£300m Wind Factory Images

New images of the mammoth £300million SeAH Wind factory were unveiled today as the project took yet another step forward.

Plans have now been submitted for the 40-metre-tall building, which will redefine the Teesside skyline and stand as tall as Stockton’s Infinity Bridge at its peak – or ten double-decker buses.

The facility, part of the Teesside’s Freeport, will sit on a 90-acre site adjacent to Teesworks’ £107million heavy-lift South Bank Quay. Its 1.13million sq ft footprint is four times the size of the Riverside Stadium and, when complete, will be the largest facility of its type in the world.

The factory services the offshore wind sector, producing monopiles that form the foundations of offshore wind turbine construction, will create 1,500 jobs in the supply chain and during construction when work begins in July. Once operational, a further 750 roles will be created.

SeAH Wind are also set to hold an event to meet local supply chain companies to let them know how they can get involved in the work, being led by construction consultants K2 Consultancy, on April 20 at Sedgefield’s Hardwick Hall.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “2022 is our year of construction and we are rebuilding a new skyline for Teesside – one that looks to the future and is creating hundreds of well-paid jobs in the cleaner, healthier and safer industries of tomorrow.

“It’s fantastic to see that both SeAH Wind and its construction consultants, K2 Consultancy, are committed to employing local workers and using the region’s talent and suppliers to deliver the facility. These aren’t just fancy pictures, they’ll start to be a reality, with spades in the ground coming in just a few short months.

How the new factory will look

“This latest move once again proves this scheme, along with other innovative projects taking place at Teesworks, are not pie-in-the-sky proposals. They are very real developments going ahead right now and delivering for local people.”

President & CEO of SeAHSteel Holdings, Joosung Lee said: “After acknowledging a solid and stronger business relationship, SeAH Wind and Teesworks have decided to set out a long journey together.

“I am sure that the remaining work will go smoothly with the support of TVCA and our local partners.  Bringing UK’s first monopile manufacturing facility is a very meaningful and significant project to the UK offshore wind industry.  We will make every effort to produce visible outcomes in every stage of the development.”

Cllr Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This is yet another example of positive progress being made in our area; in terms of both the creation of jobs, and the future of industry in the north east. 1500 supply chain jobs and 750 positions upon completion of the project is a significant number and we are proud to be becoming a leading area for clean, renewable energy.”

Source: The Northern Echo

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Nuclear Power Stations May be scaled up to help UK energy

The UK could massively scale up its nuclear power capability by 2050 – with new stations having far greater capacity, it is understood.

The Business Secretary has suggested six or seven new sites could be in operation by that point, with all but one of Britain’s existing plants set to be decommissioned by 2030.

The PA news agency understands that while the number of stations is likely to remain similar to now, the plan is for each new site to be far more powerful than those they will replace, significantly pushing up the UK’s capacity.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that Boris Johnson is preparing to announce plans to expand the Government’s commitment to move forward with new large-scale nuclear power stations this decade.

The newspaper said the plan had been to back one by 2024, but it is thought the new ambition will be to support the construction of two by 2030.

The move to scale up nuclear power production will reportedly form part of a major expansion of homegrown energy in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.

It comes as the Government’s energy security strategy is expected to be unveiled on Thursday.

Asked about the scale of the its nuclear ambitions, Kwasi Kwarteng told The Sunday Telegraph: “There is a realisation across Government that we could do more on nuclear.

“With energy, you’re thinking maybe 30, even 40 years [ahead]. If we fast forward to 2050, there is a world where we have six or seven sites in the UK. That isn’t going to happen in the next two years, but it’s definitely something that we can aspire to.

“The Prime Minister said, in terms of the energy generation mix, we could see maybe a quarter of that being nuclear. I’d say 15 to 25 per cent. But obviously in the first three years you’re not going to suddenly have six new nuclear stations in three years. It’s physically impossible to do that.”

Source: The Dorset Echo

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New qualification programme launched for timber engineering professionals

Trainees, Leah Walters left and Jenni Bunny

A new generation of timber engineering specialists are set to benefit from a new training and qualification scheme for designers involved in the trussed rafter industry.

The Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) launched its new Designer Development Programme at a special careers event held this month to help address skills shortages in the industry.

Timber trussed rafters are a very popular, low carbon structural solution for complex roofscapes in housing and other buildings, and are an example of category 3 MMC (pre-manufactured components in Modern Methods of Construction). Almost every TRA member company is looking to recruit new talent into timber engineering roles, particularly designers.

 

TRA chief executive Nick Boulton said:

 

“The Designer Development Programme is a great step forward for our industry, providing a clear training and qualification programme that we believe will enhance the attractiveness of timber engineering as a career choice and will provide formal recognition of the very high technical and business skills required in trussed rafter design. It offers the next generation of designers a structured programme for their development and will provide them with a series of certificates and evidence books to show their progress and increasing experience.”

 

The TRA’s Designer Development Programme has seven levels and is based on the completion of evidence books in which trainee designers must prove their knowledge and experience, and put theory into practice via five roof design scenarios.

Before starting the Designer Development Programme, candidates must have completed introductory systems training and the TRA online Essentials Training, developed with Edinburgh Napier University.

Then having moved onto the new qualification programme, each set of evidence books is expected to take around six months to a year to complete, giving the trainees plenty of opportunities to encounter a full range of design briefs in the course of their work. They must show their awareness of the commercial and technical aspects of the projects and include proof of their knowledge of safety, efficiency and best practice.

Throughout the programme there are checkpoints at which the evidence books are assessed by an in-house assessor for the first four levels, and externally, by a TRA registered assessor, thereafter.

So far seven trainees have started level one of the Designer Development Programme. Level two is now also available.

 

One of those trainees is Leah Walters. Leah works at Donaldson Timber Engineering in Derbyshire and started her career as a receptionist before deciding to re-train as a designer. She took part in the beta testing for the new training programme and will soon be submitting her evidence books to her in-house assessor.

She said: “It’s great to have been involved in testing the programme. My assessor, David Murphy, has helped me make sure that I’ve experienced all the necessary types of roof design in my day-to-day work so that I can include them in my evidence books, and has supported me throughout.

“It was hard at first because I was new to design, but the books are interactive and link you to helpful notes at the back which play a really big part in your understanding. The books are easy to navigate and it’s straightforward uploading your designs.

“I haven’t felt under pressure to complete the books. I just set aside a few hours a week and felt I was learning on the job. It’s made me think more about feasibility, safety and the commercial aspects of a project before starting the design.”

 

Jenni Bunny is a trainee designer at ETS Trusses in Shrewsbury. She is on level one of the programme and said: “Since being on the programme it makes you think differently about jobs. I’m more commercially aware. You have to consider the viability and saleability and the manufacturing side. And of course, really important, the logistics – can we deliver it?

“My mentor at work has said he’s delighted with the progress I’ve made in just 15 months with the company, which has made me feel proud of myself. The great thing is that we now have a structured programme to show our knowledge and development as we progress and get more experienced.”

 

The Designer Development Programme has been developed by the TRA’s training committee led by Richard George, managing director of timber engineering software provider MiTek.

Other member companies involved in creating the programme include Wolf Systems, ETS, ITW Construction Products  Donaldson Timber Engineering, Armstrong Timber Engineering, National Timber Systems, Arnold Laver, Pasquill,, Trussform DWB Group and Crendon Timber.

The TRA represents the trussed rafter and metal web joist industry in the UK and Ireland. Members include the principal manufacturers of trussed rafters, metal web joists, suppliers and professionals involved in roof truss and engineered wood floor joist design and manufacture.

 

www.tra.org.uk

 

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Schüco to present Dublin’s first Zak World of Façades

Schüco is proud to be the presenting partner at the 88th Zak World of Façades on 6 April at The Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland. The international conference series on façade and design engineering takes place in over 30 countries across the globe, with this being the first edition hosted in Dublin.

 

The event will showcase sustainable innovations and challenges in the construction industry pertaining to the building envelope. On display will be the latest technological solutions from leading solution suppliers.

 

Attendees will hear from experts in the domain of façade design, engineering, procuring and execution. The one-day conference will feature an exhibition, presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

 

Stefan Trifonov, Head of Engineering for Schüco UK and Ireland, will present Unconventional Perspectives on Sustainability, where he will discuss sustainability from a system design point of view, the benefits of local off-site façade manufacturing and highlight case studies in Dublin.

 

Stefan commented, “I am very excited to be speaking at Zak Dublin. It’s going to be a fantastic event and I am looking forward to seeing my friends and colleagues from across the industry to discuss sustainable façade solutions.”

 

To register for Zak World of Façades Dublin,

PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

 

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Target Windows – a caring company

CHARITY SUPPORT FOR ANTHONY LOCKLEY

Stoke-on-Trent based company Target Windows has pledged charity support for friend Anthony Lockley, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at the end of 2021.

Target Windows is part of a group aiming to fundraise £1,500 to support Anthony and his family.

All of the funds raised will go towards meeting the costs of care and equipment for Anthony, including physiotherapy aids, equipment, and house adaptations. This support will be vital for the road ahead as the family learn to live with MND, with the hope of granting Anthony a better quality of life.

This incredible cause has already garnered much support with £1,210 raised by 34 supporters so far through a Just Giving Crowdfunding page. Now Target has launched its very own Just Giving Crowdfunding page to help boost this total for Anthony and his family.

MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, casing weakness over time. While there is no cure, treatments such as physiotherapy and medicines can reduce the impact the disease has on a person’s daily life, to help them live with the condition for years to come.

This is not the first time that Target Windows has dedicated time and money to raise funds for causes important to them. In August 2021, a team from Target completed the Three Peaks Challenge and raised £1,315 for Dogs Trust, a charity which is also close to their hearts.

Target Windows is a Staffordshire-based company, part of Stone and Stoke for almost 40 years, extending into Uttoxeter and beyond. This family-owned and run businesses is built on quality, trust, and hard work, and has grown from strength to strength over the last four decades. Target specialises in single-story extensions, window and door installation, build of orangeries and conservatories, and a range of home improvements services across Staffordshire.

 

Target Windows

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“Heat pumps a financially irrational purchase”, concludes new study

Buying a heat pump is a financially irrational investment according to a new study from the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), who examined a range of decisions with modern capital investment appraisal techniques used by economists and accountants.

The analysis, for the first time, combines both the upfront costs to install a heat pump compared to a new gas boiler, with annual running costs for a heat pump with a range of efficiencies.

It concludes that heat pumps do save carbon compared to a gas boiler, but from a strictly financial perspective, they are not a good investment and should not be considered as a cash saving purchase.

The study also examines the effectiveness of the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme subsidy, concluding that it is still not sufficient to make buying a heat pump a financial rational investment.

 

Mike Foster, CEO of EUA said:

“Heat pumps save carbon but cost you more. It’s really that simple. All too often, heat pumps are being suggested as a way to save money. They don’t. In fact, it is financially irrational to invest in a heat pump if your motive is to save cash.”

“This study confirms how financially illiterate it is for consumers living in homes with solid walls to consider a heat pump rather than a gas boiler, with additional insulation measures making an already bad idea, even worse.”

“The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a subsidy of £5000 to help pay the upfront costs of a heat pump, makes the investment more palatable but it still fails the test set by modern capital investment appraisal techniques. It is merely a cash handout to those who were already considering buying a heat pump to save carbon.”

“At a time when gas prices have doubled, the study concludes that switching to a heat pump is still not an economic thing to do. And when people are rightly concerned about their energy bills, organisations selling heat pumps as a cost saving measure are misleading people. That is totally unacceptable behaviour.”

“These numbers make it crystal clear that the way to decarbonise homes currently using natural gas boilers is to switch to a net zero gas, not rip out the boiler. It is economically irrational to fit heat pumps, so converting the gas networks to hydrogen is the only sensible approach.”

 

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The country is not ready for the impact of climate change

Flood resistant homes in the Netherlands

With flooding once again striking many parts of Britain, with thousands of homes and businesses at risk following the latest storms, Justin Meredith, MD of Floodline Consulting, believes the current planning permission policy is fundamentally flawed, and is preventing the construction of flood-resistant homes.  He comments: “If Noah were trying to build his Arc today, would he get planning approval? The answer is no, and he would also be also refused should he wish to appeal.”

It can be argued that Noah (Genesis 5:32) was the first to build a flood resilient house due to climate change.  Constructed as a land based structure, capable of habitable accommodation and yet able to rise with the predicted flood waters keeping the occupants and building safe at all times.

The Sequential Test flaw: The design or adaptability of a house needs to be taken into account as part of the Sequential Test analysis from the beginning of the planning permission process. It examines whether there are alternative sites at less risk of flooding, and it currently excludes the design features of what is proposed.  It is only after passing the sequential test that the design is taken into consideration. There is no science to underpin this analysis, which makes the test subjective and almost impossible to pass if contested.  Meredith suggests: “Noah would have been refused permission to build his arc as the planners would have ignored its unique flood-resistant design and would have sought alternative locations on which to build housing,”

Adapt or Die:
The Environment Agency issued a stark warning to the Government in its report, ‘Adapt or Die,’ published 13 October 2021, which stated that: ‘adaptation – becoming resilient to the effects of climate change – is just as vital as mitigation.

“Some 200 people died in this summer’s flooding in Germany. That will happen in this country sooner or later, however high we build our flood defences, unless we also make the places where we live, work and travel resilient to the effects of the more violent weather the climate emergency is bringing. It is adapt or die. … So let’s prepare, act and survive.” And it concludes ‘The country is not ready for the impact of climate change.’

Meredith comments: “This plea appears to be ignored by the Government, as the planning system, which is the key, is positively geared against considering new technologies, and innovative design, such as adaptation, flood proof, or flood resilient design, continue to be resisted.

Meredith continues: “The Government’s white paper ‘Review of Policy for Development in Areas at Flood Risk’ July 2021, does little to provide any confidence that the key policy makers have any understanding of the issues involved, nor an understanding that their policy actively prevents adaptation and innovation.

The solution is simple: The Policy needs to recognise design and the adaptability of that design to account for climate change from the outset of the planning making process. Clear guidance on how to apply an inclusive Sequential Test is required. It is a simple solution to a difficult problem that can be so easily fixed.  There is an opportunity for the new housing minister, Stuart Andrew, to demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues and look for solutions which to date the Government have failed to do.

At the moment, for Noah to build his Arc, he had better look to foreign shores.”

Floodline Consulting

Justin Meredith on 07702 218533 or jmeredith@floodlineconsulting.co.uk

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Get up to date With GEZE’s latest Product Guide

GEZE UK, has updated its Product Guide and Price List to help architects, architectural ironmongers and specifiers choose the most effective product for their needs.

 

The detailed, illustrated technical guide provides specifiers with essential information about GEZE’s extensive range of door closers, window control systems, sliding door fittings, glass door fittings, and smoke and heat extraction systems.

Created to be completely user-friendly, the guide is divided into five easy to use sections so that the comprehensive range of products can be found quickly and efficiently, whilst also providing users with a handy reference guide to the applications of all GEZE products.

It includes technical drawings, application descriptions and finishes as well as glass preparation information and technical information on a wide variety of solutions for toughened glass.

The Product Guide is available electronically

or as hard copy.

To order a copy call 01543 443015

or email info.uk@geze.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Howland, Sales and Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said: “The industry is constantly changing, new guidelines and legislation are introduced regularly and GEZE continually innovates to ensure that our products remain at the forefront of technological innovations.

With this in mind, we publish our comprehensive Product Guide each year so that specifiers have all the information they could need in an easy to use format.”

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Obsidiana COMPAC – 100% recycled 100% recyclable

Obsidiana COMPAC is a truly pioneering surface material made from 100% recycled glass and is itself 100% recyclable, making it the first worksurface in the World to offer a totally sustainable solution.

 

Compac have been able to create this unique worksurface without compromising its beauty versatility or performance. Obsidiana COMPAC can be specified with confidence for kitchen worksurfaces, feature walls and wall cladding, splash backs, bathrooms and shower trays.

Obsidiana COMPAC is available in two extraordinary collections – Volcano and Astral both offering high resistance to abrasions, impact, chemicals and water absorption.

 

COMPAC’s commitment to produce safe, circular, and sustainable products is underpinned by a number of prestigious design and sustainability awards Obsidiana COMPAC has won following its launch in 2020.

For over 45 years COMPAC have been committed to the environment leading the way by using renewable energies in the manufacture of products, harvesting rainwater and recycling it for use throughout their factories, using organic resins and planting thousands of trees as part of an ongoing reforestation programme.

 

www.compac.es

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SPRING BUDGET – SOME GOOD NEWS

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has praised Chancellor Rishi Sunak for putting energy and carbon reduction at the heart of his Spring Statement.

The Association particularly welcomed Sunak’s decision to bring forward business rate relief on plant and machinery used in onsite renewable energy generation and storage by a year and to provide 100% tax relief on eligible low carbon heat networks.

These initiatives will be a significant boost to the UK’s plans for decarbonising buildings and could save businesses more than £200m while helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions, according to BESA.

The Chancellor’s decision to abolish VAT on the installation of domestic energy saving measures, including insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps, for five years from April 1 was also warmly welcomed.  The Association said this would help to drive uptake of carbon reducing technologies and cut energy bills for millions of households.

The Chancellor has cut VAT on heat pump installations from 5% to zero and considerably simplified the rules about which types of heat pump qualify. Previously, those used for cooling were not eligible for the reduced tax rate, but the only rule that applies now is that the installation must be capable of heating the home.

“The cut in VAT is a welcome incentive for business and domestic users, but equally helpful is the simplification of what had been unnecessarily complex tax rules around heat pumps,” said BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox.

Confused

“Previously, air source heat pumps of the split air conditioning type had been specifically ruled out from the reduced VAT scheme,” he explained. “This rule was amended last year, but people were still confused. So, following lengthy talks between the BESA and HMRC, the guidance has been updated to clarify that air source reverse cycle heat pump air conditioners can be treated in the same way as monobloc heat pumps for VAT purposes.”

Sunak said Brexit had given him the freedom to be more radical with tax policy.

“Thanks to Brexit, we are no longer constrained by EU law,” the Chancellor said. “So, I can announce that for the next five years, homeowners having materials like solar panels, heat pumps or insulation installed will no longer pay 5% VAT. They will pay zero.

“We will also reverse the EU’s decision to take wind and water turbines out of scope and zero rate them as well. And we will abolish all the red tape imposed on us by the EU.”

The Chancellor is also doubling the size of the Household Support Fund to £1bn, which he said could be used by local authorities to provide more financial support to fuel poor households.

BESA said it was now looking forward to the publication of the government’s Energy Security Strategy, expected next week, which should further underpin plans for making buildings more energy efficient.

“Retrofitting millions of homes and thousands of commercial buildings will be essential to cut carbon emissions and improve our energy security,” said Fox. “These progressive tax moves are a good start towards a more ambitious national programme that will be needed to tackle lifecycle carbon emissions and set us properly on the path to net zero.”

He also urged the government to consult with the industries directly involved in the decarbonisation of heat, such as building services, to fully understand the implications of its policy proposals not least on the need for investment in training and skills.

“The new incentives will increase demand for competent companies and skilled individuals able to work with these technologies to ensure installations achieve their maximum potential,” said Fox.

“We must, therefore, work together to develop a national training programme for low carbon heating to ensure we have the skills to deliver solutions on a scale that can both help tackle climate change and give consumers protection from rising bills.”

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