HAZARDOUS WASTE WOOD

Construction wood RPS to end as ‘less than 1%’ is hazardous

The Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) has welcomed the Environment Agency’s decision to withdraw the regulatory position statement (RPS) relating to hazardous waste wood from the construction industry later this year.

The association said the Agency confirmed to its members at their spring meeting earlier this month that ‘RPS 250’ will be withdrawn as intended on 1 September 2023 and won’t be extended.

Introduced in July 2021, RPS 250 currently allows potentially hazardous ‘amber’ waste wood items from the construction and demolition waste stream to be moved and processed as non-hazardous while testing has been carried out.

The WRA however has said that from September this year, “the Environment Agency has confirmed this will be withdrawn”.

List of wood items

From then, ten items from pre-2007 buildings will automatically be classified as hazardous and will not be able to be sent to wood recyclers.” Instead, they will require specialist hazardous waste disposal, unless they are sent for a test to demonstrate that they are not.

These items are:

  • Barge boards;
  • external fascia;
  • soffit boards;
  • external joinery;
  • external doors;
  • roof timber;
  • tiling cladding;
  • tiling battens;
  • timber frames;
  • and timber joists.

The WRA has estimated through its sampling work that the estimated hazardous content of waste wood from C&D activities, which includes these amber items, is less than 1%, representing an insignificant proportion (0.08%) of total UK waste wood arisings, approximately 4,000 tonnes. As demolition stock moves to newer buildings over time and testing continues, the WRA says these amber items are also expected to reduce further.

‘Delighted’

Julia Turner, executive director of the WRA, said:

“We are delighted that the work we’ve carried out has provided clarity that the majority of waste wood is non-hazardous.

“While we still have a number of items to test, end user testing of C&D material has indicated a hazardous content of less than 1% – representing a tiny proportion (0.08%) of UK total waste wood arisings, at around 4,000 tonnes.

“We believe the potentially hazardous items can be reduced further with more testing and could be easily accommodated by existing hazardous outlets. Therefore this will not impact on the industry’s role of providing recycling and recovery outlets and security for local authorities, waste management companies and biomass plants going forward.”

Producers

The withdrawal of the RPS from September will put the onus on the waste producer rather than wood reprocessors to identify, test and classify wood at source, the WRA said.

Wood recyclers will no longer be able to take this material and have been told they will need to amend their acceptance criteria to add these items to their unacceptable items list and communicate the change to their customers.

By doing so they will “avoid the substantial costs and potential stigma of becoming hazardous waste sites for the sake of a very small amount of material”.

It will also ensure that potentially hazardous material is not sent to biomass and panelboard markets which have always said they don’t want any type of hazardous feedstock.

Households

For household waste, testing is currently ongoing. The WRA says its sampling so far expected to confirm that its hazardous content is diminishing and soon likely to disappear altogether.

This is currently governed by RPS 249, which is due to expire in April 2024.

Source: LetsRecycle

 

/0 Comments/by

UK STEEL, LEFT TO ‘WITHER & DECLINE’

The UK steel industry​ could​ “wither and decline” unless​ procurement rules​ are revised​ obliging all UK infrastructure projects to use ​British-made steel, according to Unite the Union.

In a letter to prime minister Rishi Sunak, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“It is shocking that a majority of our public infrastructure projects currently use imported steel. We need to ensure that from HS2 to offshore energy, all major UK infrastructure projects include obligations to procure UK-made steel.

“This also means ensuring the UK has the capacity to make any specialist steel needed for national security projects, such as Royal Navy ships.”

The Department for Transport is on record ​as ​saying it has “no formal targets for the use of UK steel on HS2”​,​ but has confirmed that 67% of steel ​supplies on the project is sourced from UK producers.

However, Graham says ​the UK ​government​’s​ investment in​​​​ steel​​​ “is small beer” ​when ​compared ​with​ the ​commitments to national industry made by​ Germany and the US​.

She said under​-​investment and failure to implement targets to use British steel in public procurement means the sector is “being left to wither and decline”​.​

In her letter to Sunak she said: “It is your government’s [intended] policy to grow foundation industries like steel, make them more internationally competitive and secure more jobs in them throughout the UK. But there is no sign that this is actually happening.

“Instead the UK steel industry is shrinking, becoming less competitive and losing skilled jobs. This is a threat to thousands of workers and their families across Wales, the Midlands, the North East and beyond.

“It is a threat to the very heart of the communities that surround them. And it is a threat to the future of our national security and our broader manufacturing and construction industries.”

UK Steel​ ​policy manager​ Frank Aaskov agreed the UK is falling behind some of the investment commitments made by other international governments.

Aaskov said:

“Other North American and European governments have provided significant match-funding for investment in the decarbonisation of their steel industries, which they recognise as strategic national assets.

“By contrast, the UK is becoming an even less attractive market to invest in for global steel companies. We are in an energy crisis, but here is no longer any direct funding for energy efficiency.

“The UK government should lead on green manufacturing, but is falling behind​,​”​ he added. ​

A spokesperson for The Department for Business & Trade said:

“We recognise the vital role that steel plays in the UK economy, supporting local jobs and economic growth and are committed to securing a sustainable and competitive future for the UK steel sector.

“We have already taken action to protect the industry from unfair trade and to reduce the burden of energy costs. Our recently announced British Industry Supercharger is cutting energy costs for steel manufacturers, ensuring they are in line with other major global economies.

“This is on top of a range of other industrial competitive funds worth over £1bn to support efforts to cut emissions and become more energy efficient.”

But Graham said th​is energy-​​​intensive sector is being “pushed to the brink” by power costs.

She said the government needs to “get a grip” on soaring costs and end “profiteering by energy firms”​.

 

Source: Supply Management

/0 Comments/by

WORLD 1st: Ground Source Heat Pump connects to in-road retrofit of ground array infrastructure

The first Ground Source Heat Pump has been connected to the world’s first in-road retrofit of ground array infrastructure in Stithians Cornwall.

 

The first resident in the Cornish village of Stithians has today had their ground source heat pump (GSHP) connected to an ambient heat network that will draw energy from under the street.

It’s thought to be a world first shared ground array being retrospectively installed in a public highway.

The pioneering project,  Heat the Streets, is run by Kensa Utilities and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and represents a significant investment in the future of sustainable energy.

Each home involved in Heat the Streets will swap either carbon intensive oil or LPG fossil fuels for its own low carbon Kensa ground source heat pump that will provide 100% of the property’s heating and hot water year round.   Homeowners will pay a monthly standing charge to access the heat network, much like the existing gas connection fee.

The in-road ground source heat pump network, also known as Networked Heat Pumps, in Collins Parc, Stithians, will consist of 42 boreholes, drilled to an average depth of 106m. It allows homeowners to utilise the heat from the ground to keep their houses warm and reduce carbon emissions. The infrastructure emulates the existing gas grid and has been designed to accommodate future connections, allowing households who were not ready to change their heating system to connect at a later date.

Unlike traditional district heating, there is no need for a central plant, no heat loss around the network, and customers can still change their energy provider at will, promoting energy independence.

Heating accounts for around 30% of the UK’s carbon emissions and The Committee on Climate Change estimates 80% of the buildings that will be here in 2050 have already been built. As ground source heat pumps are electrically powered, non-combustion devices that emit no local emissions or air pollution, they will reduce the carbon output associated with heating each home by around 70%.

Wouter Thijssen, Managing Director of Kensa Utilities comments:

“It’s fantastic to have the first heat pump up and running on this landmark project which provides a blueprint for the decarbonisation of heating in the UK. Our model replicates the gas network with a pipe in the ground, a flat rate standing charge to consumers and a little white box in the house.

“Just as Burton Upon Trent was the first UK town to convert to natural gas in 1968 – at the time a cheaper, better, cleaner fuel than towns gas – we believe Stithians is the first UK town to convert to the 21st-century equivalent: networked heat pumps. Residents will have access to a network that will provide cheaper and cleaner heat for 100 years to come”.

Some locals have already been connected to a parallel scheme in Stithians which involves drilling a borehole into their front drive. They’re delighted with the results from their Kensa ground source heat pumps.

Caroline Bolitho, resident of Stithians who’s heat pump was switched on today comments:

“As a grandma I feel that I’m doing my bit for future generations and reducing my carbon footprint by having a ground source heat pump system which is important. I have been using oil heating before this and i feel really privileged and excited to have the system up and running.”

Jackie Barson, a resident of Stithians is already connected, she commented:

“I am happy with it.  It’s smart and efficient. It’ll take a few weeks to fully get to grips with the operation, but I have no regrets. I do know there are other residents who are disappointed they’re not part of the project.”

Kensa believes that street-by-street deployment of this infrastructure is the most efficient way for the country to reduce the carbon output associated with heating for the lowest overall system cost.

In order to make projects like Heat The Streets easily replicable across the country, effective zoning and the granting of statutory rights for heat networks are crucial.

For more information on Kensa Utilities and how they plan to enable the mass rollout of ground source heat pumps, please visit kensautilities.com

/0 Comments/by

Power for 3 Million Homes

Landmark Coire Glas in the Scottish Highlands could power 3 million homes and more than double GB electricity storage

SSE is providing a £100 million investment boost into what can be Britain’s biggest pumped hydro storage scheme in 40 years. The announcement has been made today as part of a visit by Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Michael Matheson, to SSE’s Pitlochry Dam and Hydro Station where he will welcome the investment news being made by executives from SSE.

More than doubling GB’s electricity storage capacity

Located on the shores of Loch Lochy, between Fort William and Inverness, the Coire Glas project is expected to require a capital investment of over £1.5 billion to construct and, if approved for final delivery, would be the first pumped hydro storage scheme to be built in the UK in 40 years.

The project, which received planning consent from the Scottish Government in 2020, would also more than double Britain’s total current electricity storage capacity – providing vital back up to an increasingly renewables-led system and bolstering energy security. SSE hopes to make a final investment decision on Coire Glas in 2024, subject to positive development progress and the prevailing policy environment, and to fully construct and commission the pumped storage scheme by 2031.

Powering 3 million homes

Once complete, Coire Glas would be capable of delivering 30GWh of long duration storage. The scheme would take excess energy from the grid and use it to pump water 500 meters up a hill from Loch Lochy to a vast upper reservoir equivalent to nearly 11,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools where it would be stored before being released to power the grid when wind output is low and customer demand is high.

At the flick of a switch, Coire Glas would begin generating enough renewable energy to be able to power three million homes in just under five minutes. Critically, the Coire Glas project could provide this level of firm, flexible power for up to 24 hours non-stop.

SSE’s £100m commitment to further developing Coire Glas comes as the leading low carbon energy infrastructure company awaits the UK Government’s decision on how it intends to financially support the deployment of long-duration electricity storage, as set out in last year’s British Energy Security Strategy.

This could include the introduction by the UK Government of a ‘revenue stabilisation mechanism’ in the form of an adapted Cap and Floor scheme to support investment in long-duration storage. This would also be alongside broader consideration of how the electricity market, including the Capacity Mechanism and the Flexibility Markets, value the contribution of low carbon flexible assets such as pumped storage.

One of the biggest engineering projects in the Scottish Highlands and the UK

Coire Glas is expected to be one of the biggest engineering projects in the Scottish Highlands since the 1943 Hydro Electric Development (Scotland) Act kickstarted the construction of major hydro-electric schemes across Scotland 80 years ago. At peak delivery, the project would create up to 500 full time construction roles.

“Today’s announcement is a significant and important milestone on the journey towards delivering the Coire Glas project. If built, Coire Glas will more than double Britain’s long duration electricity storage capacity – allowing the grid to more flexibly deploy renewable electricity. The Scottish Government has long been supportive of pumped hydro storage capacity, which we believe will play a key role in the energy transition and is a vital component of a more flexible, resilient and secure electricity supply.”

Michael Matheson, Net Zero and Energy Secretary

The Net Zero and Energy Secretary continued:

“However it is critical that the UK Government puts in place the appropriate market and regulatory arrangements to support the industry’s development as a matter of urgency. Only with a supportive policy environment can this sector realise its full potential.”

SSE plc Finance Director Gregor Alexander said:

“Coire Glas will be one of the most ambitious energy infrastructure projects the UK has ever seen and is a key component of SSE’s commitment to helping lead Scotland and the UKs’ energy transition.

“The £100 million investment we have announced today will help play a crucial role in further advancing the Coire Glas project towards a final investment decision in 2024, which will enable the project to move towards construction. If delivered around the turn of the decade, Coire Glas could play a crucial role in getting the UK to net zero.

“Our investment commitment today also signals a significant down-payment by SSE to keep this critical project moving forwards. And our ability to reach a positive final investment decision will clearly depend on the prevailing policy environment for long duration electricity storage and long-term infrastructure projects more broadly.

“Whilst Coire Glas doesn’t need subsidy, it does require more certainty around its revenues and it is critically important the UK Government urgently confirms its intention on exactly how they will help facilitate the deployment of such projects.”

Next steps for Coire Glas Project

The next phase of detailed project design and refinement, construction planning and procurement will progress through 2023 and into early 2024. Around half of the £100m development investment will now be allocated to the pre-construction refinement phase of the Coire Glas project, including a comprehensive package of site investigation works which have now commenced and will complete later this year.

These include the construction of a major exploratory tunnel to enable the project team to fully assess the geological conditions that will be encountered in constructing the scheme.

The delivery of Coire Glas is at the heart of SSE’s Net Zero Acceleration Programme, or NZAP, which commits to investing around £7m a day on critical low-carbon infrastructure needed in the net zero transition.

/0 Comments/by

UNCLEAR FUTURE ENERGY PLAN RISKS ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER COSTS

 

 

 

Chris Goggin of Rinnai looks at a new report from the National Audit Office on the 2035 target for decarbonisation

 

 

 

A new report from the National Audit Office, an independent parliamentary body responsible for auditing governmental expenditure, has warned that lack of a clear future plan to decarbonise gas usage could result in a lack of investment in future clean energy projects and therefore impose an increase on energy costs for all UK customers.

The report was quoted in national media as saying that: “the absence of a clear plan and the perception that there could be changes in government policies could deter external investors from providing funds for new infrastructure or lead them to increase the rates of return they require, ultimately increasing costs for energy consumers”.

A key component of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy is to generate all electricity by carbon reducing sources by 2035. However, 40% of all electricity is still produced via gas. 2035 is projected to experience a 60% increase in electrical demand as fossil fuels are planned to be replaced with widespread electrification and other clean gas alternatives.

Further reported in the national media was Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, who said:

“It is understandable that [the government] has focused on dealing with the immediate energy crisis over the past 12 months. But one consequence of this is that it lacks a delivery plan for decarbonising power by 2035, which is the backbone of its broader net zero ambition.”

He added that the longer it took for a plan to be drawn up, “the higher the risk that it does not achieve its ambitions, or it does so at a greater than necessary cost to taxpayers and consumers.”

It has been estimated that between £280 and £400 billion of investment is required to decarbonise the power sector, not including the research of new technologies and the construction of new networks.

A clear and centralized plan that is understood and endorsed by energy distributers and customers alike can accelerate progress, attract investment and safeguard future customer costs. Presently, the UK is not as an attractive investment opportunity as America.

To enhance the international investment profile of UK clean energy projects, an equivalent to the US Inflation Reduction Act should be designed and introduced soon. The Inflation Reduction Act means that clean energy projects will be rewarded with tax credits that can amount to 30% – 70% of the total capital costs of a project. The NAO has expressed concern regarding the lack of work in attracting future investors in UK future clean electricity production. Without widespread domestic and international investment UK aims of producing 100% clean electricity by 2035 are lessened.

Meg Hillier MP, chair of the public accounts committee, was quoted in The Guardian as saying:

“The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero [DESNZ] does not have a delivery plan for decarbonising electricity. While DESNZ has understandably been focusing on its immediate response to the energy crisis, I’m disappointed by its slow progress and lack of focus on the long-term. Without a delivery plan, it is unclear whether DESNZ’s targets are achievable.”

A DESNZ spokesperson was quoted in the same article as saying:

“Since the energy crisis caused by the war in the Ukraine our focus has been on delivering essential cost of living support, including paying half a typical household’s energy bills this winter, because this is the primary focus for families across the country.

“At the same time, the UK is decarbonising faster than any other G7 country … Our targets are ambitious; however we haven’t taken our foot off the pedal and our commitment to decarbonise the UK’s electricity system by 2035 remains resolute.”

Creating a Healthier Way of Living

CLICK HERE TO VISIT RINNAI UK

 CLICK HERE to email Rinnai UK

CLICK HERE For more information on the RINNAI product range visit

 

 

/0 Comments/by

GEZE exhibits at BAU

The world’s leading trade fair for architecture, material, and systems, BAU 2023 will be opening its doors from 17-22 April in Munich and GEZE, a specialist in door, window and safety technology will be exhibiting a range of innovative products, system solutions and services at the show.

 

Under the motto of “Liveable buildings: digital, sustainable, smart” GEZE will be exhibiting myGEZE Control: the next generation networking solution for smart buildings that is able to integrate door, window and safety technology into many different areas of a building management system.

 

In addition GEZE will be exhibiting several other new products; Revo.PRIME – an automatic revolving door system with a low canopy height and narrow profiles, the F 1200+ window drive, designed for large and heavy turn-and-tilt, and bottom hung windows up to 200kg leaf weight, and the TS 5000 SoftClose, perfect for anywhere where a doors needs to be closed securely, but with minimal sound.

 

The exhibition stand, which is 500sqm in size, will be located in Hall B1, stand 538-539, with representatives from GEZE UK on hand to offer advice and demonstrate products.

 

Said Andy Howland, GEZE’s Sales and Marketing Director, ‘The BAU exhibition is an important one for the whole of the construction industry with visitors from many countries. It is the perfect opportunity for GEZE to show our latest products and innovative solutions’.

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers

call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

For more information on the BAU exhibition visit https://bau-muenchen.com/en/

 

/0 Comments/by

New panel extends room control capabilities

Siemens continues to expand the offering from its KNX Gamma building control range with the release of the second generation of the KNX Touch Control TC5 panel.

 

Building on the success of its award-winning predecessor, the new version retains the elegant and modern design but offers a number of new features, further improving the aesthetics and the intuitive operating concept.

 

The 5” aluminium and glass panel device is available in a black or white finish and can be mounted in portrait or landscape orientations, making it suited to an even wider range of applications.

 

With its updated firmware, the TC5 offers the potential to operate as an all-in-one KNX room control device, with multiple pages to enable configuration of all desired room functions through the ETS software, including the display of data gathered by external sensors. This software also allows numerous settings, such as the three different options for temperature display on the homepage: internal sensor, external sensor or alternating every five seconds.

 

The room temperature controller supports a range of HVAC applications, from heating and ventilating to fan coils, VRF (variable refrigerant flow), chilled ceiling and floor heating. Comprehensive lighting functionality is provided for switching and dimming, as well as the capacity for Human Centric Lighting and solar protection through shading control. It also optimises indoor air quality, providing alerts for even the smallest of harmful particles such as PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and VOC (volatile organic compounds).

 

Up to five different alarm functions can be configured, with the option for acoustic and/or visual signalling. Security is enhanced through the device’s password protection, with window contact and proximity sensors also adding to its integrated automatic capabilities.

 

Recognising the importance of controlling a room’s conditions in achieving a productive and healthy working environment, the TC5 has also been designed with building performance and optimsed energy use in mind as part of the move towards smart buildings. While it is characterised by its capacity to customise a wide range of room comfort contributory factors, the ETS configuration can be used to lock various HVAC functions so that they cannot be over-ridden by the end user.

 

For further information on Siemens Building Products

www.siemens.co.uk/buildingtechnologies

For further information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure, please see
www.siemens.com/smart-infrastructure

/0 Comments/by

EXPORTS ARE VITAL TO THE UK, AND EA CEO SHOULD NOT UNDERMINE THEM

The Recycling Association has expressed its anger that the chief executive of the Environment Agency has undermined legitimate exports of recyclate by calling for an export ban.

Speaking at the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee in Parliament this week, Sir James Bevan gave his personal opinion that “sending certain wastes abroad is legal, but not right” amid saying he backed a ban on all exports of waste being exported.

The Recycling Association chief executive Simon Ellin said:

“Perhaps we are fortunate that Sir James is stepping down from his role at the end of this month, as this isn’t the first time he has overstepped the mark as a civil servant by giving his inaccurate personal opinion.

“As part of a global circular economy, we need to send materials back to where they were manufactured in the first place to be turned into new products. We’ve got to stop treating them as a waste, but recognise they are a commodity. Why should these commodities be banned from exports? Should we also ban imports of these commodities when needed by our industries?

“Often exports go to recycling facilities that are as good as, or sometimes better, than the ones we have in the UK, whether that is in Europe, Turkey, India, or South East Asia. These countries often have their own tough import restrictions and inspection regimes, and legitimate exporters work very hard to meet those.

“Surely this idea of a ban goes against the principles of free trade and will lead to a UK market that lacks competition and will inevitably lead to inefficiencies. It will also mean more UK material going to landfill and energy from waste, which is lower down the waste hierarchy.

“Clearly, we need investment in more UK recycling infrastructure and as an Association we always welcome that. Indeed, that is coming whether it is the new Shotton paper mill coming in the next few years, the investment being made by companies such as Mura Technology in plastic processing in Teesside and other projects from many other companies.

“Since 2015 and our Quality First campaign, we have been calling for the export bar to be set high. We’d like the Environment Agency to give us clear guidance on the quality we are permitted to export and our Members will meet it.”

Sir James reportedly said:

“The law is clear on what can be exported under what conditions. In our experience, the problem when we catch illegal exports is not that they misunderstand guidance, it’s a deliberate attempt.”

Simon Ellin responded:

“This is nonsense from Sir James. I don’t understand the regulations as it isn’t clear, top lawyers have told us the law doesn’t specify the conditions, and as an industry we have kept pushing for a clear picture over many years.”

He added that with the introduction of the Resources & Waste Strategy including Extended Producer Responsibility and Consistency of Collections, we should see more use of core materials in packaging and better quality when it is collected. This will help ensure we provide high standard commodities to the UK and export markets. By introducing clear specifications on export, along with digital waste tracking, it will bring more transparency and accountability to the market.

Simon Ellin added:

“The introduction of waste tracking, especially digital solutions such as the Traqa system, will help us have the evidence to show we send legitimate exports of material to state-of-the-art facilities abroad.

“If we know what we can legitimately export and we want this to be high quality, then resources can be targeted at genuine waste criminals who are the problem that undermine us all.

“I would question whether this is Sir James trying to cover his own back. The Environment Agency has spectacularly failed on tackling waste crime under his stewardship in my opinion. Waste crime has escalated, and banning exports will not be the solution, with criminals often getting away with it within the UK anyway.

“We have a horrendous problem with waste crime here, and the Environment Agency hasn’t done its job in tackling it, recruited enough people to crack down on it, or get enough funding out of the Government to sort it.

“He should have got his own house in order, without undermining the foundations of a successful UK recycling export industry.

“I just hope the next chief executive has the common sense not to spout their personal opinions, but gets on with the job of working with the recycling industry to allow legitimate exports of recyclate that benefits the UK.”

For more information, contact: The Recycling Association

chief executive Simon Ellin on 07970 549 536 or Paul Sanderson on 0774 778 5980

WEBSITE

 

 

 

 

/0 Comments/by

‘SWARM’ OF NON-COMPLIANT HEATING PUMPS

Pump industry leaders are calling on the government to clamp down on the ‘swarm’ of non-compliant central heating pumps being imported into the UK potentially costing consumers hundreds of pounds every year.

The appeal is being driven by increasing concerns that Far Eastern exporters have penetrated the traditional merchant distribution channels to target the UK, with more than 100,000 non-compliant pumps being sold in the UK every year.

Steve Schofield, Chief Executive of the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) says the UK is being swarmed by non-compliant pumps. “We estimate that circa 10% of the one million central heating pumps, technically known as circulators, being brought into the UK are non-compliant. It is a swarm; it is blatant and it is now over-the-counter. Once fitted, they are costing consumers hundreds of pounds every year on their heating bills, and it is seriously impacting the UK’s ability to meet its net zero obligations.”

The situation has deteriorated since April 2022 when the global microchip supply crisis was at its height, according to Mr Schofield. “The imported pumps use old-style AC motors that are less than half the price of permanent magnet motors equipped with microchips to vary the speed of the pump to reduce energy consumption. The non-compliant 3-speed pumps use circa 100 watts of energy compared to 30 watts for the permanent magnet design.”

Mr Schofield says supply restrictions encouraged wholesalers to source non-compliant products. “Supply chain issues, specifically problems with microchips, has brought the problem into the mainstream heating product distribution channels, with Far Eastern exporters taking advantage of high levels of demand and insufficient supply.”

Lee Tebbatt, Managing Director at Wilo UK and incoming Vice President of the BPMA, says that the key problem is in the stand-alone pump replacement market. “The stand-alone market, where a non-condensing boiler is being used with a hot water cylinder and header tank, is the target for non-compliant pumps. Typically, this market is circa one million units per year.”

Non-compliant pumps that Wilo experts have seen are being manufactured to look like genuine OEM pumps, even sometimes equipped with fake CE markings that stand for China Export. “We’re seeing pumps that are illegal in terms of their energy efficiency being disguised with fake CE markings. The installer won’t know that they are buying a fake pump over the counter and the consumer won’t know that it’s being fitted,” says Mr Tebbatt.

The UK government estimates that, based on 2021 energy prices, minimum energy performance standards from compliant pumps provide annual savings of £75 and greenhouse gas emissions savings of 8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e). This saving is now likely to be much higher due to recent increases in energy prices.

A clampdown from government is needed says Mr Schofield. “We have been very lax in the UK in terms of policing the market and eradicating non-compliant pumps. Continental European countries have much stricter regulatory policing regimes and are not being targeted in the same way.”

He continued: “It is the legal responsibility of the importer to ensure that only compliant pumps are brought into the UK. However, legal responsibility does not stop there. It is the distributor’s responsibility to only sell CE marked pumps and it is the installer’s responsibility to ensure that what they are fitting is compliant. We need the government to step in, empower the market surveillance authorities and clampdown to protect consumers and its own climate change targets.”

For more information about the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), please visit: www.bpma.org.uk

/0 Comments/by

“Our united voice has made a difference”

UK Government listens to BITA members’ call to relax immigration rules for skilled building trades as five construction occupations are added to the migration shortage list.

 

The British and Irish Trading Alliance (BITA), one of the UK’s leading non-profit business organisations, has warmly welcomed the decision by the UK Government’s official independent advisory body on migration issues to address chronic labour shortages across the construction sector.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended that five skilled building trades will now be added to its shortage occupation list, providing visas for overseas workers.

They are:

  • Bricklayers and masons
  • Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
  • Carpenters and joiners
  • Construction and building trades n.e.c.
  • Plasterers

 

UK Government advisers have been talking to industry stakeholders and representative bodies about the ongoing labour shortage and recruitment problems of the UK’s building industry.

BITA represents a wide cross-section of construction companies, from SME’s to large multinational corporations. Over a period of 18 months, its members have highlighted the fact that a lack of skilled trades such as bricklayers represented both a perfect storm for the UK building sector as well as a serious obstacle to the UK’s economic growth prospects.

 

Bridie Cunningham, who is Chair of the organisation’s London chapter, was instrumental in the effort of taking that message to politicians and policymakers.

“We listened to our members and decided we had to act. Our members were telling us loud and clear that this was an issue directly affecting, not just their business, but had far wider repercussions for society as a whole. It’s thanks to their collective efforts and by working together that we’ve made a difference.”

 

Paul Whitnell, President and founder of BITA, (the British and Irish Trading Alliance)  added,

“In July 2021 we brought together a coalition of industry practitioners, educational training charities and a range of other representative trade bodies to find common ground. Then we went to Government with a common-sense solution.

I’m so pleased to say that by working together we have been able to make a difference. This is direct proof of our ethos that “we can help more people and influence further as a collective.”  

 

BITA collected evidence from its members which emphasised the urgency of the situation and that labour shortages were not a short-term blip, but a long-term problem. It highlighted figures that show while more than two hundred thousand new construction workers are needed by 2025 just to meet existing demand, over the next decade more than half a million UK born construction workers are due to retire.

Its official proposal also emphasised the importance of cross-sector training initiatives and skills development. One of the bodies which united with BITA in their campaign was the construction industry charity, Lighthouse Club.

Bill Hill CEO of Lighthouse Club said,

“a career in construction is highly rewarding. It requires creativity and offers real financial rewards. While we need foreign workers now the long-term solution is to further improve training opportunities and investment in apprenticeships. “

 

In its report, published following the UK Chancellor’s Budget speech the Migration Advisory Committee said it recognised, ”a desire in the industry to increase domestic recruitment and improve workers’ career development opportunities.”

 

/0 Comments/by