Cutting out dangerous cables Driving the EV take-up
A year after the launch of the Approved Cables Initiative (ACI), the conference was given an update on the ACI’s campaign to eliminate counterfeit and non-approved cable from the marketplace, and educate the industry on the dangers of its use. Peter Smeeth, secretary general of the British Cables Association (BCA), presented a round-up of the ACI’s work over the year, and spoke of the progress made in raising awareness about the issues. Smeeth told delegates that the ACI had been a great success. The initiative has raised its profile and now works closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE),
while the ECA had been one of the most proactive supporters, Smeeth said. He highlighted the need to improve
contractors’ awareness about legal responsibilities and the products installed, plus CE marking and the low voltage directive. All unmarked cable the ACI has tested has failed, Smeeth reported, and warned: ‘If it’s not marked, it’s not safe.’ Smeeth repeated the words of Michael
Simms of the ACI at last year’s conference: ‘Anyone who buys an unmarked cable is a fool. Anybody who installs an unmarked cable is a dangerous fool.’ Smeeth outlined the achievements of
the ACI, including bringing to the industry and HSE’s notice numerous examples of faulty and underspecified cable, and helping to remove it from the UK market. The ACI has also given presentations to appropriate bodies in Turkey and India to raise awareness about these issues. Market awareness has been increased and dangerous products identified, and there has been a general improvement in standards and behaviour, he said.
of CO2 reduction,’ Orisini maintained. Battery technology has advanced in terms
of capacity, costs and lifetime, and is now sufficient to allow up to 160km of usage from a full charge. Figures suggest 87 per cent of daily journeys in Europe are less than 60km, making the range of EVs less of an issue . He explained the economics of how
market by 2020, Thomas Orsini, head of electric vehicle business development at Renault, told the conference – bringing with it new business opportunities for electrical contractors in EV charging installations. Orsini gave an illuminating presentation,
n
discussing strategies to encourage adoption of EVs, and pricing models to make EVs more affordable to mainstream buyers. He looked at key issues that drive the
EV market, including environmental issues and oil prices. ‘The automotive industry is going through a complete revolution,’ Orsini told delegates. He outlined how Renault was preparing for this. The time was ready, as ‘EVs are the only real breakthrough in terms
Electric vehicles (EVs) could comprise 10 per cent of the car
Renault was planning to sell EVs, with the cost of the EV – minus the battery – at the same level as a conventional alternative. The battery would then be paid for on a rental basis by a monthly fee – at roughly the same cost as the maintenance, usage and running costs of a conventional vehicle. Orisini introduced delegates to a range of
four EV cars from Renault, which are due to go on sale from autumn 2011, priced from €6,990 to €21,300, with batteries rented at €45 to €79 a month. Renault’s plan is for customers to get a
‘one-stop-shop’ experience at dealerships, so they can get all of their requirements – including tariff advice and installation of a home wall-box for charging – in one place. This should offer opportunities for electrical contractors to be involved in installations.
an insight into the growth of photovoltaic technologies and how these presented opportunities for electrical contractors. He outlined the market drivers, including
legislation and incentives. Looking at the Code for Sustainable Homes, he said that while code levels up to four could be achieved with other energy efficiency measures and low carbon technolgies, to get to code levels five and six ‘you will not achieve it without the use of renewables’.
SHINING THE LIGHT ON PHOTOVOLTAICS n
Stuart Mackenzie, managing director of Dimplex, gave delegates
The real prize, though, is the existing housing stock, Mackenzie told delegates. ‘I am a believer in the Green Deal,’ he said. While he was a bit disappointed with the
Renewable Heat Incentive, because it only covers commercial properties, next year it will include the domestic sector, and ‘there is a lot of pent-up demand for these products,’ he said.
Emphasising the size of the opportunity
for PV, he quoted DECC figures of around 20,000 PV installations last year, with an estimate that, by 2020, there would be
around 700,000 a year, most of it domestic. Mackenzie highlighted research from
PricewaterhouseCoopers. By 2015, the report estimates, the UK’s solar capacity will be 1,000MW, growing to 5GW by 2020. He called for investment in skills and
training to address these opportunities and said that to meet the demand for PV installation, there was a need for 6,000 extra installers. Mackenzie also gave delegates a brief outline of PV technology and requirements for high quality, long lasting PV installation.
Is your business looking to get on board the renewables revolution? Then get on board the Renewables Roadshow this September.
Register for your FREE ticket at
www.renewables-roadshow.co.uk HEADLINE SPONSORS: SPONSORS: RADIATORS Reebok Stadium Bolton, 6th September | Ricoh Arena Coventry, 8th September
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