Polypipe Building Services has significantly cut energy costs by up to £36,000 annually with the installation of a new process water cooling system at its Aylesford plant. Designed by Isocool and incorporating Eurochiller’s free air coolers, the system reduces energy consumption by utilising ambient air for cooling.

A recent Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) survey reveals a significant skills gap in the engineering sector, particularly in the context of addressing climate change. While many UK employers are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, there is widespread concern about the lack of necessary skills and training within the workforce. Etienne Fourie, Technical Sales Manager at Babcock Wanson, takes a closer look.

As the UK aims for net zero emissions by 2050, digitalisation in manufacturing becomes essential. Technologies like AI, IoT, and data analytics are transforming energy efficiency and supply chain management, offering significant sustainability benefits. However, overcoming challenges such as high costs and skills gaps is crucial for realising these gains

Envirogen Group has announced it has been awarded a £1m+ contract by Fortum Glasgow to demineralise water for the boilers at its new South Clyde Energy Centre (SCEC) in Glasgow. This EfW sector project will be achieved by using two of Envirogen’s compact Eco MultiPro units, complemented by pre-treatment and polishing vessels.

Industries across Europe must adopt a pragmatic approach to future alternative fuels to make progress with decarbonisation, energy solutions provider Aggreko has said.

The integration of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems with digitalisation in the UK presents a transformative opportunity to boost energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. This synergy not only aligns with national climate goals but also enhances operational performance, offering substantial benefits for industrial and commercial sectors. PWE reports

A major European energy company has extended the lifetime of an aging hyper compressor in a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) production line in France. By reverse engineering the compressor’s first-stage cylinder and designing replacement parts, the team ensured continued operation and improved maintenance efficiency for years to come. PWE reports

The winners of the prestigious Decentralised Energy Awards hosted by the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) were announced recently at a ceremony in Westminster’s Church House, where organisations from across the energy sector came together to celebrate this year’s achievements. A citywide heat network, the world’s smartest university campus and schemes to transform the heat networks and flexibility markets were all among those receiving awards.

Stuart Hawkwood, founder of Powerdown220, compares the pros and cons of three different technologies that can help organisations reduce their energy bills and help towards achieving net-zero

BEP Surface Technologies, a leading electroplating and surface finishing specialist, has announced it has cut energy use by 20% after investing in control and automation technologies.

With a recent report further underlining skills shortage issues faced by the UK manufacturing sector, a prominent utilities equipment supplier is calling upon industry professionals to re-evaluate their current approaches to temperature control. PWE reports

Vital Energi has announced it has signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Birmingham to develop and commercialise a range of innovative thermal storage solutions, which will help accelerate decarbonisation within the heating and cooling sector.

Entries for award nominations are now open. The Energy & Utility Skills Conference and Awards is the inaugural event dedicated to fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and excellence in the energy and utilities industries, focusing on skills relating to tackling climate change and achieving net zero.

James Goodby, director at voltage optimisation specialist Powerdown220, explains how avoiding running unnecessary voltage through your equipment also reduces your maintenance costs.

Amid reports that doubling energy efficiency by 2030 could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as a third, energy specialist Aggreko is highlighting some of the key areas that industry can make immediate efficiency gains.

Coventry University’s Vice-Chancellor will speak on how today’s youth can make a real difference at the global climate summit COP28.

The success of the first-ever 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) trans-Atlantic flight by a commercial airline, operated by Virgin Atlantic, signifies a new era in SAF technology. This step towards eco-friendly air travel was made possible thanks to an innovative process, BioForming Sugar to Aromatics (S2A). The technology was originally invented by Virent and jointly developed for commercialisation by Virent and Johnson Matthey. The process marks a significant move towards decarbonising the aviation sector and a breakthrough in SAF.

ABB has announced it has launched its new global sustainability initiative, showcasing the power of technology and expertise to accelerate sustainability while enhancing productivity. ABB says its Real Progress campaign is a rallying call to customers, partners and suppliers, inspiring them to harness technology leadership and the solutions that exist today to amplify their own impact across process industries such as mining, metals, and pulp and paper.

Following the European Union’s launch of a new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) to reduce emissions across the continent earlier this month, energy solutions specialist Aggreko is encouraging businesses to make sure their energy needs are being correctly specified.

Finning, exclusive distributor of Cat engines and power solutions in the UK and Ireland, overhauled a CHP generator for Southern Water – helping the utilities company to benefit from a lower-cost and more sustainable way to power its operations. PWE reports

A team of Coventry University students combined their architectural knowledge to claim top prize at a national competition with a design for a building that absorbs carbon dioxide.

A plastic packaging manufacturer has future proofed its heating system by replacing fossil-fuelled equipment with heat pump technologies. PWE reports

NovNat Tech, a  new company based in the Unit 9 incubator at the Birmingham Research Park, has announced it has secured funding from Innovate UK to develop a novel technology that can generate water out of air.

Sustainability doesn’t have to come at a cost, in fact many companies are finding that their initiatives are saving them money. Turck Banner has identified three broad areas where they can assist companies in saving costs as well as becoming more sustainable. Production efficiency, energy management and supply chain management.

Aston University has announced it is to receive £1.8 million to transform the West Midlands into a powerhouse of low-carbon product development and commercialisation.

Birmingham-based photochemical etching company Precision Micro has announced a series of environmental improvements, highlighted in the release of its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Impact report.

PWE Spoke to Jörgen Friesendahl, Global Offer Manager for data driven machining at Sandvik Coromant, who offers advice to the metal cutting industry on implementing smart factory solutions — both to reduce carbon and increase profits.

Petrochemical processes have traditionally been heated with fossil fuels, but pressure is building to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and advance long-term decarbonisation goals. Fossil fuel heated processes leave big shoes to fill when it comes to thermal processes, so electric process heaters often raise two big questions: how big can an electric heater be? And what is required to maintain proper control of large electric heaters? Dennis Long, Chief System Designer at industrial electric equipment manufacturer Watlow, explains further

Developing gas reaction experimental research apparatus for academia, DarbyTech needed a valve system that could handle both methane and ammonia. The valve manifold system also had to achieve multi-channel mixing of these gases, and scalable gas distribution options were also required for system expansion potential. DarbyTech turned to Bürkert’s engineers to provide the right valve solution.

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced a multi-year extension to its technological partnership with Warburtons to improve production at six of its manufacturing sites across the UK and mitigate the rising cost of energy and raw materials.

Parker Hannifin’s Sales Company UK and Ireland has announced that it has become a member of the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA), the largest industry-funded regional hydrogen alliance in the UK.

For many years Turck Banner has been working with customers to improve efficiency in areas ranging from saving energy by using its LED lighting, through to identifying areas for improvement with OEE Kits. PWE reports

Adapting our buildings following the Covid pandemic is an invaluable opportunity to reimagine the relationship between buildings and the health of their occupants, writes Dr Thorsten Müller, Head of Global Product Group Building and Home Automation Solutions at ABB.

Due to the environmental and health effects of the nitrogen oxide gases, global regulations are driving down emission limits. This creates and greater demand for monitoring and control procedures. PWE spoke to James Clements, Managing Director of UK gas analyser manufacturer Signal Group, about the current issues and unveils the latest advances in monitoring technology

Andy Pye reports on June’s Talking Industry, which covered the topical subject of Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing.

Many industrial processes require energy, but only a portion of that energy input is used for each operation such as pasteurisation or evaporation. Unused energy is wasted, often passing to the environment as hot gas or liquid. However, by using heat exchangers, it is possible to recapture most of this untapped energy through waste heat regeneration. Matt Hale* explains further.

Given that Europe is currently in the midst of an energy price crisis, many businesses are looking to alternative, renewable means of decarbonised heat. Luke Worrall* explores why heat pumps may offer a reprieve for industry.

One way to make heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems more efficient is through the use of variable speed drives (VSDs),as Marek Lukaszczyk* explains

Mark Goldsworthy* looks at how different HVAC methods and new technologies can help with the ongoing efforts across the globe to reduce carbon emissions.

Richard Payne* takes a look at industrial chiller refrigerants

H2 combustion technology is ready for the market and offers a wide range of advantages - but there are some engineering challenges to overcome. PWE reports

PWE takes a look at technical boiler house risk assessments, from their legalities to the potential savings that can be achieved.

Ian Hart* sets out the many benefits – commercial and otherwise – of reducing water consumption in manufacturing and argues that businesses should adopt an altogether different approach to a precious resource that will come under increased pressure in the years ahead.

Many service contractors and cooling tower owners take a reactive approach when it comes to maintenance and repair. They replace a component only after it breaks, or they contact someone to perform a repair when a component failure is imminent. David McDaniel* and Robert Swafford* reports.

Many service contractors and cooling tower owners take a reactive approach when it comes to maintenance and repair. They replace a component only after it breaks, or they contact someone to perform a repair when a component failure is imminent. David McDaniel* and Robert Swafford* reports.

Boiler systems are required to comply with a raft of different legislation, including the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999; the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999; the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, and The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Derry Carr – CEA Immediate Past Chairman, and David Kilpatrick – CEA Director, report.

When most people think about smart buildings and building automation, they think of large office buildings or city centres. But Building Automation Systems (BAS) have applications far beyond that of the corporate office world. This software technology can be applied in any building with HVAC, IoT devices, security systems, lighting, refrigeration or energy management needs. Chris Irwin* reports.

From the first industrial revolution to the fourth, inspirational change has been driven by a willingness to embrace the unconventional and cross traditional industry boundaries. A partnership between one of the UK’s oldest and best-known boiler manufacturers, Byworth Boilers with SICK’s industrial instrumentation division, has helped fine-tune its boiler house controls to save up to 7% on customer fuel bills.

Martin Thirsk, managing director of Energy Technology and Control, explains to Plant and Works Engineering how effective combustion control can reduce emissions by up to 10% each year, saving industrial burner operators thousands in energy costs.

Craig Akers, sector team leader for manufacturing at Aggreko, explores the benefits of temporary combined heat and power (CHP) solutions, and how by mitigating the impact of these rising costs, they can make UK companies more competitive worldwide.