RWE, the largest power generator in Wales, and Dragon LNG, one of the three UK LNG terminals providing energy security into the UK, have awarded a contract to AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design, engineering and project management organisation, to carry out an engineering study for their collaborative project ‘MUST’ – Multi-Utility Services Transit – an infrastructure project connecting industry across the Milford Haven Waterway. The study will examine the environmental robustness of technical solutions and determine if any of the potential transit opportunities, including the transfer of residual process heat, export route for CO2and blue and green hydrogen, could reduce CO2 emissions on both the South and North side of the Haven. Depending on the outcome of the study, the opportunities that the MUST project could potentially provide are: Richard Little, Director of Pembroke Net Zero Centre, RWE commented: “This appointment demonstrates the commitment both RWE and Dragon have towards developing decarbonisation options for the whole of South Wales and is a key part of RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC), a major multi-technology decarbonisation initiative in South Wales.” Simon Ames, Managing Director, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy commented: “We are excited to be entering into this important project phase with AtkinsRéalis who will provide recommendations for or against proceeding with project aspects. We continue to work with government and regulatory bodies to ensure we are in a position to progress forward once the results of the study are available in 2024”. Sarah Long – AtkinsRéalis Market Director for Net Zero Energy, said: “The MUST project is a great example of the innovation that will drive forward the decarbonisation of industry at scale and support the development of new technologies that will be vital in the net zero transition. We welcome the opportunity to build on our longstanding relationships with RWE and Dragon LNG and look forward to bringing our knowledge of transit, marine, environment and process plant integration to such a multi-faceted project.” MUST is a key deployment project of the South Wales Industrial Cluster, Dr Chris Williams, Head of Industrial Decarbonisation, Industry Wales, commented “SWIC is excited to see the MUST project develop as an example of industrial symbiosis (sharing), which will be a key element of industry in a net zero world. The sharing between and interconnecting of industries to limit waste and reduce emissions can unlock industrial sustainability, attract inward investment and help secure local jobs. MUST is an exemplar of the type of investment needed to support our industries on their net zero journey – as showcased in the SWIC Cluster Plan.” As a collaborative, flagship component of the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC) Deployment Project, the MUST project would represent a step change in net zero infrastructure.  The project is supported by an award from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI’s) Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge programme, which will provide key support in the engineering and design phases of the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vital Energi are working with speciality chemical manufacturer, Solenis, to reduce the carbon consumption at its Bradford site through a new 17-year partnership to upgrade and operate the site’s energy centre, futureproofing the site’s production capabilities. Solenis is always looking for ways to run its sites more sustainably, enhancing growth while decreasing environmental impact. Vital Energi will upgrade the existing combined heat and power (CHP) system and install two new efficient steam boilers. A new control system will be installed to ensure efficient and reliable energy generation. Once the construction process is complete, Vital Energi will operate and maintain the energy centre under an Energy Services Agreement (ESA). This agreement is targeted to optimise availability and energy use guaranteeing the projected carbon and financial savings for the next 15 years and setting the foundations for further carbon reduction initiatives. Key members from Solenis, Vital Energi and consultancy JRP Solutions, who supported Solenis, came together to mark the start of the ground works on site. They were joined by local councillor, Sarah Ferriby. Ashley Malin, Managing Director at Vital Energi, said, “We’re really pleased to be adding to our growing number of industrial clients, helping forge the pathway to net zero for Solenis and improving energy supply resilience across their site for the next 15 years. As well as the fundamental works on site, we’re also delighted to be delivering a host of social value initiatives which will benefit Solenis employees, the local community, and beyond.” David Calder, Site Manager at Solenis added, “Entering into a partnership with Vital Energi is an important step for Solenis on our journey towards Net Zero and ongoing sustainability for the site.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hundreds of energy innovators are set to descend on Liverpool on 31 October and 1 November, for this year’s Energy Innovation Summit. We are pleased to announce that Andrew Bowie MP will deliver this year’s keynote remarks. Minister Bowie, whose ministerial portfolio includes energy networks and nuclear, will join the event to discuss the latest developments for innovation in the sector and engage with attendees, seeing sector innovation up close and first hand.    The Energy Innovation Summit has been co-produced between Energy Networks Association (ENA), Ofgem, Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This year it will examine how innovation is vital for accelerating progress in technology supporting decarbonisation, increasing the ‘democratisation’ of the energy system and helping ensure industry can best help consumers in vulnerable situations. It will invite leading energy industry innovators from around the world to debate the challenges here in the UK, as well as ask the big questions about the remaining gaps in our net zero planning that require innovation to close, if we are to achieve the government’s net zero targets. The event will also include a full range of high-profile speakers across two days of innovation-focused discussions, networking and in-depth practical insights into the latest schemes. Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem said: “Reaching our goal of a decarbonised power system by 2035 will mean seeking out innovative solutions that will deliver a resilient, reliable, and more affordable energy system for households across the UK. “This year’s summit will be a great opportunity to discuss how we can develop the technologies needed to make this a reality so we can transition to a net zero energy system at the least cost to consumers.” David Richardson, Head of Innovation – Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, Innovate UK, said:    “The energy networks will be central in the next phase of the transformation of our energy system. The Summit offers a chance for people working in all corners of the industry to actively engage in conversations about shaping our net zero future in a way which works for all users of our national infrastructure. “During the event, we’ll hear valuable perspectives, including those supported by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), which brings together energy networks and innovators to reimagine energy systems in a way which will support achieving our net zero goals. We look forward to hearing the Government perspective from Minister Bowie and encourage all others to join the conversation too.” Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation, ENA said:“Rarely has the UK’s energy sector been more focused on accelerating innovation. To reach the government’s net zero goals we need to apply successful innovation from across the UK and beyond, but we also need clear insights into the roadmap ahead. We look forward to engaging with the Minister and getting a clearer vision of the future of UK energy innovation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

National Grid’s £1 billion London Power Tunnels (LPT) project has achieved a major milestone with its final tunnelling breakthrough at Eltham substation in Greenwich. The last of the project’s massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs), named ‘Grace’, broke through on Saturday, having tunnelled over 11km eastwards from National Grid’s New Cross substation in Southwark. All 32.5km of the project’s underground route are now complete, with installation of 200km worth of high voltage cable – enough to stretch from London to Cardiff – already underway between substations at Wimbledon and Crayford. In total the project will have shifted 900,000 tonnes of earth – equivalent in volume to half of Wembley Stadium – with 99.98% of waste material diverted from landfill. The LPT project’s newly installed transmission infrastructure is due to be fully operational by 2026, with the aim of reinforcing and future-proofing London’s electricity network – and supporting Britain’s transition to net zero – as demand in the capital grows. Construction of the tunnels began in March 2020 with the tunnelling works undertaken by National Grid’s delivery partner HOCHTIEF-Murphy Joint Venture. Alice Delahunty, President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our London Power Tunnels project has achieved a lot since it kicked off in 2020, but the final tunnelling breakthrough at Eltham is a particularly remarkable moment. “This complex engineering endeavour is now really taking shape, with completion of tunnelling now physically linking our sites across South London for the first time and meaning we can move on to the next chapter to progress our vital cabling work. “The outstanding effort by our project teams and suppliers is strengthening London’s electricity network and making sure it safely, reliably and efficiently powers homes and businesses in the capital for years to come.” Santiago Daniele, HMJV Project Director, said: “It’s been an incredible journey so far, from taking over our tunnel drive sites a week after the covid lockdown, to sinking eight shafts and undertaking five tunnel drives with four TBMs over the past three and half years. “With our final TBM drive breaking through at Eltham ahead of the original baseline programme, it’s testament to the collaboration, ingenuity and fantastic joint culture of all involved – despite all of the challenges faced. This remarkable achievement has laid a solid foundation for the Enterprise in achieving National Grid’s vision of rewiring London and connecting with the capital. “We’re incredibly proud to be delivering for National Grid a scheme of such significance – and being their delivery partner of choice for complex major infrastructure involved in LPT Phase 2.” Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie, said: “Today’s completion is a huge milestone for the London Power Tunnels project, a superb feat of British engineering that will help future-proof our capital’s electricity network. “This is part of National Grid’s wider commitment to rewire and modernise London’s electricity network, significantly increasing London’s capacity and energy security for years to come.” Tunnelling on the LPT project was completed in three sections between existing National Grid substations – Wimbledon-New Cross (12km); New Cross-Hurst (18km); and Hurst-Crayford (2.5km) – with the help of four TBMs named Christine, Caroline, Edith and Grace. Breakthroughs previously took place at Eltham in June 2022 (TBM Christine tunnelling from Hurst), Wimbledon in July 2022 (TBM Caroline tunnelling from Kings Avenue), Crayford in January 2023 (Christine again tunnelling from Hurst) and Kings Avenue in April 2023 (TBM Edith tunnelling from New Cross). Vertical shafts ranging between 9-15m in diameter and up to 55m in depth were constructed along the route, serving as waypoints for the TBMs, and helping project teams safely access the tunnels for maintenance now and when operational in the future (headhouses will be built to cover the shafts for safe future use). The Hurst substation site recently saw a world record-breaking pour of cement-free concrete to fill the base of its 55 metre deep shaft following Christine’s two tunnel drives to Eltham and Crayford. In another first for LPT, National Grid’s new Bengeworth Road substation on the tunnel route in Lambeth is being built free from greenhouse gas SF6 – the only one of its kind to date in Britain and part of National Grid’s ambition for its infrastructure to be SF6-free by 2050. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals