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Electric vehicles could be the largest contributor to flexible capacity in our electricity grid, according to recent data captured by myenergi

In recent months, myenergi has supported UK grid events – with thousands of customers signed up to offer flexible capacity.

With more than 13MW of aggregated flexible capacity in total – equivalent to the average power consumption of 40,000 homes – myenergi has been sending commands to zappi chargers that have responded to grid events by reducing their consumption by an average of 2.4kW per household. This offers far more flexible capacity than other demand side response (DSR) platforms, which have largely seen consumers reduce home energy consumption by turning off lights and other appliances.

Lee Sutton, co-founder and CEO of myenergi, says, “Data we have collected from recent grid events prove that, far from being a hindrance on the electricity system, electric vehicles are ready to deliver huge benefits in terms of the flexible capacity they offer when shifting charging demand to avoid grid constraints.” myenergi, myenergi.com

Over a year on from the launch of the reporting tool for unsafe and non-compliant electrical work, following a unique collaboration by the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) and TrustMark, the results continue to highlight electrical safety concerns in the owner-occupied sector.

70% of the electrical safety faults which have been reported over the last 12 months are in the owner-occupied sector, with 27% of total responses submitted identifying a category 1, immediate risk to life, hazard. These statistics highlight an undetermined risk in an area that is not currently covered by any legislation to require regular electrical safety checks.

Electrical Safety Roundtable Chair, Chris Pack, comments, “The information collected through this reporting tool suggests that, proportionally, electrical safety standards in owner-occupied dwellings are of concern, and in some cases pose a risk to life. We would urge the government to take heed of these findings, and support Lord Foster’s Domestic Premises (Electrical Safety Certificate) Bill, which requires an electrical safety certificate to be provided to prospective purchasers of domestic premises in specified circumstances.”

With 57% of those utilising the tool being registered electricians, 32% being homeowners and 11% being tenants, there is broad interest in the initiative, which allows a fuller picture of the electrical safety standards in homes to be gathered.

Electrical Safety Roundtable, electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk

ECA has broadly welcomed the Spring Budget, praising the extension of the energy support guarantee for another three months. However, the association has warned that the Chancellor’s corporation tax hike could harm electrotechnical businesses, especially SMEs, as they continue to face fiscal pressures from the energy crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, and inflation.

ECA Director of Legal and Business, Rob Driscoll says, “SMEs are a vital part of the construction sector, which itself is the backbone of the British economy. Today’s corporation tax hikes come at a time when SMEs have dealt with COVID-19, hyperinflating labour, materials and energy costs, rising insolvencies, receding demand and increased borrowing costs.

“This budget may prove to be counter-intuitive and hinder businesses’ ability to pivot into delivering our urgent net zero targets. The drive to net zero hinges on skilled engineering services professionals doing the frontline work to upgrade our grid, electrify transport and heating, and connect our homes and businesses to clean energy sources.”

ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, Andrew Eldred, says, “The measures announced by the Chancellor to encourage people back to work fail to address sector-specific labour and skills shortages. The extended energy bill support will provide some peace of mind, but this will be short-lived.” ECA, eca.co.uk

Seamless EV charging with the MaxiCharger

7.4, 11 and 22 kW charging outputs

Wall, pillar and pedestal options

OCPP compliant

Smart back-office solutions

Scan the code to learn more about the MaxiCharger

Socketed and tethered solutions

SLM and DLB capabilities

OZEV grant approved

Built-in PME fault detection for single and three-phase

The majority (85%) of tradespeople think there is a shortage of apprentices entering construction, according to the latest research from Screwfix

When it comes to attracting future talent, while nearly all (99%) tradespeople would recommend a career in the trades, 92% believe more can be done to encourage people into the industry.

When quizzed on why they would recommend a career as a tradesperson, 86% said it was the pride in a job well done, while being your own boss (72%) and customer satisfaction (64%) came in second and third respectively.

Looking at the support needed to take on an apprentice, just 12% said they knew how to do it, with assistance and advice for hiring (39%) and training (31%) apprentices identified as the biggest barriers.

To encourage more apprentices into construction trades, and help tackle the ongoing skills shortage, last year Screwfix unveiled a new initiative to fund the training of trade apprentices. Working in partnership with TrAC, Screwfix will support both apprentices and employers with financial support to cover the cost of training.

Screwfix, screwfix.com

#CEFLIVE23 returns to the NEC Birmingham on 8 and 9 June 2023 – and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever.

CEF is hosting the event and showcasing what it has to offer, including expert advice, training opportunities and services.

The two-day event will bring electrical experts together to share ideas, discover the latest products and innovations, and gain insights into the emerging technologies that are driving the electrical industry forwards.

#CEFLIVE23 highlights:

• Over 90 leading brand suppliers, showcasing the latest products and innovations.

• Seven CPD accredited TechTalks presented by CEF’s Head of Technical Solutions; Darren Staniforth; Dave Austin, Technical Presenter of the Learning Lounge; and guest speaker Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

• Money-saving deals – only available at #CEFLIVE23.

• Games, competitions and product demonstrations.

• VIP celebrity guests.

• Free on the day calibration.

• Giveaways, plus a £50 discount voucher to spend online after the event.

• Free parking.

• Free food and refreshments.

#CEFLIVE23 is for professionals working across the electrical sector looking to discover the latest trends in the electrical industry and pick up some of the latest products at unbeatable prices. CEF, cef.co.uk

Data from the Building Controls Industry Association’s (BCIA) latest Market Information Service (MIS) report has estimated that the Building Energy Management System (BEMS) sector is now worth around £835.8m to the UK economy. The new total represents an increase of 8% from the 2021 figure, and the BCIA believes the sector will be pivotal to the government’s decarbonisation agenda, with building controls playing a fundamental role in realising a carbon neutral built environment.

BCIA’s Graeme Rees comments, “The 2022 full year results saw the highest set of figures recorded to date and the opportunities are undoubtedly there for the building controls industry to build from this position of strength.”

The MIS report lets BCIA members see trends, market growth and segmentation in the BEMS industry. The latest growth reflects an upturn in the market as estate owners and facilities managers demand greater energy performance and a reduction in energy costs, and reinforces the BCIA’s collective influence in government policy and the deployment of building controls by building users and developers.

Manufacturers’ revenues rose by 7.7%, up to £86.9m, whilst system installers’ revenues rose by 10.4%, up to £404.9m. The 2022 figures suggest that system installers have enjoyed increased revenues from installed systems, while manufacturers have continued to increase their third-party product sales, particularly to system installers. BCIA, bcia.co.uk

SELECT has welcomed additional funding for electrical apprentices and adult trainees, following a plea to government – but has joined training providers to insist that support must continue to prevent future shortfalls of talent.

After making an urgent appeal to Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, SELECT says it is good news that Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will now meet the cost of an outstanding 87 apprentice and 68 adult trainee places for 2022/23.

But while there is relief for those recruited in 2022, the body says it is worrying that extra places won’t be funded in 2023 and beyond – and insists the Scottish Government must support the sector by providing full funding for those seeking to be apprentice electricians.

The additional funding followed an appeal by SELECT in December to John, asking him to allocate extra money to vital training as part of the nation’s transition to a net zero future.

SELECT is now asking its 1,250 member firms to contact their local MSP and reinforce the need for proper funding to ensure a steady pipeline of properly trained apprentices and adult trainees is maintained. SELECT, select.org.uk

A new electricity grid site has been energised, providing essential new power infrastructure for the development of Ebbsfleet.

The completion of the main grid site, which will be supported by two main electrical substations required by the new development, paves the way to power up to 15,000 new homes, schools and businesses.

UK Power Networks’ new grid substation is a central part of an electrical engineering project that will deliver 77MW of power to Ebbsfleet residents, unlocking the potential for new neighbourhoods, new homes, jobs, schools and leisure facilities, and could also enable the connection of low carbon technologies as the UK progresses towards net zero.

Mark Adolphus, Director of Connections at UK Power Networks, says, “Energisation of this new grid site marks an important milestone to help unlock the future growth and development of this area over the coming years.”

“We are delighted to be working closely with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to help them realise their vision to transform this area into a vibrant, new, sustainable community.”

The existing Northfleet east grid site has been reconfigured to enable two new 132,000V points of connection to the new Ebbsfleet Grid site. The new grid site involved installing two new 68-tonne transformers and a new 33,000V switch house and switchboard. Transformers play an essential role in delivering electricity by stepping down the voltage, to safely flow to homes and businesses.”

UK Power Networks, ukpowernetworks.co.uk