Bright sparks working on better battery storage

A Gloucestershire manufacturer is chasing the holy grail of renewable energy by developing a new battery storage solution that promises to hold on to more generated power while reducing the reliance on dangerous materials.

Severn Drives & Energy – part of Quedgeley-based Severn Glocon – is developing a vanadium battery that will store the power generated by wind farms and solar arrays, while outperforming traditional lithiumbased batteries.

Vanadium flow batteries can be discharged over an almost unlimited number of charge and discharge cycles without wearing out and have a proven life of at least 25 years without degradation.

Once the battery has reached the end of its life, the electrolyte can be reused in another battery or recycled for use as commodity vanadium.

Systems start at 250kW/1MWh and can be as large as 100MW/800MWh in size, installed at utility, commercial and industrial sites, in support of solar or wind farms or in isolated microgrids.

Fastener business secures Queen’s Award for International Trade

A manufacturer of specialised high-quality fasteners, components and hardware for the aerospace, defence, motorsport and industrial markets has been presented with a Queen’s Award for International Trade.

Initially specialising in the distribution of aerospace hardware into motorsport and Formula 1 in particular, Swindon-based Clarendon Specialty Fasteners is now a market leader for the supply of fasteners for use in niche and specialist applications.

Since 2001 and following the acquisition by London-based international business group Diploma Plc, the company has seen growth in overseas sales with export sales increasing from £3.6 million in 2016 to £6.4 million in 2017 and £8.6 million in 2018. Its top five export markets are Italy, France, Germany, South Africa and Thailand and it is in the process of establishing physical locations in Germany, Thailand and the US.

John Hunt, Managing Director, said: “We were honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for International Trade. It serves as a testament to all employees – without their sheer determination and hard work, we would not be in this position today.”

Machine tool maker invests in Worcester manufacturing plant

Machine tool manufacturer Yamazaki Mazak has made a series of major investments at its UK-based European manufacturing plant in Worcester.

The multimillion-pound investments include two new manufacturing cells making component parts for new Mazak machines produced at the Worcester facility.

The cells are equipped with automation systems designed to deliver extended periods of unmanned running.

Mazak’s Worcester facility is the Japanese company’s European headquarters and only manufacturing site on the continent, producing more than 1,000 machine tools every year, 80 per cent or more of which are exported to mainland Europe.

Richard Smith, European Group Managing Director, said: “Our Worcester facility has always been at the forefront of manufacturing innovation as we strive to become even more productive and efficient. The new investments are a clear illustration of our dedication to manufacturing excellence and continued commitment to manufacturing in Europe.”