AMPS Power Magazine - Winter/Spring 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

I AID APPEAL: AMPS MEMBERS SUPPORT EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

I INTRODUCING NEW AMPS DIRECTOR GENERAL, DAVID OATES

FEATURE ARTICLES

CELEBRATING THE AMPS AWARDS WINNERS 2022

Disclaimer

Welcome to the latest issue of your magazine. In this edition, we turn our attention to the recent earthquake disaster that struck Turkey and Syria.

As the world came together to offer support and assistance, we explore the ways in which AMPS and its members can help to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this tragedy.

Additionally, we showcase the Generators of Hope Campaign, an inspiring initiative created by Eurocities that promotes sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Our article highlights the positive impact of this campaign on Ukraine’s power network, which has been severely damaged, and how the donation of gensets is contributing to rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.

Thank you for joining us for this important issue. We hope that the insights and information presented in these pages will help to inspire action and support for those affected by the earthquake disaster, and for the broader efforts to create a more resilient and sustainable future for all.

Mike Boughey

Editor: AMPS Power

Magazine

CONTACT AMPS

The Association of Manufacturers and suppliers of Power generating Systems

Unit 19, Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton DL6 2NJ UK

Director General: David Oates

Chairman: Paul Aitken

Director General : david.oates@amps.org.uk

Membership enquiry: info@amps.org.uk

Publications: Mike Boughey: ampsmagazine@amps.org.uk

Accounts: accounts@amps.org.uk

+44 (0) 20 8253 4505

www.amps.org.uk

: The information contained in this magazine is for general information purposes only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the magazine or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the magazines for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. The editor, contributors and related parties shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor and shall have no responsibility for any links from this magazine to third party websites

DAVID OATES APPOINTED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AMPS

With 26 years of experience in the engine and power generation industry, David is poised to raise the profile and broaden the reach of AMPS within the Power Gen sector and beyond.

David’s journey in the industry began after he graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a degree in Business Management. He then moved to England to join Honeywell Automotive, where he was responsible for sales, business development, and application engineering for turbocharging and EGR segments in the UK and Europe.

In 2006, David joined Finning UK as General Manager of the Power Systems business, a position he held for 12 years. During this time, he was responsible for all Caterpillar brands (CAT/Perkins/ MaK/Olympian) in the Power Generation, Petroleum, Marine, and Industrial segments, and led the successful growth of diesel and gas in retail and project solutions across various Finning territories.

Afterwards, David took on the role of Managing Director for Pramac-Generac UK, where he developed the power engineering, mobile products, and gas business for the Pramac and Generac

product brands in the UK and Ireland. Following his family’s move back to Scotland, David joined DTGen and helped the company grow from a Northern solutions provider to a national company.

At an AMPS meeting, David said, “My aim is to maintain AMPS’ position as the official voice and authority of the industry with government and regulatory bodies. I want to make AMPS a more engaging organization that represents the thoughts and ideas of all members, through regional meetings or trade events across the country.”

He added, “Our members are facing challenges as the industry evolves and adapts to technological and environmental changes. I hope to play a role in promoting connections within the industry and serving as a source of information, education, and training where needed.”

AMPS Chairman, Paul Aitken, welcomed David to the association and said, “We are looking forward to David’s contributions to AMPS and are eager to see the new ideas and energy he brings to the role.”

AMPS are pleased to announce the appointment of David Oates as our new Director General.

ANNOUNCING THE OFFICIAL AMPS INDUSTRY GOLF DAY

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to invite colleagues, customers, distributors and prospects to the Official AMPS Power Gen Industry Golf Day Set in 270 acres of Cheshire’s finest parkland, the tricky, well-guarded greens are broken up into two contrasting circuits of nine. The front nine, with its impressive back-drop of the 18th century hall, offers golfers many chances to make a score. The back nine winds through rich woodland and is a much more demanding test of golf, giving you the chance to feel like you’re playing in The Open Championship.

The Official AMPS Power Gen Industry Golf Package includes:

• Bacon Rolls served on a brioche bun with freshly ground coffee or tea

PLAYERS’ GOLF AND HOSPITALITY PACKAGE JUST £119 (EX VAT)

NON AMPS MEMBER PACKAGE

£139 (EX VAT)

FIRST TEAMS / PLAYERS

TEE OFF AT 11.00AM

• 18 Holes of Golf on the Championship Golf Course at Mottram Hall – two tee start

• Dinner in the Thomas Suite with prize giving

• Excellent industry networking throughout

• Free on-site car parking

• Nearest the Pin Competition

• Longest Drive Competition

• Pre-Event Practice Rounds at Reduced Rate

• Reduced rates on overnight accommodation night of event and night before

Teams of 4 players or 2 or 3 players are welcome plus individual golfers who will be placed into foursomes.

To reserve your players, please e-mail robert.bennison@amps.org.uk PLAYERS ARE LIMITED TO 52 – SO DON’T DELAY!

AMPS AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE & GALA DINNER A SPARKLING OCCASION

The AMPS Awards for Excellence and Gala Dinner was held on the 8th of December 2022 at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster and attended by over 200 Power Gen Industry guests. Hosted by comedian Hal Cruttenden, the evening got into swing with a sparkling Prosecco reception, giving excellent networking opportunities for the great and the good of the industry.

The highlight of the evening was, of course, the presentation of the AMPS Awards for Excellence. An industry association like AMPS is only as strong as its members and the innovative products which they produce. AMPS members range from blue chip OEMs, the supply chain and service providers through to distributors.

One thing they have in common is gold standard products representing both the best of British manufacturing and global innovation. A good cross section of AMPS members were nominated across the range of award categories.

The awards dinner provided the first opportunity for AMPS members to meet their new Director General, David Oates.

David is a Power Gen industry insider with many years' experience.

David gave a short introduction to himself and his vision to take AMPS

AWARDS SPONSORS:

forward, raising its profile as the voice of the UK's powergen industry.

The AMPS Awards for Excellence were sponsored by member companies. We are perpetually grateful for members' generosity in supporting the association and its events.

At the end of the event, a collection in aid of the AMPS Chairman's Charity,

Alzheimer's Research UK. AMPS Chairman, Paul Aitken, is running the London Marathon in aid of this very necessary charity which has, sadly, touched so many of our lives.

Almost £900 was raised on the night. A big thank you to all the guests who generously donated to the cause.

The 2023 AMPS Awards for Excellence will be moving away from London, at the request of members recognising the excessive cost of London hotels, to an exciting new venue in the West Midlands.

Enhanced award categories, additional industry judges and a few surprises will make the 2023 Awards an event to be proud of.

Watch out for details and the call for award nominations in the spring.

Romain Mocaer has over 15 years experience in competitive intelligence in the power generation industry.

He co-founded PowerGen Statistics in 2010 in order to provide reliable and specific market information for the generating set industry.

INDUSTRY DATA: DIESEL GENERATOR INDUSTRY

The European market on the rise

The diesel generator set market grew by 18% in the first three quarters of 2022, continuing its post-Covid growth that began in 2021 (+33%). This growth was supported by the energy crisis affecting the European continent and the still strong growth of data centers, but also the energy situation in Ukraine. Indeed, growth in Eastern Europe jumped 43% in 2022 vs. 2021.

Increase of generators below 750 kVA

Growth was particularly strong for generators <750 kVA in 2022 (+25%), following a previous very strong postCovid increase in 2021 (+33%). The shorter leadtimes of this category of products, as well as the Ukraine situation explain some of this growth, but the market growth should slow down in 2023 since the construction market should slow down as well.

The boom of Chinese & Turkish exports

European imports from China continued their strong growth in 2022 (+60%), following a year in 2021 when they had already increased by more than 45%. This growth is achieved in all kinds of power units, thanks to the exports of international brands with production units in China. The current relative weakness of the Chinese domestic market is boosting exports, and the ongoing drop in maritime transport prices support this growth.

On top of that, the Turkish exports to Europe have also boomed by more than 60% in 2022, following 30% growth in 2021. This growth is particularly significant in Eastern Europe which represents most of these exports.

Zoom on the UK market

Although the diesel generator market in the UK had a record year in 2022 (+2.5%), the market is below most other European countries. Despite strong investments still present in Data Centers, the economic slowdown and the construction sector have moderated this growth.

This is similar from the point of view of exports and assembly of generators in the UK. Exports stagnated in 2022, marked by a drop in generators below 375 kVA, and an increase in generators above 750 kVA.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

2023 AGM & CONFERENCE

Thursday 20th April 2023

ONE Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA

£175 pp + VAT | £1650.00 + VAT for a table of 10 people

Post Lunch Speaker BEN FOGLE Conference and Lunch SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE

OFFICIAL AMPS INDUSTRY GOLF DAY

Monday 5th June 2023

Mottram Hall, Cheshire

Members: £119 pp + VAT | Non-Members: £139 pp + VAT

AMPS REGIONAL MEETINGS

22nd June 2023 - South (hosted by Volvo)

28th Sept 2023 - North (at either Doncaster or Dumbarton) Free to attend

AMPS AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE and GALA DINNER

Thursday 23 November, at an exciting Midlands venue Tables of 10 or individual tickets. Award nominations and dinner prices available soon

FOR UPDATES OF EVENTS OR TO RESERVE TICKETS VISIT THE AMPS WEB SITE WWW.AMPS.ORG.UK OR E-MAIL ROBERT.BENNISON@AMPS.ORG.UK

Clive has a background in mining and automotive Engineering, 9 years in private equity, and 18 years with United Utilities and Electricity North West. Sectors of interest include water, wastewater, gas & electrical power, housing, healthcare and the associated regulation.

As a Professor of Water and Energy, Author, and Chair and non-executive Director of a range of organisations Clive helps organisations prioritise, finance, and deliver competing customer service, resilience, environmental, carbon, healthcare and financial objectives.

NUCLEAR CARS & CATHEDRALS

In 1260 Edward 1st was in such trouble he promised God that if he was saved he would build a church in Delamere Forest, close to my house. He was saved, but the Barons war meant work on his church was not started until 1272. Sounds a bit like H2S?

Probably, because the King’s budget pressures delayed building and inflated aspirations until a cathedral was proposed. Building progressed for 50 years and the 13 villages in Delamere Forest built an enormous structure. But in medieval times they knew how to manage infrastructure and if in 1336 a mob had not killed the Abbott the huge building would have become the largest Cistercian Monastery in the UK in the wrong place.

This history gives us an insight into our problem with modern nuclear and our path to carbon neutrality. Our fantastic success with wind (light blue) and solar (yellow) gets us part of the way. But cold winters kill wind and solar. So energy continuity is like crossing a busy road. Getting most of the way across most of the time is not good enough. Holding your breath for 5 minutes can be done. But doing it for a week is harder.

Yes we need energy storage, but the commodity cost of battery materials (e.g: lithium) have gone up 5 fold this last decade. Batteries will save part of our planet but because they are expensive, wear out and at best 70% efficient we need to save them for high value use like vehicles, tools and residential storage. There are lots of new ideas being developed and hydrogen will play a part. But to avoid black starts, power network operators must keep all parts of the grid in

balance all the time. So in reality we need more reliable base load. Which takes us back to the problem with nuclear.

Nuclear once promised energy so cheap no one would bother to meter it, but it didn’t quite work out that way. Huge innovations quickly built an industry but in the 1970’s and 1980’s the desire for scale resulted in a host of enormous 1.5GW plants being built.

Now after 70 years of investment there are only 438 nuclear cathedrals operating in the world. In recent years the nuclear dream has gone; part of the reason is branding. Accidents and a military heritage have tarnished the nuclear dream. And us engineers can be dull and defensive.

In Germany the current nuclear campaign aims to “not close down the 6 German nuclear plants.” Hardly inspiring. This is such a dull concept many in Germany would rather support the huge

Professor Clive Deadman

expansion of lignite coal mining and coal generation. As a consequence RWE plans to wipe away villages and continue expanding the Garzweiler II lignite mine until 2038. But there is a deeper problem with nuclear than image. If in the future we want warm homes, economic growth and a habitable planet we need cheaper nuclear. And this is where the big problem lies. There are two big things which make nuclear power unique. Firstly nuclear energy densities are astronomically high. Which is great.

The second things is awful. Nuclear power plants are one of the few products (like cathedrals) where innovation and improvement keeps making them more expensive. Innovators have developed a concept to measure the benefits of innovation called ‘product learning rate’. This is the cost decrease over time of an item. This is not just economies of scale. It includes better designs, supply chain improvements, growth of skilled work forces and operating innovation.

If we take the development of the motor car we see a more typical pattern.

The first motor car was built in 1886. In the following 10 years gear boxes, brakes, fuel, lighting and a host of other people sized innovations were developed. In 1903 Mr Ford made his Model A Ford.

In 1908 when the famous Model T was first produced it only took 12.5hours to assemble. By 1914 car assembly production had further dropped to 93 minutes and sales price was down 70%

In contrast final costs for nuclear plant have been rising. In 2017 an excelent review by Matt Rooney of Policy Exchange identified the following issues:

the idea of high temperature reactors for hydrogen/chemical power plants but at what point do we stop innovating because we can? Has a constant innovative hiatus and desire for enormous scale resulted in the failure of nuclear power plant to deliver any learning rates in half a century?

Do we really want to give up on the post powerful zero carbon power source? Critics may say nuclear is just too dangerous, it will never be affordable at a safe price. That could be so. But I doubt it. After all conservative luddites said that about atheism, scientific investigation, the train and the car. Isn’t the low carbon nuclear dream so much more exciting than the gas and lignite coal?

k Learning rates for nuclear technology are uniquely poor.

k Safety and regulatory measures are invariably imposed during construction.

k In expectation of economies of scale massive construction project have in the past been proposed.

k Modular nuclear construction needs to be considered.

For many years we have been using ‘Type 3’ reactors and at least 6 novel/revolutionary configurations are being investigated. I like

So where next? Modular nuclear seems to me to be the obvious next step. We know 1970’s nuclear cathedrals don’t work. At what point is ‘good is good enough’ and we focus on factory built components and power plants with 300-400GW capacity. Small Modular Nuclear. Probably not as exciting as exploring more of the impossible but if Edward 1st was running the UK’s energy strategy might he set out to save his life with a slightly smaller cathedral? An ‘on time’ and ‘on budget’ model Tesla nuclear car would be really exciting.

q The Benz Patent-Motorwagen

Bernard Gospel ‘s continuing series of articles based on the topic of the history of engineering, loosely based on the BBC radio programmes and podcasts ‘a history of he world in 100 objects’ and ’50 things that made the modern economy’.

Bernard Gospel Technical Committee Secretary TechSec@AMPS.org.uk

engineering made the world

MEASURING THE ABUNDANCE OF THE NILE

A thousand years after the previous story…

We tend to think of measurement as something taken from the world; as knowledge extracted from nature by means of scales and rulers. This is just convention, however and the opposite is equally true. The measure often precedes the measurement. It is the product of some complex system, perhaps unseen or unknown which exists before our attention, and which requires effort to be understood.

In ancient Egypt one particular measure could be found long before people settled the land and founded the civilisation we know today. This was the bounty of the Nile River, a liquid bonus given each year in floodwater and fertility.

Herodotus wrote that ‘Egypt is the gift of the Nile’. Quite so, the land either side of the Nile is desert, as would the whole of Egypt be without the Nile. The river flows south with a total length of about 6,650 km starting in Tanzania and passing through eleven countries on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.

For millennia it lay clotted thick, rich mud on the land every summer. Into this, crops could be planted to grow with minimal watering under the winter sun. By spring, the crops would be ready for harvesting. The mud would then dry under the summer heat and the cycle would repeat.

Geography being what it is, the variation in rainfall in Ethiopia and Tanzania will cause a variation in the annual floods. These floods are so important that the ancient Egyptian calendar was divided into three:

k Akhet – inundation

k Peret – growing.

k Shemu – drought

The variation in flooding has two unacceptable extremes:

k Too low a flood and there may not be support for the cultivation required to avoid starvation.

k Too high a flood may cause structural damage to buildings and washing away of field structures.

Observation of the pattern of floods must have resulted in the desire for records, which can then be assessed and interpreted. The priest caste were already interested in the heavens and as they were the educated class, must have led the way in observing and recording the flood progress and final height. The importance of this is illustrated by the fact that in bible times about one third of all floods were inadequate to feed the Egyptian population, and perhaps more important to Egypt’s rulers raised, in their eyes, inadequate taxation.

The device they used and invented is still in use today, in Egypt it is called a ‘Nilometer’.

p An example of a Nilometer

In its basic form it is simply a pillar of stone inscribed at regular intervals. In Egypt the primary division is the cubit, this is used in many civilisations and is generally accepted as the distance from elbow to fingertip. The English word is derived from the Latin ‘cubitum’, meaning elbow.

The importance of the nilometer to the Egyptians can be illustrated by the fact that they were a key feature of Egyptian life, many hundreds were present throughout Egypt along the Nile. Whilst it is not known when they were introduced, they were certainly in use by around 3000 BCE.

The importance is also reflected in the elaborate construction of those survivors. One is on Roda island in Cairo which consists of a well, a shaft containing a column some eleven meters tall, the hight of a modern house. The shaft is wide with stairs leading down to allow access to water level. Now blocked, there was originally a side tunnel to allow the Nile waters to flow into the well. Many nilometers were in temples, so as to allow the priests sole access to the nilometer, as today, information is king!

Each nilometer seemed to have been inscribed with the record highs and lows. We do not know how often the readings were recorded or how they were collated or how the flood levels were predicted, but they were important.

Pliny the Elder (later to die in the volcanic eruption which buried Pompei and Herculaneum) wrote in the first century AD, describing the use of a nilometer thought to have been in Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt:

k ‘When the water rises to only twelve cubits, Egypt experiences the horror of famine.

k When it attains thirteen cubits, hunger is still the result.

k A rise of fourteen cubits is productive of gladness.

k Arise of fifteen sets all anxieties at rest.

k A rise of sixteen cubits is productive of unbounded transports of joy.’ This figure of sixteen seems to have been significant, a later copy of a third century statue depicted the Nile as a reclining figure … which was surrounded by sixteen cherubs, each a cubit high.

The use of nilometers only faded away in Egypt after the Aswan dam was completed in the 1970’s, controlling the flow of the Nile at last.

Nowadays we have telemetry data processing and so forth, but it is comforting to see my local branch of the River Derwent has an automatic Yorkshire Water level monitoring station, with a white painted vertical plank of wood, inscribed with horizontal black lines – a Derwentometer! I receive text messages when the Derwent is likely to flood. Saves our local vicar a job!

Indeed, the harbours of North Yorkshire still have such visible displays. I know what I would take notice of if I were manoeuvring a boat into my harbour!

Having nearly been flooded out myself in 2002 I appreciate the damage and distress resulting from flooding. The house was not

flooded but the garage was, to a depth of two feet – six hundred millimetres. Our twentyyear-old Curry’s Zoppas freezer continued running, despite the power switch being at the bottom, under water. The result: a freezer half full of frozen river water.

We were happily on holiday in Yellowstone National Park when we returned to our hotel in Jackson Hole and heard a recorded call from our then sixteen year old daughter, ‘the house has been flooded but don’t worry, it didn’t last long.’

The Nile was not the only major river to have flood markers. A hunger stone (German: Hungerstein) is a type of hydrological landmark common in Central Europe.

Hunger stones serve as famine memorials and warnings and were erected in Germany and in ethnic German settlements throughout Europe in the 15th through to the 19th centuries.

These stones were often embedded into a riverbank during droughts to mark the water level as a warning to future generations that they will have to endure famine-related hardships if the water sinks to that level again.

One on the Elbe river erected in what is now the Czech Republic bears an inscription, “Girl, don’t weep and moan, if it’s dry, water the field”. Not very politically correct by modern standards, but we get the meaning!

Once again our children gave inspiration by buying me a book for my birthday, accordingly I give credit to James Vincent, author of ‘Beyond Measure’ ISBN 978-0-57135421-4.

p An example of a Hunger Stone

In the world of genset manufacturing, AMPS holds a special place in the hearts of those who were part of its formation in the late 1980s. In this article, Gerald Parkinson, the founder and first Secretary of AMPS, takes us on a journey through the early years of the association, its formation, and the challenges faced during its inception.

It all started in the summer of 1987, when a group of genset builders gathered for lunch on the first floor of Giovani’s Restaurant in Regent Street, Rugby. Hosted by Don Andrews and Brian Williams of Intex Engineering, the aim was to form a new association of genset manufacturers, to ensure they had an equal voice within the industry. The first formal meeting of the executive committee of AMPS was held in November 1988, with 20 companies having already signed up.

John Wilkins, MD of Coronet EM in Leicester, contacted Parkinson to

AMPS: A NOSTALGIC REFLECTION OF THE EARLY YEARS

see if he could help set up the new association. Mr Parkinson, who was previously the CEO of Hawker Siddeley Group and had started his own electrical and mechanical engineering consultancy, agreed to take on the challenge. By April 1989, discussions were held with ABGSM (Association of British Generating Set Manufacturers) to explore the possibility of amalgamating the two associations, but nothing came of it.

AMPS was incorporated into a limited liability company in November 1989, and by the end of the year, ABGSM indicated they were not interested in further cooperation. AMPS decided to canvas ABGSM’s members to join and applied for membership of EUROPGEN (the European generating set association). They also committed to becoming co-sponsors of the INPOWER Exhibition together with the IDGTE (Institution of Diesel & Gas Turbine Engineers).

By 1990, AMPS had become a member of EUROPGEN, appointed Bob Wheadon to chair the Technical Committee,

and engaged Varley Hibbs to draw up Terms of Business for full and associate members. Regular quarterly meetings for all members were held at the Benn Hall in Rugby from 1991 onwards.

In the spring of 1992, Mr Parkinson met with Vic Yates, the Chairman of ABGSM, and finally agreed on the basis for the acquisition of their assets. The two associations amalgamated on July 1st, 1992, and became known as “AMPS + ABGSM” for a minimum period of one year before reverting back to being known as AMPS. By the end of the year, the membership had reached 58.

From these humble beginnings, AMPS has grown to become one of the leading associations in the genset manufacturing industry, representing the interests of its members and promoting the use of high-quality generating sets. Mr Parkinson’s reflections of the early years serve as a reminder of the hard work and dedication that went into forming AMPS, and the foundation it provides for its continued success.

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BUSINESS LIFE OF GERALD PARKINSON

In this piece, we’ll take a journey through the entrepreneurial life of Gerald Parkinson, who has played a significant role in the success of AMPS.

Starting in 1954, Gerald Parkinson began his journey at British Thompson Houston Co. in Rugby (later Associated Electrical Industries). Five years later, he moved on to Crompton Parkinson Limited’s Export Division in London. In 1961, he joined Crompton Greaves Ltd, where he served as the Regional Manager for Eastern and Central India, located in Calcutta. During his time there, he also held positions as the Associate Director of Electric Lamp Manufacturers of India and as a member of the Indian Engineering Association.

In 1967, Gerald took on a new challenge as the Managing Director of Hawker Siddeley Electric Zambia Ltd, with territorial responsibility for all countries in Central and East Africa.He continued to broaden his horizons in 1970 when he became the General Sales Manager of Hawker Siddeley Electric Export Ltd. in London, responsible for the worldwide sales of the electrical products of the Hawker Siddeley Group.

In 1972, Gerald joined R A Lister & Company Limited, where he served as the Sales and Marketing Director of a leading manufacturer of industrial and marine diesel engines, power generating plant, and agricultural equipment. During his time there, he held responsibility for worldwide manufacturing, distribution, and service operations. He was also the chairman of wholly-owned companies in various countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as a director responsible for joint venture companies in South Africa, Mexico, and Southeast Asia.

In 1984, Gerald took on another managerial role as the Managing Director of Hawker Siddeley Power Plant Limited. In this role, he was responsible for the group’s manufacturing, distribution, and worldwide sales of power generation and marine propulsion and auxiliary products. He also

held the title of Chairman of the Association of British Generating Set Manufacturers and served as a council member of Europgen, the European trade federation.

Finally, from 1987 to 2008, Gerald became a principal shareholder and partner in Martec Limited and Parkinson Associates, engaged as consultants to the worldwide electrical and mechanical engineering sectors and in trade association management. He was the founder and Director General of the Association of Manufacturers of Power Generating Systems and the Secretary of the Institution of Value Management.

Gerald Parkinson’s engineering journey is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and expertise in the electrical and mechanical engineering industry. His experience and achievements will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for future generations and AMPS Members and engineering professionals.

CRESTCHIC LOADBANKS USED TO TEST CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY

The global shipping industry hauls around 1.8 billion metric tons of goods around the world - more than 80% of global trade by volume. In the process, ships emit around 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. With greenhouse gases high on everyone’s agenda, the shipping industry is facing kickback from customers looking to reduce their carbon footprints, along with increasing regulatory pressure.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has mandated that starting in 2023, most commercial vessels will have to document their CO2 emissions and demonstrate progress towards reaching the IMO objective of an industry-wide 40% reduction in emissions by 2030.

While the sector at large is exploring a range of zero-emissions fuels and technologies, including batteries, sustainable biofuels, and green or blue hydrogen and their derivatives such

as ammonia and methanol, start-up company Seabound has developed a unique carbon capture device that traps and stores CO2 from fuel exhaust - allowing a significant reduction in emissions.

All hands on deck: The challenge of decarbonising shipping

At present, the shipping sector is highly dependent on heavy fuel oil - a high-carbon fossil fuel. In light of this, decarbonising the current global fleet of approximately 100,000 ships represents a mammoth task - estimated at $1 trillion - consisting of investment in energy-efficient ships as well as a complete overhaul of the industry’s fuel supply chain.

While regulators, industry groups and financial institutions are focussed on reducing emissions, the shipping sector faces some unique challenges. Zero-carbon fuels and technologies

are not available at the size, scale, or price the industry needs for widescale adoption. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, the sector’s primary trade association “new fuels will need to be developed along with novel propulsion systems, upgraded vessels and an entirely new global refuelling network.”

Seabound: A carbon capture solution

While the industry works on a longterm solution, Seabound has developed technology that can equip ships with carbon capture devices that trap and store CO2 from fuel exhaust. The CO2 can then be brought to port where it can be sold for utilisation or sequestration. As well as enabling the industry to meet stringent targets, the revenue stream made from selling the captured CO2 will be shared with the ship owner, helping to cover implementation costs.

Startup climate-tech company, Seabound, is gearing up to help decarbonise the shipping industry - and Crestchic Loadbanks is part of the company’s journey.

Walker Kehoe, Founding Engineer at Seabound, explains “Building new ships is extremely capital intensive, and the production of sustainable fuels at scale is 10-20 years away. Carbon capture can help to decarbonize shipping quickly and at scale, and it can be retrofitted onto existing ships.”

To test the technology on dry land, the company needed to create and capture CO2. To do this without the need for a marine engine, they hooked the technology up to a diesel generator. A load bank, supplied by Crestchic Loadbanks, was used to apply a full load to the generator - in turn allowing the generator to run at full capacity and fully test the carbon capture technology.

Using a load bank to simulate a power source

Usually used to test generators to ensure they are fit for purpose as a backup power source, load banks work by applying an electrical load to a generator, allowing it to run as it would in normal operational conditions. By using the generator and loadbank combination, the team at Seabound was able to simulate a marine engineenabling full testing of the carbon capture technology.

Walker continued, “Testing our prototype was a critical step in getting the technology launched - leading to expressions of interest from some major shipowners. Our development and testing process has established that Seabound can capture up to 95% of CO2 emissions per ship - helping the industry move towards its targets.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ROLE OF LOADBANKS IN THE MARINE SECTOR, VISIT WWW.CRESTCHICLOADBANKS.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SEABOUND’S CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY, VISIT WWW.SEABOUND.COM

DISASTER RELIEF

AMPS Members have come forward to offer to give help to those affected by the earthquake disaster in both Turkey and Syria and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In response to their request, we’ve put together a special feature that is intended to provide an overview of the situation in Ukraine, Turkey and Syria along with valuable information on campaigns and agencies that AMPS members are welcome to connect with to show their support.

“There are not enough words to describe the tragedy here,” laments Melih Özdemir, of Gaziantep’s Foreign Affairs Department. With its enormous impact and growing death toll, the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on the morning of 6 February has seen cities around Turkey, Europe and the world scramble to assist.

“Gaziantep is one of the cities affected the most due to the earthquake,” says Özdemir, calling for people to send warm clothes, sleeping equipment and hygiene products to the area.

Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city, suffered a large earthquake three years ago, during the Covid pandemic. Though not at the same scale as the current tragedy, the event left many in the city with bitter experiences of suffering and loss. “I went to the bank for 10 minutes, and 10 minutes later, my husband was under the wreckage,” recalls Izmir resident Hatice Baltırak, who is now helping to coordinate aid for Gaziantep, as reported by the Daily Sabah.

Earthquake aid being sorted in Izmir

The sudden unexpectedness of the recent earthquake, which was far more severe than any the area has seen for the last 200 years, and its occurring in the middle of the night contributed to the extra-ordinary death toll, reports the BBC. Now the winter weather is severely hampering the emergency response.

“It is a real disaster where the terrible weather conditions are not allowing aid and donations to be addressed to the area and to the people,” says Ercan Türkoğlu, from Izmir’s Metropolitan Municipality.

Within the first two days of the disaster, Izmir’s locals and municipality had already organised 150 transit trucks, 50 other trucks, two ships and one airplane “full of vital equipment” to travel to the affected region.

“İzmir is working 24 hours to get support to the region,” Türkoğlu says, and Izmir’s Mayor, Mustafa Tunç Soyer “is already in the disaster region.” Tunç Soyer is overseeing not only the delivery of much needed supplies to the area, including 45,000 blankets and quilts and 3,000 heaters to help the survivors see through the freezing

Anthony Colclough Senior Communications Strategist Eurocities

nights, but also a mobile kitchen prepared to distribute 100,000 meals and a mobile surgery to deliver emergency medical support.

In neighbouring Greece, many municipalities, including Athens and Thessaloniki, have launched aid campaigns. As well as sending material aid, cities such as Sofia are also sending municipality emergency teams that can help locals coordinate and deal with the devastation.

Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence and President of Eurocities, has been in contact with Gaziantep to offer support appropriate to local needs. “The news that reached us is terrible,” Nardella says, pledging to send “food, equipment and personnel,” to the area.

City-to-city emergency support is something that we have seen a lot of in recent years, from European cities sending money and medical supplies to Chinese cities at the outbreak of Covid (a gesture that was reciprocated once the pandemic reached Europe) to Eurocities’ #GeneratorsOfHope campaign that has followed EU cities helping their Ukrainian counterparts weather the winter by sending generators.

This latest tragedy has shown that the ties binding local administrations across national and political borders remain as strong as ever.

GENERATORS OF HOPE

Following consecutive missile and drone attacks by Russia on critical civilian infrastructure of Ukraine in recent weeks, in violation of international humanitarian law, more than 30% of Ukraine’s power stations have been damaged or destroyed, leaving 10 million Ukrainians without electricity.

With the winter fast approaching, and temperatures already plummeting to below zero in many parts of the country, the lack of electricity means heating is also of paramount concern, and, with water supplies also attacked, Kyiv has already given the order to evacuate certain parts of the country.

On 19 August we signed a memorandum of understanding in Kyiv to support the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine, and this time is no different. We will coordinate among the over 200 major cities that make up Eurocities, alongside our partner organisations, and with President Metsola, we will do all we can to offer direct relief to the people of Ukraine.

via an online link, said “We are proud that Europeans and their institutions, such as the European Parliament and Eurocities, are today standing by Ukraine in responding to Russia`s terrorist tactics against civilian Ukrainians.”

Nardella added, “at our annual Eurocities Cooperation Platform, to be held in Vienna next week, we will take the opportunity to present in detail the initiative to the over 80 cities participating. As Mayors, my colleagues and I know the importance of local services. By launching this direct call to action for cities to get together and help Ukraine by donating generators and transformers, we can help ensure that Ukraine’s cities will be able to manage their day-to-day lives in the best way possible. We must act immediately. Winter is upon us, there is no electricity and gas, and there is no time to waste.”

Speaking after the joint press conference in Strasbourg, Dario Nardella, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Florence, commented: “Since the beginning of this illegal war, Eurocities has rallied to support their Ukrainian counterparts in every way possible.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said “I call on all cities towns and regions across Europe to join the Generators of Hope campaign. Together we can make a real difference.”

In particular, the Ukrainian government has signalled the need for high-voltage electrical equipment, especially transformers, and large-capacity generators, to be the top priority to allow Ukraine to restore its damaged energy system.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, who spoke

In practical terms, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism will be used to connect cities via national authorities and provide the logistical means to transport the generators from cities to one of three EU hubs for Ukraine.

Turku, Leipzig and Florence are among the first cities to commit generators to Ukrainian cities as part of Eurocities campaign generators of hope, which we are running with the European Parliament. In August, Turku and Kharkiv, both members of Eurocities, signed a twin city agreement, aiming for assistance

“Generators of hope” a campaign launched jointly today by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Dario Nardella, President of Eurocities – will bring practical aid to the people of Ukraine, by delivering a massive supply of power generators at a time of urgent need.

Alex Godson Head of Strategic Communications - Eurocities

activities and for mutually beneficial longterm cooperation in urban development. Last week, Turku organised a collection for electricity and heating equipment – asking companies and residents to donate what they can to help the people of Kharkiv.

86 power generators, 157 heaters and 19 water pumps have already been collected as a result of the good will of local residents.

Meanwhile, Constanta has sent 30 power generators to Odesa; Riga has sent 15 more, and 100 heaters to Kyiv; and Freiburg has sent five generators to Lviv.

Tallinn has completed the public procurement necessary – and gathered support through the Estonian Association of Cities and Municipalities – to buy new generators for cities in the Zhytomyr Region of Ukraine.

From Leipzig, over 100 smaller power generators have already been sent to Kyiv, for use in clinical facilities and so-called civil heat centres, including one large generator. And, the two initiators of the generators of hope campaign, Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, have also donated their first generators to Ukraine.

Everywhere, the good will is apparent. The city of Bruges is in direct contact with the city of Kopychintsi to assess what goods are most needed, and what it can provide.

Many cities in Poland, such as Bydgoszcz, have also sent power generators, as well as vehicles and medical equipment. And, even smaller municipalities, such as Ventspils, have organised to send generators.

The city of Munich, which supports the generators of hope campaign, but has not yet sent generators, has received over €3 million in transfers from residents in the last nine months to help Ukraine, and has provided a further €1.5 million from the city’s own

funds, and is working actively with the local community to find more ways to help.

Cities at the heart of the campaign

Have you heard about the “generators of hope” campaign? With 30% of Ukraine’s power stations having been damaged or destroyed, leaving an estimated 10 million Ukrainians without electricity as winter begins to bite, the country’s authorities have shared a request to send highvoltage electricity equipment, especially transformers and similar energy hardware, and power generators.

The requests are based on needs, identified at the local and regional level, to give Ukrainians the best chance of making it through the winter and beyond.

In practical terms, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is being used to connect cities via national authorities and provide the logistical means to transport the generators from cities to one of three EU hubs for Ukraine. All city administrations are invited to contact their national authority to organise this.

Wider reconstruction efforts

Sending generators can help bring relief to millions of Ukrainians this winter, and all cities are encouraged to get involved. More widely, Eurocities, as well as other organisations, is already engaging in the longer-term sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine.

Following the mayors mission to Ukraine in August, Eurocities has already launched a city-to-city pilot programme to experiment with how cities can be matched to bring together the knowledge and expertise needed for a climate-resilient and inclusive reconstruction, and, crucially, ensure that Ukrainian local authorities are key actors in shaping and implementing any long-term reconstruction vision.

More than 5,000 Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff and volunteers are working around the clock in unimaginably difficult conditions to help people who have lost everything.

Your donation will be used to reach people in urgent need in the aftermath of the earthquakes. It will provide support and aid that includes:

• Distributing essentials like food water and blankets

• Setting up temporary shelters to support thousands of survivors who are facing freezing conditions

• Providing first aid and crisis support

• Assisting with the rescue efforts and getting people vital medical aid

• Providing psychosocial support to those who have been traumatised.

The best way you can help those affected by the earthquakes is to donate to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal using the link below...

HTTP://BIT.LY/3SOWHAM

HOW CAN AMPS MEMBERS HELP WITH DONATIONS OR EQUIPMENT?

Generators for hope campaign run by Eurocities is supporting both Ukraine and the disaster in Turkey and Syria

Eurocities is a network of large cities in Europe, established in 1986 by the mayors of six large cities: Barcelona, Birmingham, London, Belfast, Frankfurt, Lyon, Milan and Rotterdam. Today, Eurocities is the network of more than 200 cities in 38 countries, representing 130 million people, working together to ensure a good quality of life for all.

To organise support of equipment contact your nearest city

UNICEF - originally called the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, now officially United Nations Children’s Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

To show your support for UNICEF, please visit the following websites...

EXPANDING YOUR WORLD WITH IPU AND SENQUIP

Ultimate generator visibility and reliability

You can’t have eyes and ears on every piece of equipment 24/7. Keeping sites manned round the clock is expensive, unproductive, and now – it’s unnecessary. Without a doubt, remote monitoring and control has the highest return on investment for any diesel machinery owner. The freight industry realised this early on, investing heavily in vehicle tracking.

Although generators are valuable assets in their own right, we know that the primary motivator for monitoring a genset is the potential loss of productivity should it fail to work. Remote generator monitoring with the ORB provides virtual access to your generator fleet from anywhere in the world. You can be confident it’s ready for use, identify potential issues before they become expensive, and reduce the need for extensive site visits.

Generator killers

In the applications we’ve installed into, we have found the most common causes for generator failure are low battery state of charge, low fuel, or the generator wasn’t where it needed to be.

Remote monitoring and the correct application of alerts eradicate these issues immediately.

More detailed information available through the ORB includes oil pressure, engine temperature, battery voltage, power output, potential mains failure, frequency, fuel levels, engine run time, engine fault codes and more. These parameters allow for a comprehensive review of the condition of your generator without needing to visit the site.

Access to parameters on more modern machines is typically available through a serial interface with MODBUS over RS232 and RS485, and J1939 over CAN being the most common. Some engine controllers mix their protocols, some are proprietary, and many don’t adhere to their own specifications. The ORBs have all these physical interfaces and can be customised with JavaScript to adhere to any machine protocol, so nothing is holding you back.

The world is fast-paced. A million things to do. Sites everywhere, with multiple, expensive assets. Generators, lighting towers, fuel tanks. The cost of fuel, lead time for components and the need to preserve the bottom line means protecting them is more important than ever. IPU makes this easy with the Senquip ORB.

A fleet owner’s best friend

Fleet owners don’t have it easy. For some, maximum productivity is key. For others, backup power availability is critical.

Productivity is maximised by having the correct capacity on site and by minimising downtime due to servicing and maintenance. A remote monitoring solution needs to report the location of each unit, the current status, and the usage over time. The ORB makes this monitoring easy, even on older machines.

Availability is maximised by ensuring that the start battery is charged, the machine has fuel, and through a regular testing regime, all of which can be performed or monitored remotely with the ORB.

Ignition, vibration, and GPS movement are used to determine standing, idle, and operating hours with little to no connection to a machine. Hours are stored on the Senquip Portal, allowing for evidence-based billing and reporting.

For more advanced users, engine hours, fuel level, fault codes and other engine parameters are collected from the engine CAN-bus allowing for accurate service intervals and preventative maintenance.

Don’t be left in the dark

Your lighting plant’s value is the work it enables - not the price you paid for it. Having a crew arrive and have no light because the plant has run out of fuel, can’t start because of a flat battery, has an engine fault, or is just missing, is expensive. Remote monitoring of your lighting plant fleet is a low-cost way to increase productivity by reducing downtime.

Off-highway plant rarely ships with integrated monitoring because there is little benefit for the OEM. In fact, having plant fail

due to extended use with an engine fault, missed services, or other user-induced faults can result in a paid repair or new sale.

The ORB excels in monitoring off-highway plant because it can monitor almost any sensor, interface to any engine controller, and can be customised to fit the application with user-programmed JavaScript and edge processing.

Tackling fuel theft

We’ve all seen the headlines recently – diesel is a hot commodity, which means it’s more vulnerable to theft than ever. With IPU expertise and the ORB, you can get next-level protection for your fuel storage tanks.

The ORB can monitor diesel volumes and flow rates on your remotely located fuel storage tanks. It can increase efficiency by monitoring fuel usage and optimising storage capacity. You’ll be able to verify diesel delivery times and volumes. And, of course, you can be alerted when fuel is being drawn from tanks unexpectantly, giving you the opportunity to save your fuel.

Australian outback or the M6?

The Senquip ORBs hail from Australia, originally built for use in quarries. They are tried and tested across numerous applications globally, including marine, agriculture, emergency services, industrial, construction and mining.

A no compromise approach to design and the use of quality materials means that ORBs have been fitted up poles in rainstorms, on structures in chemically toxic environments, attached to machines covered in dust, and in the middle of nowhere exposed to the sun.

So, whether the ORB is installed in the middle of the Cornish countryside, the heart of London, or in roadworks on the side of the M6, there’s nothing it can’t handle.

Intrigued?

IPU are the only UK distributor for the Senquip ORBs. But we’re so much more than a box-in, box-out distributor. Thanks to our in-house software engineers, we can build custom solutions made for your application. This, along with our huge range of market-leading Enovation HMI displays and industrial Powercore controllers, gives you unbeatable visibility and control over your assets.

PRAMAC-GENERAC UK SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS

As a leading energy technology solutions company, Pramac-Generac UK is committed to deliver sustainable, cleaner, and better products for our world.

Our corporate purpose is to lead the evolution to more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions, that are going to change, significantly, the 21st century electrical grid.

With its broad suite of products, PramacGenerac UK can support this energy transition, offering a dedicated range of products to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Among our sustainable and environmentally friendly products, Pramac-Generac UK has in the portfolio a full range of battery energy storage solutions, a compact all-in-one hybrid genset and a wide range of hybrid and solar Light Towers. Drastically reducing the carbon-footprint and noise pollution for the end-user.

Our MX and LX range of battery energy storage systems allow the capture of energy from multiple sources, including diesel & natural gas generators, solar, wind and the grid. Allowing stored energy to be used when required, especially when grid prices are at premium levels during peak period, therefore helping to reduce the overall energy consumption cost.

Applications for battery energy storage systems include power on construction sites, agricultural operations with wind &

solar, mobile telephony masts, edge data centre (smaller, decentralised facilities for data storage), schools and many more.

Pramac GRW Hybrid series is a hybrid genset in a compact all-inone package

Stage V compliant and allows the use of a smaller generator with a lithium battery energy storage system, increasing the power usage effectiveness and longer operational life of the equipment.

Pramac Stage V GRW and GPW generator series have been specifically designed for the rental industry.

Pramac Diesel generators up to 4000 kVA are suitable for all industrial applications: from industries to data centres, residential and many more. Easy to install in any place without the need of specific infrastructure. The Deep-Sea control units guarantee high reliability and quick power response in all key applications.

Pramac GGW gas fuelled generators are ideal for all applications that require extended run time, low exhaust, or noise emissions, or that have location constraints for on-site fuel storage.

Go Pro

The most recent line of new environmentally friendly Light Towers is the PRO Line, a range of second-generation hybrid models equipped with an exclusive “all-in-one” power system: full-battery; diesel engine; hybrid system; photovoltaic panels; plug-in. All available in one model.

their fleet, bringing together all possible requirements of the new World Green Deal, meeting all customer needs without having to diversify their fleet and increasing the speed of return on investment and ease of fleet management.

Another successful environmentally friendly model recently launched is the VT-Solar, a generator-free lighting tower equipped with 3 solar panels able to recharge a built-in battery pack, so that the unit can keep the floodlights running all night long, without any carbon emission or noise.

Stage V generator sets are equipped with advanced engine technologies to meet the latest European emission regulations (EU Regulation 2016/1628), offering a robust and easy maintenance design which places the products as a top of the range in the rental business.

Pramac also provides a wide array of standby and prime power solutions for all industrial applications, including diesel and gaseous generators.

Born with the classic AGM battery pack, PRO lighting towers today are also available with a latest-generation lithium-ion battery pack, giving customers the possibility to choose the preferred battery technology according to their needs.

All PRO Products are ready to be combined with the Solar Kit and battery pack I-Extender. Both products are available as accessories from the Generac Mobile portfolio.

PRO models allow rental companies to choose a single lighting tower model for

With two redesigned models launched in 2022, today, the VT-Solar is available in both manual-mast and hydraulic-mast version, with higher battery capacity, more powerful solar panels (400W each) and four highefficiency LED floodlights whose light power output can be adjusted from 25% to 100%, to get a total running time from 20 up to 50 hours.

GRW HYBRID

THE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SHOW :

THE PIVOTAL EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE FOR FLEXIBLE AND RENEWABLE ONSITE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Flexibility is key in making the move to renewable energy sources in the UK; which has always been heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

The Distributed Energy Show’s exhibition and conference, taking place on the 14th & 15th March 2023 at the International Centre Telford, is the only event bringing together the technology and expertise energy users need to implement and optimise flexible energy technologies within their organisations.

This event will showcase the very latest advancements in technology, policy and regulation that are enabling commercial and industrial energy users to meet their Net Zero targets, reduce their costs and optimise their energy flexibility.

The free to attend exhibition and conference features sessions including The Current and Future State of the Distributed Energy Sector, with speaker including SSE, Octopus Energy

and UK Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Strengthening Your Energy Resilience in the Face of Growing Supply Concerns, with speakers including Clarke Energy, British Sugar and Centrica. Understanding the Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology in the Decentralised Energy Space, with speakers including Rolls Royce and Bosch.

Technologies on display at the event will include solar systems, gas turbines, wind turbines, combined heat & power, energy storage systems, small hydro, fuel cells, smart energy systems and platforms, virtual power plant systems, cabling, converters, power electronics.

An expected 2,500 attendees will gather at the event on 14th & 15th March 2023, including energy users from industrial and manufacturing plants, commercial operations, land owners and public sector building operators. As well as energy suppliers and network operators who will

use the show to source technologies and understand the future and advancements in the sector.

Over 100 exhibitors will be at the show for two days of networking, lead generation and education at the Telford International Centre, with organisations confirmed including: Centrica, Clarke Energy

SSE, Rolls Royce, Bosch, Ecotricity, Schneider Electric, Edina, Genovate Power Solutions, Vattenfall, Conrad Energy.

Matt Pennington, Event Director of Event Partners who are hosting the event says “We are absolutely delighted with the industry-wide support we have for The Distributed Energy Show, which is coming back in 2023 bigger than ever. Major global organisations, SME’s and thought-leaders are helping to shape the event, resulting in the exhibition doubling in size and an increased number of visitors attending the event.”

ATLAS COPCO’S BATTERY STORAGE DRIVES DOWN CO2 ON RENEWABLES SITE

At this unnamed project in the UK, an Atlas Copco battery energy storage unit is being used to power the site’s welfare and office facility, not only preventing significant carbon emissions being released into the climate but also reducing operational costs significantly.

Typically, construction sites without access to mains electricity use 45 KVA or 60KVA diesel powered generators to provide power for employee welfare facilities. These temporary use cabins contain canteens, toilets, showers, storage and site office facilities.

Generally, the diesel generators burn around 10 litres of diesel an hour, and often run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If one litre of diesel creates

around 2.68 kgs of C02, then using one of even the cleanest diesel-powered generators would create an incredible 4.5 tonnes of C02e in just one week. This figure makes it no surprise that construction as an industry contributes to around 40% of annual C02e emissions in the U.K. Cost wise, powering a diesel generator would amount to roughly £2,940 in just one week (3,350 Euros in Ireland). If you take into account the cost of Adblue for Stage V generators, engine oil, regular servicing, alternate fuels such as HVO and if you pay fuel management, the cost would be even greater.

A green future with ZBP 45

To avoid producing such emissions, Atlas Copco’s customer wanted to use a

mains grid supply instead of generators, but the power available through the mains fell short of what was required. The power grid could provide 20 kW of power, but the site produced peak power demand of 30 kW. This is where Atlas Copco energy storage comes in. The ZBP 45 is being used to plug the energy gap by trickle charging its batteries in times of low demand, ready to provide up to 45 kW power when required. The ZBP 45 Lithium-ion battery technology is compact yet can provide over 12 hours of power with a single charge if the mains fail it. This is a portable product with plug-and-play capabilities to reduce connection and disconnection labour costs. These energy storage units are also simple to install and are

Leading genset innovator Atlas Copco is powering a leading utility company in its bid to reduce carbon emissions at an ongoing renewable energy construction project. Atlas Copco has a long history of developing innovative products that reduce – or even eliminate – carbon emissions.

silent, limiting noise pollution on site. And, as they emit no exhaust emissions, they can be stored safely indoors or even underground if required. On this site, the electricity being provided is ’green’, meaning that the welfare facility has a zero-carbon footprint.

Environmental innovation and the future of construction

Despite the higher cost of the energy storage unit itself compared to a diesel-powered generator, these power packs lower operational costs significantly. Not only is electricity cheaper than diesel, per unit of energy, the energy stored, once full, can switch off and stop absorbing from the grid. In conjunction with this significant cost reduction, this battery storage unit is playing a critical role in the utility’s goal to drive down carbon emissions.

their significant environmental and financial benefits. “These energy storage units, despite being little known, undoubtedly have an important role to play on all types of construction sites in the future,” he says. “The capability to provide power to sites across the U.K and Ireland at a muchreduced cost and generating only very little carbon emissions is a huge step forward in construction achieving its goal of becoming a greener, and more environmentally conscious industry. This year is where we step-up models with increased power and battery capacity, Solar PV and Wind turbine compatible more than ever before, especially with increased electricity tariffs and emission restrictions”.

Barry Hughes,

Atlas Copco’s Business Development Manager is working to raise the profile of battery energy storage products and

WB POWER SYSTEMS CROWNED KOHLER 2022 EMEA DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR

Kohler’s largest distributor in Europe, Derbyshire based WB Power Services, has been recognised for its dedication and commitment to its critical power services by being awarded the accolade of 2022 EMEA Distributor of the Year.

Following the success of its authorised distributer partnership with Kohler, which began in 2004, WB Power Services announced the expansion of the arrangement in 2022, giving the critical power provider exclusive distributorship rights to service and sell spare parts to all data centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

Building on this partnership, the Kohler EMEA Distributor of the Year Award recognises WB Power Services for a range of achievements at an operational level and for its strategic customer support.

Specifically, Kohler praised WB Power Services for its focus on constantly improving service levels for customers and investing in resources which include new business systems and additional staff. Providing a diverse proposition, such as the ability to offer expert knowledge and a high level of service across all areas of power generation, including installations, product sales, hire, maintenance, and spare parts was also praised.

WB Power Services has also invested over £7m in new equipment and business streams, such as standard product sales and spare parts, which has resulted in demonstrable growth. This has also influenced an increase in performance across core operational sectors, benefitting overall financial performance.

Finally, Kohler was impressed with WB Power Service’s ongoing emphasis on renewable energy, after building an actionable, measurable and industry leading CSR strategy, citing its investment in Stage V and HVO technologies as industry leading Commenting on the Award, WBPS Managing Director Andrew Wilmott said: “We are thrilled to have won the Kohler EMEA Distributor of the Year Award. It recognises the ongoing focus across all areas of the business to build an improved service proposition and have an industry-leading offer. We are constantly striving to increase the experience for our customers and have put a range of new processes and funding in place to support this.

“The Award will strengthen our positive manufacturer-distributor relationship and will lead to further collaboration. As a result, it will enable us to continue to improve our service, delivering an ongoing exceptional customer experience.

“The entire WB Power Services team has played a part in winning this Award. We have a philosophy of fostering a family orientated culture for our employees which has helped create an engaged, dedicated and committed team which has now also been recognised by Kohler.”

WB Power Service’s enhanced partnership with Kohler extends to the leading generator manufacturer recommending its former dealers in England, Scotland and Wales to purchase spare parts directly from WB Power Services. As well as providing support to data centres, WB Power Services continue to supply all businesses who require Kohler parts, from healthcare providers, education, telecoms and the wider public sector amongst others.

Comments Ashish Dutta, Global VP: “We are excited recognise the success of WBPS with the 2022 EMEA Distributor of the year award. Their ability to relentlessly search for solutions and find innovative ways to serve their customers set them apart in 2022. This award represents a dedication to excellence and supports the values of Kohler Energy to provide a gracious customer experience. Thank you and congratulations to WBPS and its talented team of professionals.”

Critical power provider recognised for excellent customer service and investment in resources leading to sector growth.

THE MHM GROUP LEAD DISCUSSIONS ON SUSTAINABLE EQUIPMENT AT THE EXECUTIVE HIRE SHOW

Brad Ireland, Sales Director at MHM, spoke with presenter Peter Haddock from Content with Media after being selected for an interview that was filmed live on their Executive Hire Show stands and shared on social media.

This was the tenth year in a row that the MHM Group had attended the Show at the Coventry Building Society Arena (CBS), which took place on the 8th and 9th of February. The Group was joined by 149 other businesses and hire industry professionals.

After celebrating a 150% rise in revenue in the previous two years due to the increasing demand for its low-emission and innovative products, the MHM Group promoted power, fluid storage and lighting solutions, with the MGTP 10 USY- Stage 5 taking centre stage as the first 10kva ultra-silent generator in its class.

Director, Brad Ireland said: “We were very much looking forward to attending The Executive Hire Show as it has always been a rewarding experience for MHM. This event allows us to showcase the best of our Eco equipment which has seen a 30% increase from the previous year and has greatly contributed to the growth of the business and increased our focus even further on our sustainable product offering.”

As the Government increases its efforts to reduce pollution, the construction sector has already seen many climaterelated regulatory changes including the ban of red diesel.

Brad added, “Companies are being faced with the responsibility of reducing their carbon footprints and we hope to support businesses with their eco initiative by offering loweremission solutions to the plant hire

and construction sectors. We want to demonstrate MHM’s commitment to pushing the hire industry to become greener, as well as look to alternative methods of energy to power plant equipment across the UK.

“As we move into 2023, we have big plans to increase our sustainable hire fleet and promote products that improve energy efficiency and lower emissions as part of a drive towards a cleaner, more sustainable future”.

The MHM Group spoke at the Innovation Trail Live in Coventry as part of last year’s Executive Hire Show, where they discussed new innovative products on stage and showcased the business’s ground-breaking sustainable equipment to the plant and tool sector.

GENERATOR POWER PLANT FOR THE FUTURE

Generator Power is committed to a significant program of tree planting, in order to provide carbon capture and support efforts of the climate crisis. These Woodland Creation Schemes involve the planting of native broad leaf species in a way to create wildlife benefits. It is a hope of Generator Power’s that our trees will help promote healthy regrowth of natural habitats and provide crucial support to a healing planet.

In November 2021 Generator Power’s Managing Director, Steve Cardwell, planted 5100 trees at a site near Penrith (photos attached).

Steve didn’t stop there! In November 2022, Generator Power has also invested into a location near Windermere which has had 3000 new trees planted onto the site.

Steve is already looking to the future with an additional site allocated for 5000 more trees in November 2023. Generator Power expects to plant over 5000 trees per year on an ongoing basis as our promise to a healthy Earth. This planting program will result in the sequestration of a very significant amount of carbon. With plans going ahead smoothly, we are on track to sequestrate 2.7 kilo tonnes of Co2 for the 3 sites.

Giving back and rebuilding the environment is a high priority mission for Generator Power as we recognise that our industries’ impact on the planet is harmful and that we all need to make a conscious

effort to do better. Because of this, Generator Power made the decision in 2020 to become a corporate member of The Woodland Trust to work with the experts of conservation. Generator Power has since worked alongside The Woodland Trust towards our collaborative goal and will continue to do so indefinitely!

We have also made great strides into investment of new greener technologies that help us run cleaner and more efficient operations. We are continuously adapting to change and lowering our emissions where possible, like how we trial the use of different vehicles including electric, hybrid and ultra-efficient engines; or how we have been building our own onsite renewable energy solutions to power our depots.

Generator Power is continuing investments into greener equipment with a recent purchase of over 50 new battery storage units.

At Generator Power we believe that it is our responsibility, not only as a temporary power hire solution, but as the people who live on this rock, we call Earth to give back and repair our beautiful home!

A NEW ERA FOR WAKEFIELD ACOUSTICS

Wakefield Acoustics has recently been acquired by CECO Environmental, a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment, and industrial equipment across the globe, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water and energy transition markets.

The products and services offered by Wakefield Acoustics are complementary to the ‘Thermal Acoustics’ platform of CECO Environmental, and we will work closely with our new colleagues at CECO Aarding Thermal Acoustics based in Nunspeet, Netherlands. The acquisition will give Wakefield Acoustics an international platform for our innovative industrial noise control solutions.

The acquisition follows a strong period of growth for the company, particularly in standby power generator for the UK data centre market, and peaking power plants which are core to continued expansion over the coming months and years. On the recent news, Wakefield Acoustics Managing Director, Kevin Still said “the demand across the UK and Europe for standby power systems is continuing to grow, and as part of a global organisation, we will be

able to explore opportunities to deliver our expertise to a wider international market”.

Acoustically insulated containers for the power industry have been designed and manufactured in the UK by Wakefield Acoustics for a number of years, alongside it’s traditional industrial acoustic enclosure, attenuator and acoustic panel product lines. Given current demands, it has been necessary to re-visit traditional manufacturing approaches to the product in order to accelerate manufacturing lead times, and meet client and market expectations. The introduction of offline / parallel manufacture methods has resulted in the final build time of a typical largescale container to be reduced by around 40%, improved workflow in the factory, and ensures optimal utilisation of space in the factory. Afterall, the units being fabricated can take up a floor space of 40-50m2 each for some of the larger 4.5m wide units, so the quicker these can be fabricated and delivered to site the better for the client and good for us too!

For our standard range of acoustic containers, we now offer in-house spray painting in our recently built paint facility, completed towards the end of 2022.

Paint systems are selected according to the environmental categorisation as per ISO 12944 and have been developed in conjunction with our independent paint specialist to ensure longevity of the product once on site.

Whilst the final appearance and quality of the acoustical container is of utmost importance, we must not forget the prime purpose of the product, and that is the noise reduction properties to ensure compliance with project specifications, environmental noise requirements, and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations. The company has a 40+ year history in resolving complex noise issues across a range of industrial sectors, and the power industry is a prime area for us to show our expertise given the high noise levels associated with a gas or diesel engine driven generation plant. The common goal in developing solutions to protect the environment and people are, the key ingredients in why Wakefield Acoustics and CECO Environmental corporation are such a good fit, and the company and our employees look forward to the future opportunities this will bring.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY AND PRODUCTS SUPPLIED BY WAKEFIELD ACOUSTICS CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.WAKEFIELDACOUSTICS.CO.UK

FOR INFORMATION ON OUR NEW PARENT COMPANY, CECO ENVIRONMENTAL, PLEASE VISIT WWW.CECOENVIRO.COM

‘New Year, New Start’ is a common aspiration for us as we close off the old year and enter the start of another. At Wakefield Acoustics, we have some particularly exciting news at the start of 2023 as we enter a new phase in the company’s growth.

SEEING IS BELIEVING!

Sustainability has rapidly changed from a ‘nice to have’ for organisations to a business imperative.

Talk is cheap. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. When I see it, I will believe it!! Well; this is exactly why we endlessly sign off with offering all our prospective clients the opportunity to visit one of our various live sites in the UK, operational with our NOxMASTER™ Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems.

On the 13th of October 2022 - The day before the Grand Opening of Battersea Power Station – Agriemach had the pleasure of conducting a tour of the energy centre to a select group from both the Environment Agency and DEFRA; showcasing this live energy centre and NOxMASTER™ SCR System in full operation.

Our NOxMASTER™ SCR Systems are reducing the NOx from 2x Jenbacher 612 2004kWel Natural Gas CHP`s operating at variable load based on the network demand for heat. The exhaust gas leaves the engine and enters the primary silencer fitted with Hoerbiger explosion relief valve; it then enters our mixing section where we first measure the RAW NOx Emissions. We then have fine control over the injection and atomisation of AdBlue into the exhaust stream which passes through our two stage static mixers, prior to expansion over the catalyst. The outlet of our SCR reactor then measures the treated NOx to ensure we are in line with permit conditions. After this, the heat is recovered from the exhaust gas via the heat exchanger and then onto the secondary silencer. The flue then heads up the inside of one of the iconic Battersea Power Station Chimneys.

FORMER AMPS MEMBER & HULL CITY OWNER, ASSEM ALLAM, DIES AGED 83

Dr Allam was the founder of Allam Marine. Originally called Tempest Diesels Ltd, the company was founded circa 1935 in Manchester and moved to Barrack Road Stamford in 1965. A further change of name to Allam Marine Ltd came in 1992 when the company re-located to Hull. He bought Hull City FC in 2010 and oversaw two promotions to the Premier League, an FA Cup final appearance and a League One title over 12 years.

His son, Ehab, paid tribute to his father and said “With huge aspirations from his early childhood, he’s fulfilled his goals and dreams, living life exactly how he wanted to, with self-respect and dignity - and ultimately passing away as he wanted to..

“His energy and passion is larger than life itself. Leaving behind a proud and loving family, he continues to live in our hearts and minds and in those of the many hearts and minds he has touched. “Home is where the heart is and after laying the foundations of his life and legacy in Hull, he will also be laid to rest here.”

WE LOOK TO A SUSTAINABLE BRIGHT FUTURE

CUMMINS NAMED BEST EMPLOYER FOR DIVERSITY ‘22

Cummins Inc. has long demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

Company founder J. Irwin Miller marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. and contributed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Cummins severed business with South Africa in a stance against apartheid in the 1980s and has a history of opposing state constitutions banning gay marriage. Today, this legacy is honored with Cummins’ robust commitment to DE&I in all facets of its business.

This deep commitment was recently honored by Forbes, ranking Cummins in the No. 4 spot on its prestigious “The Best Employers for Diversity 2022” list, elected by a vast sample of more than 60,000 employees working in all industry sectors.

Teresa Boughey MA FCIPD

CEO | Jungle HR

Teresa is as an experienced Board Director and NonExecutive Director. She is an Advisory Board member at Royal Holloway University London, School of Business & Management, and member of NHS Employers Diversity & Inclusion Programme Strategic Advisory Group.

Teresa has delivered a TEDx talk entitled ‘Overcoming Diversity Fatigue’ (2019) and is author of #1 Amazon bestseller Closing the Gap – 5 Steps to Creating an Inclusive Culture (2019), and is also the author of the new “Accelerating Inclusion” Research Report launched by Inclusion 247.

Teresa is a Business Board Member and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Group of the Women and Enterprise APPG and a regular contributor to the media and public policy.

THRIVING, NOT JUST SURVIVING: HOW EXECUTIVE COACHING HELPS LEADERS EXCEL DURING ECONOMIC TURBULENCE

As the business world continues to face increased economic turbulence, organisations are looking for ways to help their leaders thrive, not just survive. One of the most effective tools for aiding leadership effectiveness is executive coaching.

Executive coaching involves a professional coach working one-on-one with a leader or collectively with an executive team to help them develop their skills, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. The coach acts as a trusted adviser, providing objective feedback and guidance and provide a safe and supportive space enabling the executive(s) to develop the skills and mindset they need to navigate complex situations and make better decisions. In this article, we explore five ways in which executive coaching can help leaders thrive and not just survive during economic turbulence.

Enhancing Adaptability

During times of economic turbulence, leaders need to bel able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Executive coaching can help leaders develop the skills and mindset they need to be more agile and adaptable in the face of uncertainty. This includes develop skills in strategic thinking, risk management, and change management. An Executive coach may work with a leader to identify potential

scenarios that could impact the organisation and develop contingency plans for each scenario. This type of planning can help leaders feel more prepared and confident in the face of uncertainty. By working with leaders to enhance their adaptability, Executive coaches can help leaders to navigate complex challenges and take advantage of new opportunities as they arise.

Navigate Change

During difficult times, organisation often need to make significant changes to their strategy, operations and workforce. This can be a daunting task, particularly for leaders who may be facing uncertainty and resistance to change. Executive coaching can help leaders navigate change by providing them with the skills and insights they need to manage complex situations and make effective decisions. Coaches can help leaders identify their blind spots, develop their self-awareness, and recognise how to manage themselves and others during times of change and transformation.

Building Resilience

Economic turbulence can be a stressful and challenging time for leaders. Executive coaching can help leaders develop the resilience they need to navigate through uncertainty and overcome setbacks.

One of the first steps in building resilience is developing self-awareness. Leaders who have a strong sense of self-awareness are better able to recognise their emotions, understand how those emotions impact their behaviour, and adjust their responses to challenging situations. Developing coping strategies for managing stress and adversity is another key aspect of resilience. An Executive Coach can help leaders identify their triggers for stress and develop strategies for managing those triggers. This can include techniques such as cognitive restructuring, which involves reframing negative thoughts and beliefs in a more positive light, or problem-solving skills, which can help leaders identify solutions to complex challenges. Coaching can help leaders develop health habits that can support their resilience such as regular exercise, good sleep hygiene and healthy eating habits. By focusing on self-care and building positive coping strategies, leaders can manage the stresses of economic turbulence and bounce back from setbacks.

Developing a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication and a willingness to learn. Leaders who have a growth mindset are better equipped to learn from their mistakes, adapt to change and remain focussed on their goals during challenging times.

Executive coaching can help leaders develop a growth mindset through activities such as goal setting, feedback and reflection as well as action planning. For example, a coach may work with a leader to set ambitious goals, and then help them break those down into smaller, more manageable steps. By focussing on incremental progress as well as having the resilience to learn from mistakes leaders can maintain a positive and proactive attitude, even in the face of uncertainty. This can enable to leader to embrace challenges and seek out new opportunities for growth and development.

Fosters a culture of innovation

Innovation is critical to the success of any organisation, particularly during difficult times. Organisations that can innovate and adapt to changing circumstances are more likely to thrive in the long run. Executive coaching can help leaders foster a culture

of innovation by encouraging them to think creatively and challenging the status quo. Coaches can help leaders develop skills in creative thinking, problem solving and risk taking. They can also provide feedback and guidance that helps leaders break out of old habits and explore new ideas. By fostering a culture of innovation, leaders can create a more dynamic and adaptable organisation that is better equipped to navigate change and seize new opportunities.

Conclusion

In a constantly changing landscape, the benefits of executive coaching are becoming more apparent. Research has shown that coaching can improve performance, increase self-awareness, build confidence and resilience, promote better communication and collaboration. These benefits can be particularly valuable for executive who are leading through change, facing challenges situations, or looking to take their leadership skills to the next level.

When organisations invest in their leadership team through executive coaching they are better equipped to navigate economic turbulence with confidence and agility, and investments that can pay dividends for years to come.

ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST ANY COMPANY WHO STRIVE TO ENSURE THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE VALUED, RESPECTED AND INCLUDED. TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THIS GUIDE PLEASE CONTACT

UK GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO

The government has reorganised and created a new department called the Energy Security and Net Zero Department, with a specific focus on securing the country’s long-term energy supply and transitioning to net zero emissions.

This new department is a result of a restructuring by Rishi Sunak, who split the former Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Department into two new departments: Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade. The move is seen as a response to rising energy prices, which have impacted households across the country, and the need to rely more on domestic nuclear and renewable sources.

Grant Shapps has been appointed as the first Secretary of State for the Energy Security and Net Zero Department. In his statement, Shapps highlighted that his focus will be on securing the longterm energy supply, bringing down bills, and helping to halve inflation. This new department will be crucial in achieving

the government’s plans to reduce inflation and grow the economy.

The Energy Security and Net Zero Department will work towards the UK’s ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This target requires a significant shift towards renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear power. The department will also work on ensuring energy security, a crucial issue in the wake of the ongoing crisis caused by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

This decision marks a reversal of former Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision in 2016 to merge the Energy Department with the Business Department. The new department recognises the importance of energy security and sustainability in the country’s future, and the need to focus on these issues separately.

The announcement has been welcomed by energy experts, who have long called for a separate energy department to tackle the challenges of securing a reliable and sustainable energy

supply. This move shows that the UK government is taking the necessary steps towards achieving a net zero future and ensuring energy security for its citizens.

In conclusion, the creation of the Energy Security and Net Zero Department marks a significant step towards achieving the UK’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The department will play a vital role in securing the country’s long-term energy supply, bringing down bills, and helping to halve inflation. The announcement has been widely welcomed, and it will be exciting to see the progress made by the new department in the years to come.

On

February 7th, 2023, the UK Prime Minister made an exciting announcement that will have a significant impact on the country’s energy future.

AMPS COUNCIL MEMBERS

PAUL AITKEN

COUNCIL MEMBER

CHAIRMAN ANDREW BELL MECC ALTE UK

COUNCIL MEMBER

ALAN BEECH CLARKE ENERGY

COUNCIL MEMBER

CHRIS CALDWELL CRESTCHIC

RICHARD A COLLMAN

ACOUSTICAL CONTROL ENGINEERS

COUNCIL MEMBER

LOUISE HAZEL IPU GROUP

COUNCIL MEMBER

VINCE MCCARRY FUEL STORAGE SOLUTIONS

COUNCIL MEMBER

RICCARDO SARDELLI VOLVO GROUP

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL WEBSTER ATLAS COPCO

KÖKEN GUNES AKSA POWER GENERATION

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER SUZANNE HOBSON BGG UK

COUNCIL MEMBER

EREN MURAT EMRE TEKSAN UK

COUNCIL MEMBER

CARLOS VICENTE EMINOX LTD