Recent UK energy supply disruptions have coincided with the coldest temperatures of the winter and prompted a substantial spike in gas prices.

The combination of cold temperatures, increasing heat demand, and unplanned supply outages have placed the UK energy system under severe stress in recent weeks. Gas prices in particular have taken a hit and are forecast to rise a further 1.9% between now and February 2018.

This comes after 6 months of significant energy price increases – since July 2017 gas prices have increased by 61% and electricity by 49%, so it’s important you take action now to avoid any future rises.

The North Sea Forties pipeline has been shut down for the next few weeks due to maintenance work. This will cut available oil and gas production in the UK, triggering another price spike given that we’ll be even more dependent on foreign imports.

System breakdowns are more common during harsh weather conditions, but recent events have raised concerns over the viability of the UK gas infrastructure.

So, what does this mean for your business?

Firstly, don’t panic. We can help. Our dedicated team is on hand to answer any questions. They’ll advise you on safeguarding against any future rises in price or issues related to cold snaps and increased demand.

Contact us as soon as possible and we’ll look to switch you to the right energy tariff for your business.

To find out more about how Utilitywise could help your business, click here.

The event brings a network of over 50,000 industry specialists together in some of the most challenging times the sector has faced.

Exhibitor – intellectual property specialist Marks & Clerk – is at the frontline of developing technologies and has seen first-hand how companies are coping with these stormy times.

Here Andrew Docherty, Aberdeen Office Managing Partner and oil and gas expert for Marks & Clerk looks at how the industry is still fighting despite its much publicised challenges:

“In the public sphere we often hear about job losses and sustained low oil prices as a methodology for measuring the health of the industry. And while, on the face of it, we are undoubtedly seeing an unprecedented downturn, we are still seeing key-players investing in innovation, and importantly protecting their investment through the use of the patent system, both domestically and internationally.

“That innovation may not seem obvious as businesses struggle to commit to anything against a backdrop of cutbacks and redundancies, but industry numbers and patent numbers don’t necessarily follow the same trajectory.

“Firstly, the Scottish industry maintains its significant international focus, with much of the Research and Development (R&D) efforts looking to address problems and issues in fields throughout the world. Such issues are diverse, as are the technical solutions.

“Also, while the maturity of the north-sea might hint at a decline in innovation in this region, assets still have significant reserves, and the challenges to access these reserves cost effectively is a key innovation catalyst.

“We are also at the embryonic stages of decommissioning in the north-sea, which will be active whether the industry is on its knees or not. The modern narrative of the energy market dictates that this decommissioning must be done in way that is as environmentally sound as possible, and more often than not the latest technologies are required to do so.

“We are also very aware of the ways in which companies are approaching existing technologies and processes.

“In the past the big players may have been much less risk averse, largely due to the vast sums of money moving through the sector, but now companies are looking at new and innovative ways to maximise their efficiencies.

“One cost effective way of doing this is by returning to designs, products and methods which have worked particularly well and exploring new ways to improve and prolong the life of them. It’s a traditional ‘Scots make do and mend’ kind of mentality.

“Technology driven companies are also becoming far more aware as to what constitutes a patentable invention, which has to some extent changed attitudes on where R&D and patent budgets are focussed.

“Technologies associated with computer implemented processes, such as autonomous systems, and even computational simulation techniques are becoming more and more commonplace, with many companies adopting a gold-rush attitude to protecting their intellectual property (IP) in these types of technologies.

“All of this drives innovation and of course, at its heart, we have the latest buzzword – collaboration – which, by its nature, drives the sector in a strategically forward direction and requires careful thought around shared IP.

“Companies are much more willing to work together as they are acutely aware of the position they are in. Businesses are still very precious about their patents but are more likely to share together.

“Another interesting point is the way companies employ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

“When times are tough businesses quite often employ KPIs as a way of trying to force the narrative in an upward trajectory. And what we have noticed is that many companies are actually employing patent filings as an important KPI.

“Such a KPI can indeed provide a measure of the output of R&D efforts, but it is still fundamentally important to ensure that any patent filings continue to support business strategies and objectives – otherwise patent KPIs may become a little artificial and a bit of a numbers game.

“Finally, the downturn has made an already fiercely competitive industry even more so, and informed stakeholders in the industry view the IP system as a critical business tool in maintaining competitive advantage. IP protection therefore continues to sit very highly on the business agenda in the current climate.

“Scotland’s oil and gas industry draws from a talented and importantly active pool – despite the downturn – and as OE descends on Aberdeen this year we are sure there will be plenty of others looking to do so also.”

A multi-million-pound investment deal is helping energy and water efficiency company SaveMoneyCutCarbon expand its Scottish operation.

The company, now in its fifth year of operation, aims to become the go-to people for homes and businesses that want to reduce their energy and water bills.

It does this through its leading website, partnerships with major manufacturers and a team across the UK that offers a unique end to end service in the field.

The innovative approach has successfully delivered energy and water-saving projects for businesses across the UK and in Scotland that have saved many thousands of pounds, but up until now this has had to be managed from its Southern offices.

The potential for further rapid growth as energy and water bills continue to rise was identified as a key driver of the successful conclusion of the £3.2 million investment round by IW Capital. SaveMoneyCutCarbon CEO Mark Sait said the funding would grow the company’s Scottish presence on the ground to deliver savings, payback and peace of mind.

Kyle McGuigan, who recently joined the company to head the sales development in Scotland, said: “There is huge potential here for businesses, organisations and homes to save millions of pounds through effective energy and water saving solutions and we now have the support and backing from our head office to grow the business and the local support we can offer our customers here in Scotland.

“It’s a fact that many Scottish businesses and other organisations such as schools have yet to take advantage of the immense financial benefits from reduced energy and water consumption. We are committed to driving awareness and partnering with them to reap the rewards of becoming a sustainable operation.”

Kyle added: “We are now looking to find the best partners to help promote and create awareness of the savings and carbon reduction message across Scotland.

The Scots development, with Shane Marshall leading the technical side and the installation teams, is focused on rapid expansion in a range of commercial areas from large hotels chains, warehousing operators, schools, hospitals and public-sector organisations.

Shane Marshall said: “Many businesses and organisations have used our expertise to take advantage of efficiency surveys to identify savings opportunities and then to select proven products for fully-managed installation projects. We emphasise the savings first with the added benefit of carbon reduction with peace of mind coming from our manufacturer partnerships and delivery of over 400 successful projects for high profile clients.”

The company also optimises how its customers use online search, its unique website responding to search enquiries by building type. It attracts customers big and small as a platform for knowledge, products, manufacturer partners, savings solutions and support.

Flexibility and responsiveness is key to the company’s success as a digital one-stop-shop marketplace for energy, water savings and sustainability harnessing both e-commerce and a consultative project business.

For more information contact:
Kyle McGuigan – Mobile 07795 950789. Email: kyle.mcguigan@savemoneycutcarbon.com
Shane Marshall – Mobile 07881 303950. Email: shane.marshall@savemoneycutcarbon.com
Website: www.savemoneycutcarbon.com

Richard Irvin Energy Solutions is looking to recruitment new talent into their Mechanical & Electrical team in the shape of a trainee Quantity Surveyor and a trainee Planning Engineer.

The successful candidates will benefit from structured hands on experience in the Aberdeen office, combined with the chance to gain an industry recognised qualification.

Kevin Shinnie, Business Unit Director M&E said: ‘As part of our commitment to continued operational improvement we are keen to recruit these trainee posts to supplement our experienced Mechanical & Electrical team here in Aberdeen.

‘By investing in these entry level posts we will have the opportunity to shape our workforce for the future, thereby ensuring that we are in the best position possible to meet the needs of our customers as we deliver our plans for future growth’.

Richard Irvin Energy Solutions provide a range of mechanical and electrical services across Scotland, covering Technical Facilities Management, Construction Projects and Oil & Gas.

Richard Irvin provides opportunities for employee development whilst offering excellent working conditions, a flexible work environment and a range of employee benefits.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to avoiding unlawful discrimination in employment.

If you think you, or someone you know, might fit the bill take a look at our website http://www.richard-irvin.com/careers/current-vacancies/ for more information on the vacancies.

Congratulations go to Richard Irvin’s Inverness apprentice Fraser Imrie on his win at the BESA Scotland Training Awards 2017. Not only did Fraser scoop the Service and Maintenance Apprentice of the Year award he won the prestigious Scottish Apprentice of the Year Award!

The awards were held at The Scottish Parliament on June 1st and are sponsored by Colin Beattie MSP highlight the success and commitment of apprentices from across Scotland acknowledging their hard work and achievements.
Willie MacLean, CEO attended the awards alongside Mark Buchan Business Unit Director and Claire Gray HR Advisor, to cheer on Fraser and celebrate apprentice excellence in the Building Engineering Services sector.

Willie MacLean said: ‘Fraser had already won apprentice of the year awards for the past two years from his study centre, Glasgow Kelvin College, and everyone at Richard Irvin was hoping that he would continue the winning streak by lifting the BESA Service and Maintenance award. Winning the Scottish Apprentice of the Year award was the icing on the cake!

‘We are all extremely proud of Fraser and his achievements so far, his work ethic and positive attitude are without a doubt the reasons for his success.

‘Congratulations Fraser, a richly deserved win!’

Fraser works out of the company’s Inverness office and is in the third year of a four-year apprenticeship.

Richard Irvin is currently recruiting six new apprentices to join the team with two based in Aberdeen, one in Glasgow and one in Inverness. For further information on the programme or other vacancies Richard Irvin has to offer take a look at the website www.richard-irvin.com/careers

Richard Irvin Energy Solutions is on the lookout for new talent with the launch of its Apprentice Programme, which offers six vacancies at its various locations across Scotland.

Successful applicants to the Programme will benefit from hands on training while working towards industry recognised qualifications which they will gain by attending an accredited college course.

Claire Gray, HR Advisor said: ‘We currently have 33 apprentices and adult trainees working with us at Richard Irvin, and we are now looking to increase this number. Apprentices are key to the future of our company, and indeed the wider construction and building services industry, therefore when an apprentice joins us we aim to provide them with the best possible start to their career.

‘At Richard Irvin we have a well-established and recognised Programme where our apprentices are mentored during their on the job training, giving them the support and experience they need to take forward to college.’

Richard Irvin Energy Solutions believe that the investment in Apprentices will enable the business to perform better and remain competitive within its markets. In turn, this also gives the Apprentice valuable work experience, allowing them to develop their skills, knowledge and experience whilst developing their understanding of the business.
Richard Irvin Energy Solutions has recently demonstrated its commitment to the next generation by joining The 5% Club, an industry led initiative focused on driving momentum into the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students.

Applications for apprenticeships opened on 1st May with vacancies in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Inverness. For further information please visit the apprentice page on our website www.richard-irvin.com/careers/apprenticeships/

Richard Irvin Energy Solutions is one of Scotland’s largest private engineering companies. Established in 1871, the business employs approximately 450 people across Scotland providing energy solutions and services to both commercial and domestic customers through its core business units of Mechanical & Electrical Project Services and Technical Facilities Management.

Sixty per cent of organisations in the renewables sector believe the Scottish Government is likely to achieve its target of meeting half of Scotland’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2030, according to a survey by Brodies LLP.

The survey, which canvassed the views of organisations and individuals active in the renewables sector, found that a substantial majority believe the target is achievable, despite challenges including recent changes to the UK Government’s renewable electricity subsidies regime and the absence of any subsidy regime of similar scale in the heat sector.

Asked to identify the policy measures that the Scottish Government should take to help it achieve its target and overcome the current challenges facing the sector, respondents identified giving priority to new developments such as energy storage, encouraging the development of district heating and the continued deployment of the most efficient onshore wind technologies.

Earlier this year the Scottish Government published a draft Energy Strategy for the period up to 2030. It sets out a vision for a low carbon economy that is to be achieved by transitioning away from oil and gas and placing greater reliance on renewable energy sources. The strategy also proposes a shift away from electricity being the primary focus to one in which all energy sectors contribute, by setting an “all-energy” target.

More than three-quarters of respondents (77%) identified storage technologies as the priority to “keep the lights on” by balancing the supply and demand for electricity produced from renewable sources as part of a new “energy mix”, which aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions. Energy storage can provide back-up power to meet peak demand and boost supply when renewables output falls due to weather conditions. Eleven per cent of respondents said low carbon peaking plants should be the priority, followed by gas fired plants (8%), and coal fired plant and importing electricity from England (both 2%).

One of the principal areas of focus of the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy is moving the agenda on from electricity to the decarbonisation of heat, which still accounts for more than 50% of Scotland’s energy supply. This could be achieved in a number of ways, however the only approach over which the Scottish Government currently has policy control is district heating. Asked which single policy measure might facilitate the creation of new district heating schemes, half of respondents said requiring developers to install district heating in new developments, 18% said requiring energy consumers to connect to such schemes, 15% said providing business rates relief for developments with district heating schemes, 13% said public sector capital contributions and 4% said granting developers the power to compulsorily purchase land for networks.

The Scottish Government’s strategy also sets out an ambition for Scotland to be the first part of the UK in which onshore wind energy schemes thrive without subsidy. Asked to identify the single most useful change that the Scottish Government could make to promote onshore wind development, respondents identified three key policies which the Scottish Government could introduce: public sector power purchase agreements, facilitating increased turbine tip heights and introducing a legal presumption in favour of re-powering existing sites (28%, 24% and 24% respectively).

Commenting on the survey results, Keith Patterson, Co-Head of Renewables at Brodies LLP, said: “The energy sector is accustomed to change – it has lived with it for the past decade. Economic and technological changes are transforming the electricity sector, seemingly by the day. Much of this change has been spurred by policies seeking to drive the decarbonisation of our energy supply. Yet, despite all the change, we have only touched the surface of what is required if we are to decarbonise our energy supply –Scotland is transforming its electricity supply but we are only at the starter’s gun as far as decarbonising transport and heat are concerned.

“Perhaps the most important aspect of the draft Energy Strategy is that it signals that heat will now be the focus of Scotland’s decarbonising efforts. Again, the draft strategy does not say how heat will be decarbonised, but climate change targets published around the same time imply that Scotland’s domestic and commercial heat supply will be approaching carbon free supply by 2032. Even if Scotland does not hit this target, it promises a truly transformative future for Scotland’s heat supply.”

To read the full report on the survey’s findings, visit http://brodi.es/allenergy17.

Why choose Chamber Energy Solutions?

Chamber Energy Solutions in partnership with Utilitywise is one of the UK’s leading business energy consultancies. We can review your energy contract with our free bill analysis service and provide a range of comparable quotes for your electricity, gas and water needs, locking in your price for up to five years. Our energy experts can also offer advice on a range of energy monitoring and reduction services.

Free Bill Analysis to our members

As part of the Chamber Energy Solutions procurement service, our expert team of energy advisors will conduct a full analysis of your previous bills and current contract free of charge to all members. This includes checking your renewal date to avoid extension into out of contract rates, your kVa supply, CCL charge, type of meter, VAT, legislative requirements and amalgamation of sites into one contract if required. With your authority we can also liaise directly with the supplier on your behalf to gain renewal rates and search the market for alternative supply agreements.

“Utilitywise has been our chosen energy procurement specialist since 2002. The team are proactive and professional in their advice and knowledgeable on all aspects of energy. We are kept informed of market conditions with their insightful intelligence reports. In recent years, Utilitywise has supported us with OJEU compliant procurement and a monthly bill checking service for our electricity and gas supplies. Utilitywise experts have gone out of their way to help and support us, so we firmly believe that Utilitywise can make a valuable contribution to any public sector organisation.”

JIM STOCKER, City Energy Officer

For more information or to apply for your free bill analysis please call 0800 923 0210 or email help@chamberenergysolutions.co.uk.

http://chamberenergysolutions.co.uk/exclusive-benefits/

Heating (and cooling) makes up around 50% of Scotland’s overall energy demand.  District heating systems present significant opportunities for organisations to enhance their business sustainability by reducing their heating costs and generating income under the RHI. The systems also present valuable opportunities for landlords to deliver affordable warmth to tenants in off-gas grid areas, helping to alleviate local fuel poverty.

However, there are numerous challenges to developing district heating including: high capital costs, revenue uncertainty and phasing issues. According to a recent paper from WWF, however, the single largest barrier to renewable heat uptake is the lack of an economic case. The RHI is expected to provide sufficient incentive to stimulate the renewable heating market but it may not be accessible to all consumers and doesn’t address the issue of capital costs.

Debating the issues will be our expert panel, including:

Rebecca Carr, Senior Heat Policy Manager, Scottish Government
Kathryn Dapré,Energy & Climate Change Manager – Health Facilities Scotland, NHS National Services
Alan Wilson, Head of Generation & Renewable Engineering, Iberdrola
Dave Pearson, Director, Star Renewable Energy 

Moderated by: Allan Crooks, Technical Specialist – Energy, Resource Efficient Scotland

Topics to be discussed include:

• What incentives can be put in place to enable district heating to become a viable addition to urban and private development across Scotland?
• What lessons can be generalised, eg. Commonwealth Athletes Village, for increasing district heating programmes across Scotland?
• The Scottish Government is prioritising District Heating as a means to tackle Scotland’s heat problem however, how effectively is the funding trickling down to communities, small business and housing associations?
• How will Scotland’s newer technologies such as biomass and geothermal energy be integrated into the development of district heating?
• Should the focus be on CHP to tackle the issue of heat and power at the same time?
• What is the role of ESCOs and Councils regarding the development of district heating systems across Scotland? One lesson from Denmark is that District Heating should not be seen as a utility, how will ownership and management be relayed to consumers?

Followed by a drinks and networking reception hosted by Anderson Strathern LLP

 

WHEN
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE
Anderson Strathern LLP
1 Rutland Court, Edinburgh EH3 8EY

FORUM FEE
£25 + VAT for non-members

Read more about this forum, view Delegates attending
and Speaker biographies

Glasgow-based ecoConnect may be keeping quiet on what we think should happen on 18 September but we are creating a lot of noise about renewables and the low carbon sector – now we want you to help us turn up the volume.

As a community, energy is a key issue – our usage is going up and how we meet demand and create security is a constant challenge.

The answers to how we meet our future energy needs and create economic growth without compromising sustainability can’t be left in the hands of the politicians whose debating skills might be up for question (if we can even watch them that is) – the issues around wind turbines, district heating, energy efficiency and how to best use our resources belong in the hands of the people who work in the industry and those who live with the consequences. That’s us.

So yes this is a plug – ecoConnect organises a monthly programme of expert-led debates into all aspects of the renewables sector (all details on the website at www.ecoconnect.org.uk) but it’s also a plea…

Decisions on how we govern ourselves are important – decisions on how we manage our future energy needs are crucial. Get in the room, join the discussion and tell the experts what you want – debate isn’t just confined to the people at the top.

Even Better…Chamber members get a 20% discount against the admission charge on any of our Edinburgh/Glasgow forums. Just use the discount code ecco5324 below to register for any or all of the events below:

21 August   Scottish Onshore Wind: Is the Success Story Sustainable? 

9 September  District Heating: The Power Behind Scotland’s Low Carbon Future?

23 October  CHP &The Technolgies Powering Energy Efficiency

11 November Business & the Circular Economy with Zero Waste Scotland

Events  begin with an expert panel  and audience discussion and finish with a networking reception; all sessions run fromfrom 5-8pm.

For more information contact Lakvinder.dhillon@ecoconnect.org.uk