Robert Byrne, Operations Director of adi Vehicle Charging Solutions, comments on how to overcome the myriad of challenges that come with installing EV charging infrastructure. In 2024, the UK EV charging market is on a continued trajectory of growth, following on from the significant developments the industry experienced in 2023. Since January 2023, another 17,450 public charge points have been added to the UK network, representing an increase of 46%. In a bid to cater to the growing demand for electric vehicles and to reap the benefits of implementing EV charging infrastructure, more and more ..read more

At the upcoming Powered On: Engineering a Sustainable Future event, Bret Simon from Exodigo will lead a session focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence into electrical grid management.  With AI being all the rage at the moment, and it impacting almost every area of our lives, this is a unique opportunity to hear from an expert on the technology and how it could have a large impact on the electrical industry.  Simon’s talk will cover the significant changes AI is bringing to the management of grid upgrades. He will highlight how the combination of advanced sensor techno ..read more

National Grid has announced a funding programme aimed at assisting schools with the installation of solar panels.  The initiative has been specifically targeted towards educational institutions in economically disadvantaged areas within South Wales, South West England, and the Midlands. It allocates £2.7 million in grants, and is part of National Grid’s five-year commitment to environmental stewardship and community support under its Social Contract scheme. Ellie Patey, Community Engagement Manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution, stated, “This new fund aims to help more schools ..read more

The upcoming Powered On: Sustainability event, scheduled for April 23, will feature a panel discussion focusing on the transition to electric vehicles. ‘Electrifying Transportation: Accelerating the Transition to Electric Vehicles’ is a 40-minute session that will explore the impact of electrical technologies on the automotive industry’s shift towards electric vehicles.  The discussion will be led by Rolf Bienert, Technical and Managing Director of the OpenADR Alliance, with contributions from industry experts including Paul Marshall, Co-Founder and CCO of Eseye, and Richard Earl, R&D ..read more

Signify has announced new targets to drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and value chain by 2040, aiming for a 90% reduction in scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions without relying on carbon credits.  Long-time readers of Electrical Review may be confused to hear this announcement, given Signify previously stated that it had achieved carbon neutrality across all of its operations back in 2020. However, it’s important to note that the company achieved that feat with the use of carbon credits – something that it will be weaning itself off of to meet its new target ..read more

Many fear that an onslaught of renewables will lead to problems balancing the grid, so at Powered On: Engineering a Sustainability event on April 23, a group of experts will discuss those concerns.  The 40-minute session aims to tackle the critical issue of maintaining grid stability amidst the shift towards renewable energy sources, which is critical if we are going to achieve net zero by 2050, as set out in UK law.  The discussion, led by Tom Faulkner, Head of Assets & Infrastructure at Cornwall Insight, will include insights from Emilis Srage, Product Manager at Electron, and ..read more

The number of commercial and industrial buildings installing photovoltaic systems is growing exponentially. Chris Cowling from Aztec Solar explains how to get the specification and installation right for now and the long term. According to Drax’s ‘Electrical Insights’ report, the rate of new solar panel installations more than tripled between September 2022 and 2023. As a country we installed a total of 2.9 GW bringing our total to 18.1 GW – and this growth is only set to accelerate, with the report forecasting 4.6 GW of solar installations in 2024. The demand is particularly strong in public ..read more

UK Power Networks is allocating over £15 million this year to enhance and maintain electricity towers in the East and South East of England, which play a crucial role in transmitting power from the national grid to the distributor’s substations, which then supply power to local communities. Electricity arrives at UK Power Networks at 132,000 volts and is reduced to 33,000 volts before it is distributed to approximately six million homes and businesses. The company manages 46,000km of overhead lines and maintains 120,000 substations to ensure a continuous supply of electricity to 8.5 million ho ..read more

Schneider Electric is set to help develop the world’s first offshore cold-ironing buoy to help cruise ships connect to power while at anchorage off the Orkney Islands. This will provide green energy to hybrid cruise ships that cannot dock at Hatston Pier.  The initiative, led by Orcades Marine Management Consultants, will help to reduce the emissions of cruise ships at the Bay of Kirkwall. By supplying power from renewable sources like wind, solar, and tidal turbines, the project aims to decrease pollution from ships idling offshore, thus enhancing air quality along the coast. This unique ..read more

National Grid has completed the installation of overhead conductors on all 116 T-pylons as part of its Hinkley Connection Project, marking the latest milestone for the project.  The Hinkley Connection Project aims to deliver low carbon power to six million homes and businesses in the UK and covers a 57km stretch from the new Shurton substation at Hinkley Point C to the existing Seabank substation in Avonmouth.  In total, the Hinkley Connection Project includes 48.5km of overhead lines predominantly using T-pylons, complemented by an 8.5km underground cable section through the Mendip ..read more