Blending city and countryside lifestyles, Welwyn Garden City is quickly becoming an untapped hotspot for those wanting to be within touching distance of London but surrounded amongst acres of green space. SO Resi’s latest launch in the so-called ‘Utopia’ of Hertfordshire will see the new homes enter the affordable property
A shipbuilding company differentiates itself when it can build all types of vessels, regardless of their complexity, from cruise liners to mega yachts, from military ships to high-tech offshore vessels. In addition to a very competitive market, another big challenge for shipbuilding companies is that the design of ships is
PlanRadar’s latest report reveals climate-resilient buildings are an essential requirement for global construction “Climate-proof” buildings are now international priority to withstand effects of climate change Specifiers now focused on resilient and adaptable structures to endure increasingly erratic weather UK’s climate emergency response focused on ‘renovation’, ‘retrofit’ and “walkable neighbourhoods”, but
Government backing for modular construction would deliver 20,000 low energy use homes across the UK – costing 55% less to heat than the average British ‘bricks and mortar’ family house Planning permission should be fast tracked for modular housing to create homes 50% faster and 4,000 jobs in left behind
Helvar is an international lighting technologies company specialising in intelligent and energy-saving lighting solutions. Helvar lighting control solutions and luminaire components help to create smart energy-saving environments built for the future, using information, and working seamlessly with other systems. The strong commitment to intelligent lighting control solutions, people’s wellbeing and
Hovermap Case Study Article: Hovermap provides drone autonomy and collision avoidance, easing the burden on operators and allowing them to fly closer to critical infrastructure and into confined spaces. A versatile SLAM-based mapper, Hovermap makes data collection quick, easy, and secure. In addition to drone use, its adaptable design enables
The BEIS Heat Pump Ready Programme is a part of the UK Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy to transition to Net Zero; BTS partners with Veritherm and Elmhurst Energy Consultancy to deliver project objectives Build Test Solutions (BTS), alongside Veritherm and Elmhurst Energy Consultancy, have secured support from BEIS under
Leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has been awarded a place on the framework contract for the Thames Water River CP0033 Restoration and associated works. This groundbreaking project will see the implementation of river restoration and fish passage, improving available habitats and resilience within rivers. Land & Water
Whitby Lobster Hatchery has announced that two offshore wind farms will increase and extend their support to help the charity officially open its doors for the first time and continue its work to create a sustainable future for the Yorkshire coast and the local Whitby area. Both Sofia and Dogger
Air quality is a public health issue, especially in urban areas where congestion can cause serious problems for pedestrians and residents. You might assume that rules are not as strict in rural areas, since less traffic and lower population density should ensure air quality is not compromised, even by large
Blending city and countryside lifestyles, Welwyn Garden City is quickly becoming an untapped hotspot for those wanting to be within touching distance of London but surrounded amongst acres of green space. SO Resi’s latest launch in the so-called ‘Utopia’ of Hertfordshire will see the new homes enter the affordable property market which has experienced a boom in 2022.[1] Sitting in landscaped gardens and designed around the iconic Shredded Wheat Factory, SO Resi Welwyn Garden City complements the area’s rich heritage. All apartments will benefit from private balconies and terraces to enjoy the local scenery. The new homes are available through shared ownership with prices starting from £68,750 for a 25% share. Residents then have the opportunity to purchase more shares through a process known as ‘staircasing’, which enables them to eventually own 100% of the property. Founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard 102 years ago, this ‘garden city’ was designed to give residents the best of both worlds. The town, which includes a 126-acre park, sits a 29-minute train journey from London Kings Cross making it an ideal balance of the two. It also offers a fortnightly food and craft market, unique pubs in the outlying villages as well as largescale community initiatives including the Barn Theatre which hosts the Welywn Drama Festival annually in May. Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at SO Resi, comments, “SO Resi Welwyn Garden City is our second development to launch in the town highlighting the need and want for accessible properties in the area. With a combination of fast connections to London and ample green countryside, we have seen interest from young professionals, especially those who are first time buyers, wanting to get the best of both worlds without breaking the bank especially during the current economic climate. We are proud that our shared ownership scheme here will offer buyers an opportunity to get onto the property ladder in a commuter hotspot at an accessible cost.” SO Resi Welwyn Garden City is also ideal for those seeking access to an adventurous lifestyle. The Gosling Sports Park sits on the development’s doorstep, offering a dry ski slope, a cycling velodrome, driving range and athletics track to name but a few of its amenities. As well as this, the two large lakes providing opportunities for residents to enjoy a variety of water sports at the activity centre. The area is also home to a variety of ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ Ofsted primary schools and secondary schools, with GCSE and A-Level results recorded well above average. SO Resi Welwyn Garden City is a collection of one, two and three-bedroom homes, with prices starting from £68,750 for a 25% share in a one-bedroom apartment [full market value £275,000]. To find out more, visit www.soresi.co.uk or call 020 8607 0550. [1] https://metro.co.uk/2022/02/01/welwyn-garden-city-is-a-surprisingly-cheap-place-to-buy-for-commuters-16024550/
A shipbuilding company differentiates itself when it can build all types of vessels, regardless of their complexity, from cruise liners to mega yachts, from military ships to high-tech offshore vessels. In addition to a very competitive market, another big challenge for shipbuilding companies is that the design of ships is constantly changing to become increasingly highly efficient and sustainable for the environment. On account of this, a highly adaptable production with technologically advanced machines becomes the key to a successful operation. Faccin Group’s solution for the shipbuilding industry Nowadays, most companies use production techniques that have become obsolete. They are time-consuming, imprecise, and unsafe and require highly skilled operators, especially when producing very complex shapes like hull panels. Faccin Group, one of the world’s leader brands for the metal forming industry needs, has developed over the years the widest range of dedicated solutions for the shipbuilding industry, which include: Challenges and opportunities in the industry The key point is always to make diagnostics and maintenance simpler, faster, and therefore more efficient. All Faccin Group’s machines can thus be equipped with the latest evolution of the SIEMENS PGS-ULTRA CNC, recognized as the most technologically advanced solution on the market. This revolutionary system is based on GUI technology (Graphic User Interface), which guides the operator over all the programming steps, including the possibility to determine the welding point. As a result, all the information needed by the CNC to calculate the sequence of movements of pre-bending and rolling processes is simply provided by: Faccin Group’s main goal is to provide end users with cutting-edge solutions that give them a competitive advantage in a very aggressive worldwide market. Thanks to the highly advanced features offered by these solutions, the goal has been accomplished. Moreover, all these machines are prepared for “Industry 4.0” to be connected to the customer’s network and consequently improve the working conditions, increase productivity, and upgrade the quality of the final product. The production manager can easily manage remotely the machine and, at the same time, have a clear picture of the machines’ status and production output. In addition, Faccin has developed a new and safe cloud-based RSM remote service management control system to offer fast support and proactive maintenance and to give the possibility to check not only the HMI but any accessory mounted on the machine having an ethernet plug. Through an extensive network of subsidiaries, Faccin Group provides thorough sales and after-sales services worldwide.
PlanRadar’s latest report reveals climate-resilient buildings are an essential requirement for global construction “Climate-proof” buildings are now international priority to withstand effects of climate change Specifiers now focused on resilient and adaptable structures to endure increasingly erratic weather UK’s climate emergency response focused on ‘renovation’, ‘retrofit’ and “walkable neighbourhoods”, but lags behind other countries in carbon-reduction terms Increasing use of renewable ‘biomaterials’, with 66% of countries covered regarding hemp as a ‘future building material’ Today, PlanRadar, a leading digital construction, real estate and facilities management platform, publishes a new report on emerging trends set to dominate the global specification community: The Architecture of the Future. The first in a series of specially-produced architecture and construction reports, this important analysis of evolving preferences draws data from 12 countries worldwide*[1]. It provides a contemporary snapshot of international sustainable efforts and approaches as Net Zero 2050 draws closer. The key takeaway is that climate change is now regarded as the sector’s greatest challenge. The report highlights that the majority of specifiers are now committed to creating “climate-proof” buildings, capable of withstanding increasing weather extremes, such as heat and flooding. Taking a deeper diver into the research, highlights from The Architecture of the Future report include: International Common Ground A primary focus on ‘sustainability’ was consistent across all territories, but the study also highlighted international correlations and nuances, particularly best practice. For example, 10 countries identified ‘walkability’, with aim of improving green infrastructure in urban areas, including: better cycle-friendly transport links, closer integration of public transport and car reduction. Further common ground was found in ’Net Zero progression’ and ‘reducing energy consumption’, ‘water conservation’, ‘people-first neighbourhoods’ and ‘reusable construction materials’. This was closely followed by 50% of territories highlighting the importance of ‘natural cooling’ through trees, plant life and water features, ‘green retrofitting’, and ‘mixed-use developments’. Importantly, these preferences indicate an increasingly more conscientious, environmentally-concerned approach to building in urban areas, with climate change mitigation becoming a central consideration with the contemporary design brief. On a granular level, whilst intention appears strong, it’s not necessarily converting into tangible activity. In fact, the UK appeared to lag behind the low carbon construction curve when compared with the other 11 countries analysed. Notably, despite increasing steps to legislate and improve upon Net Zero 2050 targets, the UK is not working at the pace required to meet its goals. This reflects findings in recent NBS research, the Sustainable Futures Report, which found, disappointingly, over half of construction professionals had failed to work on a single net-zero project in the last twelve months. It’s a situation which needs to change if the UK is to stay on track with official targets. Territorial Specifics The Architecture of the Future also highlighted the green design trends shaping the future of international urban construction. For example, Poland and Hungary are looking to increase the amount of high-performance insulation in urban developments to combat more extreme climatic fluctuations and increase energy efficiency. In the UAE, where searing temperatures already affect daily life, specifying more low-rise, smaller buildings to prevent heat islands within densely populated areas was seen as a crucial consideration. For UK, where cities are not traditionally built for modern transport face increasing traffic, congestion and pollution, specifiers want to reduce the country’s reliance on cars and vehicles. Furthermore, with an increasing focus on environmental conservation and rural regeneration, to improve levels of retrofitting and building on brownfield sites was also regarded as a priority. Supply chains are also under the microscope, particularly the US, where green policy is inconsistent between states leading to standardising logistical sustainability considered as a top priority. Materials of tomorrow Invention and innovation is reshaping our approach to construction, and The Architecture of the Future report highlights a paradigm shift towards greener building products to tackle the climate change conundrum. Particularly, the increasing use of ‘biomaterials’ is set to rewrite the international specification rulebook over the next decade. With the ability to absorb carbon dioxide during growth and then ‘store’ it, they possess highly-sustainable properties that will help lower construction-created CO2. Proving this growth in biomaterials interest, 75% of countries such expect a rise in the use of hemp. Others are turning to straw and grasses, whilst some expect mycelium (fungi) will play a big role. Looking at territory specifics, in Italy, a growing preference for graphene-based ecological paints, which coverts atmospheric pollutants into harmless nitrates[2] and other new materials, such as regenerated nylon and carbon fibre concrete, are helping to drive down harmful emissions in urban areas. Hungary was the only territory to identify wood and CLT as ‘new’ materials, whilst the UAE expressed a particular interest in ‘smart materials’ including ‘shape memory polymers’, which are able to return to their original form once light or heat has been applied[3]. In turn, France identified transparent and translucent concrete whilst the UK specified bio-composite concrete and rammed earth. It all highlights how the global specification community is racing towards the lowest carbon construction materials possible, as Net Zero 2050 draws closer and tighter supranational low-carbon regulations are introduced. Commenting on the Architecture of the Future Report, Ibrahim Imam, Co-founder and Co-CEO of PlanRadar said: “It’s clear our changing weather patterns are having an impact on how we build. Whether it’s extreme heat, wildfire, floods or rising sea levels, it’s now vital that our buildings become more resilient. It’s through wider research from other nations that we can better understand the challenges of climate change and tackle it unilaterally. Co-founder and Co-CEO, Sander Van de Rijdt adds, “In the UK, where temperatures reached record highs in summer 2022, increasing building resilience against climate change is set to become a key focus for build environment professionals. Proof of this can be found in new regulation, such as Part L, which are set to make climate futureproofing a requirement, not just a nice-to-have. Ultimately, Combating climate change is not just about counteracting the issues of today but also those of tomorrow, working unilaterally is the only way we’re
Government backing for modular construction would deliver 20,000 low energy use homes across the UK – costing 55% less to heat than the average British ‘bricks and mortar’ family house Planning permission should be fast tracked for modular housing to create homes 50% faster and 4,000 jobs in left behind areas of UK – Make UK Modular analysis Modular homes cost 55% less to heat than the average UK home and 32% less than traditional new builds, delivering savings of up to £800 a year for a three-bedroomed family home Modular homes are built 50% faster to make from start to finish than bricks and mortar homes Building with modular can halve emissions when building a home, cutting the amount of CO2 produced as a result of construction by up to 83% Modular manufacturers have already built factories in post-industrial provincial towns or cities, creating over 3,000 jobs, and delivering £700m of investment to low-growth, low employment areas Government should fast track the planning route for modular homes and commit to using modular for 20% of its affordable housing programme to double new jobs overnight Modular home construction is both more efficient and kinder to the environment with substantially less waste, 90% down on materials wastage than traditional builds Modular building heavily reduces the amount of transport access needed for building sites, with 80% fewer vehicle movements to sites and therefore far less local disruption and pollution of the environment Britain’s modular construction companies are moving at speed to deliver widescale change in the housing market unseen in the UK for generations, according to new research published today by Make UK Modular. ‘Greener, Better, Faster: Modular’s Role in Solving the Housing Crisis’, shows that while innovation has left the construction industry largely untouched till now, precision engineered homes, factory-built in areas where employment is required and delivered to regions of the UK where housing is scarce, are set to revolutionise the sector and help solve Britain’s growing housing crisis. Factory engineering means modular homes can be built to consistently high sustainability standards, delivering savings of 55% on energy consumption compared to the average UK home and cost 32% less to heat than a traditional new build. This translates to savings of up to £800 a year for a three bedroomed family home, and energy reduction rises to 60% for single or two person households living in smaller properties. Record spending by modular construction companies in Research and Development accounts for 30% of all R&D in across the whole construction sector. This investment is set to deliver even more energy efficient homes in the coming months at a time households are struggling with an unprecedented cost of living crisis. With housing availability and affordability at an all-time low, traditional construction is struggling to deliver Government targets for 300,000 new homes a year, exacerbated by a chronic and worsening shortage of skilled construction labour. Homes England missed its 2021-22 affordable homes target by 21.5%. However, modular housing has already proven it can build new homes at pace. Modular factories have been set up in those areas of the UK where employment is needed, creating a secure labour pipeline. Employment prospects are attractive with modular manufacturers delivering quality training and upskilling for new staff, enabling much-needed homes to be guaranteed for speedy delivery to regions of the UK where housing is in short supply. Modular manufacturers already produce 3,300 homes a year, one in 60 of all new houses in the UK and by 2025, and with the right support, this could grow to over 20,000 new modular buildings each year. Not only are these modern precision-engineered homes quicker to build than traditional homes, but with no snagging or defects it is possible for a single crane to install a house perfectly in just one day. Despite the pandemic, modular has doubled its delivery of new homes since 2017 with a contracted pipeline of 8,000 homes already in place. Modular manufacturers have chosen to build over 40 factories in post-industrial provincial towns or cities, creating over 3,000 jobs and delivering £700m of investment to low-growth, low employment areas – a figure which could easily double with some simple Government support. To help give the modular sector the push to achieve its full potential, Government should: Dedicate 20% of their programme of affordable housing provision to modular housing which has already shown it can deliver new homes fast Offer fast-track planning, prioritising modular and green homes in land allocation Raise energy efficiency standards for new housing, where modular already meets a higher criteria than traditional building, reduce stamp duty based on energy efficiency and net zero performance and require all for sale and to let homes to provide accurate date on energy bills Collectively, these changes would drive up standards, while offering pipeline security for modular producers and helping the industry to scale up. Steve Cole Director of Make UK Modular, the trade body for modular housing said: “There is a housing success story in this country, and it is modular. This report shows definitively that modular is now a significant player in the UK housing market. Government must capitalise on this as opportunities to transform our broken housing market into the most sophisticated in the world do not come around every day. “Government must accelerate modular delivery, building on the investment made and the jobs created, by removing the remaining barriers holding the industry back.” Read full report here: Greener, Better, Faster: Modular’s Role In Solving The Housing Crisis | Make UK
Helvar is an international lighting technologies company specialising in intelligent and energy-saving lighting solutions. Helvar lighting control solutions and luminaire components help to create smart energy-saving environments built for the future, using information, and working seamlessly with other systems. The strong commitment to intelligent lighting control solutions, people’s wellbeing and the future of smart buildings has led Helvar to develop a full end-to-end solution unmatched by the competition. At the Light + Building 2022 trade fair, Helvar will showcase its market-leading position in the field of intelligent, digitalised lighting innovations and will host thought-provoking lectures and seminars throughout the week in Hall 8.0, Stand D38. Helvar has taken firm steps to introduce future-proof, energy-saving and people-centric technologies to support its mission of Brighter Spaces. In 2022, Helvar has doubled the number of DALI-2 certified products since its 2021 launch. Over 40 certified DALI-2 application controllers and input devices allow customers to specify the Imagine 950 solution for a wider range of projects and applications, increasing their project portfolio and solution flexibility. The most significant addition to the Imagine 950 solution in 2022 is the ability to read energy and maintenance information from standard-compliant DALI-2 LED drivers. Helvar is one of the first manufacturers to offer a full end-to-end solution for this standardised data. It consists of LED drivers, application controllers and BMS integration through to cloud analytics, reporting and remote monitoring via Helvar Insights. “This is a great achievement for Helvar and the industry as a whole, and I am excited to continue our market leadership with the Imagine solution. With this end-to-end solution, customers can know the actual power consumption and energy use of their lighting accurately for each luminaire or luminaire group and view them in easy-to-understand graphs and reports through our digital services – Helvar Insights interface,” says Thet Oo, Helvar’s Director of Wired Solutions. “Maintenance data is also very useful for facility units. For example, knowing how many hours luminaires have been on compared to their rated lifetime allows facility maintenance to better schedule maintenance and even perform it proactively.” The just-launched Helvar Operating & Energy Insights module — providing energy and maintenance data — adds to the powerful suite of existing Helvar Insights modules such as Monitoring, Control and Occupancy, for space optimisation. This shows that DALI-2 with Helvar solutions is perfectly positioned to take lighting into the next era of smart buildings, giving the ability for clients to make data-driven decisions for their buildings. Helvar Insights has also widened its scope with energy monitoring and wireless ActiveAhead, meaning customers can now have one user interface showing Helvar Insights for Imagine, ActiveAhead or a hybrid lighting control system. The same user interface and features available to existing Helvar Insights customers using Helvar’s wired Imagine lighting control systems can now be used to get the same efficiency, sustainability and wellbeing insights from Helvar’s wireless ActiveAhead lighting control systems. With energy prices increasing and with an ethical responsibility to save energy from a sustainability perspective and as a way of helping to ensure a secure energy supply, understanding how customers’ lighting system uses energy is an important part of their facility management process. Through the upgrade of Helvar ActiveAhead Node Advanced in May, Helvar brings new scalability to its award-winning intelligent wireless lighting control solution ActiveAhead. The upgrade has resulted in the ability to connect and control individual DALI luminaires and selected Helvar DALI devices such as sensors and relays. With these additions, the easiness of ActiveAhead can be brought to use cases utilising DALI addressing and to new application areas such as warehouses, new types of offices, retail, and many others. The ActiveAhead Node Advanced is a truly unique product in the lighting market. No other product offers the benefits of DALI devices with simple local wiring while having these areas still connected together on a wireless mesh network. As a part of its full end-to-end solution, Helvar’s highly efficient LED drivers are designed to consume less energy and bring cost savings for a range of applications where powerful light output is needed. Helvar LED modules help luminaire manufacturers achieve a successful transition to smart, energy-efficient LED lighting solutions with optimised design and outstanding performance.
Hovermap Case Study Article: Hovermap provides drone autonomy and collision avoidance, easing the burden on operators and allowing them to fly closer to critical infrastructure and into confined spaces. A versatile SLAM-based mapper, Hovermap makes data collection quick, easy, and secure. In addition to drone use, its adaptable design enables it to be used for walking, vehicle, and backpack-mounted surveys. This adaptability has been a significant factor in Hovermap’s widespread acceptance. Combining precision engineering, SLAM algorithms, and robust drone autonomy operators can gather accurate LiDAR data for as-builts, surveys, and inspections above or below ground, indoors or outdoors. This case study was conducted by COPTRZ, the UK’s leading supplier of commercial drone technology, with the assistance of an independent surveyor in order to validate the accuracy of Emesent’s Hovermap SLAM-based LiDAR and Ground Control Point (GCP) Software. Solutions for a LiDAR scanner in construction, such as the Emesent Hovermap mobile mapping technology, can reduce, and in many cases eliminate, the interruptions that add time and expense to a construction project. Too frequently, companies have neither explored nor are aware of these alternatives. Instead, they continue doing things the same way they always have, so they endure: • Time and resource intensive manual processes, such as traditional surveying and measuring instruments. • Employing professional surveyors, which is an added cost that frequently requires additional time and lacks the flexibility to capture the entire site, difficult-to-access areas, and confined spaces. • Fewer collaboration skills, which impede innovation and communication with other members of your project management team. • Less specific or exhaustive information for estimating materials and budgeting • Predetermined scanning intervals for monitoring construction There is a reason why construction professionals look to LiDAR innovation for construction and data collection: it can speed up and reduce the cost of entire processes. Overall, this case study sought to determine the extent to which a SLAM-based LiDAR system can be utilised to acquire accurate point cloud data for engineering and mass data applications. The captured data would be compared to Total Station-surveyed points. The precision of ground control points (GCPs) and surveyed points was used to validate claims of accuracy. In addition to these parameters, the time required to capture data and the processing time were also evaluated. This experiment was conducted at a new 73-meter-long housing estate entrance, allowing the testers to scan a continuous stretch of road to test the precision of Hovermap. For evaluation purposes, the environment featured a variety of characteristics, including a rising gradient, street furniture, and utilities. All features, including the top and bottom of the curb, spot levels, GCPs, and utilities, were surveyed by an independent surveyor. A COPTRZ employee performed the Hovermap data set and the positioning of GCPs. Five reflective 500mm targets were used as GCPs. These were placed in a “Zig-Zag” pattern up the road to position the scan in an absolute coordinate system. This eliminated slips and SLAM (inertial measurement unit) drift. The Hovermap data was collected via a walked scan and processed with Emesent software in accordance with the company’s best practises. When the scan begins, the algorithm creates multiple ‘local’ maps and then attempts to align them with greater precision on the global map. The entire survey was conducted at a walking pace, and a closed loop was achieved. SLAM recognises unique characteristics from the outset. When merging ‘local’ and ‘global’ maps, greater alignment is achieved by closing the loop on the scan. Overall, the Emesent Hovermap ST proved to be easy to set up and user-friendly in operation. After configuring Hovermap on a mobile device and waiting 30 seconds for initialization, the data was gathered. The collection of data required 3 minutes and 40 seconds. The processing time, which included the importation of GCPs’ positions, was 13 minutes and 50 seconds. The .las extension was exported and data was imported the point cloud into Leica 3DR. After analysing the data, the standard deviation of 3DCQ shows 95% of all points checked are better than 20mm.
The BEIS Heat Pump Ready Programme is a part of the UK Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy to transition to Net Zero; BTS partners with Veritherm and Elmhurst Energy Consultancy to deliver project objectives Build Test Solutions (BTS), alongside Veritherm and Elmhurst Energy Consultancy, have secured support from BEIS under the Heat Pump Ready Programme to focus explicitly on the role of using on-site measured building performance parameters to optimise and validate heat pump system specification, design, and management. The Heat Pump Ready (HPR) Programme forms part of BEIS’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), which aims to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes through the 2020s and 2030s. As a key solution for decarbonising homes, heat pumps will be critical for meeting the UK’s legally binding commitment to achieve net zero by 2050. The Heat Pump Ready Programme will support the development of innovative solutions across the heat pump sector. The Government’s recently published Heat and Buildings Strategy sets out several key commitments for helping to ensure that the transition to low-carbon buildings is affordable and achievable for all, including delivering a package of measures to scale up the deployment of heat pumps to 600,000 a year by 2028 and to support industry to reduce the costs of heat pumps. The Strategy set out the ambition to work with industry to reduce the upfront costs of heat pumps by 25-50 per cent by 2025 and to parity with boilers by 2030, as well as making them as cheap to run as a gas boiler. The capital cost, lifetime operational cost and lifetime efficiency of both ground and air source-based heat pumps are all fundamentally linked to establishing the required combined space heating and hot water demand profile. Get it wrong and an undersized heat pump cannot adequately heat the home, while oversized heat pumps cost more and don’t run as efficiently. In most cases, approximately two-thirds of this demand is driven by space heating requirements. However, this is currently determined through heat loss calculation software underpinned by a series of assumed inputs. This can be useful as a guide but with the introduction of smart meters, low-cost sensors, and newly established techniques, it is now possible to measure key performance parameters directly on a per property basis at scale. The awarded 15-month project is to be delivered by BTS in partnership with Veritherm, both of whom are leading providers of thermal performance measurement solutions, along with Elmhurst Energy Consultancy. Together the businesses will work together to determine: “Veritherm are delighted to be working alongside BTS and Elmhurst to explore how measured building performance can play a crucial part in the mass rollout of heat pumps,” says Tom Fenton, Founder and CEO of Veritherm. “We believe the project will highlight a new methodology that uses real-world data to improve system specification, design, and management. The collaboration brings together the UK’s leading innovators in building performance measurement and we hope the outputs from our research will help to break down barriers to adoption, whilst providing valuable insights that can be shared with the industry.” Richard Jack, BTS Technical Director, adds: “The argument is simple. No two buildings are ever the same and yet desktop heat loss calculations rely on identikit assumptions and fixed parameters. We are delighted to have been awarded this project and we are going to take this opportunity to demonstrate that the measurement of building heat loss is not only cost-effective and highly scalable, but it also delivers better outcomes including, crucially, optimal lifetime heat pump system functionality and performance.” For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-pump-ready-programme-successful-projects/heat-pump-ready-programme-stream-2-projects.
Leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has been awarded a place on the framework contract for the Thames Water River CP0033 Restoration and associated works. This groundbreaking project will see the implementation of river restoration and fish passage, improving available habitats and resilience within rivers. Land & Water will develop small and large scale solutions to improve the waterways, mitigate the impact on the environment and enable Thames Water to meet regulatory requirements as part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). As part of the overhaul and improvement of the waterways, work will include weir removal or modifications, channel bed re-profiling, riverbank re-profiling and replacing banks with softer, natural options. Barriers to fish passage will also be overcome, with pass channels and other solutions such as rock ramps and in-channel gravel (to allow fish to lay their eggs). Having successfully worked on other environmentally sensitive sites, Land & Water is an expert at implementing ‘soft’ nature-based engineering solutions and is experienced in dealing with regulators and local communities. It has previously restored hundreds of miles of waterways throughout the UK for the Canal & River Trust, building solid working relationships with the Environment Agency, Natural England, land owners and local stakeholders. Fiona Moore, Divisional Business Manager, said: “We’re very excited to bring our wealth of experience to developing these projects over the coming years. “The result will be a transformation and improvement of the Thames Waterways, reducing the impact on the environment and meeting its obligations under the Water Framework Directive. “As custodians of the environment, it also ensures that we are safeguarding habitat for the flora and fauna for years to come.” Thames Water is the UK’s largest Water and Wastewater services provider, serving 15 million customers, supplying more than 2.6 billion litres of drinking water on average, per day to 9 million drinking water customers and recycling waste from 15 million people safely back to the environment. A key driver for the river restoration programme is to mitigate the impact from abstractions. However, the complexity of river systems means that reducing abstraction alone may not address all of the pressures in the impacted area, and therefore there needs to be improvements throughout the river environment. The scale of the framework will see the works varying from small local projects which can be delivered manually and with minimal mechanical input, through to larger scale schemes.
Whitby Lobster Hatchery has announced that two offshore wind farms will increase and extend their support to help the charity officially open its doors for the first time and continue its work to create a sustainable future for the Yorkshire coast and the local Whitby area. Both Sofia and Dogger Bank C offshore wind farms will provide funds to the charity to help with the installation of the sophisticated hatchery equipment at its Whitby Fish Market site, which will be used to enable the of release of 100,000 juvenile lobsters into the ocean each year. Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is 100% owned by RWE and Dogger Bank C, the third phase in the wider Dogger Bank Wind Farm, is owned by SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni Plenitude (20%). The projects are cooperating closely due to their proximity and to reduce impacts on local stakeholders, including the fishing community. The Hatchery’s small but knowledgeable team works closely with the local fishing industry on its three aims of conservation, primarily of increasing local lobster populations; education to teach young and old about the marine environment, and promoting research in partnership with local universities. Its objectives align closely with those of both the wind farm projects and their owners. Whitby Lobster Hatchery General Manager, Joe Redfern said: “In what has been a concerning past few months for the North East coast, with extremely low lobster numbers and wash-ups on beaches, the hatchery hopes to be part of the solution releasing juvenile lobster into impacted areas. “This funding, and the earlier support provided by both the Sofia and Dogger Bank projects has been hugely influential in helping us deliver our ambitions for the Whitby Lobster Hatchery. It has allowed us to continue to make great steps of progress with the hatchery installation.. Everyone at the hatchery project is extremely grateful for the support we have received from Sofia and Dogger Bank, and we look forward to collaborating in the future. “ The two separate wind farm projects are sited on Dogger Bank in the middle of the North Sea, more than 190 kilometres from the north-east coast of England. The power they produce will be transmitted by export cables that arrive on shore between Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea, on Teesside. Elizabeth Reynolds, Fisheries Liaison Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “The charity has made huge strides since we initially lent our support, and we’re delighted to be able to help them reach new milestones along with neighbouring Sofia.” “The project will undoubtedly bring huge educational, tourism and conservation benefits to Whitby and its surrounding communities, as well as helping the local fishing industry and supporting a more sustainable future in line with our own ambitions as a developer of renewable energy infrastructure.” Carol Cooper, Sofia’s Fisheries Liaison Manager echoed the sentiments saying: “Sofia is proud to support the charity and acknowledge the great work that Joe and others have done to progress the Hatchery, which will give tangible benefits not only to the local fisheries industry, but to the wider community as well. “By increasing awareness of the marine environment and importance of conservation, the hatchery will become a focal point in Whitby, benefitting the generations to come.” As well as helping with the hatchery equipment, the support from the two offshore wind farms will be a catalyst for Whitby Lobster Hatchery to deliver its conservation aims of releasing 100,000 juvenile lobsters into the ocean every year. By rearing lobster larvae in the hatchery, the charity will dramatically boost the lobsters’ chance of survival. The conservation charity has high ambitions to ensure the protection and conservation of lobster populations in the region and help ensure the future of our fishing fleets. They also hope to inspire young people on the importance of looking after their local environment and create an institute for important marine and fisheries research. The facility will provide an excellent opportunity for jobs and training. Recently they have taken their first intern from Teesside University as well as providing amazing experiences for volunteers. Check out their website if you would like to get involved. Construction work at its fish market location in Whitby has now started, with the specialist designed lobster hatchery due to be open in October. Later this year work will begin to establish a visitors’ centre adjoining the hatchery. The Marine Discovery Centre will provide insight into the fishing industry, our native marine wildlife, and the importance of conservation projects such as the Whitby Lobster Hatchery.
Air quality is a public health issue, especially in urban areas where congestion can cause serious problems for pedestrians and residents. You might assume that rules are not as strict in rural areas, since less traffic and lower population density should ensure air quality is not compromised, even by large agricultural vehicles. The reality is that there are air quality regulations to comply with wherever you’re based, applying to farm trucks just as they apply to family SUVs and compacts. Let’s talk about why these rules matter, and how they are applied across the country. The reasons behind air quality regulations There are many motivating factors that are responsible for the creation of air quality regulations, and one of the main issues is cost. It’s estimated that illnesses caused by air pollution amount to a $150 billion impact on the economy annually. From increasing the prevalence of asthma to catalyzing heart disease, the pollutants and particulates produced by combustion engine vehicles create or exacerbate all sorts of conditions. There are technologies that can reduce air pollution, but it’s best to use these in combination with regulations to limit the emission of dangerous matter in the first place. Different states have different regulations, e.g. CARB in California As with many aspects of the law in the US, there are often sizable gulfs between how air quality regulations are managed and enforced from state to state. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is one of the most stringent bodies in this regard and regularly updates its rules to make commercial vehicles in particular greener. Manufacturers track these changes and aim to keep up with the strictest regulations with new products, but you can still find CARB compliant trucks on the used market. That means you don’t have to spend a fortune to get compliant. There’s also the Clean Air Act, which is used by the Environmental Protection Agency to hold states to account on legal minimums, and there is also the Clean Trucks Plan which will apply to heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles sold nationwide starting in 2027. Because of these differences, and the variations in how the federal-level regulations apply to depend on the age, size, and use of the vehicle, it’s worth researching your specific needs in depth to ensure you know about your own obligations in this regard. Air quality is impacted by more than just trucks Another point to make about air quality regulations is that sometimes there’s more at play than the rules laid down by the authorities when it comes to determining the amount of pollution that builds up in the atmosphere of a given state. Utah is a great example of this, and it’s primarily down to the fact that the state is laced with mountain ranges, which act as natural barriers to polluted air, trapping it in place rather than allowing it to escape. At the other end of the scale is Hawaii, a state with the best air quality overall, according to the American Lung Association. Again, the reasons for this are geographic, as the main issues it faces are dealing with the threat of volcanic eruptions. Final thoughts Making sure that farm trucks meet air quality regulations is important, because it may impact your ability to visit certain other states, depending on whether your vehicles are compliant. As such it can be seen as a move that makes sense from a business perspective, rather than something that is solely about saving the environment. Even so, it’s still a socially responsible thing to do and will benefit the whole community as well.
