5.5 gigawatts of clean energy by 2023

Global wind and solar company, Mainstream Renewable Power, has signed an agreement with the renewable energy investment company Aker Horizons (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aker ASA) which will take a 75% equity stake in the company, subject to regulatory approval. The deal values Mainstream at EUR1 billion (including a potential earn-out of up to EUR 100 million in 2023 and subject to customary adjustments) which represents a significant return for shareholders of up to 5.5 times investment. The agreement paves the way for a rapid acceleration of Mainstream’s global expansion plans to bring 5.5 Gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar assets to financial close by 2023.

The company, founded by Dr Eddie O’Connor in 2008, has significant interests across Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, as well as in the global offshore wind sector, with over 1.2 GW of major capital projects currently under construction. Mainstream has a major market presence in Chile, Africa, and Vietnam, as well as assets in development in other countries including the Philippines, Australia, and Colombia. The company will remain focused on delivering its ~10 GW global development pipeline and growing its portfolio in existing as well as new markets, with the full backing of the Aker ASA group.

Under the terms of the agreement, the company will continue to operate as Mainstream, led by its CEO Mary Quaney and supported by its established and experienced leadership team.  Eddie O’Connor will remain as Chairman, retaining a significant minority interest in the business and all existing shareholders will have the opportunity to reinvest alongside him ahead of a planned IPO of Mainstream within the next two to three years.

Commenting on the deal, Mainstream’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mary Quaney said:

“We are delighted to have such a highly respected business as Aker Horizons on board, enabling Mainstream to materially accelerate its growth plans to deliver a global portfolio of wind and solar assets. We plan to bring 5.5 GW of renewable assets to financial close globally by 2023, which sets us firmly on track to becoming one of the world’s first pure-play renewable energy majors.”  

Mainstream’s founder and Chairman Dr Eddie O’Connor said:

“This partnership is the crucial next step in the vision we set out for Mainstream in 2008 to lead the global transition to renewable energy and rid the world of CO2 emissions. It means we can widen our scope for entry into new markets and further deepen and expand our leadership position in existing ones, such as in Chile where we will soon be supplying the equivalent of one in seven Chilean homes with power from our wind and solar facilities. Critically, Aker Horizons shares our vision, mission and values, making it the right partner for Mainstream. Together with such an exceptional partner we will strengthen our position as a leader in the global energy transition during this critical decade.”

Kristian Røkke, Chief Executive Officer of Aker Horizons, said:

“We are thrilled to partner with Mainstream as we accelerate our journey of what we call planet-positive investing. Mainstream’s role as a pioneer in renewables and its strong entrepreneurial culture is a good fit as we carve out our path forward in the energy transition. Through the acquisition of Mainstream, Aker Horizons will gain a platform to drive forward its plans in renewable energy and position itself in a growing market for hybrid projects.”

Rothschild & Co acted as financial adviser to Mainstream on the Transaction and Linklaters, Byrne Wallace and Philip Lee acted as legal advisors on the Transaction.

About Mainstream Renewable Power

Mainstream Renewable Power is the world’s only independent developer of utility-scale wind and solar power assets with a global footprint. The company is focused on expanding its current development pipeline of ~10 GW of wind and solar assets across Latin America, Africa, Asia Pacific as well as the global offshore wind sector.

 

 

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Södra diversifies its UK range of flame retardant treated timber products

Södra, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of sustainable timber, has diversified its range of flame retardant treated timber products available to the UK market, with its C260 and C260 Xterior.  

 For centuries, timber has been used in countless construction products, both indoors and outdoors, but today’s rigorous fire protection requirements run the risk of limiting creative expression. This is the view of Lars Broström, Sales Manager for Special Products at Södra, who believes that Södra’s new C260 and C260 Xterior products offer a much-needed solution to this problem.

Lars further comments: “Whether you’re an architect, developer or contractor, Södra’s C260 and C260 Xterior timber makes meeting fire safety regulations straightforward.”

Södra’s C260 and C260 Xterior are treated in Sweden by Woodsafe, one of Scandinavia’s leading companies in flame retardant treated timber products. The name C260 is a reference to the ignition temperature of wood. Both products are CE-certified in accordance with EN 14915: 2013 and Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305: 2011. When using C260 Xterior, there are no requirements for surface treatments, creating optimal conditions for timber’s natural ageing process.

“For C260, the flame retardant treatment chemical is applied using a high-pressure vacuum process,” explains Lars. “When this fluid is exposed to fire it releases carbon dioxide, which suffocates flames much like a fire extinguisher. This is what makes C260 the best choice for both safety and aesthetics. What’s more, C260 Xterior also requires very little maintenance.”

C260 Xterior provides the same level of flame retardant protection as C260, but the timber is given an additional weatherproofing according to EN16755, making it ideal for outdoor use without any further treatments. The flame retardant treatment fluid is embedded into timber fibres at a cellular level, so it can’t be washed away by rain or harsh weather conditions.

“The C260 Xterior flame retardant treatment can be applied to a wide range of different timber types without the need to apply topcoat,” continues Lars. “Now you can use timbers such as cedar, larch or heat-treated pine to build flame retardant protected structures while preserving the natural grain of the timber.”

Both C260 and C260 Xterior can be used for a wide range of applications; a benefit Lars describes as offering “freedom to be creative with your building projects.” Applications include:

 

  • Cladding for walls and ceilings
  • Sound-absorbing cladding
  • Arenas and sports facilities
  • Lecture halls and auditoriums
  • Music venues and concert halls

 

It can also be applied to a number of attractive timber types, such as Western Red Cedar, heat-treated timber and larch. Södra’s flame retardant treated timber panels can be painted in any solid colour, remaining compliant with fire regulations for: façade cladding, decorative elements, roofs and walls, balconies, and construction work, as long as it meets reaction to fire properties.

www.sodra.com

 

 

 

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EUROBRICK FOR MODULAR SCHOOLS INNOVATION

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Leading brick slip cladding specialist, Eurobrick, has been supplying its systems to the education sector for 30 years and, more recently, with offsite construction specialist Reds10 to supply two new school projects in Reading; Green Park Village Primary Academy and Addington School.

Green Park Village Primary Academy is a new two-storey primary school that is situated within a new housing development of 1400 homes. Designed and built using a steel framed volumetric modular design, the 2,400m2 school project also benefits from SMART building technology to create an energy efficient space.

Eurobrick’s P-Clad system was chosen as part of a number of finishes for the exterior, with around 1200m2 installed with specially cut 22mm thick Vandersanden Corum brick slips and corners and Eurobrick’s specially formulated Europoint mortar in Light Sandstone.

The development was shortlisted for two categories at the Offsite Awards and one at the Building Awards 2020.

Addington School is for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. They needed to expand capacity due to an increase in applications, so Wokingham Borough Council embarked on a project to create a new space for Sixth Form pupils which would allow an additional 50 places at the school.

This 1000m2 steel framed volumetric modular design was created by HLM Architects and delivered by Reds10. Around 512m2 of P-Clad was installed with specially cut 22mm Olivier Karma White Grey stock brick slips and finished with Light Grey Europoint mortar. Whole bricks were also supplied for landscaping works.

The school won the School Procurement Awards and the Education Business Awards 2020.

P-Clad has proved very popular in the education sector with schools and universities alike. It is specially designed so that it can be fixed directly to steel frame structures as well as other batten or bracket systems, and is ideal for providing a brick finish rainscreen on prefabricated structures. As well as being extensively tested to achieve BBA certification, P-Clad is LABC registered and comes with Eurobrick’s own 25 year product guarantee.

These eye-catching buildings provide essential spaces for education that are sustainable and innovative in their design and delivery and show the quality and versatility that modular construction can offer.

 

You can find out more about Eurobrick’s systems and products at www.eurobrick.co.uk.

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Automatic wall divides stepped lecture theatre

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As part of a £1.7m investment, Loughborough University recently remodelled Quorn Hall into an impressive 560-seat lecture theatre. Adding functionality to the new facility, Style was contracted to install a 57dB Dorma Hüppe Variflex ComfortDrive moveable wall system with fully automatic operation, allowing the vast space to be divided into two separate areas.

A complex project, Style was specified by Core Architects to design a system that not only accommodated the exceptionally high ceiling but that also incorporated the stepped-rise of the seating.

The final installation allows University staff to divide the space at the press of a button, with the operable wall gliding effortlessly along a dedicated central channel between the seating. Creating an unparalleled acoustic barrier, substantial rubber seals expand to just the right pressure, allowing concurrent lectures to run completely undisturbed.

An integrated pass door provides access between the divided rooms whilst an oak laminate finish adds to the stunning interior design.

Loughborough University is one of the country’s leading universities with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with business and industry and unrivalled sporting achievement.

Quorn Hall originally housed a sports hall, changing rooms, offices and a small lecture theatre. The re-development project to create the new, much larger lecture theatre had to be carried out whilst the main building and café facilities were in constant use.

Because of the complexity of the project, Style had to work particularly closely with Wildgoose Construction, who was responsible for lifting 2 x 26 metre steel supports into place by crane, lowering them via chains through pockets cut into the roof.

“Dividing such a cavernous lecture theatre with a fully automated moveable wall takes careful planning and the very best on-site project management,” said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands.

“We therefore developed a close working partnership with both the architect and contractor to install a product which is utterly breath-taking.

 

www.style-partitions.co.uk

 

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Innovative cladding fire detection system undergoes testing

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A cladding fire detection system that could offer a lifeline to thousands affected by the UK’s cladding crisis is undergoing a critical period of testing with one of the UK’s leading testing bodies, the Fire Protection Association.

Intelliclad, created by Darron Brough and Mohammed Zulfiquar, believe that their sensor, which would be retrofitted to integrate into the cladding system of high-risk buildings, can provide a smarter, faster and more cost efficient method of monitoring fire safety when compared to the controversial Waking Watch.

Darron and son Ryan Brough bring decades of experience in the façade industry with a focus on safe aluminium cladding to the project, while Mohammed Zulfiquar, owner and founder of Datatecnics Corporation, has 30 years experience in computer science and nanotechnology.

Each sensor is connected to a control system that, in the event of a fire, can uniquely send an alert to all residents via a smartphone app.

This gives residents and the fire service valuable information on the location and relative spread of fire across the building throughout the incident in real time.

The system is currently undergoing final testing at the Fire Protection Association’s headquarters in Moreton-in-Marsh after three years and around £500,000 of research and development investment.

Intelliclad Managing Director, Darron Brough, said: “We started this intelliclad journey because we wanted to put our expertise to good use to try and help those who are suffering with mental health issues, crippling bills and concerns for their safety as a result of living in an unsafe building.

“Our system offers a smarter and faster alternative to the Waking Watch – we want to give residents a greater peace of mind and greatly reduce the cost of safety which they should be entitled to.

“From our perspective, testing with the Fire Protection Association has been a huge success and we await confirmation of these results over the coming weeks as data is analysed, which we believe will allow us to move forward and start to really help people.”

There is much controversy surrounding Waking Watch, which has recently been labelled a ‘national scandal’ by Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick, who criticised the cost for the service, averaging up to £499 per dwelling per month often passed on directly to residents, as a ‘rip-off’.

A number of stories have also appeared in recent months highlighting a lack of fire safety training for Waking Watch staff, as well as instances where they have fallen asleep or been caught watching tv, putting residents lives at risk.

Mr Brough said: “We have put our heart and soul into this project for the last three years and we are well aware of just how important an issue this is right now.

“From the impact on residents’ mental health, to the very real threat of loss of life as a result of dangerous cladding, we want to do our part to end this scandal and help those affected move forward.”

 

For more information, contact info@intelliclad.co.uk

 

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MICROBOX 125 FROM VECTAIRE

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Photo courtesy of Aberystwyth University

 

Vectaire’s Microbox 125/2DC MEVs were chosen to ventilate the new, en-suite student rooms in the refurbished Grade 11 Listed Pantycelyn Hall of Residence at Aberystwyth University.

This prestigious project required discreet, but effective ventilation (now even more essential to control the spread of COVID-19).  The Microbox, provides this.  It is a low energy product which runs continuously, quietly and efficiently,  extracting pollutants and controlling condensation.  This in-line unit is slim (less than 184 mm deep) so is particularly suited for installation where space is at a premium.  It is easy to install, requires only one discharge grille and uses the minimum amount of ductwork (therefore fewer fire dampers and less coring),   There is a variable choice of low (trickle), boost and purge speeds at installation.  It is IPX4 rated, SAP PCDB Listed and UK manufactured.

 

 

 

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The k-briq – 90% reduction in emissions

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Professor Gabriela Medero with the K-Briq

 

A new recycled brick, made using a tenth of the energy of a standard clay brick, has been named STEM Research Project of the Year at the UK’s Times Higher Education awards.

The brainchild of academics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the K-Briq was recognised by competition judges as an ‘important contribution…to sustainable construction worldwide’ and ‘a potential game changer’.

Up to 90% of the the K-Briq’s constituents come from building-site waste, with the unfired production process said to take two to three minutes, as opposed to up to 40 hours for traditional fired bricks. The process has also been shown to reduce C02 emissions by 90%.

A spin-off company, Kenoteq, has now established a production process with a goal of manufacturing as many as 3 million K-Briq’s by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, a flagship project has been established for 2021, with the new Serpentine Pavilion in London set to use the new bricks in its construction.

The university project that resulted in the development of the K-Briq was led by Professor Gabriela Medero from the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, and Dr Sam Chapman, managing director of Kenoteq.

Professor Gabriela Medero, said, “We set out to create a building product that could embed sustainability at the heart of the construction industry. Globally, construction accounts for 39% of the world’s total CO2 emissions so tackling this challenge will have a huge impact on the sustainability of the sector as we push towards net zero targets. This award is testament to the tireless work of our interdisciplinary team of civil, structural, chemical and mechanical engineers, architects, chemists and geologists who have collaborated for more than a decade to bring K-Briq to market.”

 

Source: Construction Europe

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CHANGES TO FIRE SAFETY WELCOME BUT NOT ENOUGH

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The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) welcomes the changes to Fire Safety : Approved Document B (ADB) which come into force today, 26th November 2020

However we do question does the measure go far enough?

The changes with regard to the mandatory installation of automatic fire sprinklers in England, affect new build, material alteration, material change of use and extensions. The main points being

The height threshold for the provision of sprinklers is reduced from 30m down to 11m.

BS9251 or BS EN 12845 continue to be recommended for sprinkler system installations in flats.

There will be no recommendation for sprinklers to be provided in common areas when these are fire sterile (lacking in combustible materials.)

The new provisions will apply to extensions so that sprinkler protection and wayfinding signage will be necessary in any newly formed accommodation in buildings with a floor 11m or more above ground level.

BAFSA questions whether the requirement should have been extended to all new built flats, no matter the height. Evidence has shown that automatic fire sprinklers protect residents of flats from fire, they limit fire spread protecting means of escape for residents, they also protect Firefighters who attend such fires.

It is also a proven fact that automatic fire sprinklers reduce property and contents damage from fire by extinguishing or controlling the fire in its early stages.

This evidence applies equally to flats below 11 metres as well as those above that height, perhaps an opportunity missed?

 

However, this legislation will help to protect both the lives of future occupants and also help to preserve much needed accommodation for our growing population.

BAFSA is dedicated to making sure that sprinkler systems are installed to the highest professional standards. When properly installed by competent contractors, automatic fire sprinkler systems have a well proven track record for reliability and effectiveness; and BAFSA prides itself that all installer members must be certificated by one of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service’s approved third party certification schemes.

 

BAFSA

 

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COVID-19 SOLUTION FOR VENTILATION

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Gilberts has the Covid-19 solution for ventilation with standard MFS Ventilation units

As new guidance on the role of good ventilation in addressing COVID incidence is published(1), Gilberts has announced its Hybrid MFS ventilation already achieve compliance.

“The over-riding message of all relevant guidance in relation to COVID and building services is to increase the ventilation- to increase the amount of air changes and minimise CO2 levels to below 1000ppm,” explains Roy Jones, Gilberts’ Technical Director. “Our MFS can already deliver that requirement, giving peace of mind to existing users: MFS is the current product of choice for schools and has been successfully installed thousands of times to provide clean fresh air to the occupants.”

For further customer re-assurance, Gilberts Blackpool Limited has still further developed new COVID-19 modes for the stand-alone MFS hybrid mechanical/natural ventilation units. The options require no additional accessories nor equipment. In many cases, the building services manager can personally execute the change, just by pushing a few buttons.

By changing the settings on the control menu on its bespoke MFS Controller, the air is provided with increased outside (clean) air. The system can also be overridden with a boost facility as required by the occupant, to potentially further increase fresh air volume by as much as 200%.

A simple adjustment of controls means the way the single sided space is ventilated can continue but increases agility by providing fresh air more often by adjusting the C02 sensor set-point.

Gilberts has advanced the MFS Hybrid product’s abilities over the last 5 years and has provided such items as heating coil options. Most customers now take up this option, as it reduces the need to provide a separate heating system in most applications. For those that have been provided with the coil option, Gilberts has provided a further advanced and protective system. Gilberts has the ability to provide 100% fresh air and temper with the coils for the full operation of the rooms. This will advance the ventilation and keep a cleaner and safer environment whilst ensuring indoor temperatures are not compromised at all.

 

This simple programme change to the bespoke controller is required with an option provided to the occupant to swich in and out of Covid mode, as the occupier determines. This option will have a minor increase on the heating bill but benefits the occupier with a still further clean air ventilation system.

“We already had a compliant product. With minor adjustments this can be enhanced to increase ventilation rates but without detriment to indoor environmental quality (IEQ)” adds Roy Jones

Full details of Gilberts’ MFS system can be found here: https://gilbertsblackpool.com/natural-ventilation-solutions/mistrale-mfs-fusion/. Alternatively, email sales@gilbertsblackpool.com or telephone 01253 766911.

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Anglian Metal Deck announces major rebrand to AMDECK™

Anglian Metal Deck (AMD), the recently acquired manufacturer of composite steel deck, has announced that it has rebranded to AMDECK™.

As part of major investment to position the company as a leading provider of steel deck in the construction industry, the company has undergone a complete rebrand, including a company name change and a change to the names in its product range.

The new brand name reflects the capabilities and growth plans of the company which designs and manufactures a unique, patented, premium-grade composite steel deck, which provides the strongest bond and performance with concrete slab.

“I invested in this company because it was clear to me that it has vast potential, however the AMD name simply didn’t reflect the outstanding quality and performance of our products”, said CEO, Chad Ward. “Our patented embossment design is unique as it provides greater stiffness, therefore increased structural performance, even with lighter gauge steel. In terms of capabilities, we have the fastest roll-former in the UK so we can produce large quantities of steel deck in short timescales – from 2–3 days.”

 

The company’s product range, previously pre-fixed AMD, includes two trapezoidal decks, AMDECK™60 and AMDECK™80 and one re-entrant deck, AMDECK™54, each available in 0.9mm or 1.2mm gauge, all 600mm wide. The company has its own freely accessible design software developed by The Steel Construction Institute and offers a complementary design service.

“AMDECK has significant growth plans and our rebrand is the first step towards becoming a leading brand name for steel deck in the UK We have an outstanding product which offers customers real value, and an equally outstanding team of highly-skilled individuals. I have no doubt that AMDECK will become the brand of choice for customers in the construction industry”.

Anglian Metal Deck was acquired by Chad Ward, also CEO of MLB Steel Ltd (formerly Metsec Lattice Beams) and COBI Solutions Ltd, in September 2020. The company is also part of Canam Group Inc, one of the world’s leading structural steel enterprises,

 

For more information please visit www.amdeck.co.uk.

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