A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH NEW PREMISES
whilst continuing to build on its leading position in safe isolation and electrical safety. Located less than 100m from its current location,
Happy New Year! The last year has been a challenging time within the industry. Most notably, the nation’s decision to exit the EU in June 2016 led to uncertainty about the near future. As we discuss in our Market Review section of this month’s supplement, many businesses are taking a positive attitude to the change, viewing the decision as an opportunity, while others anticipate a fall in market growth. Whatever the outcome, 2017 promises to be an interesting year with the effect of Brexit really coming into play. Upcoming changes in legislation, such as the Electrical Safety Legislation, Bonfield Review and the 18th edition of BS7671 IET wiring leglislations, will also have an impact on the coming months. In 2017 the industry will
continue to devote its efforts to the growth of smart technology. Future homes must be diverse in nature and respond to the changing needs of family life, reflecting the demands of a increasingly ‘smart’ society, thus providing an opportunity for electrical contractors and building developers. In response to this, we have introduced a new Home Automation feature in which we discuss this growing trend. This month we have also included a Product of the Year Supplement in which we review the top products that launched in 2016. Lisa Peake - Editor
A
s part of its continuous development and growth, Martindale Electric has relocated to a new, larger
premises. Bringing sales, marketing, manufacturing, product development and training together under one roof, the new building also provides calibration, repair and training facilities which will enable the company to provide even higher levels of customer service,
the new modern building occupies a prominent position at the head of Imperial Way, Watford and offers easy access to the M25 and M1. Fitted with the latest LED lighting and a heat recovery ventilation system, the new environmentally friendly building provides an ideal working environment and even has a 24-hour gym next door. Offering a market leading range of voltage testers, proving units, socket and continuity testers, the company’s products include a comprehensive range of 17th edition installation testers, PATs and electrical and environmental test tools. Martindale Electric provides simple and reliable solutions to ensure that circuits have been de-energised and properly isolated prior to maintenance and modifications.
martindale-electric.co.uk
BBC RECOGNISES HIGHVIEW POWER LAES DEMONSTRATION PLANT
In a new article in its Science and Environment section, the BBC has explored the world’s largest liquid air energy storage (LAES) technology plant near Manchester, which “stores power from renewables or off-peak generation by expanding liquid air to drive a turbine”. Managed by Highview Power Storage, the 5MW facility was built to demonstrate this technology at scale and assess the commercial viability. The LAES technology works by utilising electrical energy to
liquefy air and then store it in large insulated tanks. Liquid air is expanded through a turbine driven generator, with energy produced then fed back into the national grid. The system is comprised of three main sections: charging, energy storage and power recovery. Synchronising these processes is critical for efficiency, so Highview Power Storage contracted Optimal Industrial Automation to integrate the systems and provide automated control for the entire facility. Such credentials ensure that the technology is essentially carbon neutral, with the only emission being
Nitrogen. Furthermore, such facilities can store excess power from nearby power stations, whose output change is notoriously slow and expensive to alter. At its current capacity, the demonstration plant can power up to 5,000 homes for roughly three hours. The plant is due to be online in the Spring 2017 where it will then operate for at least a year to
demonstrate the benefits the technology offers with regards to grid balancing services. Highview Power Storage has already designed a second plant with an estimated output of 200MW.
www.optimal-ltd.co.uk
I/O for the most extreme conditions
WAGO’s I/O system, 750 XTR, is extremely weather resistant and can operate from -40 °C up to +70 °C, making additional heating or cooling equipment unnecessary. It is immune to electromagnetic interference as well as insensitive to vibrations and impulse voltages up to 5 kV, ensuring secure communications in demanding applications. With up to 16 channels in a 12 mm wide housing it requires less space, and has lower energy and maintenance costs; taking automation into extreme environments.
To request a catalogue call 01788 568 008, e-mail
ukmarketing@wago.com, or visit
www.wago.com
4 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
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