For all the latest news stories visit www.eibi.co.uk EQUIPMENT SIZING


Construction managers admit to incorrect sizing issue


More than one in three construction managers in the UK say that incorrectly sized equipment has caused inefficiencies on site, potentially disrupting their operations. According to the findings of a new report from Aggreko, ‘A perfect storm for European construction?’, 37% of UK respondents said that they had experienced issues with sizing equipment in the past year. Incorrectly sizing equipment can


have a negative impact on both the sustainability and efficiency of a construction site, as businesses will inevitably waste power and fuel. This can also pose a higher risk of equipment failure, in addition to unnecessary carbon emissions and increased costs.


something they could do without,” Aggreko’s says Tom Adlington. “Using the expertise of a solutions provider to choose the correct equipment for the job is a vital step in achieving efficiency. Correctly sized and specified equipment offers savings on energy and is key to sustainability.” Different technologies should also


Specifying the correct solution for an application can change this, says Aggreko. Getting the size right first time optimises performance over a project’s duration which can be a huge benefit for those who must hit sustainability targets as part of their contract. “The strain on construction managers is already high, so adding the stress of having inefficient and incorrectly sized equipment is


be considered when sizing power equipment effectively. Hybridisation of generators is a prime example of this, where combining battery energy storage systems alongside modular and flexible power allows operation with greater efficiencies, lower noise levels and less emissions. Tom adds that new technologies


are offering a wide range of options for people who need energy solutions. He believes that combining these solutions into one package can save money and give construction managers confidence that everything is taken care of.


Call to include heat batteries in VAT relief


A group of cross-party UK parliamentarians has called on the government to expand VAT relief to include heat batteries as Energy Saving Materials (ESMs) in the upcoming Autumn Statement. The letter, addressed to James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, emphasises the importance of adopting a technology-neutral approach to home decarbonisation, which means providing equal support and incentives for low-carbon heating technologies. Currently, VAT relief applies mainly to heat pumps, but approximately


Heat network fund invests £57m in sustainable urban


regeneration Five more projects have been awarded over £57 million from the government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), providing sustainable, low carbon heat to 17,000 new homes, commercial spaces and public buildings. Expected to save over 385,000 tonnes of CO2, these networks will enhance access to low-carbon heating solutions, helping urban developments meet the Future Homes and Buildings Standard for improved energy efficiency. By using a range of low carbon


heat sources, these networks will ensure that new residents benefit from reduced heating bills and lower carbon footprints.


EIBI | SEPTEMBER 2024


20% of UK households, or over 5.5 million homes, face various challenges in installing them. The letter says heat batteries could serve as a viable alternative, operating at temperatures similar to traditional heating systems and utilising existing infrastructure like pipes and radiators. Despite receiving backing from officials in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, heat batteries narrowly missed ESM status in Autumn 2023 due to definitional issues. Ongoing discussions among government departments are aimed at resolving this.


Prominent parliamentarians, including Afzal Khan MP and others, highlight that extending ESM status to heat batteries could save low-income households hundreds of pounds annually and aid the UK in meeting its climate targets. They also request that VAT relief for all ESMs be extended until 2030 to enhance the availability of low- carbon heating options for consumers. The call for support reflects the needs of the industry as well, with companies like Centrica, OVO, and EON advocating for modernising the ESM technology list.


In Brief


● Energy solutions provider GeoPura and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have announced the successful completion of a hydrogen power trial. The trial introduced and utilised green hydrogen on military bases to generate electricity to recharge electric cars and vans, using rapid chargers. It is thought to be the first military application of the technology and should lead to the further deployment of hydrogen across MOD sites.


● The Major Energy Users’ Council (MEUC) is set to stage its autumn conference and exhibition at Coventry’s Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre (AMTC Ltd) on 16th October. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts and policy makers, learn about cutting-edge innovations and also benefit from a series of presentations addressing the evolution of energy and the latest regulatory changes.


● Schneider Electric has been recognised as a leader in building decrabonisation consulting by an independent report from Verdantix. The report – ‘Green Quadrant: Building Decarbonisation Consulting 2024’ – spotlighted the company’s end-to-end advisory approach to decarbonisation and highlighted its expertise in building systems optimisation, energy use modelling, renewable energy strategy and procurement.


● The Cottam Solar Project, which will provide solar and energy storage in several land parcels in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, has received the go-ahead from the government. On completion, the project is set to supply up to 600MW of clean energy to the National Grid, equivalent to the energy needed to power around 144,000 homes, and replace around 30% of the capacity of the coal powered Cottam Power Station.


In Leeds, £24.5 million has been


awarded for the LeedsPIPES network extension, allowing 8,000 additional homes to connect to low-carbon heat sourced from local waste heat in one of Europe’s largest brownfield sites. Three projects in London will receive £20.2 million to connect 8,500 homes and businesses to low-carbon heat networks powered by air and ground source heat pumps, including


developments in Clapham Park and Brent Cross, and the decarbonisation of the West King Street project in Hammersmith and Fulham. Barnsley has been awarded £12.6 million for a multi-source heat pump network that will decarbonise heating for existing businesses and public buildings, exploring waste heat captured from a nearby industrial plant as the network expands.


● The Welsh Government has announced a new £10m capital grant scheme to support the development of Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) across Wales. The initiative is said to be a key part of delivering Wales’s goal of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035, with social enterprises, public sector bodies and SMEs all encouraged to apply for a share of the grant.


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