Electrical Review – September-October 2023

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE September / October 2023 Volume 257 | No 3 www.electricalreview.co.uk

Informing the electrical industry for 150 years

Reliable insulation diagnostics for power assets

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A fond farewell

Flexing the grid

Through the years

We say goodbye to a long-term friend of Electrical Review.

How the UK has built its lead in grid flexibility.

Find out how energy storage technology has evolved.

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Conten t s Regulars

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04 • Editor’s Comment It’s not easy being green.

06 • Gossage Gossip The latest from our industry insider.

34 • Products Innovations worth watching.

Features

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10 • Electric Vehicles There’s never been a better time to install EV charging infrastructure, according to Jaynesh Patel from Chargepoint.

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18 • Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution The UK has had huge success with unlocking grid flexibility, as Dr Avinash Aithal, Head of Open Networks at the Energy Networks Association, explores.

20 • Energy Efficiency Dr. James Crosby-Wrigley from Advantage Utilities explains how simple energy efficiency improvements could make a significant impact.

22 • Energy Storage

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Grid constraints are a real and growing challenge for organisations looking to decarbonise both their buildings and their fleets – could energy storage help?

28 • Skills How do we ensure we have the skills in place to achieve our sustainability goals? Paul Wrighton, Director of Sustainable Infrastructure at Johnson Controls, has some answers.

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32 • UPS Louis McGarry, Sales and Marketing Director, Centiel UK, offers some top tips on how to ensure your uninterruptible power supply is running efficiently.

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Editor’s Comment

EDITOR

Jordan O’Brien jordano@sjpbusinessmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Kayleigh Hutchins

It’s not easy being green Welcome to the 2023 Sustainability Issue. This is now the second year that we have offered an issue dedicated to sustainability, having first launched in October 2022 to celebrate the one year anniversary of COP26 and to track the UK’s progress towards its 2050 net zero goal.

kayleigh@datacentrereview.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Rob Castles

While the UK has been largely optimistic about its green future since then, that has changed significantly in the last month or so. Instead of bold policy to help us achieve our net zero goal, the recent announcements by Rishi Sunak’s Government demonstrate that the UK is no longer willing to take the lead when it comes to decarbonisation.

robc@sjpbusinessmedia.com

GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Sunny Nehru

The revelation that the UK was preparing to delay or scrap many of its key green policies may not have been a shock to anyone closely following Sunak’s Government, but it did come as a disappointment to many within the electrical industry, as well as the other industries that were impacted by the news.

+44 (0) 207 062 2539 sunnyn@sjpbusinessmedia.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Tom Packham

My personal belief is that little will likely change as a result of the Government’s announcements, after all many key policies such as the ZEV mandate remain in place. The biggest change is likely going to come down to energy efficiency improvements – which landlords will no longer be obliged to make under the new rules.

+44 (0)7741 911 317 tomp@sjpbusinessmedia.com

GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Fidi Neophytou

This change will not just impact the UK’s ability to achieve its net zero goal, but will also have a direct impact on the poorest in society. It will mean those with no choice but to rent substandard homes will be paying more to heat them, or face cold winters. Meanwhile, landlords will once again be able to shirk their responsibility towards their tenant.

+44 (0) 7741 911302 fidin@sjpbusinessmedia.com

PUBLISHER

Wayne Darroch

But will that change even happen? Well, with the Conservative Party almost certainly heading towards defeat at the next general election, it’s hard to believe that the Labour Party will continue to let landlords get away with renting out inefficient homes.

Printing by Buxton

No matter the results of the next election, I must say I’m in agreement with the Electrical Contractors Association – green policies need to be depoliticised. It was not long ago that the UK was able to steer the world into some bold new promises when it came to decarbonisation, and here we are just two years later and the electorate is being misled by the Prime Minister on bogus policies, such as a tax on meat, that were never going to come into effect.

Paid subscription enquiries: subscriptions@sjpbusinessmedia.com SJP Business Media Room 2.13, 27 Clements Lane London, EC4N 7AE Electrical Review is a controlled circulation monthly magazine available free to selected personnel at the publisher’s discretion.

If you wish to apply for regular free copies then please visit: www.electricalreview.co.uk/register Electrical Review is published by

Meanwhile, please do enjoy this latest issue – and join me in saying farewell to a long-term friend of Electrical Review. Also, don’t miss out on the chance to enter the Electrical Review & Data Centre Review Excellence Awards, details of which you can find on our website. And as always, do get in touch at jordano@sjpbusinessmedia.com.

Industry-leading b2b technology brands

Room 2.13, 27 Clements Lane London, EC4N 7AE Any article in this journal represents the opinions of the author.

This does not necessarily reflect the views of Electrical Review or its publisher – SJP Business Media ISSN 0013-4384 – All editorial contents © SJP Business Media

Follow us on Twitter @elecreviewmag

If you’re interested in hearing more about the UK’s decarbonisation efforts and the impact that these policy changes will have, we have a whole host of podcast episodes dedicated to this very topic with some very special guests – just search Powered On wherever you get your podcasts.

Join us on LinkedIn

4 Electrical www.electricalreview.co.uk Review | September ???? / October 2023

Jordan O’Brien, Editor

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Gossage Gossip Farewell to Mr Gossage Readers of Electrical Review will be sorry to learn that, after 36 years, this will be the final issue to feature Gossage Gossip.

This column has been a mainstay of Electrical Review in print for more than three decades, and in more recent times has also been a popular addition to the website, where some of Mr Gossage’s columns have received tens of thousands of views.

However, as the popular idiom goes, all good things must come to an end.

As Electrical Review transitions into a new era, having celebrated its 150th Anniversary earlier this year, we’re sad to say goodbye to Mr Gossage and his many musings.

Over the years, many of Mr Gossage’s stories have been either followed up, or reprinted – all too often without acknowledgement – elsewhere in national newspapers, TV, radio and other magazines. Additionally, they have been cited in Parliamentary debates, and may have even caused the Government to make a few policy u-turns.

While we’re sure many of our readers will be eager for us to reveal the identity of Mr Gossage as we say a final farewell, the truth is, we shall be protecting this long-term friend of the publication until the bitter end. We are proud to have been the exclusive publisher of Gossage Gossip for the last 36 years, and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

As we say goodbye to Mr Gossage, we know that it is the end of an era for many of our readers – but we here at Electrical Review remain steadfast in ensuring we continue serving you and the industry.

With that in mind, we want to remind you that you have a voice in the direction of the publication as we move towards the next 150 years.

We also want to hear from more diverse voices from across the electrical engineering sector. So, if you have anything you would like to say, or share musings of your own, do get in touch at jordano@sjpbusinessmedia.com.

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A taxing problem

Gone with the wind

Which set of people are most concerned about the implications of the Government’s determination to halt sales of new diesel or petrol cars in 2030? Apart from petrolheads and their assorted hangers on, that is… The answer must be tax gatherers in the Treasury.

There is one energy policy which the UK has genuinely been able to claim leadership in the western world – at least up to now. This has been the development of offshore wind power via the ‘Contracts for Difference’ procedure.

Consider that as of right now, motoring taxes raise around £35 billion each year. About one-fifth of that is collected via the road fund licence. This is increasingly being raised from electric vehicles too.

But what about the bulk of motoring tax, raised whenever a petrol/diesel car visits a petrol pump? At just under 53p per litre (plus 20% VAT), this currently brings in around £28 million a year. But each year the proportion of drivers paying such a tax diminishes, as the number of electric vehicles spread.

So, how are the tax gatherers planning to fill this ever-expanding hole in their budget? Back in 2019, the Treasury did hint that it would provide answers ‘shortly”. Since then, there have been odd peeps about introducing a payas-you-go road use charge in lieu. But noticeably, nobody has officially even seriously hinted at adopting such a policy.

Instead, there are beginning to be signs that traditional tax policy is being followed. If the liquid going into petrol fuelled cars is taxed at source, then why shouldn’t electricity provided for electric cars be taxed similarly?

Actually, in part it currently is. The VAT being paid for electricity provided from publicly available chargers carries a VAT rate of 20%. That is four times higher than the 5% VAT rate paid by electric car owners able to charge at home.

So, the logical step is simply to increase the standard residential VAT rate upon electricity to 20%. That should help balance the motoring books very nicely for a few years. See if I am not proved right.

Follow the money It is worth looking at who actually finances RePlanet – the organisation behind Swedish teenager La Anstoot, who is very publicly asking Greenpeace to get on board the nuclear train via a slick website and multiple media interviews.

Well, according to its EU filing, 94% of RePlanet’s two million euros per year comes from the Quadrature Climate Foundation. This was established by Quadrature Capital which owns $170 million in fossil fuel companies, including a $24 million stake in ConocoPhillips, the multinational oil giant behind the controversial Willow project that will drill in the Arctic.

So why on earth would the fossil fuel lobby be promoting fissile fuel? Perhaps it has something to do with the decades-long nuclear construction times – which is already up to 17 years, according to the Sunak government. Just think of all those carbon-burn dollars that can be generated in the meantime.

German sagacity Words of great wisdom – number 94, this time from Markus Krebber, Chief Executive of RWE. In a recent statement he noted, “I would have a big question mark whether building new nuclear power stations is really a good strategy, because if you look at the cost overruns and the delays, I think purely a renewablesbased energy system – including the necessary storage – is probably, in most regions, already today cheaper than new nuclear.” Quite so.

But the final gesture of the most hopeless Energy Secretary of modern times, Grant Shapps, has put paid to that boast. He oversaw the farce of the latest annual power auction – which received no power bids whatsoever for offshore wind.

It was a totally predictable disaster.

Shapps had been warned endlessly, both privately and, latterly, very publicly, that a power price cap equivalent to about £60 per MWh in today’s prices was hopelessly inadequate.

That pre-announced price cap was about a fifth below a recent Irish sea auction. That should have been a warning.

Last December, German bureaucrats took a similarly parsimonious view on their price cap, producing a historically low subscription rate of just 20%.

Higher prices in subsequent quarterly auctions boosted that interest around seven times.

In the US, Massachusetts has had to cancel offshore wind projects when bidders pulled out. Spotting this, New York regulators became pragmatic on pricing, and now look set to confirm four projects with auction winners including Equinor, BP and Orsted.

Unless the UK government acts promptly, altering its annual schedule, an upward adjustment to the price cap will require a year’s wait. With Vattenfall stalling earlier wind projects, the Government will miss its offshore wind capacity target of 50 GW by 2030 by a country mile.

Natural gas volatility remains the main factor in power price fluctuations. Offshore wind can in coming years offer far more additional scale than other renewable power sources. The faster it comes on stream, the faster fossil fuel gas can be replaced.

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Reliable insulation diagnostics for power assets

8 Electrical Review | September / October 2023

SPONSORED FEATURE

rustworthy test results that accurately reflect the condition of power transformers, bushings, current transformers and other key assets are easily obtained with the new Megger IDAX 322 insulation diagnostics analyser.

This compact yet versatile instrument uses advanced dielectric frequency response (DFR) technology and operates at up to 2 kV peak, allowing users to identify problems missed by other instruments and to make exact measurements even in electrically noisy environments.

Despite its exceptional capabilities, the new IDAX 322 is easy to use, with automated test flow, automatic assessment of results against international standards, and a ‘traffic-light’ display system that shows at a glance whether the asset under test is serviceable, suspect or defective. All test results are corrected to standard reference temperatures using individual temperature correction (ITC) technology pioneered by Megger.

“Traditional test methods for insulation condition diagnostics of power assets sometimes give misleading results,” said Dr. Diego Robalino, Business Development Director Power Transformers of Megger.

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“This leads users to believe that the asset is in good condition, when in fact, its health for normal operation might be compromised and, in some particular instances, even close to failure. These unexpected failures can be damaging in many ways, including financial, environmental and in relation to social perception.”

“To provide better insights into complex insulation conditions, Megger has been developing, improving and supplying DFR testing technology for more than 20 years,” he continued.

“The IDAX 322 is the latest embodiment of this technology and combines unmatched high voltage capabilities with versatility, ease of use and portability. We believe that it is an important development that has the potential to protect the industry against financial, environmental and social harm by reliably detecting incipient faults.”

Megger’s new IDAX 322 insulation diagnostics analyser offers testing that complies with international guides and standards that include Cigre TB 254, Cigre TB 414, Cigre TB 445, Cigre TB 775, IEEE C57.152-2013 and IEEE C57.161-2018.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The economic benefits of the EV revolution for electricians and installers Jaynesh Patel, Senior Manager, Policy – UK & Ireland at ChargePoint, explains why there’s never been a better time to install EV charging infrastructure. s the world rapidly transitions to electric vehicles, there is a growing demand for EV charging infrastructure. The rise of EVs in Europe is not only an environmental revolution in the making, but a significant economic opportunity for those with the skills to plan, implement and deploy the necessary and critical charging infrastructure.

Electricians and installers are well positioned to capitalise on this demand, as they are the professionals who will be tasked with installing, maintaining and often selling EV charging stations and platforms.

The European Union has implemented stringent emission targets

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and mandates for zero-emission vehicles, including a goal of 30 million EVs on the road by 2030. Coupled with legislation to expand charging, the urgent need for immediate investment in infrastructure is apparent.

However, this future is hindered by a current lack of charging spots.

It’s currently estimated that around 20 NHS trusts have yet to install a single EV charger. Meanwhile, countries like Norway are leading the world in EV adoption (80% of new cars sold in 2022 being electric), and initiatives in major cities are encouraging electric mobility – this means that there are obvious economic benefits for first movers.

For example, in London an initiative is currently underway to promote

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Top benefits of EV adoption for electricians and installers Increased demand for services As the number of EVs on the road increases, the demand for EV charging infrastructure will also necessarily increase. This means that those with the requisite skills will be in high demand to install and maintain charging stations across the continent.

New opportunities The installation of EV charging infrastructure is a growing field.

With sustained EV adoption projected to occur over decades, vast opportunities await those who take advantage today. The UK Government estimates that the EV charging sector could create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of this decade.

Higher wages Because the skills and knowledge required to install EV charging infrastructure are in high demand, those who specialise can command higher wages than those who do not.

Learning opportunities Installing EV charging infrastructure requires specialised skills and knowledge. Electricians who take the time to upskill in this area will be well-positioned for success in the future. The UK Government offers a number of grants and training programs to help electricians and installers gain the skills they need, as do certain EV charging networks.

Contributing to a brighter future EVs are a valuable tool in the fight against climate change, which is a key motivator for the more than half of UK drivers who plan to purchase one.

shared urban charging designed to increase the adoption of EVs in the city. Today, 40% of London’s ‘black cabs’ are electric. In fact, with more than 6,000 electric taxis on the city’s streets, the London Electric Vehicle Company’s TX model is now more common than its diesel-powered compatriot – an indication that the transition to electric mobility is robust and shows no sign of slowing down.

The EV charging sector could create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of this decade Despite the successful transition to electric taxis in London, wider adoption of electric vehicles needs to be matched by a proportionate expansion of EV charging. If we fail to expand the EV charging network, consumer confidence in the viability of EVs is at risk. This could have far-reaching implications for our collective ability to meet carbon reduction targets across the continent and around the globe.

For facilities managers, investing in and expanding EV infrastructure is an essential step towards meeting climate goals. For electricians, installers, and entrepreneurs it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Are you ready for the EV transition?

The current lack of installers and comprehensive EV charging infrastructure is more than a logistical problem; it’s a call for immediate investment.

Facilities managers, electricians and investors have an opportunity to lead the way in this transformation – not only to meet the growing demand for EVs, but to capitalise on an inevitable and massive transformation in transport.

Now is the time to take proactive measures, not only to meet the growing demand for EVs, but to take advantage of this enormous opportunity.

The road ahead is undeniably electric – are you prepared for that journey?

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Wireless: The next step in electric vehicle charging?

Tom Rowlands, Fleetcor’s Managing Director of Global EV Solutions, discusses the potential of wireless charging for electric vehicles. ikola Tesla, the inventor of alternating current, had a vision of a future where electricity could be transmitted without the need for physical wires. He was so far ahead of his time that he was discredited for the notion and, unfortunately, did not live to see that his vision has now become a reality with the wireless charging of phones. The technology continues to be an exciting one, with the possibility of charging electric vehicles in this way on the horizon.

However, there are some obstacles that need to be overcome before this technology can be widely implemented. Nevertheless, it has the potential to greatly improve the convenience and efficiency of EVs, as drivers would no longer need to physically plug in their vehicles for charging. Instead, the vehicles could charge wirelessly while parked.

For this to happen, manufacturers would need to align, and their respective technologies would need to be standardised. Additionally, the speed of wireless EV charging is currently slower than wired charging, and in our fast-paced modern world where time is valued, this could pose a challenge. Therefore, it is important to explore the advancements,

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potential and challenges in this evolving technology.

Who’s charging forward?

A number of car manufacturers are ahead of the game with respect to wireless charging, namely Sweden’s Volvo and South Korea’s Genesis. Volvo has been testing a wireless charging system for its XC40 vehicles as part of a three-year test which has resulted in a system that can charge at up to 40 kW. Meanwhile, Genesis’ system can charge at a more modest 11 kW, which means that it would take a Nissan Leaf with a 40 kWh battery about four hours to fully charge (which would give the driver approximately 270km in range), while Volvo’s offering would be fully charged in an hour.

It is not feasible to tear out all of the existing chargers and replace them with a new technology that can only be used on a smaller number of vehicles It is worth noting that this is faster than the 3.6 kW charge that is possible from a standard wall socket, but still pales in comparison to the 100 kW and 350 kW charging times offered by increasingly common wired charging points.

Tech we’re already using As I mentioned earlier, wireless EV charging works with the same technology as wireless phone charging. That is to say, magnetic

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

resonance is used to transfer energy from a charging pad to a receiver built into the vehicle. This is important to note because some industry experts believe that the bottleneck in charging technology lies not with the charging pad itself, but with the vehicle’s battery management system.

Upgrading this system would enable much faster charging speeds, which is crucial not only to compete with wired chargers but also to take full advantage of the benefits of wireless charging.

In comparison to wired charging, where drivers have to physically plug in chargers and initiate the process through a terminal, wireless charging would allow for charging whenever the vehicle is parked. This is especially beneficial for quick charging sessions, which are more efficient with faster chargers.

Moreover, the operation of wireless chargers is expected to be wireless as well. This means that instead of needing a terminal like with wired chargers, the technology could directly communicate with the vehicle using wireless technology for payment purposes. Since wireless charging is primarily expected to be used in short bursts rather than long periods, this wireless payment interface would be highly practical.

Thinking long-term The current infrastructure for wired charging is getting more advanced, with more than 45,000 public charging points in the UK and growing rapidly, and more charge points at private businesses and residences.

Clearly, it is not feasible to tear out all of the existing chargers and replace them with a new technology that can only be used on a smaller number of vehicles. Just as it may not be possible to upgrade many of the 810,000

EVs on the UK’s roads to use wireless charging, so new vehicles will need to come onto the market that have wireless charging technology.

The bottleneck in charging technology lies not with the charging pad itself, but with the vehicle’s battery management system Although the sector has made strides, we’re still getting the current infrastructure to a stage where EVs can truly compete with the traditional ease of refuelling an ICE vehicle at a petrol pump.

Wireless future-gazing The future’s exciting and even though I’d argue there are clear advantages that wireless charging may offer, it shouldn’t take away from the here and now. This is because many UK businesses are right in the middle of or just starting to transition their fleets to the all-electric future.

I’m speaking to many companies, daily, that understand the benefits of EVs and how there is no time like the present to transition now – especially as technology and infrastructure are already rapidly improving in the run-up to the 2030 cut-off for the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, and beyond.

Therefore, it is important that all stakeholders stay on top of developments so they can react quickly to changing scenarios in mobility and make informed decisions during the transition.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The new wave of EV regulations is an opportunity to charge smarter

David Williams, VP for Transactional Business, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, discusses the need for electric vehicle chargepoints to adopt smart technology – not just because of legislation, but also to the benefit of all.

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he UK is slowly making its first steps towards large-scale decarbonisation. The Government has set its target to cut emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, and has committed to net zero by 2050 – that means that the recent rise in new green regulations comes as little surprise.

Government initiatives, such as phasing out gas boilers in favour of electric heat pumps and ensuring that all new builds have an EV charging point, highlight electrification as one of the key drivers to reach these ambitious goals. The Government also remains steadfast in its commitment to phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, further driving consumers towards electric vehicles.

Looking ahead, the UK’s path to net zero and widespread EV adoption is paved with smart technology, and the Government is clearly demonstrating its full support for this new wave of digitalisation and connectivity in homes, buildings, and vehicles.

In this new world of increased regulations and Government demands, electricians and contractors must look to trusted industry leaders to guide them in sustainability and energy management.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Why it’s sensible to be smart In the last year, with soaring energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis, keeping a keen eye on energy and spending has never been so important for building owners and consumers. Now, more than ever, end-users are concerned with how efficiently they use their energy, where it comes from, and how to reduce their bill.

What’s more, with the boom in hybrid working reducing the number of employees on-site and the expanding demand for EVs, industry leaders must now also deliver better energy management solutions to balance changing needs for buildings of any size. It is up to them to reduce the pressure on end-users by considering the additional load from buildings and the potential for larger energy bills.

Smart technology gives building and homeowners the tools they need to take their energy efficiency into their own hands. In fact, smart building functionalities are proven to deliver a 30% reduction in energy usage by giving customers access to valuable information on their energy use. Having total visibility and control of our energy consumption means that consumers are fast turning into prosumers – those that can make and store their own energy from renewable sources.

This is enabled by smart technology and new infrastructure that requires installation and input from electricians and contractors. It is their responsibility to support and educate customers through this transition by directing them to more sustainable solutions that work for their needs.

In the move to more energy-efficient charging and enhanced energy management for building owners, industry leaders can prove invaluable, guiding electricians and contractors in the right direction.

The UK’s path to net zero and widespread EV adoption is paved with smart technology Regulation pushes EV chargers to be smart As part of the country’s large-scale electrification, the UK Government is amping up pressure for the rapid rollout of EVs. By 2030, there will be over 169 million EVs on UK roads and manufacturers are starting to put their own targets in place to deliver more EV and hybrid vehicles than ever before.

As a result, there is a need for smart infrastructure to handle this increased charging demand and ensure that the rise in EVs is truly sustainable. This means reducing the strain on the grid with load balancing, as well as ensuring that the electricity is coming from renewable sources. By combining the power of smart technology with EV charging stations, it makes them safer, more reliable, and above all, more sustainable.

With new realms of EV charging capabilities, the Government has released a new wave of regulations that aims to help ease the strain on the grid and give more power to the end-user for faster charging. This includes obligatory smart functionality in charging points that allows drivers to charge their EVs at periods of lower grid demand, or when there is more clean energy available.

The ability to send and receive information across a secure network to keep distributors informed is now required, as well as demand-side response services, where charging points must be able to defer charging or vary their rates in response to external signals. This will allow energy firms to offer additional services, such as variable rate electricity pricing

when demand is lower or renewable energy supply is higher, by applying a random delay of up to 10 minutes at the start or end of a schedule.

With the Government cracking down on requirements, it’s important to ensure each new piece of technology is aligned with these new mandates.

The Government’s regulations also extend to electricity supplier interoperability, where charging points must be able to retain their smart functionality even if the user changes to a different electricity supplier.

They also account for a loss of communications, ensuring that vehicles can carry on charging even if the charging point loses connection to the user’s communications network, as well as advanced safety features and a mandatory Statement of Compliance document that signifies that the charging point operates in line with the new smart charge regulations.

Charging points already exist that are fully compliant with these requirements, but it’s up to contractors to educate building owners about these new regulations and the infrastructure required. For instance, landlords of multi-tenancy residential buildings could use smart EV charging for more accurate and fairer cost allocation, so residents only pay for what they use.

Tradespeople need to be able to trust vendors to have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends and innovations to ensure that landlords and building owners are getting the most out of their tech and are fully compliant.

It’s time to change and charge The need for modernised electrical infrastructure is evident. With Governments such as the UK’s switching to renewables to reduce pressure on the grid, smart technology will be invaluable to accelerate the push to net zero – especially when it comes to EV charging.

There needs to be a level of trust in industry leaders to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations, changes and updates to keep EV installations innovative and in line. Smart EV charging stations need to be safer, more sustainable, reliable, and flexible for different user needs to boost adoption, and electricians and contractors have the tools at their disposal to guide their end users towards their benefits.

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*Subject to minimum quantities and fair use policy.

SPONSORED FEATURE

Benefits of highly flexible protection testing solutions in industrial enterprises ithin industrial enterprises, reliable power supply is of utmost importance as production outages can heavily impact the planned volume of production. When production machines come to a halt the utilised rate goes down, supply contracts may be endangered and the workforce is involuntarily rendered useless, which is why such interruptions can quickly cause substantial financial losses.

If faults occur on the power grid level, within the company’s distribution system or even in its own power generation plants, the protection system in place needs to clear them immediately to avoid the worst-case scenario: permanent damage to business-critical assets. In order to ensure reliable operation, protection devices must not only be perfectly adjusted but also regularly maintained to function reliably.

Although power systems of industrial enterprises are just a fraction of nationwide power grids operated by big utilities, the same range of protection assets is necessary for these systems to fulfil their purpose on several voltage levels. Furthermore, the assets in operation often include devices from different generations and with different technologies.

Nonetheless, all of them need to be tested during commissioning, during regular maintenance and in the event of malfunctions.

Besides verifying the correct functionality of the individual assets, it also has to be ensured that they are working together in perfect unison.

Testing on a system level, with a focus on the correct behaviour, allows identification of hidden errors in the settings of individual assets, the logic or even the design of the protection system itself, which in turn helps to eliminate nuisance tripping and can confirm all previous tests.

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Under the conditions industrial enterprises are facing, it is much more convenient and efficient – and let’s not forget, more economical – for both the companies or their service providers to work with just a few or even a single multifunctional test set.

Apart from the test equipment, an important part which is often overlooked is the documentation of the test results and their proper handling.

Even in 2023, results are still documented on paper or with inefficient tools which weren’t built for these tasks. This is detrimental towards quality and leaves the potential of continuous monitoring, like predictability, and an optimised workflow untapped.

To serve these needs, OMICRON offers a highly flexible solution for protection relay testing and more, which not only covers a wide range of testing applications, including circuit breaker tests, measuring, recording and analysis functionalities, but also allows for fully automated testing.

Through a modular approach, consisting of powerful CMC test sets and comprehensive software options, it can easily be configured to various needs, while offering a future-proof combination of settings- and system-based testing with Test Universe and RelaySimTest. With reductions in testing time of up to 80%, testing efficiency can be significantly increased while simultaneously improving the test quality due to the standardised and automated test procedures.

To combine testing strategies and maintenance planning, this solution can be perfectly integrated with the maintenance data management tool ADMO. It supports you in ensuring the correct functionality of the assets tested, with the highest efficiency and test quality, which leads to a quick amortisation of the initial investment.

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POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION

How the UK has taken the early lead on grid flexibility Dr. Avinash Aithal, Head of Open Networks, Energy Networks Association, explores the UK’s recent success with unlocking grid flexibility. t’s a clear fact that reaching net zero requires a significant shift towards harnessing renewable energy sources like wind and solar. However, the path to this goal is anything but a simple journey. Unlike the conventional gas and coal generators that have monopolised our power grid for over a century and a half, these new energy sources pose a unique challenge: they have variable output and are geographically dispersed across the network.

The old model, centred on single large power stations supplying energy in a one-way stream, did not demand flexibility as those power stations could easily adjust by burning more or less fossil fuels in response to demand. Across the world, there is a growing realisation that with the rise of green technologies, our conventional notions of electricity production, consumption, and control must adapt.

In this landscape, the UK’s electricity networks have emerged as pioneers in introducing a ‘flexible’ grid. The latest statistics released by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) show the scale and potential of the UK’s rollout of grid flexibility. In the previous year, UK electricity network companies engaged in an unprecedented tender of 4.6 MW capacity on Great Britain’s local flexibility markets. Of this capacity, 2

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MW was successfully contracted.

These figures already make Great Britain one of the biggest flexibility markets in the world, and with much more demand to be met, the potential for growth is clear. That is the equivalent of supporting the connection of over a quarter of a million 7kW electric vehicle charge points, or providing electricity to over four million homes across the UK, with no new cabling required.

Over 70% of the contracted flexibility is rooted in low-carbon technologies such as stored energy, solar power, and biofuels. These figures unfold against the backdrop of the sixth year of ENA’s Open Networks programme. As a testament to its progress, Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, has reaffirmed its support to further accelerate the programme’s trajectory.

At the heart of this transformation, Open Networks play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between energy demand and contractual commitments. This function offers a unique opportunity for distribution network operators (DNOs) to not only involve a broader spectrum of energy innovators in tender processes but also consistently drive down costs for consumers.

The most exciting prospect is that this momentum is far from stagnating.

More interconnected devices, constantly providing real-time data to the networks, has notably improved the synchronisation between energy demand and supply. This approach allows DNOs to optimise existing infrastructure more efficiently, circumventing the need for costly expansions.

In the global race towards achieving net zero emissions, countries across the globe are establishing themselves as specialists in different components of the transition. Here in the UK, we are positioning ourselves as leaders in grid flexibility.

Reflecting on the global journey toward a sustainable energy landscape and looking ahead, it’s evident that progress is driven by collaboration, innovation, and adaptability.

As energy systems across the world continue to contribute to these collective efforts, it’s the innovative approaches like flexibility that will propel us closer to a resilient, net zero future.

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2024

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Why simple energy efficiency improvements could be key to reducing carbon emissions Dr. James Crosby-Wrigley, Head of Sustainability for Commercial and Industrial Energy Supply and Usage at Advantage Utilities, explains how simple energy efficiency improvements could make a significant impact. ecades of research now proves the overwhelming link between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Many internationally recognised and respected agencies, such as the International Energy Agency and the International Panel for Climate Change, have shown that the dramatic output of CO2 (~30Gt) since 1900 is linked to the 0.5°C increase of global average surface temperatures. In fact, if the rates of emissions continue to increase at the current rate through to 2100, the Earth will have seen temperatures rise

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20 Electrical Review | September / October 2023

by over 4°C. To mitigate climate change and achieve the net zero goal set by the UK Government for 2050, companies and organisations must look to reduce their scope emissions. Those being the emissions from sources that an organisation owns or controls directly (Scope 1), the indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling (Scope 2), and finally the emissions they are indirectly responsible for up and down their value chain (Scope 3).

Grid-sourced energy is not currently viable As it stands, energy consumption from the grid is pollutive and highly expensive. According to data from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, gas and electrical consumption accounts for 0.19kg of CO2 per kWh consumed.

Moreover, the grid experienced record-high wholesale pricing during 2022 and much of 2023, with further increases to non-wholesale costs forecasted. This begs the question: What can companies and organisations do to streamline their emissions and associated expenditure?

Two key philosophies should be adopted throughout the entire supply chain which can alleviate a significant proportion of a company’s emissions and generate significant savings in their energy costs:

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

LED lighting LED lighting reduces electrical consumption (and therefore carbon emissions and financial expenditure) as less energy is required to provide the same level of luminosity.

Furthermore, they also have a longer warranty lifetime. As a result, they decrease the necessity for replacement and associated Operational Costs (OPEX).

Voltage optimisation Voltage optimisation is based on the concept that an individual site is oversupplied in voltage. Adding a voltage power optimiser seeks to decrease and stabilise the levels of voltage delivered to the site. Given that wattage (how energy is billed) is directly proportional to voltage, this enables clear decreases in the volume required by a site.

As it stands, energy consumption from the grid is pollutive and highly expensive

The greenest form of energy generation is the most affordable method of consumption.

Renewable energy generators have undergone such dramatic technological advancement over the past decades. This means technologies can now produce energy at a cheaper rate than otherwise consumed from the grid.

This is achieved through technologies related to on-site generation.

The cheapest and greenest form of energy is that which is not consumed at all.

Alleviating emissions can be done through technologies that undertake or enhance the function of already existing infrastructure. The implementation of these newer, more efficient technologies consumes less gas and/or electricity but have the same performance output.

Throughout the world, there are numerous businesses who consume far more energy than necessary for functions. Whilst this is completely understandable, there are certainly technologies which enable sites to have overall less consumption.

These technologies that can help improve your energy efficiency and reduce the amount of energy consumed include, but are not limited to, LED lighting; voltage optimisation; HVAC systems; and energy management systems and building management systems.

HVAC systems The term HVAC can be applied to boiler systems, heat pumps, heat exchangers, air handling units, cooling towers… among others. In essence, some of the most important factors to consider for HVAC systems is to ensure they are as efficient as possible and are correctly sized.

For example, boilers have evolved from standard boilers (<70% efficiency) through to high efficiency, condensing and combination boilers (70% to 90+%). Therefore, it is important that the most efficient devices are utilised within financial constraints to save energy and required fuel consumption.

Additionally, when designing and selecting system sizes, it is important to correctly size and approach changes from a modularised approach (e.g. 4 x 25kW HVAC system as opposed to a single 100kW).

This way, it ensures that only the necessary seasonal energy is being consumed to power a heating or cooling system which serves the purpose it is being applied to.

Energy management systems/building management systems Energy management systems, building management systems and behaviour implementations are key to ensure assets are only operating when required and at the required levels. This optimisation ensures energy consumption for a site’s assets are only operational and consuming when demanded. Where resources and necessity enable this, integrated energy management and building management systems can automate and track the performance of energy-consuming assets in a building. However, where budget and/or scope is limited, simple behavioural changes can service this same purpose so long as thoughtful and mindful energy-consuming practices are integrated.

To reach net zero and enable a more sustainable environmental and economic future for businesses, there are multiple approaches to consider. The simplest approach of understanding and decreasing emissions is to identify areas where less energy can be achieved. By implementing the technological solutions above, businesses can take simple and effective steps towards net zero.

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ENERGY STORAGE

Could energy storage be the solution for grid constraints?

22 Electrical Review | September / October 2023

Grid constraints are a real and growing challenge for organisations looking to decarbonise both their buildings and their fleets. Matthew Lumsden, CEO of Connected Energy, explores how energy storage systems could help to bridge this gap. cross the public and private sectors, ambitious targets are being set to cut carbon emissions, with buildings and vehicles being key areas of focus.

However, in many areas the grid infrastructure is not yet robust enough to support mass adoption of electric vehicles and other high load items – like heat pumps. A lot of commercial premises are on a shared connection and typically have a limit on how much power they can draw down from the grid. For sites on half hourly meters, this is known as a kVA allowance or agreed supply capacity (ASC).

Capacity was not an issue during the early phase of vehicle electrification, as most sites only required a small number of EV charge points, so demand rarely exceeded capacity. However, as we move into a phase of mass adoption

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ENERGY STORAGE

of EVs, coupled with the growing use of heat pumps, organisations are increasingly breaching their ASCs. This is because EV charging causes significant spikes in demand, particularly when multiple vehicles are plugged in at the same time.

The latest generation of smart EV chargers do offer load balancing to try and mitigate this, but reducing the rate at which a vehicle’s battery recharges is not always operationally feasible. It’s fine if a pool car needs a top-up charge, but less useful if you are recharging a fleet of delivery vehicles to get them back out on the road.

If your client breaches their kVA, they will incur penalty charges from the DNO. Known as DCP161 notices, these charges can be more than four times their tariff rates.

The conventional solutions to breaching your kVA For many organisations, cancelling or postponing plans to decarbonise is not an option. Therefore, most discussions with your clients about overcoming this issue will centre on three conventional options.

Firstly, paying the DNO to increase the ASC to avoid surcharges.

However, if there is no spare capacity, the client can only proceed with electrification if they pay the DNO for a connection upgrade. This is increasingly occurring, as a business realises that its neighbour on the same shared connection has already taken the available spare kVA allowance. The problem with this approach is that a DNO upgrade can run to hundreds of thousands of pounds – plus DNOs are facing a deluge of such requests, so there are substantial waiting lists. This makes this doubly unattractive. The third option is to install solar to provide additional on-site power.

An alternative to a DNO upgrade that is worth exploring is battery energy storage systems. These systems can help bridge the power gap on a site in a more timely and often more cost-effective way than upgrading its grid connection. In this scenario, the energy storage system acts as a reservoir, drawing down energy from the grid when it is cheaper or greener, then providing it as required during working hours.

Paired with solar, battery energy storage can even help improve the return on investment by minimising the amount of green energy going to waste. For example, a council could power its offices using solar during the day, then store the excess energy in an energy storage system to help charge its fleet vehicles overnight.

The ‘brain’ behind the microgrid Battery energy storage systems use a highly intelligent management system which takes their potential beyond being merely batteries to become the ‘brains’ of smart microgrids.

Along with providing local load balancing at scale, an energy storage system can bring together building management systems, on-site renewables and high load items like heat pumps and EV chargers to create integrated infrastructure.

In addition, when renewable electricity is abundant – either from on-site renewables or the grid – the energy storage system can fill up its batteries.

However, when the grid experiences spikes in demand, the battery energy storage systems can inject energy back into the grid to help balance the load and smooth out fluctuations.

If the client has sufficient export capacity, battery energy storage systems can also help improve local grid resilience. The system can take part in grid balancing services – the grid operator pays organisations for this; therefore, it creates a revenue stream.

Choosing more sustainable battery energy storage systems While battery energy storage can therefore help your clients with the next phase of their decarbonisation strategies, it is important to also consider how green the system is in itself.

Most battery energy storage systems use new lithium batteries, which come with their own environmental impact due to the mining of precious metals. Furthermore, a study by the Journal of the Indian Institute of Science found that only 1% of lithium batteries are recycled in Europe and North America, compared to 99% of lead acid batteries.

This figure will substantially grow as lithium battery recycling becomes an emerging industry, but at present most batteries are used and then discarded. In fact, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that total global capacity for recycling EV batteries stands at just 180,000t per year. It warns that, by 2040, there could be 1,300 GWh worth of batteries no longer suitable for EV use, far exceeding the recycling industry’s current capabilities.

Only 1% of lithium batteries are recycled in Europe and North America, compared to 99% of lead acid batteries If sustainability is one of the factors behind your client considering buying a battery energy storage system, then they might prefer to procure one that uses second life batteries rather than creating new ones.

Giving batteries a second life realises more value from the embedded resources and displaces the environmental impact of new battery production. It delays recycling until the industry has developed more efficient and cost-effective processes, while also improving the overall economics for our transition from fossil fuels to EVs. Research commissioned by Connected Energy from the University of Lancaster has calculated that second life storage units provide a positive carbon benefit of 450t of CO2 emissions for every 1 MWh installed, compared with a first life energy storage unit.

Solving the problem Battery energy storage systems are increasingly deployed as problem solvers because time is of the essence when it comes to electrification.

Councils, NHS Trusts and large corporations have all set milestones and deadlines for decarbonisation. These systems can be the tool to help those organisations to meet their goals – and using second life systems can further strengthen the sustainability of energy storage.

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ENERGY STORAGE

How energy storage has evolved throughout the years Jason Howlett, CEO of GivEnergy, delves into the improvements revolutionising the energy storage industry. n our pursuit of a sustainable future, energy storage has emerged as a crucial component of the global energy landscape. Indeed, as more and more homeowners look to transition towards clean, low-cost energy, the installation of energy storage batteries is spiking.

With this rise of the home storage battery has come rapid technological advancement. Driven in part by consumer demand, in part by the needs of the climate crisis, and in part by surging energy poverty – manufacturers are pumping intensive research and development into battery storage tech.

In the past decade alone, the payoffs have been incredible. Battery storage has evolved from an emergent technology into an increasingly mature market. And, in the process, the technology has made extensive advancements in a remarkably short window.

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Battery capacity improvements throughout the years One of the most significant advancements in battery storage is the increase in capacity over the past decade. Home batteries can now store and discharge much larger amounts of energy over time.

24 Electrical Review | September / October 2023

The early lead-acid batteries, which had limited capacity, paved the way for nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries that offered a higher energy density. Then came lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMC) batteries, which again boasted improvements on predecessors.

However, it was the advent of the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery that truly sparked a revolution in capacity. With LiFePO4 batteries – and their prismatic cells – also came the potential for substantial gains in power density, lifespan, performance, and safety.

We’ll use our own systems as a living example. In 2018 – only five short years ago – the most powerful GivEnergy residential battery had an individual capacity of 5.2kWh. Fast forward to 2023 and this capacity has more than doubled. Now, we offer a capacity of 13.5kWh from a single system.

This kind of increase is representative of the accelerated pace with which the home battery is evolving to meet ever-bigger power needs.

Battery life span improvements throughout the years As the demand for battery storage increases, so does the need for longerlasting and durable batteries. The early generations of batteries had a

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discharge was considered highly competitive. Today’s LiFePO4 batteries can now achieve a DoD of 100%.

So, in a short space of time, the leading battery storage manufacturers have succeeded in hyper-optimising the utilisation of stored energy – allowing customers to tap into more energy than ever before.

Round-trip efficiency: maximising the energy output of energy storage Some energy is always lost in the transfer process. Round trip efficiency, then, is a measure of how efficiently a battery can store and release energy. In simple terms, it represents how much energy is put into storage that is subsequently retrieved. (I.e., not wasted.) The higher the round-trip efficiency, the less energy is lost in the storage process.

Older battery technologies suffered from lower round trip efficiency – with 80% being considered a good benchmark. This resulted in an average ~20% energy loss during the storage and retrieval process. However, with advancements in chemistry and battery management systems, modern batteries now boast much higher round trip efficiency rates.

To use our own research and design as an example, we can now achieve round trip efficiency of 93%. Such solid efficiency makes battery storage an increasingly attractive option for both residential and commercial customers alike. more limited cycle life, degrading after a certain number of chargedischarge cycles. This limitation was a major hurdle for the widespread adoption of battery storage systems.

However, with advancements in materials, manufacturing processes, and battery management systems, battery lifespan has significantly improved. Take LiFePO4 batteries. Storage batteries built using LiFePO4 technology have undergone extensive research to mitigate degradation issues and increase the number of charge-discharge cycles they can endure.

We’ll use another real-world example to illustrate this point. For our earlier batteries, the GivEnergy performance warranty guaranteed that each battery pack would retain 70% use of its capacity for usage of 10MWh of energy throughput per 1kWh of usable capacity at 90% depth of discharge. This is equivalent to 5000 full cycles.

The newer batteries in our range now allow unlimited cycles for 10 years and would still be covered at 100% depth of discharge. In terms of impact, this improved life span has not only made battery storage more economically viable, but has also reduced environmental footprints (by minimising the need for replacements.)

Again, such gains highlight the impressive – and fast-moving – journey of energy storage technology.

Depth of discharge: tapping into more energy A phrase mentioned above was ‘depth of discharge’, or DoD. A critical metric for energy storage systems, DoD indicates the proportion of energy that can be extracted from a battery before recharging.

For example, if a battery offers 80% DoD, then 80% of that battery is usable. Higher DoD values, then, translate to greater flexibility in energy management and higher overall system efficiency.

Historically, batteries had limited DoD to protect them from damage caused by deep discharging. However, modern battery technologies have significantly improved in this aspect. Less than a decade ago, 80%

How installing energy storage has been made easier than ever Alongside technological advancements, installation ease has played a vital role in the growth of the energy storage market. As the industry matures, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on making energy storage systems more accessible and user-friendly.

In the early days, energy storage systems often required specialised expertise for installation and maintenance. However, as battery technologies advanced and standardisation efforts were made, installation processes have streamlined. Now, any qualified electrician can learn how to fit storage batteries within just a couple of hours.

Home batteries can now store and discharge much larger amounts of energy over time Plus, systems themselves have become easier to fit over time. Some systems on the market combine an integrated battery and inverter plus a backup gateway – they come with an inbuilt isolator, CT clamp, metering, and switchgear. So, from an installation perspective, there’s very little to fit plus minimal wiring.

Meanwhile, plug-and-play solutions, improved safety standards, and user-friendly interfaces have empowered installers and consumers alike to adopt energy storage systems with ease.

The future is bright for energy storage The evolution of energy storage batteries – from an emergent technology to a mature market – has been nothing short of extraordinary. The rapid advancements in capacity, life span, depth of discharge, round trip efficiency, and installation ease have paved the way for a sustainable energy future.

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Once you become an Expert Installer, you will be invited to join the Aico Installer Community – a connected online platform built to support Expert Installers Members of the community are eligible to participate in Aico’s free-of-charge City & Guilds Assured Training - Domestic Fire & CO Alarm Systems.

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Aico visit JTL Training to deliver FIA CPDaccredited Expert Installer Training This year, Paul Barrett, Regional Specification Manager for Aico, has been working with JTL Training in Ashford, Kent to provide their students with Aico’s free, award-winning FIA approved CPD Expert Installer course.

TL is one of the largest work-based learning providers in England and Wales, working with over 3,800 businesses from large corporations to small local suppliers. JTL are currently working with over 8,000 learners and train more apprentices than anyone else in the building services and engineering sector.

Aico’s Expert Installer Training course is designed to ensure Electrical Contractors have all the information they need to install domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Systems. Guaranteeing effective fire safety protection for customers relies on alarm systems being installed correctly.

It is important that young people who are entering the work environment are given the correct information to do what they should do rather than what they have to do when it comes to installing life safety devices.

The students at JTL were also provided with information and a demonstration of Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution. The system can extract and collate data directly from alarm heads and Environmental Sensors and be made available from a user-friendly

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dashboard. These actionable insights enable preventative measures and proactive maintenance of landlords’ housing portfolios.

Paul Barrett commented, “Educating future generations is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. It has been great to work with Russell Griffiths and Dave Cunningham educating their students on the importance of installing Domestic Fire and CO alarms to British Standards BS 5839-P6 and BS 50292. It is now becoming an annual event and I hope we can roll the training out to all their colleges.”

JTL’s Senior Electrical Tutor, Russell Griffiths helped to organise the sessions, adding, “I have been teaching electrical installations for 17 years and it has always baffled me that fire alarms do not form more of a part of the qualification than they do. So, with this in mind, I made an approach to Paul Barrett of Aico to see if the company could provide CPD to our learners here at JTL Ashford.

“On meeting with Paul, I could tell that Aico were going to be very proactive partners in the assistance they were to give us, and it was fantastic to hear about the Expert Installer course that they could provide for our learners. We arranged a date for Paul to come in and deliver the training and I have to say it was of great benefit to our learners. Students were actively engaged from start to finish and all provided with a certificate of completion, that they can add to their CPD files and off the job training logs.

“All learners found the session very useful and were happy with gaining a better understanding of domestic smoke alarm systems and the different types of protection offered with Aico products. Paul was very professional and able to deliver a good session to our learners with his expert knowledge.

“Moving forward, Paul has arranged for a bespoke display board to be made for our workshop enabling the learners to have access to not only demonstrate products but also can be made live to enable learners to test functionality. I hope that we can have Paul back every year to deliver to our learners, because the service that Aico and Paul provide is a valuable addition to our curriculum here and I believe that it should be used widely throughout our organisation.”

Supporting education is a big focus for Aico and they have a dedicated team of 29 RSMs, delivering fully accredited CPD courses across the UK. If you would like to find out more, you can find your local RSM here – aico. co.uk/find-a-regional-spec-manager/

www.electricalreview.co.uk 27

SKILLS

How to fill the ever-growing sustainable skills gap How do we ensure we have the skills in place to achieve our sustainability goals? Paul Wrighton, Director of Sustainable Infrastructure at Johnson Controls, has some answers.

he green jobs market continues to expand exponentially as businesses begin to implement meaningful strategies to meet sustainability targets. As green technology continues to evolve, with developments happening across sectors – from clean energy to manufacturing – potential career paths will evolve, too.

This is good news for net employment prospects. The drive on sustainability could help to create 30 million new jobs by 2030.

Businesses know that they need to act fast if they are to capitalise on this opportunity – not just in terms of creating a greener business but for financial growth too. A workforce that is equipped with expertise in sustainable technology will be the key to untapping the potential for a low carbon future.Setting goals is all well and good, but you need knowledge and skills to drive any agenda forwards in meaningful ways.

Presently, demand for talent is exceeding the number of available skilled professionals. If leaders can prioritise making sustainability part of the workforce now, they can make the most of an enormous opportunity.

As Johnson Controls’ CEO George Oliver has stated, we have the technology, financing, partnerships, and people to turn buildings from

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one of the greatest challenges, into one of the biggest and quickest net zero wins.

People are central to green tech evolution We often say that any serious initiative ‘takes a village’ to make it happen.

But when it comes to net zero, it’s more truthful to say that it takes an army. As competition for talent heats up across industries, demand for qualified candidates is running at record highs.

Innovation in tech and its wide potential is grabbing headlines, pulling focus, and pushing the drive for sustainable talent to the top of the business agenda. There has been a surge in interest in the role next-gen green tech has to play in driving down emissions. The adoption and innovation of climate tech can deliver real solutions, combined with a trained and equipped workforce to deliver it.

Nurturing a green workforce When plotting the path forward, enterprises need employees who can help design and implement net zero strategies that deliver for the

SKILLS

environment and the business. They need skilled engineers to build, monitor and maintain these systems, and they need a broad range of skills in specialised areas such as solar and heat pump technologies.

As a £90 billion industry that can be unlocked further, there is huge promise in the UK’s growing net zero economy, in connection with the country’s levelling up scheme across major UK cities and regions. It’s a unique set of circumstances spurring emerging interest in reskilling and upskilling programmes, with the goal of taking sustainability full throttle, plus the bonus potential of employee engagement and competitive edge.

To succeed, these new systems will need to be supported by better models, operations, and people strategies that empower workforces as agents of change. The good news is we don’t need to make the switch alone. Tackling challenges and building agility into a business’ DNA is an exercise in collaboration at its heart. Doing this effectively means change across workforces and operations. Despite the challenges we have a clear call to action: set a whole new standard through one powerful trifecta of people, technology and processes.

Successful reskilling initiatives demand company-wide buy-in A successful approach to upskilling takes a brand-new company-wide way of working, and a full review of processes to ensure practical delivery. Beyond the operational changes, you need a collaborative workforce that understands the positive impact of sustainability, and the right tools to implement these new sustainable measures.

Bold upskilling plans start with a highly competent and passionate core team to champion the culture shift and set the right tone for company-wide buy-in. The next step is all about taking a top-down mindset that involves all teams across an organisation playing their part in the process.

Businesses that promote general sustainability competency and help employees combine their current functional skills with the necessary sustainability skills for their role are bringing all the parts of the process together and will be best positioned for success.

Creating incentives to drive progress Businesses in the upskilling phase are aided by the core team of sustainability experts established in the mobilise stage. If they step up their enablement efforts as they start to change the way the business operates, they can move quickly.

By utilising green partnerships with educational institutions, businesses can identify the skills and knowledge needed in the workforce and ensure that education and training programmes are aligned with their needs for now, and the future.

Government plays a big role too – by raising public awareness about the benefits of green jobs and the importance of transitioning to a lowcarbon economy. This will help to create demand for green jobs and encourage more people to pursue careers in this field. Strong incentives include those to strengthen the focus on apprenticeship and internship programmes within the green sector, and the significant reform to equip 11-16-year-olds with the vital skills needed to implement effective green governance in the future. This is a vital age group, as one in three young people in the UK are concerned about both their futures and the successful transition to sustainability.

To support the younger generation who will soon enter the workforce or finish education, businesses can encourage practical, on-the-job

training and work experience for people who are interested in pursuing green careers. When evaluating a company’s culture and values, just over one in four (26%) of the adults surveyed by the World Economic Forum in Europe said that sustainability is one of their top non-negotiables.

Professionals now have a strong and growing desire to work for an organisation that values the environment and where they can make a difference in combating climate change.

Future generations provide much-needed optimism Young people’s fresh ideas, methods and viewpoints will be invaluable in addressing climate change issues in the years to come. With the demand for innovation and the development of new technologies likely to spike in years to come, we need to cultivate a green talent pool now rather than later. Skill development doesn’t happen overnight, so it’s also integral that businesses lean into upskilling schemes for their current workforce. By retaining their current talent pool and introducing new talent in tandem, businesses will be well positioned to capture the huge opportunities a low carbon future has to offer.

The drive on sustainability could help to create 30 million new jobs by 2030 It’s of course important that companies set an example by showcasing their understanding of issues such as diversity, ethics and employee satisfaction. But more than this, businesses need to demonstrate that any goals which are set are then achieved through real-world action. This is where companies will reap the greatest reward. Businesses are wellpositioned to promote and drive forward sustainability goals on both an internal and external level.

Sustainable practices should be integrated across every level of an organisation and should permeate within its objectives and practices. For this to happen, the workforce should be kept informed throughout and offered rewards where possible – for example, compensation for C-suite committees in line with sustainability and diversity targets. It’s true that there is a significant amount of work to be done. However, there is every reason to feel optimistic. Employees can become a fundamental part of the sustainability journey with the right mindset and buy-in in place.

We have seven years to meet the 2030 net zero target. It’s achievable if we act now and invest in the sustainable workforce today.

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SKILLS

There’s never been a better time to train for the green revolution Mark Krull, from Logic4training, looks at where the electrical sector is heading as we move towards net zero, and the business opportunities for suitably trained installers. he electrification of major sectors, including heating and transport, is increasing demand for electrical skills. In fact, the UK Trade Skills Index 2023 estimates that more than 100,000 new recruits are needed over the next 10 years to prevent skills gaps from worsening. This includes both new entrants, as well as experienced electricians upskilling and expanding into emerging tech/ markets.

Thankfully, there’s never been a more exciting time to be an electrician – with a host of opportunities across the building services space. Where once electrical installers mainly dealt with lighting and appliances, now they are responsible for home energy generation and storage, heating and keeping cars on the road.

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Increasing demand for electricity It is predicted that by 2035, we will need around 50% more power generation to meet the growing demand for electricity. Additionally, all this electricity is expected to come from a fully decarbonised system, which will use a mix of wind, solar, and nuclear, while carbon capture

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will lock away any CO2 still generated by fossil fuels.

With approximately 50% of electricity currently being generated by renewables, there’s clearly a big gulf to fill. There are two ways to fill that gap – more grid renewables and leveraging the growing number of ‘prosumers’. Those working in the electrical industry can help with both.

Currently just over a million homes in the UK have solar panels, exporting excess energy back to the grid. In the electrical world these people are known as ‘prosumers’, as defined in BS7671.

The number of prosumers has been steadily increasing, and there’s no sign of them slowing down. According to recently published analysis by Barbour ABI, planning applications that mention solar PV have had a significant increase – threefold since 2019. Additionally, data from the Solar Trade Association shows that 50,700 households installed solar PV between January and March 2023, the highest figure since 2015 when significant subsidies were available.

With no Government funding widely available for solar PV, this rise in take-up has been fuelled by the perfect storm of astronomical energy prices and reduced hardware costs. Solar panels are now a common sight

SKILLS

on roofs across the country, moving this tech into the mainstream, along with smart meters and home automation systems, which make it far easier to see and understand how and when we use energy.

While supporting battery storage has been slower on the uptake – with around 10,000 domestic properties benefitting from this technology – it is likely that this important addition to the homes power generation mix will soon catch up with solar PV. Self-consumption is by far the most cost-effective way to use renewable energy, allowing for a quick return on investment. But the homeowner isn’t the only beneficiary. The grid also benefits from reduced demand from these households and the excess energy exports, while electrical installers have the opportunity to make revenue on both the installation and maintenance of solar panels and batteries.

Electric vehicle demand is soaring The benefits for installers from the green revolution extend further than just installing solar panels and batteries, however. In fact, when it comes to electric vehicles, there’s likely to be an even bigger impact on those in the electrical industry.

As of the end of July 2023, there are now around 840,000 fully electric cars on UK roads and a further 520,000 plug-in hybrids. According to ZapMap, there are only 42,000 charge points across the UK. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) states that 2.3 million charging points will be needed by 2030 to keep up with predicted demand – an absolute goldmine for electricians.

Additionally, EVs and batteries could have a joint role going forward, as car batteries can be used as home energy storage systems through vehicle-to-grid (VTG) or vehicle-to-house (VTH) technology. Essentially,

electric vehicles will soon be able to power homes and businesses when they’re not being driven.

Heat and power The way we heat our homes has also got decidedly more electric too, with air source and ground source heat pumps. These two technologies are set to see growing demand over the coming years as gas boilers are slowly phased out.

The benefit for electricians is that a significant part of installing an air source heat pump is electrical. This creates work for electricians, while also supporting plumbing and heating engineers and creating even bigger opportunities for installers that train to become truly multi-skilled.

Planning applications that mention solar PV have had a significant increase – threefold since 2019 At the moment, consumers are being incentivised to choose heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), and, like solar PV, prices will come down as take-up increases.

Don’t miss out on the green revolution All of this is happening now, creating an exciting landscape for building services installers across the board, particularly those with an electrical leaning.

The green revolution is here and electrical installers are leading the charge.

www.electricalreview.co.uk 31

UPS

How to ensure your uninterruptible power supply is running efficiently Louis McGarry, Sales and Marketing Director, Centiel UK, offers some top tips on how to ensure your uninterruptible power supply is running efficiently.

U

PS systems are known for protecting critical loads in data centres. However, power protection is essential throughout most sectors. Examples can range from medical to banking and finance to defence applications.

Whatever the use, if a UPS is ageing and/or incorrectly sized, they can literally be ‘power hungry beasts’. UPS and their associated infrastructure

32 Electrical Review | September / October 2023

consume energy and the running costs alone can add up to hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years for some organisations.

A system working at its optimum efficiency will ensure it is cost effective and the impact on the environment will also be minimised with a reduction in power consumption. With energy costs at an all time high, now is the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate and review assets to reimagine and re-manage UPS installations to maximise efficiency.

The importance of right-sizing your UPS The biggest step change with iPhones was between the iPhone 8 and 10.

Screen size and processing speed was improved dramatically, and facial recognition added. We may not see enhancements on this scale again. It’s the same with UPS technology.

In reality it is unlikely that a UPS will ever be 100% efficient, and with today’s technology offering <3% of losses, any enhancements will be minor.

We have already reached the iPhone 10 stage. So, to continue to make

UPS

advances in efficiency we need to consider other aspects of the whole set up.

The vast majority of UPS installations we are called to evaluate are oversized. There are many reasons for this, including the need at the time of installation to ‘spend all the budget’. It could also be that the client wants to avoid the risk of under sizing, they may be asked to add headroom. This headroom can be anything from an additional 10-50% ‘just in case’.

Have you ever looked into how much energy an oversized UPS can waste? It is standard practice for my team to compare the running costs of oversized, legacy systems with a replacement right-sized UPS. The total cost of ownership calculations can be impressive. Regularly I see new systems paying for themselves within three years through energy savings alone.

The key point to evaluating the efficiency of any existing UPS is to look at the loading. Below 25% load, a UPS is less efficient. Even with no load, a UPS consumes energy simply to stay on, so it pays to run a UPS at the sweet spot of its efficiency curve. This can vary between systems, but this information should always be made available by the manufacturer.

not to over size or overspend on batteries that you don’t need.

Another consideration when re-evaluating batteries is their location in relation to the UPS and other heat sources. Lead-acid batteries need to be kept at 200°C to optimise design life.

Separating the batteries in a dedicated room, away from the UPS, means only the area housing the batteries needs environmental consideration. The batteries can now operate in an ambient room temperature, which on average is between 20-22°C, needing very little or even zero environmental control. That’s another cost saving.

Is it better to repair a legacy UPS, or to replace?

Legacy kit will obviously be less efficient than a correctly-sized new UPS. However, the cost of energy used to power a legacy UPS over five years is actually huge. It is generally more than the cost of a new system.

We are making TCO calculations on a daily basis to help clients understand how much they will save from day one, at what point in time the new system will have paid for itself, and the ongoing savings over the longer term.

Making these calculations and choosing to replace legacy systems could save thousands of pounds on running costs, not to mention the associated benefits of increased availability of deploying true modular UPS technology.

That may sound strange coming from a UPS manufacturer. However, our goal is to optimise system design and minimise the energy required to run the system for the best outcome for our clients.

The ‘what if ’ question frequently comes up. What if the load changes?

What if demand increases or decreases and the UPS system we’ve purchased becomes overloaded? The answer is that true modular technology is designed for a pay-as-you-grow approach, simply adding (or removing) more UPS modules ensures consistent rightsizing. This is achieved by ensuring there is sufficient physical infrastructure, or racks, to accommodate the changing nature of the organisation.

For clients to buy into this concept, UPS providers must work with clients to help them understand the facts and figures.

So, instead of saying ‘we need a like-for-like UPS replacement’, the question to ask is: ‘what is my actual load and do we really need a UPS that big? By looking at the alternatives, right sizing and managing room layout, it is possible to minimise energy and running costs and tame the power-hungry beast.

Do the battery banks also need right-sizing?

It is important to consider right-sizing the entire UPS system. That includes its associated battery bank. Larger battery banks will demand more energy from the grid to trickle charge and recharge, so be careful

Why modular UPS systems can help you with future changes Don’t ever buy more UPS equipment than you need to. I’ll repeat that: don’t ever buy more UPS equipment than you need to. Whether that’s batteries or UPS.

If a UPS is ageing and/or incorrectly sized they can literally be ‘power hungry beasts’

www.electricalreview.co.uk 33

SPONSORED STORIES

Brand new Modulo ‘Ultra’ Slim screwdrivers from C.K Tools promises universal solution for terminal screws C.K Tools has developed a range of screwdrivers that offers a comprehensive solution for terminal screws during switchgear installations.

Eliminating irritating, time-wasting and costly breakage caused by ill-fitting screwdrivers.

Developed in collaboration with a panel of electricians, the new expanded Dextro VDE Modulo Slim range covers all screw types commonly used in circuit breakers, contractors, relays, terminal blocks, PCB clamps and electrical boards, as well as those found in RCBOs. With the backbone of the series comprising the Slotted/Pozi and Slotted/ Phillips tip types, in both size one and two, the selection is completed

with a unique product for each style, the brand new Modulo Ultra Slim screwdriver. This unique design combines all the access of a slim size one screwdriver, with the profile and strength of a size two. Accessing recessed screws for precision insertion and removal has never been easier, with zero risk of damage while affording a perfect fit for all types of terminal screws.

Dextro VDE Modulo Ultra Slim screwdrivers build on the wider success of the award-winning Dextro VDE range, which is ergonomically designed to give an extra quarter turn thanks to its superior grip.

Boasting comfort, control and safety, Dextro VDE screwdrivers I are individually tested to 10,000V. Available from stockists now, with prices starting from £15.78 Ex.VAT.

Carl Kammerling International • 01758 704704 Find out more: www.carlkammerling.com

ETS Cable Components appointed official kitting provider for Nexans Power Accessories ETS Cable Components has been officially appointed as the kitting provider for Nexans Power Accessories in the UK. This is an extension of the distribution agreement between the two long-term partners, which has been in place for 30 years, and, in effect, will mean that ETS will be able to offer unrivalled stocks and quicker product delivery for the Nexans range of medium voltage power cable accessories.

Spearheaded by Medium Voltage Technical Manager, Steve Wisdom, the kitting operation will be based at a new dedicated kitting facility, which ETS have recently acquired, to reflect its status as a standalone operation with its own dedicated team of staff.

Kevin Moloney, Managing Director of ETS Cable Components, mentioned, “This investment in stock, experience and facilities will allow ETS take the supply of Medium Voltage power cable accessories to the

next level. Delivering a premium service and solution that the Energy Sector demands. We have worked with Nexans for over 30 years and have always had tremendous feedback from our customers due to the quality of their products and service levels. Therefore, we didn’t hesitate to take this opportunity to invest and strengthen our commitment to this leading brand.”

Joe Roberts, UK and Ireland Sales Manager for Nexans Power Accessories, added, “We are delighted to enter this next stage of development with our long-term distributor ETS. This demonstrates stock commitment, continued product expertise and availability of the Nexans’ full range of products. This ultimately will provide a better customer experience and the continued growth of the Nexans brand.”

ETS Cable Components • 020 8405 6789 Find out more: www.etscablecomponents.com

CKI promises savings of up to 70% with Magnetic winter deals promotion Carl Kammerling International has announced the return of its Magnetic promotion, with discounts of up to 70% sure to ‘attract’ savvy electrical and industrial trade customers.

Magnetic 23 launched on September 1, 2023, and will offer savings on several product lines from brands including C.K Tools, C.K Magma, C.K Classic, avit and Kasp.

To activate promotion offers, customers must make an initial purchase of £350 or more. From that point until December 22, 2023, all future orders submitted through the promotion will benefit from Magnetic savings. The bigger the purchase, the bigger the savings.

Deals apply to much of the brands’ core range, with eight exclusive multipacks available only through the promotion. Customers placing high value orders will also be rewarded with exclusive C.K Tools branded clothing, including a new design bobble hat and a Regatta Microfleece with

34 Electrical Review | September / October 2023

C.K Embroidery.

This year’s C.K bobble hats – back by popular demand – feature a bold new design. The C.K logo is knit into the hat itself and woven into a small label on the front turn-up. Each hat is double-layered, making it extra cosy. The brand new black microfleeces have been selected from Regatta’s Professional line for their high-quality and functionality, and are available from size M to XXL. Rhiannon Wyn Thompson, Trade Marketing Executive, said, “There are some great savings to be made this autumn and winter for customers who shop smart with Magnetic.”

Contact the CKI customer services team on 01758 704704 to sign up to the promotion today.

Carl Kammerling International • 01758 704704 Find out more: www.carlkammerling.com

Get more from your tester

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The new Ring Continuity Adapter A 2214 from Metrel will speed up your measurement of r1, rn, r2 and R1 + RN, R1 + R2 by automating the process.

• Line, neutral and PE resistance all measured at a single press of a button • Automatic calculation of (r1+rn)/4 and (r1+r2)/4 for easy results evaluation • Connect once, no need to change leads until all continuity tests are complete • Accuracy, with the easy-null capability for all test lead components • Speeds up ring final circuit testing

Find out how we can help, call us TODAY on 01924 245000 or mail: info@metrel.co.uk for more information.

Metrel UK Ltd. Unit 16, 1st Qtr Business Park Blenheim Road Epsom Surrey KT19 9QN Phone: 01924 245000 E-mail: info@metrel.co.uk Web: www.metrel.co.uk

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5YearWarranty

5 year warranty as standard on all UPS models up to and including 3kVA

Reliable power for a sustainable world