Editorial THE JOURNAL OF THE ECA MARCH 2011 ISSUE 4
POWER SURGE How the renewables boom is bringing electrical opportunities
CONSTRUCTION SIGHT Exclusive: chief construction adviser Paul Morrell answers key questions
LIGHT WORK What you need to know about LED lighting
WIN! A SONY PLAYSTATION 3 iMakingt better
ECA EXPERTISE BRINGS STATE-OF- THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL
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March 2011 ECA Today 3 Letters and emails
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From the editor... I
t may be spring, but you won’t hear too many politicians talking too loudly about ‘green shoots’ at the moment. The economic environment remains challenging, and with the government’s defi cit-slashing cuts kicking in, it still remains to be seen how the UK economy shapes up over the next few seasons. There are a few positive signs, though. The continuing focus on reducing
carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy alternatives offers signifi cant opportunities for the electrical sector. As we know, this industry uniquely has the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to help facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy – whether that’s through the installation of renewable technologies, such as photovoltaic solar panels, or by implementing numerous energy-saving technological solutions. In this issue, we highlight some of these opportunities and technologies, with
articles on photovoltaics (page 20) and LED lighting (page 34), plus a piece on the ECA’s new Microgeneration Certifi cation Scheme training course (page 45). We also look at how the UK’s roll-out of electrical vehicle charging points is offering opportunities to electrical contractors (page 37), and focus on a major project in Central London – the redevelopment of Great Ormond Street Hospital – that is using state-of-the-art technology and installation techniques for one the greenest buildings in London (page 26). As well as examining technology solutions in action, we also have an
illuminating question and answer session with Paul Morrell, chief construction adviser to the government (page 30), in which he outlines how he sees the industry and progress being made in many areas relevant to ECA members.
Past, present, future In addition to looking to the present and future of the industry, in this issue we also take a brief glimpse into the past, acknowledging a select few members of the ECA who have each clocked up more than 100 years of continuous membership of the association (page 48). The ECA is 110 years old this year, so some of these long-standing members go back almost to the start. There have been more than a few recessions and downturns in that time, so maybe they have some useful advice for us all.
On another note, following the positive reception of ECA Today since its launch
last May, we are now increasing our frequency, from quarterly to bi-monthly. Every other month, starting from this issue, we will be providing the usual mix of features, news, information and updates that refl ect the electrical contracting industry and the ECA today. We’d like to hear from you too – so if you’re involved in a project you’re keen to highlight, have a question you’d like to ask, or simply want to comment on something in the magazine, please drop us a line. It’s your magazine, so we want your views to be heard. See you again in May.
Phil Lattimore Editor
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