As part of Yorkshire Water’s “big goal” for the environment, more than 14,000 trees were planted at Ogden Water last month, aiming to create new “green infrastructure”. One million trees will be planted in total on land owned by Yorkshire Water and leased by the Woodland Trust to enhance the
The £250m Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of The UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first of its kind large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network which will be delivered by Vital Energi. The
As the world looks to reduce its impact on the environment, one area that’s changing is construction. Governments and officials throughout the globe have started to introduce new guidelines for the construction of new buildings. Manufacturers need to be more mindful over the materials used and buildings now need to
Vital Energi will deliver a £2.3m energy scheme for The West Works, Redrow’s latest development in Southall. Vital will be taking a phased installation approach to grow the solution in line with Redrow’s construction plans. Vital will be providing the design, supply and installation services for the scheme, which consists
Since the official turf cutting back in September 2018, significant progress is being made on the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm project managed by lead shareholder, Innogy. Construction specialist Mick George Ltd has now been appointed on behalf of J. Murphy and Sons Ltd to complete Earthworks at the main
The STA has conducted a fresh assessment of large-scale solar costs which was explored with leading energy analysts & BEIS at an expert workshop today. The STA’s last assessment of solar’s Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), published in November 2014, had anticipated costs of around £80MWh in 2019. The updated
National Grid and its contractors Murphy Eltel Joint Venture have finished building the new 20km high voltage electricity line between Richborough and Canterbury to connect the Nemo Link®, into the UK’s electricity transmission system. The new line, consisting of 60 new pylons is the first to be built in Kent
Focus Consultants has been appointed to deliver sustainability services for a new East Coast Hub for the global leader in offshore wind, Ørsted, which is currently building the biggest offshore wind farms in the world. Currently in construction on the Royal Docks at Grimsby, Lincolnshire, the building will represent a
Energy Assets Utilities is playing a key role in ensuring that the 2,200 new homes planned for a major development in Wallyford, Scotland, will be at the leading edge of the digital revolution sweeping across the residential new build sector. With people’s increasing reliance on digital connectivity to support devices
Unless you have specific experience in electricity and power, you might not realise the effect that power quality can have on a building or business. Having power of the correct quality is very important for the smooth running of electrical equipment. If your business or organisation lacks adequate power quality,
As part of Yorkshire Water’s “big goal” for the environment, more than 14,000 trees were planted at Ogden Water last month, aiming to create new “green infrastructure”. One million trees will be planted in total on land owned by Yorkshire Water and leased by the Woodland Trust to enhance the environment and reduce the risk of flooding. “We made a commitment in January 2018 to plant one million trees in the county over the next ten years to help reduce flood risk, capture carbon and boost woodland wildlife opportunities. I am thrilled to see trees being planted at Ogden as part of our commitment to tree planting within the new Northern Forest,” commented on the scheme Yorkshire Water’s catchment and recreation manager Geoff Lomas. The partnership between the water company, the Woodland Trust and the Forest of Bradford will help expand the White Rose Forest as part of the new Northern Forest project. A mixture of native trees and shrubs including oak, beech and silver birch will be planted to enhance the biodiversity of the site while protecting its archaeology and retaining public access. The scheme received backing from the prime minister, Theresa May and environment secretary Michael Gove in 2018, and over the next 25 years the Northern Forest will see the planting of more than 50 million trees from Liverpool to Hull, the first of its kind for more than a quarter of a century. “The launch of this ambitious project at Ogden Water is a huge milestone for Calderdale and will have far-reaching benefits for future generations to come. With the Calder Valley being a flood-prone catchment, we truly value this programme of work not only for its benefits for ecology, biodiversity and air quality but also as a complementary measure to support traditional engineered flood defences,” said Councillor Barry Collins of Calderdale Council. Spanning more than 120 miles between the cities of Hull, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, the proposed Northern Forest will help boost habitats for woodland birds and bats and protect species such as the red squirrel.
The £250m Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of The UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first of its kind large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network which will be delivered by Vital Energi. The ground-breaking scheme will initially see the installation of 5MW of water source heat pumps (2 x 2.5MW) which will take heat from the river Clyde and use it to provide heating and hot water for the surrounding development. The heat generated at the energy centre will be pumped through 2.5km of district heating pipe connecting local homes, businesses and public buildings. Scott Lutton, Operations Manager for Vital Energi says, “This is a very exciting moment in the history of the Scotland’s energy infrastructure. While there have been small open water source heat pumps in the past, this is by far the largest to date. Water source heat pumps are a low-carbon technology which will become more effective in reducing emissions as the grid decarbonises and we hope that, when complete, it will prove an inspiration to other local authorities who want to reduce their carbon emissions.” The £15m energy project will provide heat for the areas homes, businesses and some public buildings including West College Scotland, Clydebank Leisure Centre, the Town Hall and Clydebank Library. The Queen’s Quay development will also see the creation of 1,000 private homes and 200 homes for social rent. Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development said: “The District Heating Network will have a hugely positive impact on Queens Quay and Clydebank as a whole and we are delighted to welcome Vital Energi on board to help us deliver it. “Once completed, the network will provide heating and hot water to existing buildings including Clydebank Leisure Centre and the Council office campus as well as serving the new homes. The Council aim to expand the network to include areas of Clydebank and Dalmuir and to address fuel poverty by providing affordable heat to local residents. West Dunbartonshire Council is leading the way with this project and our residents, businesses and the environment will reap the rewards.” Councillor Marie McNair, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The people of Clydebank will see the benefits of this pioneering project for generations to come. “The system has been designed to not only serve the developments at Queens Quay but has the potential to serve businesses and houses further afield. “It will also make a major contribution towards the Council’s climate change targets to reduce CO2 emissions.” David Pearson, Director of Star Renewables Energy who are manufacturing the heat pumps said, “As a local company, we’re extremely proud that Scotland’s first major water source heat pump project will not only be delivered in Glasgow, but also manufactured in Glasgow. This project, once again, underlines that Scotland is at the forefront of embracing renewable technologies and driving down carbon emissions.” West Dunbartonshire Council will meet 60% of the cost of the system with the Scottish Government funding £6m through the European Regional Development Fund via the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Program (LCITP). If you’d like to know more about Vital Energi and the work they do then please visit www.vitalenergi.co.uk
As the world looks to reduce its impact on the environment, one area that’s changing is construction. Governments and officials throughout the globe have started to introduce new guidelines for the construction of new buildings. Manufacturers need to be more mindful over the materials used and buildings now need to feature a more sustainable design in order to meet new regulations. It’s not just the environment which can benefit from more thoughtful construction. Businesses could also feel the benefits, particularly in their pockets! Here, we’ll look at how more thoughtful construction can help businesses to save on their energy bills. Insulating warehouses One of the biggest costs’ businesses face is keeping their warehouses at adequate temperatures. They are renowned for being cold and when built incorrectly, can waste a lot of energy throughout the year. This is where insulation comes in really useful. Adding high-quality insulation into warehouses can help to trap the heat in, reducing the strain on heating systems. It can also keep the warehouse cooler in the summer months too, ensuring more heat is kept outdoors. Using air source heat pumps Speaking of heating, if businesses switched to air source heat pumps, they could save over 50% on their energy bills. They’re efficient, cost effective and renewable, making them an excellent choice for new buildings. These types of heating systems can even eliminate the need for a gas boiler, electric, oil and LPG. It’s thought that using air source heat pumps can save thousands of pounds for businesses each year. Efficient lighting controls A simple thoughtful construction element which could also save businesses money on their energy bills, is the use of efficient lighting controls. Using sensors, timers and lighting controls can make significant cost reductions, as well as proving to be much better for the environment. Of course, even in existing buildings cost savings can still be delivered through the use of energy management. Companies such as Utilitywise, can ensure businesses have the best energy deals. Overall, thoughtful construction can help to really lower business energy costs. The above is just some of the ways new buildings can be constructed with energy savings in mind. Adding insulation and switching to more efficient heating systems such as air source heat pumps are both great examples of how small installations can make a huge difference to a company’s energy bills.
Vital Energi will deliver a £2.3m energy scheme for The West Works, Redrow’s latest development in Southall. Vital will be taking a phased installation approach to grow the solution in line with Redrow’s construction plans. Vital will be providing the design, supply and installation services for the scheme, which consists of a 185kW CHP engine, three 533kW gas boilers, two 8,000 litre thermal stores, low temperature hot water system and 280m of district heating. Vital will also be responsible for supplying the heat interface units for the development which consists of 313 new homes, alongside commercial units. Vital adapted the design presented by Redrow’s consultants to provide a more financially beneficial and efficient solution. This was achieved by reducing the number of CHP engines from four with a thermal storage of 20m³, to one CHP with a thermal storage of 16m³ which not only reduces the cost of plant and maintenance, but also provides a more accurate size solution for the development’s energy demand. The energy scheme will be installed alongside the development’s construction, with the CHP engine being switched on later in the development process when there is the required demand. The project will also see Vital provide the additional infrastructure to futureproof the network by installing capped pipework to allow for the additional connections. The original intention was to install a capped district heating link from the energy centre to provide the ability to connect to the nearby Southall West Energy Centre in the future. However, this design was reassessed and adapted by Vital to supply the development and the capped link from a single district heating main which reduced the length of pipe required. Rob Callagahan, Regional Director for the South for Vital Energi, commented, “After working with Redrow on previous projects such as their Padcroft and 500 Chiswick Road developments, we are pleased that we have been selected to provide the energy scheme for this new development. We have carried out a detailed design to ensure the most financially beneficial and efficient solution has been provided and look forward to seeing the project implemented.” The West Works development comprises one, two and three bedroom luxury apartments and is due for completion late 2019.
Since the official turf cutting back in September 2018, significant progress is being made on the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm project managed by lead shareholder, Innogy. Construction specialist Mick George Ltd has now been appointed on behalf of J. Murphy and Sons Ltd to complete Earthworks at the main onshore cable site off the A16 near Stickney. The firm will be stripping the easement where the cables will be placed for this 860MW project and will have the capability to transmit renewable electricity from the wind farm to more than 800,000 UK homes per year. This estimated £2bn renewable energy scheme will not be without its engineering challenges. It involves the installation of more than 57km of underground high-voltage electrical export cable in Lincolnshire. The route starts at the landfall location north of Anderby Creek, where the onshore and offshore cables connect. It runs to a new substation being constructed near Bicker, and then to the existing National Grid Bicker Fen Substation where the electricity from the offshore wind farm will ultimately connect into the grid. Both are on the outskirts of Boston More than 300 individual directional drills – a record for a UK infrastructure project – will ensure the onshore cables can be installed without obstructing any roads, highways, rivers or drains. Although the two-year onshore construction programme is underway, offshore activities are not expected to begin until late 2019. First energy generation could be as early as 2021. At the peak of the development, the project is anticipating upward of 3,000 employment opportunities. Michael George, Managing Director at Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’As a business that is well experienced in providing sustainable solutions through our waste management division, we recognise the importance of projects such as this and are excited to be involved.’’
The STA has conducted a fresh assessment of large-scale solar costs which was explored with leading energy analysts & BEIS at an expert workshop today. The STA’s last assessment of solar’s Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), published in November 2014, had anticipated costs of around £80MWh in 2019. The updated analysis for 2019 shows that solar has gone beyond the STA’s earlier expectations with LCOE costs of around £50-60MWh in 2019, a figure which is also significantly below BEIS’s 2016 Central Estimate of Electricity Generation Costs. Although costs vary significantly on a site by site basis, the findings confirm that under a long-term power purchase contract, solar could soon be the cheapest electricity generation technology in the UK. STA Policy Analyst Nicholas Gall, who undertook the study working with STA members over the past six months, said; “This is yet another example of the fast-moving solar power market outpacing official costs analyses. Our aim here is to provide an accurate assessment of where large-scale solar costs stand as we enter 2019, when we hope to see some revival of the UK large-scale solar market. We urge all organisations conducting low-carbon or energy cost analyses to make use of this up-to-date industry data, which comes directly from our members’ own experience of the UK market. We also urge decision-makers to understand how effective policy frameworks enable the lowest possible costs for solar, which will greatly benefit consumers.” Large-scale solar has been excluded from clean energy auctions in the UK since 2015, and the Renewables Obligation was closed in March 2017. This has left the sector to develop its own commercial routes-to-market, within a complex energy market heavily distorted by Government support for other technologies and facing significant policy uncertainties. The STA analysis presented today shows that solar can now deploy at around £50-60/MWh, making it highly competitive with CCGT and onshore wind, and attractive for commercial and industrial consumers under long-term Power Purchase Agreements. The analysis also underscores the high potential for UK content in large-scale solar and its contribution to GDP, with imported modules likely to form just 10% of total lifetime costs by 2030. A significant solar pipeline is widely expected to re-start in the UK in 2019, assisted in the short term by developer needs to build out previously stalled projects, and by a global module surplus. In the medium to longer term, the market outlook is supported by improved manufacturing efficiencies, higher gas price projections, and the UK’s growing need for clean generation capacity. However, the outlook is clouded by policy uncertainties such as Ofgem’s latest proposed changes to network charging, the future of carbon pricing given uncertainties over post-Brexit arrangements with the EU Emissions Trading System, and ongoing grid constraint challenges. Accompanying the cost figures released today, the STA sets out three targeted policy measures to facilitate growth of the large-scale solar market: Introducing a technology-neutral floor-price Contract for Difference auction; Enacting network access and charging reforms to enable storage + PV to realise its full potential; and providing a Climate Change Levy exemption for newly built zero-carbon generation procured through corporate renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs). Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of the Solar Trade Association said; “We have a clear message for Government and corporate energy buyers today: UK solar electricity is now cost competitive with fossil fuels. By establishing the right policy framework for solar and storage, including expediting a smart, flexible energy system, government can enable this technology to realise its full potential in delivering an affordable, low-carbon future energy system.”
National Grid and its contractors Murphy Eltel Joint Venture have finished building the new 20km high voltage electricity line between Richborough and Canterbury to connect the Nemo Link®, into the UK’s electricity transmission system. The new line, consisting of 60 new pylons is the first to be built in Kent for 25 years. A total of 260km of high voltage cables have now been placed on the pylons and have been tested, paving the way for the final testing and commissioning of the Nemo Link® interconnector, which will allow electricity to flow both ways between the UK and Europe. The Richborough Connection was necessary as there is no high voltage transmission network in the Richborough area to carry electricity from the interconnector. The construction work, carried out by 250 skilled workers at the peak of operations involved more than 6,000 crane lifts to put the new pylons into place for a route that crosses eight roads, three rivers and three rail lines in its journey across the county. Graham Dolamore, Project Director for National Grid said: “The completion of the Richborough Project is a significant milestone in the programme for these two projects which will allow power to flow between Britain and Belgium early next year, providing security of supply and greater opportunities for the UK to trade with wider European energy markets. “I’m proud to have been a part of this project and of the fact that we’ve worked closely with landowners and communities to get the connection built on time and with minimal disruption. It is another demonstration of the crucial role National Grid plays in making sure people across Kent and far beyond have the energy they need, when they need it.” Shane Jestin, Murphy Eltel Construction Director said: “It has been a tough but successful job all round, thanks to the hard work of all those involved. We’ve carried out more than 6,000 lifts and managed to hit challenging project deadlines thanks to a mix of thorough planning and excellent delivery.” More than 750,000 working hours were spent building the new overhead line. In addition, works were also carried out at Canterbury North substation and the new Richborough substation with both substations extended and equipment either installed or upgraded. This work was carried out by ABB and Siemens. Some small-scale works will be carried out over the coming months in preparation for the removal of UK Power Network’s overhead lines in 2020. Work on building the new 20km overhead electricity line between Richborough and Canterbury is now complete Line ready to connect Nemo Link®, a 1000 megawatt undersea interconnector between Belgium and the UK, into the UK’s existing high voltage network when it becomes fully operational in 2019 The two projects together will play an important role in supporting the security of energy supplies across Britain and the continent
Focus Consultants has been appointed to deliver sustainability services for a new East Coast Hub for the global leader in offshore wind, Ørsted, which is currently building the biggest offshore wind farms in the world. Currently in construction on the Royal Docks at Grimsby, Lincolnshire, the building will represent a state-of-the-art operations and maintenance hub to support both the construction and operation of Ørsted’s offshore wind farms, from which they currently operate more than 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of capacity with a further 2.6GW under construction. “The construction, operation and maintenance of such a large off-shore wind capacity necessarily requires a highly specialised and high-quality base from which to conduct activities,” said Focus partner Jason Redfearn. “The new O&M hub, being constructed by Hobson & Porter, will provide such a facility. As a part of this, Focus Consultants has been appointed to undertake a BREEAM sustainability assessment of the building’s design and construction. With a target of ‘Very Good’, this requires the implementation of sustainability standards that surpass those of UK Building Regulations.” Focus, which is based in Nottingham and has branches in Leicester, London, Newark and Boston in Lincolnshire, is a sustainability specialist and offers a range of energy and sustainability services including BREEAM assessment, with expert advice on sustainable building methods, building physics, Energy Compliance and Testing. Material selection within any development underpins the sustainable standards incorporated as part of the construction. The Ørsted O&M hub is targeting high scores within this section of BREEAM, which rewards those who procure materials with low environmental impact, including embodied carbon, over the life of the building. The scheme is also actively trying to manage the source of materials by selecting, where appropriate, suppliers that have EMS (Environmental Management Systems) in place. As part of the build, the development has set ambitious and high targets in relation to water consumption and conservation. Through the use of efficient fittings and flow restrictors, which decrease the water used and wasted, a 40% reduction in water use over the baseline amount calculated is achieved. In addition, water consumption through the construction process will be managed in accordance with BREEAM, with monitoring through all stages to incentivise efficiency. “Energy efficiency measures are also being incorporated into the design in order to reduce the overall building’s operational consumption,” added Jason Redfearn. “Photovoltaic panels will offset a proportion of the electrical energy requirements for the building, which otherwise would have been drawn from the grid. The development is targeting a performance which is the equivalent of an ‘Excellent’ rating under energy, even though the building is being developed to a ‘Very Good’ standard. This increased target exemplifies the desire of Ørsted to incorporate a sustainable approach into the design. “The Focus Consultants service for the project has, to date, entailed full consultation with the design team to create an environment within which each member of the team can feel engaged in the process and a close working relationship with the team to ensure the process is made as smooth and efficient as possible. Focus is delighted to have been appointed to work on such a high-profile scheme to support Ørsted’s sustainability aims.” Ørsted is creating the biggest offshore wind farms in the world off the Yorkshire Coast; Hornsea Projects One and Two’s 339 turbines will be able to provide enough electricity for well over 2.3 million homes, when the wind farms become operational in 2020, and 2022 respectively. For more information about Focus Consultants, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk.
Energy Assets Utilities is playing a key role in ensuring that the 2,200 new homes planned for a major development in Wallyford, Scotland, will be at the leading edge of the digital revolution sweeping across the residential new build sector. With people’s increasing reliance on digital connectivity to support devices ranging from smart TVs, games consoles, and tablets to home security and energy control systems, superfast broadband is becoming a ‘must-have’ for home owners…and developers are responding. At Wallyford, Energy Assets Utilities has been responsible for laying the conventional gas, electricity, and water infrastructure up to the spine road running through the site, but is also leading on the roll-out of fibre-to-the-home. “The first few homes are now benefiting from superfast connectivity, with many hundreds more to follow to support lifestyles increasingly reliant on digital technology…and to connect to who knows what as we enter the era of the ‘Internet of Things’,” said Craig Topley, Energy Assets Group Managing Director (Construction). The Wallyford scheme is the largest multi-utility network design and construction project ever undertaken by EAU, with services now available not only for residential homes but also for a new primary school, currently being built, and potentially some commercial units. It’s all part of East Lothian Developments’ plans for a new community at St Clements Well, which stretches to the south, east and west of Wallyford. The construction project illustrates Energy Assets Utilities’s growing position as a leading provider of gas, electricity, water – and increasingly fibre cable – networks for residential and commercial schemes across Britain.
Unless you have specific experience in electricity and power, you might not realise the effect that power quality can have on a building or business. Having power of the correct quality is very important for the smooth running of electrical equipment. If your business or organisation lacks adequate power quality, it can cause all sorts of issues such as devices malfunctioning or even losing supply entirely. Utilising specialist equipment known as power quality analysers it is possible to track and understand power quality, as well as to get an idea of when you are having power quality problems. However, there are many different types of power quality issues, and to be able to come up with a solution, you need to understand what they are and how they work. Here are six of the most common power quality issues experienced by buildings and businesses, as provided by Outram Research, the world leaders in power quality monitoring. If you are suffering any of these, it could be having a huge knock-on effect to your productivity and even energy bills. Voltage dips A voltage dip occurs when there is an under voltage for a short duration. Technically this can be referred to as a reduction in supply voltage which is then followed by a recovery after a very short period of time. Typically, voltage dips are caused by a fault within your own system, and can also be caused by events such as starting up a large load. The impact of a voltage dip can vary enormously. It could be the cause of nothing more serious than flickering lights to serious tripping of important electrical loads. Voltage spikes or surges The opposite of a voltage dip is a voltage spike or surge. They occur when there is a rise in voltage and are categorised as a spike when they are almost instantaneous, and categorised as a surge when it has a longer duration. It is generally defined as a surge when voltage is measured to be 110 per cent or more above the normal. These events typically occur when electrical equipment us turned off, and a large amount of electricity that was being used returns to the system. This can cause problems for computer systems, as surges can see equipment switching off. Power sag Another common issue for power quality is known as a power sag. These are short-term events and they see a reduction in the voltage magnitude. Given that a small reduction in the system voltage can have very serious negative effects, it’s not surprising that sags can be extremely damaging to your computer system. Electrical line noise Electrical line noise is quite different from the problems listed above. This occurs when either radio frequency interference or electromagnetic interference causes negative effects in the circuits of computer systems. There can be many reasons for this occurring such as microwave radiation, broadcasting transmissions or electrical storms. You might not realise that line noise could be so damaging, but it can cause all sorts of errors and shutdowns on electrical devices. Under voltage Under voltage is a major problem. It can be caused by a variety of issues such as voltage regulator malfunctions, incorrectly configured transformers and excessive network load. There can also be other factors such as lack of reactive power support on a network. When systems experience under voltage it can lead to issues with overloading, as equipment may require an increased current to maintain power. Interruptions There are two different forms of total interruption of the electrical supply – short interruptions and long interruptions. Short interruptions are considered to be those than last for up to 1 or 2 seconds (although they can only last milliseconds), while long interruptions are those that have a longer duration than 2 seconds. The main causes of short interruptions are insulation failure and insulator flashover, but lightning can also be an issue. Long interruptions are typically an issue cause by equipment problems in the power system network such as storms, objects striking power lines and human error. Long interruptions can clearly be one some of the most disruptive power issues.
