to provide innovative investment models to stimulate additional private sector investment and create jobs. “The target to phase out the need to buy petrol or diesel vehicles in Scotland in little over ten years’ time will require a big expansion of charging points and we are working with colleagues from Transport Scotland to plan for that now. “In addition, the economic impact of Scotland becoming a world-leading digital nation is huge as it could boost GDP by around 10%. But to reap that reward, all of Scotland must be at the forefront of technology. We are delivering the 4G mobile mast infill programme to cover many rural mobile not-spots and working on Scotland’s 5G strategy which will be piloted at Dundee’s waterfront area.” Infrastructure Secretary, Michael Matheson, said: “The Scottish Government’s £5 billion commitment to infrastructure investment in 2019-20 will support 50,000 affordable new homes, delivery of the extension of early learning and childcare, new roads and railways, electric vehicles and delivery of superfast broadband across Scotland. “As part of this, our pipeline report, published last week, shows Scottish Government procured projects, with a value of almost £3.1 billion, are estimated to be in construction across Scotland during 2019-20. “Building on this success, SFT will support the delivery of our National Infrastructure Mission, which will increase annual infrastructure investment by 1% of current (2017) GDP by the end of the next Parliament, helping to protect and create jobs, and boost growth across the country.”
