The Bulletin
MAGAZINE - June 2022
APEA (The Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration)
Inside
Inside 4
Welcome
6
Editorial
8
Business Manager
10
New Members
10
Publications Information
Articles 14
Update on the New UK Markings
18
The Future of Alternative Fuel
21
New Fuels Hold the Key to UK Transport Decarbonisation
26
Roadside Fuel Recovery Standard
27
New Fireworks Act Proposed by Scottish Government in 2022
32
Interview with Doreen Pooley, APEA Chairman
34
Editor’s Challenge
36
Ask The Experts
38
News
52
Press Releases
74
Branches
77
Training
80
APEA Live 2022 Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner
Front cover: Designed by Aimee Thompson for the APEA in support of Ukraine aimeelouisethompson@hotmail.com Published by the APEA (The Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration) A company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 2261660.
Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the Association. The technical content is not an official endorsement by or on behalf of the APEA and are entirely the views of the authors.
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Welcome
Welcome minimal but at the same time these are often pressure installations and if it wasn’t possible to ignite a diesel mist then diesel engines wouldn’t work! Now we are getting the hang of EV charging it must be time to look at hydrogen! There is some interesting research underway here too, looking at the impact of a hydrogen dispenser failure on surrounding vehicles and other forecourt equipment.
Doreen Pooley APEA Chairman After the quiet of Covid it suddenly seems very busy within our industry. No better time to be a part of the APEA and up-to-date with what’s going on! With the drive away from fossil fuels (pardon the pun) there are a number of things to consider that impact our members. Many of us work across multi-fueling options. The arrival of electric vehicle charging has resulted in a lot of work by our electrical colleagues to compile guidance on how to safely integrate within a forecourt environment. Now increased questions are being asked about the positioning of EV chargers with respect to above ground diesel tanks. Not so much a question of electrical safety as a question of fire safety – what impact does an EV charger or EV fire have on the diesel tank? A number of us are working on consolidating the current advice into something of use across our industry. Another diesel consideration has also been worked on as a joint industry project with the Health and Safety Executive. There are two reports available for free download from the HSE website R1107 “Area classification for oil mists – final report of a Joint Industry Project” and R1108 “Liquid classification for flammable mists”. Admittedly they are a little heavy going to read but I do think it’s important that this kind of research takes place. History shows us that the likelihood of a diesel installation catching fire is
APEA Business Manager (contact for all APEA Business and Bulletin advertising, design and typesetting) Jane Mardell APEA, PO Box 106 Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3XT Tel: +44 (0) 345 603 5507 Mobile: +44 (0) 7815 055514 email: admin@apea.org.uk
You will be reading this as we hurtle towards UNITI Expo in Stuttgart. A great event which I am sure many industry colleagues will be at, so I look forward to seeing you there. Rather closer to home it’s really very important to support your local Branches as they make the effort to put on events that will enable us to network in a way that we haven’t for the last 2 years. Check with your local Branch Committee to see what is happening in your area. APEA training courses are in full swing again too so maybe it’s time to brush up on your knowledge. This is also an exciting time as we and the Energy Institute prepare to start on the next revision of the Blue Book. I was asked to be Brian Humm’s next Interview victim which got me to thinking about my crazy career – which has been great fun – and how on earth we encourage people to join us. If we’re not careful we’ll find APEA Live sponsored by Saga holidays! Although I’m not just thinking about the APEA itself but our industry in general. With companies going under or being merged with others we are seeing people being “let go” and that experience can be enough for them not to want to be involved with the industry anymore. With changes in petroleum regs we have seen a huge drop in local authority funding for petroleum enforcement so that probably doesn’t look like a great career move either. Thinking caps on!
Publications Chairman Andy Kennedy Mobile: 07469 212063 email: andykennedy@apea.org.uk Editor Brian Humm Mobile: +44 (0) 7507 478533 email: b.humm@outlook.com
Find us on Linkedin and Twitter 4
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Editorial
Editorial Brian Humm Editor Welcome to this exciting new edition of the The Bulletin magazine. Once again I hope all members enjoy the mix of news and articles that we have managed to put together for you. It has been extremely challenging to garner enough copy to include, to that end I am once again asking the members to consider sending something in for publication. An article would be welcome, or perhaps a milestone for an individual or company. A new feature we have included is photographs of interesting petrol pumps or installations, called ‘Challenge the Editor’; anything is always welcome so please consider helping us produce this industry leading publication. The front cover of this edition is a poignant homage to the suffering of the people of Ukraine. The conditions and the invasion by Russia has been televised all around the world, and bringing this into our living rooms, so let’s all hope for a swift ending to this horrific event. It is good to see the rest of the world, especially Europe, pitching in to offer assistance to the displaced Ukrainian Populus in the rehoming, evacuation and the supply of medicines, clothes, toys for the kiddies that have left everything where it lay to flee! The artwork for the cover was produced for us by Aimee Thompson granddaughter of our own Jamie Thompson. She certainly is talented and produces artwork in her spare time when not busy being an Architect. Covid 19, according to the UK government, is on the decline. Free testing kits are no longer available and the powers that be tell us it is all gone now, back to normal. As I write this introduction I have just tested positive for Covid. As someone with a severe underlying heath condition it is making me a tad nervous, but currently it feels like a bad head cold. Fingers crossed it will go on its own; this really is to just ask members to take care, it’s still possible to catch this thing. A good friend of mine works in a top London hospital as a facilities manager and he tells me they have no spare bed capacity whatsoever at the moment, so keep sanitising and masking up etc. to keep everyone safe. Training is taking off again. We have just completed a 3 day audit course at Manchester airport which was very well received. The 6
Clayton Hotel, which has a mention later on in this issue, still looks after their guests in regard to covid. They have sanitisers everywhere, their staff wear masks and it is table service in the bar. Being an airport hotel which offers park and stay facilities, you can go off on your holidays and leave the car, so it is extremely busy all the time but they manage their covid precautions well. If you would like to book a training course then you can see the courses offered and the dates at the end of this edition. All our courses offer CPD, minimum 6 hours, so I may see you on one soon. EV charging is being installed apace all over the UK. A lot are being put onto petrol forecourts, and I hope oil companies and their contractors are adhering to the guidance, Electric vehicle charging installations at filling stations, published jointly by the APEA and the Institute of Engineering Technology, which is a supplement to the code of practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, is available to purchase, if required, from the online publications page of our brand spanking new website www.apea.org.uk/publications. If you are like me, and are wondering where this year has gone, with snow at the moment, with more being threatened and Easter just a moment away, time seems to be sprinting towards APEA Live 2022, being held this year on the 17th November, at the usual venue, Stadium MK, Milton Keynes. For those of you who enjoy watching a game of football I will put you out of your misery because the FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off on the 21st November with England featuring in a game on the first day! Panic over; you can, once again, attend the UK’s premier event of its type. Those of you at last year’s event remarked on the scale of the conference and exhibition, the great panel of speakers our conference team managed to put together, the evening meal and finally the great Al Murray, AKA the pub landlord. He was truly amazing and held the room perfectly, even remembering the SK700 pump – genius. We will have someone of a similar vein this year, and I think our events team managed, in conjunction with f2f, the event organisers, to put on a wonderful show. Details can be found within this publication or again on our new website, address shown above. As usual I have to thanks a few people, without whom this publication would be a lot smaller and slimmer. Firstly, obviously Jane, for the production and who constantly keeps me on my toes for news content, articles, and other content etc. Jamie Thompson for the articles, especially the historic ones which are always well received and interesting and lastly, John Thompson, who proofreads everything and makes sure I don’t end up sounding like an idiot, until next time…
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Business Manager
Business Manager managing the APEA participation and AGM part of the event and information and nomination forms will be sent to all members with the September issue of The Bulletin in August.
Jane Mardell Business Manager I have been very busy the last few months. The new website was launched on 14th March and there have been a number of functionality issues. I have been working my way through these with the website development company to resolve them. Work started on the new website around June last year and with its complicated functionality it has been a complex process. Hopefully you have not been inconvenienced. The 2023 Yearbook is nearly complete and this is on track to be delivered to members around 1st October. Organising has also started on APEA Live 2022. The Bulletin We are always looking for press releases and articles for The Bulletin. If you have anything you think would interest our readers please email it to me at admin@apea.org.uk and I will forward it to the editor Brian Humm to approve or to me at admin@apea.org.uk. 2023 Yearbook Thanks to all of you that completed entries online for the 2023 Yearbook and to the advertisers who, without your bookings, we would not be able to produce this publication. The artwork will be at the printers shortly and the Yearbooks will be distributed on 1st October. If you have not received your copy by the end of October please let me know and I will chase up your delivery. We only have a limited amount of spare copies so you need to contact me by the end of October if you have not received your copy. Individual/Retired members will be sent their Yearbooks by standard Royal Mail and Corporate members will receive their 5 copies by courier which are tracked, so we can follow up any nondeliveries. APEA Live 2022 – 17th November Anyone wishing to book a place at the Conference, Exhibition or Awards Dinner should go to www.apealive.co.uk/info/booking. Please note there are discounts for ‘early bird’ booking. I will be 8
APEA Awards The APEA Awards are live and you can enter the awards by going to www.apealive.co.uk/2022/awards/enter-the-awards/. Deadline for entries: 23rd September 2022. Website Banner Advertising You can place your banner on the APEA website. This is £200 plus vat for one year. Please contact me at admin@apea.org.uk if you wish to make a booking. Membership information/Your membership account Please go to your membership account at www.apea.org.uk where you can do the following: • • • • • •
Download a membership certificate in pdf format View previous purchases and invoices Change your membership Change your email address, contact details and password Change your Yearbook entry View your downloads
Due to new SCA regulations that came into effect on the 14th March 2022, we are unable to process APEA Membership auto renewals for this year and require that you navigate to the Join APEA page on the APEA website, log in to your account and create a new subscription of your choice. Our website development company called Mota have been notifiying members due for membership renewal individually about this process since 14th March. The auto renew system will work normally next year once this process is complete on your membership account. Training Courses All training courses can be viewed and booked on the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk. If you are interested in booking a bespoke training course please email Tom Daly (Chairman of Training Committee) at thomasdaly@apea.org.uk. New Members There have been 49 new members joining during January, February March, details below. General Assistance If you need any assistance with general or technical matters, please do not hesitate to contact me at admin@apea.org.uk or on 0345 603 5507. There is comprehensive contact information on the APEA website too at www.apea.org.uk. Jane
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
New Members/Publications Information
New Members (January - March) Corporate Membership Zachary Botham Sewell Retail Ltd Mark Lewis Challen Commercial Investigations Ltd
Electrical & Mechanical Services (UK) plc
Mick Maye Certsure LLP
Michael Spencer Wood E&IS Ltd
Nicolas Ferrer ENV Energy Solutions Ltd
Callum Prior
Phil James Greenergy Flexigrid
Antonino Cellini Duerr Technik Gmbh & Co. KG
Gareth Grundy G R Grundy Electrical LTD
Simon Sumner Staffordshire County Council Jessica Owen-beardsley Cold Developments Ltd Andrew Parry Cyngor Gwynedd Council Terry Guthrie South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Joe Stamper Davidsons Garage S Asaf
Philip Reese Reese Procurement Limited
Individual Membership Padhraic O Connor Marina Projects Ltd
Greg Frawley
James Clark
Derek Robertson McIntosh & Robertson Ltd
Adrian Tarrant Eurotank Service Group Ltd
Jonathan Nevin Nevin Electrics Ltd
Conor Daly Peitriliam
Jennifer Bragg Motor Fuel Group
Lawrie Smail LSS
Darren Batty Darbee Electrical
Lewis Watters Trident Engineering Consultants Hannah Shepherd Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Trading Standards Service Matthew Swanepoel Imran Coowar Tristan Bond Mohammad Sagir Ansari Qatar Gas Group W.L.L Craig Hawkins
Publications Information 4th Edition of the Guidance for Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations “Blue Book” (Revised 2018) ISBN 978 0 85293 888 1 Price for hard copy APEA Member rate - £75 Non APEA Member rate - £150 Price for pdf version (please note the pdf version is licensed to the purchaser only and cannot be shared or printed) APEA Member rate - £75 Non APEA Member rate - pdf £150 If you wish to purchase the guide please go to the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk and click on the “Publications” page. You can select to pay by credit/debit card. The APEA also publishes the Code of Practice for Ground floor, multi storey and underground car parks. This can be downloaded directly from the APEA website and is available to members at £11.00 and £21.00 to non APEA members. 10
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Publications Information
This Code of Practice is an authoritative guide to all installations of electric vehicle charging equipment. It has been updated in line with recent changes in BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and reflects some major developments in this area including vehicle to grid, smart integration and inductive charging. As part of the rapid growth and development of the whole electric vehicle charging infrastructure, filling stations are seen as an obvious place to provide charging facilities. However, it is recognised that difficult safety and logistical issues are linked to such installations.
Electric Vehicle Charging Installations at Filling Stations Price for hard copy APEA Member rate - £32.50 Non APEA Member rate - £50 Price for pdf version (please note the pdf version is licensed to the purchaser only and cannot be shared or printed) APEA Member rate - £32.50 Non APEA Member rate - pdf £50
When the 4th Edition of the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation was published, significant technical discussions were still underway about this area to help finalise and clarify the safety issues that needed to be addressed. The work behind these meetings was led by APEA (the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration) who represent the major stakeholders in this sector. APEA and the IET are therefore now issuing this joint publication to help provide important guidance in this area. ISBN-13: 978-1-83953-315-0 Publication Year: 2020 Pages: 30
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Publications Information About The Bulletin and how you can submit copy to be included • The Bulletin is published four times a year with a print run of 2200 • Free issue to APEA members (approx 1200 members worldwide) • Has international distribution and readership • Respected source of industry specific news and information
The editor of The Bulletin, Brian Humm, is always on the look out for new material, so if you have something you want to be included, please email it to the APEA office at admin@apea.org.uk and it will be forwarded to Brian for approval. Please email the text in Word format and any images as separate high resolution pdf or jpeg files to admin@apea.org.uk.
• Contains relevant articles, news items, press releases and reports from UK and overseas
We are always pleased to receive contributions from our members and it ensures that The Bulletin remains an interesting and informative read.
• Individual, Fellow and Retired members receive one copy each and Corporate members receive 5 copies each per quarter
Priority is given for press releases and articles submitted by Bulletin advertisers to be included.
Deadline dates for copy and advertising artwork 2022/2023 Issue
Copy deadline date
Posting date
Sept 2022
4th July
12th August
Dec 2022
26th September
4th November
March 2023
9th January
17th February
June 2023
27th March
5th May
Please note the deadline date for the March 2023 issue is early due to Christmas and New Year holidays.
Bulletin Advertising If you would like to book advertising in The Bulletin, please email your requirements to admin@apea.org.uk or call the office on 0345 603 5507. Please ensure you send your artwork to admin@apea.org.uk. Priority is given for press releases and articles submitted by Bulletin advertisers to be included. Discounts are available for booking in more than one issue, please contact Jane Mardell at admin@apea.org.uk for more information. Bulletin advertisers that book in 3 or more issues in one year also receive a 50% discount off rates for advertising in the annual Yearbook, see table below.
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Size of advert (all rates exclude VAT)
Advert fee in 1 issue
Advert fee in 4 issues (includes 25% disc
Full page (210mmw x 280mmh with 10mm border or with 3mm bleed)
£498.00
£1494.00
½ page (185mmw x 125mmh)
£249.00
£747.00
¼ page (90mmw x 120mmh)
£125.00
£375.00
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Articles
Articles Update on the New UK Markings By BSI The Conformity Assessment Policy Committee recently published an article urging businesses to prepare now for changes to the UK marking system that may affect them. We are encouraging manufacturers to: • Check the requirements for your standards and products without delay; • Check with your conformity assessment body, if you use one, to confirm their readiness and capacity to re-test and/or re-certify your products; • Don’t leave it until the last minute to make any changes; and • Keep a close eye on the press, government websites and other conformity assessment information sites, including our BSI site. Businesses are finding this advice helpful because, irrespective of who carries out the declaration of conformity, backlogs could occur both internally in the manufacturers’ facilities and externally in one of the many UK bodies who carry out conformity assessment of products. The consequences of not acting quickly, for whatever reason, for those bringing new products to the GB market may be ‘No Entry!’ (until it can be done). Although the deadline for the end of the recognition of CE Marking in Great Britain has been extended to 1 January 2023, the government has made it clear there will be no further extensions. The new GB regulatory requirements only apply to goods placed on the GB market from 1 January 2021. If goods were already placed on the GB market before 1 January 2021, businesses do not need to do anything with respect to those goods. In addition, CE marked goods can continue to be placed on the GB market until 1 January 2023 and are then permitted to circulate until they reach their end user. A product that is being placed on multiple markets will require both (a co-existence of conformity marking) on the same product if it is destined for both the GB and EU (including NI) markets, so long as the product meets the relevant regulatory requirements for both markets and neither of the marking impedes the visibility of the other. We have also been asked to clarify our advice on the Northern Ireland (NI) marking and to correct any misunderstanding. For as long as the Northern Ireland Protocol is in force, or unless any changes are made to it which may have an impact, Northern Ireland will continue to follow all relevant EU rules relating to the placing of manufactured goods on their [NI] market. Manufacturers will need to show their products meet these rules by using ‘conformity markings.’ 14
In the Northern Ireland market, the EU conformity marking will continue to be used to show goods meet EU rules when using an EU Body for conformity assessment. For most manufactured goods, this is the CE marking. But if you are using a UK Body to carry out conformity assessment you will also need to apply the new UKNI marking (the UKNI mark never gets applied on its own and will always accompany an EU conformity mark, e.g. the CE Mark). Only a UK Body can authorise the application of the UKNI mark – it is not to be used where conformity assessment does not involve a UK Body. Businesses should also note the UKCA mark alone cannot be used on the NI market and goods with both the CE and UKNI marking cannot be placed on the market in the EU. The UK Market Conformity Assessment Bodies (UKMCAB) database (https://www.gov.uk/uk-market- conformity-assessmentbodies) lists all bodies which can provide conformity assessment for the UK market. The UK government guarantees unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s (NI) businesses to the whole of the UK market, without the need for additional approvals before placing goods on the market in the rest of the UK. You can place qualifying Northern Ireland goods on the market in Great Britain based on the conformity markings you use in Northern Ireland. What this means is that NI businesses will be able to use the CE Mark if they are using an EU Body for conformity assessment, or the CE with the UKNI Mark if they are using a UK Body for conformity assessment. Businesses placing goods on the GB market, and having them assessed against UK rules, will use a UK conformity assessment body known as a UK Approved Body. You can find out whether your goods qualify for unfettered access at Moving qualifying goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note that goods ‘processed’ in Northern Ireland as ‘qualifying’ Northern Ireland goods have specific qualifying requirements. The UKNI marking is not recognised on the EU market. If you are placing goods on the EU market, you must use the CE marking on its own, without the UKNI marking. You will also need to use an EU Body for conformity assessment. You will need to use the UKNI marking if all of the following apply: • you are placing certain goods (mostly those goods subject to the CE marking) on the Northern Ireland market. • your goods require mandatory third-party conformity assessment.
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Articles • you are planning to use a UK body to carry out those conformity assessments. You will not be able to use the UKNI marking if either of the following apply: • you are placing goods on the market in the EU; or • you are planning to use an EU body to carry out conformity assessments
Placing goods on the market in Great Britain
Placing goods on the market in Northern Ireland
If you are a manufacturer based in Northern Ireland (or the manufacturer’s authorised representative), you can obtain further information at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uknimarking. Your goods may require different markings for different markets. The table below illustrates the accepted markings for each market:
Type of goods
Accepted marking or markings*
Manufactured goods being placed on the GB market until the end of 2022
UKCA or CE
Manufactured goods placed on the GB market from 1 Jan 2023 [Note change of date from gov.uk website] using a UK-based body
UKCA
Manufactured goods being placed on the market in NI using an EU conformity assessment Body Manufactured goods being placed on the market in NI using a UK conformity assessment body
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APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Articles
Placing qualifying Northern Ireland goods on the market in Great Britain (unfettered access)
Placing goods on the EU Market
Qualifying Northern Ireland goods being placed on the GB market under unfettered access where they are using an EU conformity assessment Body Qualifying Northern Ireland goods being placed on the GB market under unfettered access using a UK-based body
CE
Manufactured goods being placed on the EU market using an EU conformity assessment Body
CE
*You may use conformity markings listed in each box and your goods may be acceptable with more than one marking. For example, a product with the co-existence of both the CE and UKCA markings can be placed on the EU market. However, for the EU market the CE mark must appear without the UKNI indication as goods bearing the ‘CE and UKNI’ markings are not acceptable in the EU market.
CE and UKNI markings used together, (e.g. CE UKNI)
www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-themarket-in-great-britain-from-1-january-2021.
This means these goods must be manufactured to EU rules and must be assessed by an EU body – they cannot be assessed by a body based in the UK.
To provide businesses with information about using the new UK conformity assessment marking (UKCA) and placing goods on the market in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is running another series of webinars. Details of the sessions are available at Webinars for using the UKCA marking and placing goods on the market in Great Britain and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Always consult the relevant page of gov.uk to ensure you have seen the most recent advice:
BSI’s Conformity Assessment Policy Committee (CAPC) will continue to keep a watching brief on developments.
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles
The Future of Alternative Fuel By Sarah Gibb, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist, Dover Fueling Solutions At Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS), we have provided alternative energy solutions to our global customers for years. Most recently, with Dover’s acquisition of LIQAL, a turnkey supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen refuelling equipment and solutions and micro liquefaction solutions, we are now best positioned to help power the next era of transportation.
partner in DFS, resulting in a relationship that will grow our sales reach and strengthen production capabilities. DFS now has technology for LNG and hydrogen fueling in their product portfolio to complement their end-to-end offering to clients. In the field of digitalization of fueling stations, both LIQAL and DFS have great products that reinforce each other.
We sat down with Lise-Lotte Nordholm, DFS’ vice president of dispenser engineering and new product development, based in Sweden, and Jorg Raven, LIQAL’s founder and CEO, located in the Netherlands, to discuss all things alternative energy and its future within the fuel and convenience retail industry.
NORDHOLM: LIQAL is truly a great addition to DFS as we continue to expand our activities in the alternative energy segment.
1. Can you tell us a little bit more about the LIQAL/DFS partnership? RAVEN: The partnership came about almost naturally, as the demand for alternative fueling solutions has increased considerably over the past few years. LIQAL has found a great
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2. What prompted you to move into alternative energies, specifically LNG and hydrogen? NORDHOLM: DFS has provided dispensing solutions for the retail fueling industry for 130 years, and alternative energy has always played a big part in our product offering. We are committed to supporting our customers regardless of the energy types they work with. This requires us to follow market trends
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Articles
closely to make sure we have the right solutions in place at the right time, which is why we are now extending our portfolio to include LNG and hydrogen. RAVEN: LIQAL was founded on the basic idea that we need to move away from oil-based fuels for mobility to minimize emissions of CO2 and other pollutants. Combining that with our gas technology expertise resulted in our focus on LNG and hydrogen. 3. What role does LNG and hydrogen now play in DFS? NORDHOLM: The introduction of LNG and hydrogen products is a great addition to the DFS product portfolio, and it further strengthens our position in the alternative energy segment. RAVEN: These are increasingly important fuels for our clients. We think alternative fuels in general (electricity included) will reshape the mobility and fueling landscape globally in a short timeframe. 4. How do you see the demand for alternative energy progressing over the next few years, as consumers are becoming more conscious over their carbon footprint? NORDHOLM: There is certainly a move toward a more environmentally conscious consumer, and we APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles
are seeing our customers actively investing in lower-carbon fuels. This trend will undoubtedly continue, but we should also note that the transition of a car fleet takes many years. So, for us at DFS, it’s important to also stay focused on conventional fueling products and solutions at the same time as we work to support the new energy types becoming more in-demand. RAVEN: On a global scale, the demand for alternative transport fuels is still small; however, in some local markets, demand for change is strong. Specifically, European legislation and climate awareness driving progress toward zero-emission mobility. 5. What are the key drivers for the adoption of alternative energy? NORDHOLM: The key driver is certainly to reduce “our” carbon footprint, and there are several alternative energy types, including LNG and hydrogen, available today to support that movement. RAVEN: Alongside reducing our carbon footprint, global warming and changing legislation has resulted in an increased awareness of our impact on the environment. Additionally, there are other factors like costs, accessibility, safety and ease of use when it comes to alternative energy technology that determine the speed of adoption. Those factors are the ones that DFS and LIQAL are working on together.
possible by having products and solutions in place that enable them to deliver alternative fuels within existing site infrastructures. RAVEN: It’s also a new market with relatively new technology, which needs to mature and at the same time grow incredibly. This creates challenges with product improvements and supply chains. 7. How do you think DFS/LIQAL can shape the future of alternative energy in the fueling and convenience retail industry? RAVEN: I think we can shape the future by providing excellent technology to our clients that allows them to make the transition from conventional fuels to alternative fuels much more easily, not only for single fuel stations, but for their complete fuel retail networks. This means data insights and digitalization will play a large role. Shaping the future means DFS and LIQAL must lead the way on how to get there. NORDHOLM: We can do this by being a one-stop provider of fuel dispensing equipment and offering our customers’ the expertise they require, while ensuring our alternative energy equipment can be integrated into our customers’ “normal” site infrastructure with end-to-end solutions. 8. What are your plans for the future?
6. What are common challenges you see facing the industry? NORDHOLM: There are currently so many different energy types in demand, and our customers — fuel retail site owners — need to cater for them all. Our job is to make that is as easy as 20
NORDHOLM: DFS will stay committed to catering for all energy demands in the retail fueling industry and will continue to monitor market trends to make sure our product portfolio fully meets what our customers are looking for at the right time.
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Articles
New Fuels Hold the Key to UK Transport Decarbonisation By Andy Eastlake, Chief Executive, Zemo Partnership
Renewable and Sustainable, the revolutions in fuels and energy for transport. When I spoke at APEA Live last November, COP26 (the landmark international climate conference in Glasgow) had just ended and we were able to see with greater clarity what the future holds and what this will mean for our lives and working practices. For sure, we’re living through the most dramatic transformation since the industrial revolution and one that will have profound and farreaching implications on almost all aspects of our lives. The petroleum sector, of course, is in the front line in terms of the transition to a net zero economy. I’ve had the privilege of working on the decarbonisation transition in transport for well over a decade (and it was already having a significant impact on my work as an emissions specialist for many years before that). Zemo Partnership was set up as the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) in 2002 as a stakeholder organisation to inform the UK’s new Powering Future Vehicles Strategy when this agenda was in its infancy. We changed the name and rebranded APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles electric vehicles (BEVs) and as many as one in three had a plug attached (battery electric and plug-in hybrids combined). Given that electrification is certainly set to be a big part of the answer in terms of transport decarbonisation, getting the electricity to the vehicles for charging whether at home, while parked, or in a traditional forecourt while en route, is a critical development and the Zemo Partnership-convened EV Energy Taskforce (https://evenergytaskforce.com/) is working with all the key stakeholders to ensure that we lower the barriers and maximise the many opportunities for the whole energy system that arise from this electric transition. Currently, however, the vast majority (around 98%) of the vehicles on UK roads are still powered by liquid (mostly) fossil fuels and they will continue to dominate well into the next decade, even after the phase-out of the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles begins in 2030. In the meantime, we need to focus on doing everything we can to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the incumbent fossilpowered fleet. The introduction of mixes of renewable fuels in forecourt petrol and diesel (bioethanol and biodiesel) has been an important step in this direction, including the latest move to E10 in 2021, and together these will have a significant impact in terms of emissions reduction. Renewable fuels, indeed, can demonstrate over 80% well-to-wheel reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and will be critical to ensuring that the UK meets the UK’s Fourth and Fifth Carbon Budgets (2023-27 & 2028-2032).
last year to Zemo Partnership to reflect the new emphasis on a zero emissions target and the increasingly urgent need to accelerate the transition. Zemo Partnership convenes the broadest range of stakeholders, focusing primarily on the decarbonisation agenda for road transport (the biggest sectoral contributor to UK transport emissions overall). Our 240 member organisations are drawn from a very wide range of stakeholders including the motor and energy industries - both traditional and new entrants - fleet operators and local authorities, all the way through to NGOs. We work closely with the UK Governments as a testing and development ground for potential policies, but importantly our work is grounded in real evidence and understanding from industry in terms of what can be delivered and at what pace. We welcome membership applications from representatives of the petroleum sector who are committed to the decarbonisation transition in transport.
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A study by Zemo Partnership into high blend renewable fuels (HBRF) – including biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and biomethane - showed that there are very significant opportunities for sustainable, renewable fuel adoption by heavy duty vehicles and, in particular, trucks and coaches which are currently responsible for around 5% of the UK’s total GHG emissions. It showed that with a market average of 30% HBRF, used in place of fossil fuels (both diesel and natural gas) by 2030, the sector could save an additional 46m tonnes of GHG emissions over the next decade, with savings continuing to 2050. The biggest opportunities are in the heaviest vehicles with the longest journey profiles, which also produce the most GHG emissions. High blend biodiesel has already made significant inroads in the bus market while both biomethane and HVO adoption in HGV fleets have shown encouraging recent increases, driven partly by requirements for carbon reporting and GHG emissions improvements.
While we acknowledge that there will have to be significant behavioural changes in the context of transport, Zemo’s main focus is on the vehicles that will be necessary to enable us to move around and how we produce and power them. We examine the most suitable vehicles for various purposes, and how we can get the best technology and fuels/energy into the market as quickly as possible.
One of the key recommendations of Zemo’s report, published in March 2021, was the need for a robust and transparent scheme to provide operators with confidence in the credentials of the renewable fuels they purchase. Consequently, the Partnership developed a new Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS) for high blend renewable fuels. Launched soon after the report, the scheme gives fleet operators robust information about the GHG and wider sustainability performance of renewable fuels supplied in the UK.
The electrification agenda dominates popular news; indeed, who doesn’t want a shiny new EV with zero tailpipe emissions? Certainly, we’ve made great strides in terms of electrifying the UK’s new car and smaller van fleets; the latest statistics showed that a quarter of all new cars sold in December 2021 were battery
The RFAS approves companies supplying high blend renewable fuels on the basis of meeting three performance criteria, with evidence verified by an independent auditor complementing the safeguards included in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
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A unique feature of the scheme is a ‘Renewable Fuel Declaration’ which fleet operators receive with batches of the renewable fuel purchased. The declaration includes a colourcoded GHG emission savings banding system, similar to energy efficiency labels, encouraging fleet operators to strive to achieve higher GHG emissions savings. After piloting the scheme with several renewable fuel suppliers, Argent Energy, CNG Fuels, Green Biofuels Ltd and Air Liquide were the early companies to gain accreditation. By the end of 2021 seven further suppliers were approved and the scheme continues to grow. All these companies are producing biofuels from waste feedstocks, achieving GHG emission savings of between 80% and 90% compared with fossil diesel. A key consideration in terms of renewable fuels is the compatibility of the vehicles and concept of ‘dropin’ fuels. With the retail market APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles currently limited to 10% ethanol in petrol and 7% FAME in diesel (due to vehicle warranty specifications) delivering renewable dropin solutions (like HVO) enables much higher blends and, consequently, much greater GHG savings. The ability to deliver these to depots or retail forecourts will certainly feature in Zemo’s future work and the overall strategy for renewable fuels which is currently under development in DfT. While renewable fuels are a practical, near-term alternative to fossil fuels for some operators, hydrogen has been widely promoted as a longer-term option, particularly for hard-to-electrify vehicles such as long-distance HGVs and coaches (as well as planes, trains and ships). Zemo has focused significant resource in the last year on the prospects for hydrogen as a transport fuel and to determine what will be needed for it to make a contribution to decarbonisation. It’s safe to say that this analysis is not simple! A study we published in August 2021 looked at a range of pathways for the production, distribution and dispensing of low carbon hydrogen to transport end-users. It showed, in great detail, the energy requirements and well-to-tank greenhouse gas emissions resulting from each potential pathway, as well as the infrastructure requirements related to each choice. The report showed that there are some key choices to be made which significantly alter the life cycle impacts of hydrogen used as an energy carrier. Particularly significant is how the fuel is produced; the main options include ‘green’ hydrogen - using electrolysis powered by renewable electricity - or ‘blue’ hydrogen, mainly made by reforming fossil natural gas combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS). The study looked at the energy use together with emissions arising along the full production, distribution and dispensing pathways, including unavoidable - or fugitive - emissions likely to arise during the process. It showed that there’s a wide variation in the emissions associated with each of the alternative pathways, depending on the carbon footprint of the energy and feedstocks used. The research found that renewables-based electrolysis could represent one of the lowest emissions hydrogen pathways in the medium-term. Natural gas reformation using emerging autothermal (ATR) technology with CCS could also significantly reduce emissions compared to current industrial steam methane reforming (SMR) process for so called ‘grey’ hydrogen. As a result of follow-up work published later in 2021, Zemo Partnership recommended that Government policy needs to increase its focus on the well-to-wheel (WTW) greenhouse gas emissions and overall energy efficiency performance of potential new fuels for transport. While renewable hydrogen, renewable electricity and renewable combustion fuels (produced from waste-based feedstocks) can all greatly reduce emissions compared with their fossil-powered counterparts, there are major variations in their effectiveness and efficiency in terms of cutting emissions depending on the choices made over the full life cycle. Significantly, the work showed that the well-to-wheel energy efficiency of hydrogen vehicles is lower than diesel internal combustion (IC) or battery electric vehicles and those using renewable fuels in IC engines. 24
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Hydrogen vehicles will need to demonstrate considerable complementary benefits such as longer range, superior payload or lower operating costs to compensate for the increase in energy consumption compared with other zero emission powertrain solutions such as battery electric vehicles or even electric road systems. It’s clear that focusing exclusively on cutting tailpipe emissions can risk neglecting the full impacts and the overall energy consumption of the system. With limited renewable electricity supplies and constrained feedstocks available for the production of renewable fuels, it’s vital that we adopt energy efficient solutions to maximise the full system benefits wherever possible. It’s clear that the energy and infrastructure for transport is increasingly complex and diverse and that we must work collaboratively with not only the researchers but the whole range of industries including infrastructure providers if we are to make the changes necessary at the right pace and cost. So, the campaign to decarbonise transport is being fought on many fronts and Zemo Partnership and our members are actively engaged, together with government, in developing many of them. If you or your organisation has a stake in the transition to net zero and would like to play a constructive part in the journey, do consider joining the Partnership. There’s a lot more details at: https://www.zemo.org.uk/join-us.htm. APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Roadside Fuel Recovery Standard By Chris Ramshaw, Director, Hazardous Area Technical Training As an industry we have all witnessed or will have known someone who has put the wrong fuel in their vehicle. More often than not this occurs from distracted drivers instinctively picking up a nozzle and fuelling before they realise what has happened. These drivers, already flustered and frustrated, will find themselves speaking to site staff and asking them what to do next, who should they call how much will it cost etc. Who this person calls could range from a specialist fuel drain company all the way down to a local guy that the site operator knows who can come out with a pump and jerry can that he has bought from ebay. Historically there hasn’t been a recognised symbol of quality that forecourt operators and the public could rely on. This is why the Roadside Fuel Recovery Standard (RFRS) was formed. A group of likeminded professionals recognised that there was no specific standard of vehicle that was being used to carry out fuel drains, and operators had various levels of training with some having no formal training or understanding of the hazards posed by fuel. This resulted in some operators performing extremely dangerous works on forecourts placing the public and other drivers at risk. Not only were they putting people at risk by the drain operations, but some would even take the fuel back to their homes where they would decant it and store it in back gardens or sheds.
one of the specialist call handlers a local RFRS technician will be dispatched to the driver. All the fuel that is recovered is disposed of at a licensed premises where it can be safely stored and disposed of preventing any danger to the public or the environment. There is no cost for station operators to sign up to the RFRS, and all that is asked is that they display the RFRS information, so site staff know who to call in the event of a misfuel on site. If you would like to become one of the growing number of station operators that are no longer willing to have unsafe fuel recovery agents working on their site contact us at the RFRS and we will welcome you to the team. Simply email us at admin@rfrs.org.uk or visit our website www.rfrs.org.uk for more information.
To become a member of the RFRS, operators must meet a range of requirements ranging from the type of equipment that is used in the fuel drain process, the level insurance that they hold along with their staff holding an accredited SPA Mis-Fuel Passport. Unlike some operators in the marketplace the RFRS members do not give cash incentives to station operators, as this can lead to unscrupulous operators thinking of how to line their pockets rather than making sure that the stranded motorist is assisted by a competent professional. When a forecourt operator signs up to work with the RFRS they get the piece of mind that any motorist who is unfortunate enough to mis-fuel will be dealt with in a professional way which will reflect positively for the station operator. The driver simply has to call the nationwide call centre on 03449 791 011, and after speaking with
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New Fireworks Act Proposed by Scottish Government in 2022 By Ian Hillier, APEA Council member and Chartered Trading Standards Institute’s lead officer for Petroleum and Explosives Fireworks are used in celebrations throughout the world and have been set off in the UK on 5th November to celebrate Guy Fawkes night since 1606. All fireworks are explosives and are strictly controlled by regulations on how they are packaged, stored, sold and used. The manufacture and importation of fireworks is controlled by the Health and Safety Executive and the safe storage for retail sale is enforced by Trading Standards and the Metropolitan Fire Services. Trading Standards Services ensure the safety of fireworks on sale to the public and the police are responsible for enforcing the laws preventing antisocial behaviour involving setting off fireworks in public places. As a result of complaints of anti-social behaviour twenty years ago, a Private Members Bill was introduced to Parliament. This became the Fireworks APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles The fireworks which the regulations restrict are: Category F2 fireworks which present a very low hazard and low noise level and which are intended for outdoor use in confined areas. Category 3 fireworks which present a medium hazard, which are intended for outdoor use in large open areas and whose noise level is not harmful to human health. Category F4 fireworks are only available to fireworks professionals. Category F2 and F3 fireworks can only be supplied to members of the public who are 18 or over. The sale of adult (Categories F2 and F3 fireworks) to the public is restricted to defined periods around the four celebrations, but an exception was made for specialist fireworks suppliers who have an all year-round licence to supply F2 and F3 fireworks. Fireworks are also available to purchase online.
Act of 2003 followed by the Fireworks Regulations of 2004. The regulations created an offence of using adult fireworks between 11pm and 7am except for 5th November, 31st December, Diwali and the Chinese New Year when there is an extension to the late night use of fireworks.
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The Scottish Government brought out its own version of the regulations in 2004; The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The Scottish Government brought out a set of amendment regulations in 2021 to further restrict the sale of adult fireworks, following a consultation exercise to which over 16,000 people and organisations made replies. The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulation 2021 came into effect on 30th June 2021 with more restrictions being placed on the purchase of F2 and F3 fireworks.
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The restrictions • limit the times of day fireworks can be used by the general public to between 6pm and 11pm, with the exception of 5 November (when they can be used from 6pm until midnight), New Year’s Eve, the night of Chinese New Year and the night of Diwali (when they can be used from 6pm until 1am); • limit the times of day fireworks can be supplied to the general public to during the daytime hours of 7am and 6pm, alongside existing requirements on retailers around sale and storage licences; and • limit the quantity of fireworks that can be supplied to the general public to 5kg at any one time. The Scottish Government has now embarked on a process of further restricting the sale and use of fireworks in Scotland by publishing a Bill of proposed new legislation. The new Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill seeks to restrict the use of fireworks to licensed individuals and groups and to introduce new criminal offences. The main changes • the introduction of a fireworks licensing system • a new power for local authorities to designate firework control zones, where it is not permitted for the public to use fireworks • restricting the days fireworks can be sold to and used by the general public
• a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks and pyrotechnics to under-18s to ensure adults do not purchase such products on behalf of children • a new offence of being in possession of a pyrotechnic while at, or travelling to, certain places or events, without reasonable excuse Fraser Stevenson, the vice chairman of the British Fireworks Association, presented evidence to the Scottish Government’s Justice Committee on 23rd March 2022. The main points of his presentation are as follows: • The Westminster Parliament investigated fireworks in 2019 (reported in the “Bulletin” at that time) and decided to make no new legislation but instead to publish a safety campaign. • The fireworks industry has worked closely with government to ban dangerous fireworks which has drastically reduced the number of fireworks related injuries over the last 20 years. • In 2020 the Office for Product Safety and Standards and the Department for Business and Industrial Strategy started a safety campaign highlighting the importance of the safe, considerate, and responsible use of fireworks, the importance of reading the safety instructions, the importance of buying from licensed, authorised retailers, and the importance of being considerate to those who may not enjoy fireworks as much. • Due to Covid there have been very few organised fireworks
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displays in the last two years but the sales of fireworks to consumers have increased by up to 700%. This has not caused a massive increase in accident rates or misuse of fireworks. • Mr Stevenson outlined the current restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks which have developed since the Explosives Act of 1875 and reminded the committee of the current maximum penalty of £5,000 and six months in jail for the misuse of fireworks in Scotland. • The 2019 Westminster enquiry concluded that greater restrictions and controls on the sale and use of fireworks would not be appropriate due to the real risk of creating a black market and making matters worse, not better. • The British Fireworks Association believe the proposed Fireworks Bill will lead to the unintended consequence of creating a black market where fireworks will be supplied by organised crime instead of licenced retailers. It will create more problems for enforcement and lead to more accidents. Proposed new licensing scheme for members of the public The fireworks licensing system will affect the purchase, acquisition, possession, use and supply of F2 and F3 fireworks by the public. There will be no change in the law regarding the acquisition and use of F4 fireworks by fireworks display organisers with specialist knowledge. It will become a criminal offence to purchase, acquire, possess, or use an F2 or F3 firework without a licence. It will also become an offence to supply any person with an F2 or F3 firework if that person does not have a licence. The onus will be on the supplier to check that the purchaser has a licence. 30
A completely new concept will be introduced by the legislation. It will become a criminal offence for any member of the public to give a firework to any other member of the public who does not have a licence. It will also become an offence to buy a firework on behalf of anyone under 18 years (proxy purchase). Currently it is not illegal for a member of the public to give fireworks to any other member of the public including children. No details are available as to how to apply for a licence or how much it will cost or what training is required for the safe use of fireworks. What is clear is the intention to introduce a maximum penalty of a fine of £5,000 and six months in prison for offences against the fireworks licensing conditions. Applicants for a fireworks licence will be required to attend a training course but no details of the course have been published except that it should address the safe and appropriate use of fireworks. The sale of F2 and F3 fireworks is currently restricted but the Bill intends to further restrict the sale. There are a number of fireworks outlets which are licensed to sell fireworks to the public all year round. This practice will cease which means that the sale of fireworks will be restricted to periods associated with Guy Fawkes Day, Hogmanay, Diwali, the Chinese New Year and a completely new fireworks celebration of Vaisakhi, (the Sikh New Year). Further restrictions will be placed on the days when fireworks can be legally used and it will become a criminal offence for the public to use F2 and F3 fireworks on the days which are restricted.
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Another new restriction involves firework control zones. Local authorities will have the power to designate areas where fireworks are not permitted to be used at any time. Anyone using a firework in a restricted area will commit a criminal offence. Pyrotechnic articles will be banned from possession by people travelling to or attending designated events such as a procession or a football match. Alcohol, fireworks and certain other substances have been banned from sporting events for some years. The definition of pyrotechnic articles is much wider than the definition of fireworks. “Pyrotechnic article” means an article which contains explosive substances, or an explosive mixture of substances designed to produce heat, light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of such effects through self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions. The restrictions on the sale of fireworks to unlicensed persons and to any person on undesignated days will be enforced by Trading Standards Officers. The Act will create an offence of obstructing a Trading Standards Officer and providing false information to a Trading Standards Officer. Pretending to be a Trading Standards Officer is also a criminal offence. All other offences of illegal possession and use of pyrotechnics will be enforced by Police Scotland who will be given extra powers of entry and search by warrant and stop and search on suspicion. Exemptions. Employees of specialised fireworks display organisers and public authorities are exempt from the prohibitions of possessing etc fireworks. Powers of Trading Standards Trading Standards Officers have the power to investigate possible offences involving the supply of fireworks in the course of a business to unlicensed persons. They also have the power to investigate possible offences involving the supply of fireworks in APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles the course of a business on days or hours when the supply is not authorised. Officers may enter premises where fireworks are sold and observe the business practices without announcing their presence. They may also take underage persons or persons without a licence to attempt to purchase fireworks. They may also enter premises such as warehouses and offices which are not open to the public but in most cases of routine inspection at least 48hours written notice will be given. Where an offence is suspected no notice needs to be given and any refusal to cooperate can be deemed a criminal obstruction. A court can award a Trading Standards Officer a search warrant to enter premises including a private dwelling where entry is expected to be refused. Fireworks involved in criminal activity can be inspected, tested, seized, and retained as evidence. Any document relative to an offence can be examined and seized as evidence, this also applies to electronic documents. Officers have the power to break open containers to examine documents or items. Containers includes safes, computers and mobile phones. A further article will follow to update APEA members of the progress of the Bill and the eventual changes that may take place in Scotland.
Interview with Doreen Pooley, APEA Chairman By Brian Humm, Editor of The Bulletin Hi Doreen, thank you for agreeing to be my next victim in the interview series for the APEA Bulletin journal. Firstly, congratulations on your election to the role of Chairman. How do you feel after the first 6 months of your role? Very honoured to be elected and delighted to be so involved in our industry at such an interesting time. I certainly picked a busy time within the APEA too so I’m struggling to fit it all in! I’m reminded of the classic lines in Airplane “It looks like I picked the wrong week to quit…” Could you let the members know a bit about you? Firstly, who do you work for? And what is your role? I currently work for TSG UK Solutions Ltd as Senior Engineer, which is a wonderfully vague job title which allows me to work on any engineering projects the Directors ask me to at any time. Having said that my recent focus has been on engine test facilities and car production plants which is a great way of closing the circle from my initial interest in manufacturing to finding my niche in fuelling. Obviously, you are kept quite busy then. Can I ask what your industry background is? Were you always within the engineering sector and within the petroleum industry? I did a Mechanical and Production Engineering Technician Apprenticeship with British Aerospace “back in the day”. Indentures signed by my Dad and all that. I 32
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have also worked for a company that manufactured borehole monitors for potable water and travelled the world installing/commissioning those. I briefly worked as a Project Manager for a very high spec drainage company but most of my petroleum industry colleagues first met me in the early 2000s when I was the only Technical Support Engineer training pipefitters on a particular pipework product in the UK, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The phrase “she gets about a bit” was often used! I’ve had a fascinating journey through petroleum – starting in the retail sector, through construction to fleet and industrial fuelling.
Having fun driving a JCB at Diggerland
My first ever overseas technical role – installing borehole monitors in Oman
With that in mind you are an essential member of the Blue Book revision group. With the 5th edition on the horizon do you enjoy your role in imparting knowledge to the APEA members? Absolutely. I believe it’s vital that we share knowledge to the benefit of our industry as a whole. Also, I’ve always subscribed to the adage “irreplaceable is unpromotable”. We need to share our knowledge with those around us so they can develop and so can we. APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Articles Great, now you must be working extremely long‐hours, but could I ask that you let us know what you do to relax away from the office environment? I consume copious quantities of alcohol. Sounds like good fun. Is there anything else you would like our members to know about. I feel very fortunate to have been born at a time when I could achieve what I have from my very humble beginnings in rural mid-Wales. I certainly could not have done that a generation earlier as society would not have “allowed” it and the costs of education now concern me. My mother used to say that the one thing she could give us was a free education – we grasped that and ran with it. Some of the manhole chambers I drew, had fabricated, delivered and installed beneath the basement car park of the Victoria Shopping Centre in Belfast
Thank you very much Doreen for your participation in this interview and I hope we will catch up soon.
Editor’s Challenge By Brian Humm, Editor of The Bulletin Here are some older petrol pumps, some which are still standing, as a tribute to those earlier designs which show great character and many of which had been in use for generations. The challenge to readers is to send in some photos of old pumps or service stations to be published in Petrol Pump Corner. If you would like to submit a picture please email the images as separate high resolution files with a short caption or story attached to admin@apea.org.uk. The copy deadline for the next issue is 4th July.
Disused petrol station in Texas
Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina at a Petroleum Museum
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A Wayne Dispenser, Rathmore Farm, Derwent Valley, Tasmania 2022
Filling station in the Rocky Mountains courtesy of Jeff Simms, Lead petrol specialist for Sainsbury’s
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Articles Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina at a Petroleum Museum
Euro Disney Paris
Ask the Experts By Jamie Thompson, Chairman of the Technical Committee I was recently asked by a petrol station owner if he could have longer hoses on the pumps as his customers were having problems filling their cars that had the fill caps on the side away from the pump. Are there any restrictions in these situations? The hose length is governed by the hazardous area the pump and nozzle produce when being used. The restrictions on the hose length of petrol pumps were originally determined by Weights and Measures requirements and the hose was 12 foot (3.65m) and to ensure that the nozzle of the hose was away from the public pavement the safety authorities wrote the Codes to require
pumps to be a distance of 14ft (4.2m) from the pavement. As improvements in hose construction allowed accurate measures to be determined this restriction has been lifted. The hoses are now often much longer but this has caused another challenge to the petrol station. If the design of the site has a dispenser 4m from the public way then longer hoses should not be fitted as this could mean the nozzle could reach the public highway. The fact that the public can walk along the pavement smoking is considered a hazard. If you look at page 46 of The Blue Book the hazardous area is determined by the length of the hose plus 1 metre. At a recent inspection of a site during a training course in Hong Kong we found a long hose had been fitted to a pump which was so long it reached inside the shop!!
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News Neste, DHL Express sign huge sustainable aviation fuel deals Neste and DHL have been working together since 2020 making Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel available for DHL’s operations. In 2020, DHL Express became the first cargo operator to use the fuel on flights departing from San Francisco and Amsterdam. In 2021 DHL and Neste extended that cooperation to provide Neste’s SAF for DHL Express’ hub at the UK’s East Midlands airport. “This milestone agreement, our largest ever for SAF, underlines the growing need and urgency – as well as the commitment – to act on aviation-related emissions. We are pleased to take this significant step together with DHL,” says Peter Vanacker, President and CEO of Neste. “As the world’s leading logistics provider, it is our commitment to provide green and more sustainable solutions for our customers.
The landmark SAF deal with Neste marks a significant step for the entire aviation industry and validates the framework of our Sustainable Roadmap”, says Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group. In its Sustainability Roadmap, Deutsche Post DHL Group has committed to using 30% of SAF blending for all air transport by 2030. Neste’s SAF is produced from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials. As a drop-in fuel it can be used with existing aircraft engines and airport fuel infrastructure, requiring no extra investment to them. With the ongoing expansion of Neste’s Singapore refinery and modification to its Rotterdam refinery, Neste will have an annual production capacity for sustainable aviation fuel of 1.5 million tons (approx. 1,875 billion litres) by the end of 2023.
Health and Safety Tribunal: Petroleum licence withheld from 77 year-old petrol station on grounds of health and safety Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Tribunal has upheld a decision to withhold a petroleum licence where the risk to pedestrians and local residents was deemed to be too great, despite the appellant’s clean record. The appellant, Anita Byrne, trading as DAY TODAY, appealed against an Order of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (the respondent) made pursuant to Section 3(1)(a) of the Petroleum Consolidation Act (Northern Ireland) 1929, and the Deregulation (Model Appeal Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997, refusing to grant a renewal of her petroleum licence for her premises at 83 Church Street, Antrim. Factual background: The appellant operated a kerbside store with petrol filling stations. She required, by statute, a petroleum licence, issued annually from the respondent, to carry out this business. Her application to renew that licence in 2019 was refused, and that decision gave rise to this appeal. The appellant asserted that the decision was, firstly, made in error of fact; secondly, that the decision was made in error of law, as no issue had been taken with her petroleum-dispensing methodology when her petroleum licence had been renewed each year between 2012 and 2018 inclusive, and thirdly, that the respondent had failed to properly exercise its discretion in refusing to renew her petroleum licence in 2019. The respondent’s case The respondent’s case was multi-faceted, relying on evidence, statute, and expert opinion, including a letter from Ms. K. Squance, an Environmental Health Officer, to the appellant. This letter was sent following a meeting between them, setting out, in detail, the 38
concerns of the respondent and a series of recommended actions to be undertaken by her to address those concerns. A further letter was sent by the respondent to the appellant enclosing a Consideration of Enforcement Action, offering the appellant a further opportunity to make representations thereon. In response, the applicant merely referenced the fact that this service had been provided by her, and her family, to the local community for some 77 years, but not addressing the safety concerns identified by the respondent. The appellant’s case Ms Byrne stated that the written evidence submitted by the respondent did not reveal any danger or fault in the site for the purposes of dispensing petroleum. She maintained that the Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations, 4th Edition (the Blue Book guidance) referred only to new sites and that kerbside sites that had been in existence before 1979 could not comply with this guidance. She stated that the occupants of neighbouring properties were notified of prospective deliveries of petroleum and that those occupants had priority in the vicinity of the site except for 15 minutes once per week when a delivery of petroleum was being made. In cross-examination, she stated that re-fuelling of petroleum would be halted if there were any pedestrians walking on the public highway past the petroleum pump until they had passed. The appellant also maintained that there was no risk of ignition except when, if at all, re-fuelling of petroleum was taking place.
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The pipe into the petrol dispenser had been replaced in 2011. She confirmed that petrol was only dispensed by attended service and that customers were advised not to smoke or to use mobile phones while re-fuelling of petroleum was taking place. In concluding comments, she stated that the main reason she brought her appeal was in memory of her father. She emphasised again that she had a “clear record”, a remark that the Tribunal took to be a reference to petrol having been dispensed without incident since 1943. Findings and conclusions Despite the many arguments raised by the appellant, the appeal was dismissed, and the decision of the respondent was confirmed. This was because the dispenser, located on the public highway, along the frontage of the appellant’s premises, adjoining a neighbouring residential property, created a hazardous zone which was not contained wholly within the site boundary and the dispenser was not located at a safe distance from openings in the neighbouring residential property. This layout was contrary to statutory regulations governing the licensing of petroleum as set out in current industry guidance. The appeal also raised issues of public safety, particularly with regard to Regulation 3 in Part 2 of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. The tribunal noted that the petroleum dispenser was against the wall between the appellant’s business premises and the adjoining
occupied residential property. The petroleum-dispensing hose hung near the window of the next home. The fact that there had been no accident in the past did not excuse the fact that suitable public safety standards should be applied in accordance with statutory requirements by reference to existing relevant expert guidance. There was nothing in the appellant’s evidence that convinced the tribunal, on the balance of probabilities, that the installation and methodology used to dispense petroleum was safe, or that any risk assessment that had been undertaken on her behalf was suitable or sufficient for the circumstances of the case. There was also a history of complaints from adjoining properties regarding the petroleum-dispensing methodology and the petroleum installation itself. Ultimately, while there did exist a small number of other sites with the same petroleum delivery arrangements as the appellant’s, the tribunal found, on the evidence, that none of these created the same safety concerns to the extent that existed in the appellant’s premises, due to the confined space, particularly if an emergency arose during delivery of petrol. The tribunal noted that while the appellant’s petroleum-dispensing business had operated for very many years, health and safety concerns generally in respect of all manner of businesses, not least that of the business of dispensing petroleum, had increased over the years.
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UK News
Shopkeeper fined for storing fireworks in ceiling void below flats A Glasgow shopkeeper has been fined after trading standards officers found fireworks stored unsafely below tenement flats. Glasgow City Council’s Trading Standards team searched a shop in Pollokshields during an unannounced visit and discovered highly flammable fireworks in a ceiling void above a toilet. The shop, ASR Gift Centre in Albert Drive, is below flats in a tenement building and the shopkeeper was not licensed to store fireworks. The items were seized and, along with other evidence collected by the team on 29 October 2020, they helped secure a successful prosecution. Shopkeeper, Amjad Javed, was fined more than £1500 in total when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 23 March 2022. Gary Walker, Glasgow City Council’s Head of Community Safety and Regulatory Services, praised staff who made the seizure of rockets and other fireworks. He said: “Fireworks are essentially explosives and can be very volatile if stored incorrectly. The way these items were stored was extremely dangerous - especially as there were people living in the flats above. They posed a serious fire risk which was discovered and removed during the team’s visit.
“Antisocial behaviour involving fireworks is a real concern in the run up to Bonfire Night, particularly in areas like Pollokshields, and our Trading Standards team work closely with Police Scotland to ensure laws are being adhered to. Council teams carry out regular spot checks on retail premises to ensure retailers are complying with all relevant legislation and it was during one of those visits that this issue came to light.” The fireworks were confiscated and will be safely destroyed by Trading Standards.
BP and Aberdeen City Council to develop city hydrogen hub BP and Aberdeen City Council will form a joint venture that will deliver a scalable green hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility in the city powered by renewable energy. Both parts will operate the joint venture under the name BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited and have committed £3 million for initial design work with a final investment decision for the phase one facility build expected in early 2023. “BP is investing across all the energy transition growth areas in the UK. In fact, we have committed to spend £2 in the UK for every £1 generated here out to the middle of this decade. With these new business opportunities underpinned by our long-standing position in North Sea oil and gas, we are showing what an integrated energy company can do,” said Louise Kingham CBE, BP’s UK head of country and senior vice president for Europe. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub is to be developed in three phases in response to growing demands for hydrogen. Phase one, which involves delivery of a green hydrogen production and transport refuelling facility powered by a solar farm, is targeting first production from 2024, delivering over 800 kilograms of green
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hydrogen per day – enough to fuel 25 buses and a similar number of other fleet vehicles. “We’ve long held the view that the energy and mobility assets that cities control can drive change, so we’re delighted to be announcing this public-private joint venture. But we also believe that working with and within cities is key to achieving decarbonization at scale. By working with key fleets in and around the city we’re aiming to stimulate demand for hydrogen and help the people and businesses of Aberdeen secure value through the energy transition,” added Oliver Taylor, incoming chief executive for BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub programme will support Aberdeen City Council’s ambitions to create a climate positive city and build inclusive growth through supporting hydrogen supply chain development, skills and training, and wider community benefits. BP expects to partner with 10-15 cities globally by 2030 to provide integrated and decarbonized energy solutions at scale to help them achieve their goals of net zero emissions.
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UK/International News
Asda opens largest Asda On the Move store Asda has opened its largest store on an EG Group petrol filling station to date in Nottinghamshire, offering customers more services and choice through popular foodservice brands. The 5,000 sq ft Asda On the Move store ‒ located on EG’s London Road forecourt in Retford ‒ offers more than 2,500 Asda own brand and branded items, including Extra Special, fresh and chilled products, alongside EG-operated food service brands LEON and KFC.
products and services – whether on the move, online, in-store, or via Click & Collect,” said Oliver Silvester, Head of Asda On the Move. The Retford site will also have two EV charging points, in line with EG’s agenda to roll out modern charging facilities throughout its estate.
Following a successful trial in four Asda On the Move stores, shoppers can access the grocer’s full online range for Click & Collect, as well as collection and returns on parcels from more than 100 brands and George.com in store.
“The complementary strengths of both EG Group and Asda enable us to make it even more convenient for motorists to access everything they need when they fill up with fuel,” said Barry Westley, Head of Retail Integration at EG Group. The site is the latest Asda On the Move store opening, taking the total to 32, with the longer-term ambition of launching stores across EG’s UK forecourts.
“The launch of our largest ever Asda On the Move with EG Group marks an important step in Asda’s commitment to ensure more customers have greater access to our extensive range of value
EG Group-owned Cooplands, the UK’s second largest bakery chain, will open a café inside the Asda On the Move store, offering hot food-to-go options, in the second half of April.
Group of men ‘hack petrol pumps with device to push prices down’ as fuel prices soar The men are said to have installed sophisticated “pulsators” inside pumps that regulate price and fuel flow, with the device sending price per litre downwards.
Saturday, March 12 while they filled up in Lakeland, officers said. Yordian Diaz-Benitez, of Tampa, was arrested at a Lutz station for stealing diesel fuel on Thursday, March 10.
Four men have been accused of installing a device at fuel pumps which drops the price down to pennies, in what officials say is a trend which will only spread as petrol prices continue to rise.
Marlon Rosel-Rodriguez was arrested two days later for attempting to place the device inside a pump at the same station, police say.
The men are said to have installed sophisticated “pulsators” inside pumps that regulate price and fuel flow, with the device sending price per litre downwards meaning they can fill up at little cost. The fraudsters allegedly pulled off the scheme at two separate Circle K stations in Lakeland and Lutz in Florida, according to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Rogelio Llerena and Yulier Garcia-Martinez were arrested on
Ned Bowman, president of the Florida Department of Agriculture, said skyrocketing gas costs have fraudsters making the most of the opportunity. “These are criminal rings,” Bowman told New York Post. “I think you are going to see this expand.” Mr Bowman added that fraudsters pull up to compromised pumps with large trucks containing oversize tanks and fill up on the cutrate fuel before reselling it at a steep profit.
BP tries out touchless self-checkouts in San Francisco BP has modernized its convenience store experience with Mashgin’s artificial intelligence self-checkout system. The checkout system is powered by AI and uses computer vision to scan items for purchase instantly. The technology advances BP’s journey of implementing new types of automated checkout at its stores. BP envisions a convenience store of the future with a variety of checkout options to give customers a choice in how they shop. This is the most recent step as BP aims to nearly double earnings 42
from its global convenience and mobility business by 2030 from around $5 billion in 2019. “BP remains focused on introducing new, tech-driven options for our customers to provide an innovative and seamless shopping experience. By working with Mashgin, we can evolve our stores for a better customer experience,” said Humberto Marroquin, vice president of mobility and convenience Americas, West Coast for BP. BP will pilot and test out Mashgin’s innovative self-checkout technology at four ampm stores in 2022 before exploring options to roll it out wider.
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International News
H2 MOBILITY Deutschland gets €110m expansion H2 MOBILITY Deutschland has announced a €110m investment round, provided by Hy24 and the long-term partners of the entity.
Linde, OMV, Shell, and TotalEnergies all contributed to the capital raised.
The investment will be used to upgrade the existing network and build new stations to meet rising hydrogen demand for commercial and intensive use vehicles. The new shareholder was presented today in Berlin in the presence of Ismail Ertug, Member of the European Parliament and organiser within the Transport Committee.
“Green Hydrogen will become a game changer on the journey to replace fossil fuels in transport and to reduce our dependency on extracting resources from our planet’s surface. I am excited that we can combine the skills of H2 MOBILITY with the significant capital raised in this round to accelerate the transition to green hydrogen in mobility and transport!” said Nikolas Iwan, Managing Director of H2 MOBILITY.
Hy24 will invest €70m alongside H2 MOBILITY’s existing shareholders who are investing together a further €40m. The investment will be executed by Hy24 through the Clean H2 Infra Fund, which is to date the world’s largest hydrogen fund. “H2 MOBILITY Deutschland is leading the way in developing the necessary European infrastructure for low-carbon intensive, and heavy mobility. Hydrogen is a crucial part of achieving the European Union’s Fitfor-55 plans, further reinforced by the recent REPowerEU proposal,” said Pierre-Etienne Franc, the CEO of Hy24. Next to Hy24 managed fund, Air Liquide, Daimler Truck, Hyundai,
H2 MOBILITY, a leading operator of hydrogen refuelling stations which already operates over 90 stations across Germany, intends to use the funding to further expand its network to 300 stations by 2030. Of these, over 200 will be large-scale refuelling stations capable of meeting demand for zero-carbon, heavy-duty and longhaul transportation on the European Continent. H2 MOBILITY Deutschland, with its track record of building over 50 projects and operating over 90 stations, has the institutional knowledge and understanding necessary for practical hydrogen infrastructure development, reinforced by its existing shareholder base of leading energy and mobility players.
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International News
ADNOC Distribution launches range of 100% plant-based engine oils Voyager Green Series range of lubricant products are for both petrol and diesel engines. ADNOC brings plant-based lubricants to the region for the first time, broadening its lubricant offering and enhancing its range of products that support a reduced carbon footprint. ADNOC Distribution is launching a new Voyager Green Series range of lubricant products for both petrol and diesel engines, made from 100% plant-based base oil. The new products are part of ADNOC Distribution’s overall strategy to continue expanding its sustainable and environmentally friendly product range. Voyager PX Green is developed specifically for petrol engines and Voyager DX Green for diesel engines. The high-quality blending technology is the first approach in the region to be made entirely
from plant-based base oils, showcasing the company’s commitment to offering customers more environmentally friendly product options. “This innovative new range offers our customers an even greater range of choices to select the right lubricant for their vehicles. Leveraging our in-house research team and production facilities, we will continue to invest in innovation that offers greater choice and quality and supports our move towards a more diversified energy mix,” said Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO, ADNOC Distribution. Plant-based base oils are made from sustainable feedstock sources, such as palm, soy, coconut and rapeseed. The range is formulated to deliver higher levels of engine performance than conventional synthetic base oils, due to its unique molecular composition.
Oman Shell and Oman Airports sign green hydrogen partnership Oman Shell and Oman Airports have signed a new partnership for development of several green hydrogen projects. The first phase of the association includes the provision of up to 15 hydrogen cars by the oil company’s subsidiary to its partner for corporate usage. “Working with Oman Airports for the hydrogen for mobility project will help our efforts to support the Oman Vision 2040 energy objectives. It is also in line with Shell’s Powering Progress Strategy and our target to become a net-zero-emission energy business by 2050, in step with society,” commented Walid Hadi, Vice President and Chairman for Oman Shell. The project will include development of hydrogen production units that will be powered by photovoltaic solar plants and installed at different fuelling units related to the project. These stations will
be selected strategically to maximise benefits for the initiative and allow members of the public to have visibility of the technology. “We are looking to capitalise on Oman Shell’s renewable energy initiatives and are glad to be working together on the first phase of its ‘Green Hydrogen for Mobility’ project. We are committed with clear environmental policy to build a sustainable environment and become a green airport,” added Sheikh Aimen Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports. As Omani regulatory bodies develop the required regulations to enable a strong hydrogen economy in the Sultanate, Oman Shell will work closely with them to provide hydrogen expertise and input.
Ecopetrol greenlights green hydrogen production in Colombia The pilot test began at the Cartagena refinery and the company presented its $2.5 billion Low Carbon Hydrogen Strategic Plan, which includes projects up to 2040. The Ecopetrol Group announced the start of its first green hydrogen production pilot project in Colombia. The news followed the start of operations of a 50-kilowatt PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyser and 270 solar panels at the Cartagena refinery. The pilot test will be carried out over the next three months. It will use industrial water for the daily production of 20kg of high-purity green hydrogen. The firm seeks to gather information on the 44
operation, maintenance, reliability and scalability of the technologies used, which will lead to further tests. Ecopetrol aims to assess both the technical and environmental feasibility, and performance of green hydrogen generation. This will also provide information on the impact of the use of inputs such as water and electrical power. The green hydrogen produced will be used to improve the quality of fuels produced at the facility. Going forward, the firm is moving forward with the acquisition of two electrolytic hydrogen generation systems with refuelling stations for vehicle mobility applications. These initiatives are expected to begin early next year.
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International News
Dover Fuelling Solutions partners with GTS to offer DX Wetstock in Egypt Dover Fuelling Solutions, a part of Dover Corporation and a leading global provider of advanced customer-focused technologies, services and solutions in the fuel and convenience retail industries, is delighted to announce its expanded agreement with Global Technical Services (GTS) for the provision of its DX Wetstock management services to the Egyptian markets. GTS is based in Cairo, Egypt, and is a longstanding distributor of Wayne Fuelling Systems and ProGauge products for nearly four years, during which time it deployed DFS tank gauging equipment to over 3,000 sites throughout Egypt. The addition of DX Wetstock, an end-to-end fuel management solution from DFS, increases GTS’ offering to its considerable customer base and further strengthens the position of both DFS and GTS in the market. GTS specializes in industrial automation solutions and is renowned in the fuel retail sector, not only for selling refuelling equipment, but also for providing maintenance, design, engineering projects and consultancy services. GTS is a supplier to the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) — a national oil company — of equipment and services to over 3,600 sites in Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr, Smart Solutions Business Unit Director of GTS,
said, “DX Wetstock works seamlessly with our extensive install base of DFS automation solutions, and we are anticipating a high demand for the solution. We look forward to this exciting new chapter in the GTS story. This new service reinforces an already solid partnership and allows us to take our fuel management solutions to the next level. Our partnership with DFS has grown significantly in recent years and has proven to be very successful. We look forward to working with DFS for years to come.” Andy Sullivan, General Manager and Senior Director Wetstock, DFS, said, “We are very excited to team up with GTS and bring our real-time wetstock management services to Egypt. As a licensee of DX Wetstock, GTS will be able to leverage the DFS team’s indepth experience of providing wetstock software and services, while maintaining the local presence and market understanding necessary to guarantee the best possible value from the service.” Tim Firkins, DFS Business Development Senior Manager, noted, “Although we’re still faced with very challenging conditions and travel restrictions as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it hasn’t prevented us from meeting the needs of our customers while remaining diligent in protecting the health of our teams, families and communities. Successfully securing this expanded contract with GTS and rolling out DX Wetstock throughout Egypt is proof of that.”
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International News
Circle K launches global campaign to raise funds for Ukraine In 2,500 stores across Europe, the company will match customers’ contributions in an effort to raise at least €2 million to support Red Cross’ actions in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has launched a fund-raising campaign in support of those suffering from the conflict in Ukraine. The campaign primarily includes donations directly to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), who support Red Cross teams and relief efforts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Circle K has a strong presence in the Baltic countries with over 6,500 team members and over 600 stores located in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Since the outbreak of armed conflict in Ukraine, Circle K teams located in neighbouring countries have worked with various partners to support with fuel and essential products for those displaced by the crisis. Starting today in Europe, the “You Donate, We Match” campaign invites customers to make a donation at the till of any of the 2,500
Circle K stores in the Baltics, Scandinavia, and Ireland. Each donation made by a customer will be matched with an identical donation by Circle K. Through this campaign, Circle K aims to raise at least €2 million to support Red Cross’ efforts. “Since the outbreak of the war, we have received many requests from team members and customers to support the people of Ukraine. Through our “You Donate, We Match” campaign, customers can decide as little or large donation as they want, and Circle K will automatically match their donation. We hope to raise as much funds as possible to support the Red Cross with their tireless work to help the Ukrainian people. I want to thank all our teams and customers for their generosity in launching and supporting this fund-raising campaign,” said Hans-Olav Høidahl, EVP Operations Europe. For its global employee base, the company has also opened a fundraising campaign for team members who wish to donate to the IFRC. This builds on the $1.5 million already donated by Couche-Tard’s leadership team.
Shell and BYD partner on EV charging across China and Europe Both companies also intend to form a joint venture to develop EV charging networks in China.
operate a network of more than 10,000 charging points in Shenzhen, with a plan to expand to more locations in China.
Shell and BYD have signed a cooperation agreement to accelerate the energy transition and improve charging experience for BYD’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) customers. The partnership will start in China and Europe and will extend to other regions across the globe.
“Together with BYD, we want to deliver a charging experience that is as fast, convenient and comfortable as possible,” said István Kapitány, Global Executive Vice President of Shell Mobility. With technologies such as the Blade Battery, DM-i super hybrid technology, and the e-platform, BYD sold nearly 600,000 electric passenger vehicles in 2021.
For private and commercial customers, Shell and BYD will form a pan-European Mobility Service Provider (MSP) partnership, offering them membership access to 275,000 charging points through the Shell roaming network. Both Shell and BYD will also jointly develop Fleet Solutions and Depot Charging services for BYD customers in Europe.
“BYD is willing to sincerely cooperate with Shell and seize the historic chance of new energy vehicles, providing consumers with high-quality service in charging facilities and new energy vehicles consumption and creating vital development opportunities,” said Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD.
Both parties also intend to form a joint venture to develop EV charging networks in China. The joint venture is expected to
Shell intends to operate more than 500,000 EV charge points worldwide by 2025.
Chevron Pakistan partners with Uber Chevron Pakistan has signed a deal with Uber to offer promotional packages to its drivers. The fuel retailer will provide attractive oil change and programs for partner drivers at participating Caltex Oil Change facilities across Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. “We are extremely pleased to be in collaboration with Uber. As an established industry leader, Chevron Pakistan markets global lubricant brands such as Caltex, Havoline and Delo. The brand enjoys high levels of acceptance and recognition in the automotive and industrial segments of the market,” said Ahmed Zahid Zaheer, General Manager of Chevron Pakistan Lubricants Limited. Uber’s global ride-hailing platform connects riders with drivers and brings 46
mobility solutions to people. The ride-hailing service sees a tremendous potential in Pakistan. “Drivers are an integral part of Uber’s operations, and we believe this collaboration with Chevron will enable financial inclusion and convenience for them by introducing essential products at discounted prices and supporting the independence and flexibility they experience through Uber’s platform,” commented Saad Pall, GM Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan for Uber. Chevron Pakistan has a strong distributor network and a presence of over 160 modern Caltex Oil Change facilities across 43 cities.
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International News
BP and Uber sign global partnership to amp convenience operations The association will make more than 3,000 retail locations available on Uber Eats, extend current deals in several countries and launch the service in other European regions. BP and Uber Technologies, Inc. have announced a new global strategic convenience delivery partnership, extending their existing local arrangements to reach more consumers across the world. Together, the partners will offer a range of convenience products from select retail locations. “We’re thrilled to team up with Uber Eats globally giving us the opportunity to reach many more consumers online in addition to those who currently visit our retail sites. We’ve seen how the pandemic has accelerated customer demand for delivered convenience and this partnership will allow us to scale up quickly on the Uber platform. And for the first time, we will be able to offer delivery options to existing customers on our own BPme app by the end of 2023,” said Emma Delaney, Executive Vice president of Customers & Products for BP. BP aims to have more than 3,000 retail locations available on the
delivery platform over the next three years. The partnership supports the company’s goal of growing its access to customers and expanding its delivery footprint, in response to soaring demand for food, groceries and everyday essentials brought to the door. “With more than 20,500 locations around the world, BP’s reach is enormous—making them critical partners as we pursue our ambitions of helping consumers across the world get what they need delivered to their doorsteps,” said Pierre Dimitri Gore-Coty, Uber’s SVP of Global Delivery. The new partnership covers retail sites in Australia, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa and the west coast of the US. Sites in the UK and eastern US will be added to the app for the first time this year, with plans to launch in other European markets from 2023. As part of the agreement, Uber Eats and BP will work to introduce delivery options onto BP’s own app, BPme – initially planned to be available in the UK, US and Australia by the end of 2023 – powered by Uber Direct. This new offer will allow BP to directly connect its customers to delivery riders, making Uber Eats its partner in fulfilling these orders.
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International News
Woman splashed with petrol at garage has €60,000 injury claim dismissed A childcare assistant who claimed she was injured when petrol splashed into her mouth at a filling station, has lost a €60,000 damages claim against Maxol Limited. Geraldine McLaren (59), of Kippure Park, Finglas South, Dublin 11, told Judge Dara Hayes in the Circuit Civil Court that the incident happened in March 2017 as she was filling her car at a garage on the Swords Road in Santry. She said she inserted the pump nozzle into her car’s fuel tank and that it then jammed. She said that when she pressed it more firmly petrol splashed into her mouth and onto her cardigan sleeve and trousers. Ms McLaren told the court she swallowed an amount of petrol and afterwards felt dizzy and unsteady. She said she suffered pain and discomfort to the right side of her mouth and throat, which was treated with mouthwash. She said she attended her doctor and was prescribed Solpadine.
Gráinne Larkin, counsel for Maxol, whose registered office is at the IFSC in Dublin, told Ms McLaren that CCTV footage of the incident shown to the court did not indicate that any petrol sprayed into her mouth. Ms McLaren said it did splash into her mouth when she shook her sleeve. Dismissing the claim, Judge Hayes said it was clear from the footage that the spray did not go into her mouth. “It was undoubtedly a shocking and frightening incident but in order to succeed in a claim for damages the plaintiff must establish there was negligence and breach of duty on the part of the defendant,” the judge said. Judge Hayes said there was no evidence that the pump was faulty in any foreseeable way on the day other than on the single occasion complained of. The pump had functioned normally on the day and had not required any subsequent servicing or maintenance, he said. He said at most what had happened was a freak accident and that did not, of itself, constitute negligence.
HAM opens new LNG station in Salamanca Grupo HAM’s network of gas stations now includes more than 90 locations on main European routes. HAM Group inaugurates a new LNG service station in Salamanca, near the European route E-80. The new HAM Salamanca service station, designed, built and commissioned by HAM Criogénica, has a 60m3 tank, with a submerged pump for LNG and two innovative LNG refuelling points for trucks and heavy vehicles. Opening hours are 24/7 throughout the year, it is freely accessible,
and payments can be made from the payment terminal. The new HAM Salamanca LNG gas station is remotely monitored to guarantee its correct operation and offers the possibility of contacting the 24-hour Technical Assistance Service to resolve any incident. With this new opening, Grupo HAM’s network of gas stations continues to grow, with more than 90 on the main routes in Spain and Europe. This month HAM also installed a mobile unit in Dos Hermanas.
Pilot Company launches fundraiser for Ukraine relief Pilot Company has announced an in-store round-up campaign for Save the Children in response to the needs of children and their families in Ukraine and the region. Up until April 3rd, more than 650 of the participating companyoperated travel centres in the U.S. will have round-up purchases available to the nearest whole dollar for customers to donate the additional amount to Save the Children. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by the international crisis in Ukraine. We are deeply saddened by the effects of this conflict and are doing a roundup in our stores to help raise funds for Save the Children that will go towards immediate assistance for Ukrainian children and families,” said 48
Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. Pilot Company will donate 100% of the funds raised, along with the $100,000 matching contribution, directly to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Save the Children is distributing critical emergency supplies in Ukraine and the region and establishing safe spaces for children where possible. “We will be matching up to $100,000 of donations raised as part of our commitment to giving back to our communities on a local and global scale,” added Konar. These funds will support their efforts to provide lifesaving relief, including food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and cash assistance for children and their families impacted by the conflict.
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International News
South Korea welcomes first hydrogen station powered by food biogas The site located in the city of Chungju has started commercial operations to supply hydrogen to vehicles and nearby service stations. South Korea’s first hydrogen “mother” station powered by food biogas has commenced operations. The site produces and supplies hydrogen using biogas to integrate hydrogen production, storage, transportation, charging and sales both to drivers and other service stations. According to a news report by local news site Aju Business Daily, the new hydrogen station is located at the city of Chungju, 90 kilometres south of Seoul. It will be the country’s first station that can fuel cars and supply hydrogen to nearby forecourts via tube trailers. Back in 2019, the city was selected for a government project that involved the injection of 12.3 billion won, which translates into roughly $10 million, for the demonstration of a hydrogen fusion charging station via biogas usage. This is in part possible thanks to a food treatment centre located in the city, where food waste is
decomposed with microorganisms in an anaerobic digestive tank to produce biogas. This means that the site is capable of producing hydrogen with biogas that was previously burned and eliminated. According to the article cited, this can help to stabilise hydrogen prices thanks to the reduction of greenhouse gases and low production costs. Normally, a steam methane reforming extractor can produce up to 600 kilograms of hydrogen daily. Biogas is commonly generated through the biodegradation reactions of organic matter, through the action of microorganisms and other factors, in the absence of oxygen. The resulting product is a mixture consisting of methane and carbon dioxide, containing small proportions of other gases such as hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen sulphide. Its production by anaerobic decomposition results in a fuel that can be used to produce electrical energy through gas turbines or gas-fired power plants.
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International News
TotalEnergies launches new solar powered service station in Tanzania The opening marks a new step in the company’s plans to build a network of solarized forecourts in the country and across the world.
of our transition from Total Tanzania to TotalEnergies Marketing Tanzania,” said Jean-Francois Schoepp, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Tanzania.
TotalEnergies launched a new solarized service station in Tanzania, located in Dar es Salaam city. Customers that approach the site will be able to enjoy its services and products powered by solar energy.
During the opening event of the station held last Monday, Schoepp gave details of TotalEnergies’ plans in the country for the deployment of these forecourts. The company representative specified that the aim is to solarize up to 68 service stations by the end of 2022 as well as its industrial sites such as its Dar es Salaam terminal and its Lubricants Oil Blending Plant.
The new forecourt is the 24th solar powered station by TotalEnergies in the country and is part of the company’s plan to transform nearly 5,000 stations across 7 countries. These plans include the installation of solar panels at 1,000 stations per year. “It is with great honour and pride that we are here today to reveal our milestone and ambition as the first oil marketing company in Tanzania to have solarized service stations which is in line with our climate ambition to have net zero carbon emission and a reflection
“The transformation of Total to TotalEnergies marks a tremendous development in the energy sector in the country as we have witnessed today that Tanzanians can fuel up with sunlight, enjoy a beverage made by solar power and even recharge their batteries at the speed of light when at TotalEnergies service stations,” commented Mr. January Makamba, Minister for Energy of Tanzania.
ADNOC partners with German firms to expand hydrogen strategy
The oil company plans to significantly grow its production of the alternative fuel by expanding into Europe. “The UAE and Germany have a deep, longstanding bilateral relationship and a growing partnership in clean energy, helping to enable and accelerate the global energy transition.
The partnerships announced include: Individual cooperation agreements and low-carbon demonstration cargos with German companies Aurubis, RWE, GETEC and STEAG to explore opportunities for collaboration in low-carbon and renewable hydrogen derivatives; a joint study agreement between ADNOC, Hydrogenious, JERA and Uniper to explore hydrogen transportation between UAE and Germany; and a memorandum of understanding between ADNOC, HHLA and AD Ports Group to work on realising Hamburg’s ambition to become a hydrogen import hub in Germany.
At ADNOC, we have ambitious growth plans for clean hydrogen, a critical tool in efforts to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, which we are actively delivering on to meet demand in Asia, and through today’s partnerships, Europe as well,” said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO.
The announcements took place during the visit of Dr. Robert Habeck, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, to the UAE. The German government’s National Hydrogen Strategy expects clean hydrogen demand of up to 3 million tons per annum by 2030, of which around 60% is expected to be imported.
ADNOC has announced it has signed a series of new memorandum of understanding and joint study agreements with German companies to accelerate and deepen collaboration in clean hydrogen.
New Tank & Rast station is taking shape A modern service area with petrol station and shop is currently being built in Lindholz. Tank & Rast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will soon be opening a completely new location on the A20. The 730 square metre shell of the new service station with fuels and shop is already in place. According to current plans, the opening will take place at the end of May. A total of over 50 tonnes of steel were used in the process. The 50
200 square metre glass façade has also been installed. The underground storage tanks, pipework and the installation of the tank technology were already carried out at the end of 2021. In the future, users of both combustion and electric vehicles will be able to get their energy under one canopy. A range of premium fuels as well as fast-charging stations with up to 300kW will be available. The café will have over 50 seats to allow people for a break as they travel through the German highway.
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Press Releases
Press Releases IET and BSI publish Amendment 2 (2022) to BS 7671:2018 (IET Wiring Regulations) The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI, have today signed off the content for Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations), which introduces a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the fire safety design for buildings and a new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations. Amendment 2 comes into effect immediately when published on 28th March 2022 and the previous version, BS 7671:2018+A1:2020, will be withdrawn six months later. This essential update to the IET Wiring Regulations will form the national standard to which all new electrical installations and additions, and alterations to existing electrical installations in the UK are to comply. The IET and BSI are now urging all electrical professionals to ensure they become familiar with the changes. Significant changes include: • a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in some AC final circuits for installations in some types of higher risk residential buildings; • the requirement for the fire safety design of buildings to be documented where specific conditions of external influence exist, such as protected escape routes and locations with risk of fire; • method for determining the requirement to provide overvoltage protection; • changes to identification, labels and notices, such as for consumer units, affecting how safety information is provided to the user of the electrical installation; • a chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations, in a new part, Part 8. Members of the committee responsible for the technical content of BS 7671, JPEL/64, are not permitted to release any further information before the publication date.
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Dan Palmer, Associate Director of Committees at BSI said: “BS 7671 is one of the UK’s most important standards, providing authoritative requirements to promote electrical safety. The changes introduced in this new amendment will help electrical professionals keep up to date with new and innovative technologies, as well as ensuring they have current knowledge about designing safe installations.” Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET, said: “The IET is the authority for electrical installations in the UK and ensures that the National Wiring Regulations Committee carefully considers all necessary updates to the Regulations to ensure they best meet the needs of the industry. “The Amendment continues the thread of embracing new technologies and Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations is an exciting step into the future of renewable sources of energy and their integration into our lives. “Focussing on high-risk environments with requirements for Arc Fault Detection Devices and the fire safety design of buildings is a major step in order to increase safety. “Amendment 2 is an essential update to provide for the safety of electrical installations in the UK and it is now imperative that the industry is ready to work to this amendment before BS 7671:2018+A1:2020 is withdrawn.” Further changes are included throughout all parts of BS 7671, including the incorporation of Amendment 1:2020 to BS 7671:2018 as part of the main document. Post-Brexit, this Amendment sees the further adoption of CENELEC Harmonized Documents as the UK continues the inclusion of standards for new and developing technologies. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 is theiet.org/amendment2-wm
available
for
pre-order
at
Learn more about the IET’s guidance and training packages at theiet.org/18th-resources-wm
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Global-MSI supplies EV charging hub Shell recently opened its first EV charging hub in the UK in Fulham, London, where petrol and diesel pumps at an existing filling station have been replaced with ultra-rapid charge points. A global pilot, this is the first time Shell has converted one of its existing sites to cater solely for electric vehicles. Global-MSI is proud to have played a major role, alongside others, in the redevelopment project. Global-MSI recently completed the construction of the project’s retail sales building that features a Costa Coffee store and a Little Waitrose & Partners shop offer. Global-MSI was responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the building’s steel frame, roof and wall cladding, as well as the double-glazed shop front with APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Press Releases highly insulating properties designed to reduce energy use. The hub also features two timber canopies. GlobalMSI designed, fabricated, and installed the solar panel support framework for the canopies and worked closely with the solar panel supplier to install the panels.
Demand grows for Eurotank interceptor cleaning services long-term such as cleaning out the jet wash and car wash pits on a sixmonthly basis. “We love ESG’s personable approach and the fact that there is always someone on the end of the phone to help. That clear contact and expert knowledge will prove invaluable to us.” The 20-strong Kay Group has also awarded Eurotank Environmental an annual contract for its interceptor, jet wash silt trap cleaning and waste removal.
Eurotank Environmental’s interceptor and drainage cleaning division has been going from strength to strength since its launch at the end of last year, with new contracts being signed every week. Customer feedback on the service and quality of cleans has also been extremely impressive. Tom Farrow, Operational Team Lead at Sewell Facilities Management, which is part of the Sewell Group that operates the Sewell On the Go network of forecourts as well as its own group estates solution providing services for schools and healthcare centres, said: “We weren’t happy with our previous interceptor cleaning company and decided to give Eurotank a go and we are so glad that we did. The team talked us through everything they were going to do which really gave us confidence going forward. We own the vast majority of the buildings we look after so there is a cost to us to take any waste away. Already we can see that by using ESG we will reduce those costs. “The team were also very forthcoming with recommendations that will save us money in the 54
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Adam Howard, Operations Director at the Blackburn-based forecourt chain, explained: “With currently 84 jet washes across our network of 20 sites and growing, it is of significant importance that the jet wash facilities meet our customers’ expectations. It is therefore vital for us to ensure that we are operating these services consistently at maximum capacity at all times. “Eurotank have demonstrated their reactive capabilities to my great satisfaction, swiftly reacting to last minute schedule changes to meet our retailing demands. “I have been delighted with the sites visited by Eurotank to date, both in terms of the quality of the cleaning and by the friendliness of the Eurotank staff to our on-site management.”
Press Releases
MFG and LondonMetric sign first-of-its-kind EV charging partnership Motor Fuel Group is pleased to announce an Electric Vehicle (‘EV’) partnership deal with leading real estate owner and manager, LondonMetric Property Plc, representing MFG’s first off-network agreement. The initial programme with LondonMetric will see MFG build 6-8 bay Ultra-Rapid 150kW EV charging hubs at six of LondonMetric’s long income retail locations in Birmingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Glasgow, Ipswich and Liskeard. The partnership will help MFG gain increased EV Power brand awareness, whereas LondonMetric will benefit from a zero-capex solution, additional rental income, new on-site facilities and, at the same time, demonstrate its growing support for a cleaner, greener environment. The hubs will offer motorists 100 miles range in approximately 10 minutes, subject to the charging capability of individual car batteries. Since 2018, MFG has been installing electric vehicle chargers across its network of 900+ forecourts. 2020 saw the introduction of its own EV Power brand bringing dedicated Ultra-Rapid 150kW chargers to its stations. By the end of this year 100 EV charging hubs will be in operation or under construction and going forward, a £400 million
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investment programme will result in c.3,000 Ultra-Rapid chargers at over 500 of its forecourts by 2030. MFG is also looking to actively grow its EV Power network beyond its existing estate, incorporating Ultra-Rapid EV charging hubs onto retail parks, roadside developments and other locations convenient for motorists. William Bannister, MFG’s chief executive officer, said: “We have already invested significantly and ahead of the curve on EV charging across our own forecourt network. Our intention is to continue to grow and develop a market-leading dual fuel strategy on our forecourts and, at the same time, work with leading real estate owners like LondonMetric to meet the inevitable demand for easy access EV charging from the motorist.” LondonMetric’s property chief executive, Andrew Jones, added: “In line with our increasing focus on supporting the transition to a low carbon economy and reacting to the structural changes impacting real estate, this partnership with MFG will provide customers at our sites access to a market leading product; future-proofing them while also driving rental growth. Reflecting the attractive locations of our long income assets, we hope to build on this first phase and progress further installations with MFG across this part of our portfolio.”
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CEN and CENELEC General Assemblies confirm BSi membership The CEN and CENELEC General Assemblies, meeting today in Palermo, Italy, have overwhelmingly confirmed the British Standards Institution’s (BSI) continued membership of the two associations from 1 January 2022. This decision follows careful consideration by the CEN and CENELEC members, taking into account the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU and is consistent with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) agreed between the UK and the EU. Continued BSI membership provides clarity and confidence for CEN and CENELEC’s stakeholders in the role of standards across Europe. It will help businesses to trade in a settled system and will support the UK’s long-term contribution to European and international standards. All CEN and CENELEC’s stakeholders, including those from the UK, will continue to participate and contribute to standards development as today. Elena Santiago Cid, Director General of CEN and CENELEC, said: “With the UK’s exit from the EU, the overriding priority for CEN and CENELEC was to maintain the stability of the standardization system in Europe. This decision is a welcome reassurance to our stakeholders
as it safeguards the principles of the European standardization system based on the adoption of European standards and the withdrawal of conflicting national standards, to provide seamless market access across Europe including in the UK, and to reinforce the future robustness of CEN and CENELEC.” BSI’s Director-General, Standards, Dr Scott Steedman commented: “This decision offers our stakeholders in the UK clarity and certainty that they will continue to be able to influence the development of European and international standards through the CEN and CENELEC system. UK stakeholders will continue to be able to work in all CEN and CENELEC standards developing committees and chair those committees as they do now. Working with our 33 fellow CEN and CENELEC members at European and international level supports our common interests including increasing global trade, addressing the threat of climate change and seizing the opportunities presented by emerging technologies. The UK government recognises the importance of international standards developed by ISO, IEC and ITU and reflected at European level through CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. The UK’s new system of designated standards is based on the same set of European and international standards that are used as a voluntary means of compliance with regulation across Europe.”
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Press Releases
UKPIA announces new Chief Executive From 13th April 2022, Elizabeth de Jong will become the new Chief Executive of UKPIA, the UK’s leading trade association for the downstream sector. She succeeds Stephen Marcos Jones who has led the association since 2017. Elizabeth will be joining from Logistics UK, where she has been Director of Policy since 2017 following previous roles at the Rail Delivery Group and the Department for Transport. Responding to the appointment, Elizabeth de Jong said: “I am delighted to be joining the UKPIA team and our growing membership as its new Chief Executive. Society at large is going through a historic change with the need to deliver new, sustainable ways of working. UKPIA supports the Paris Goals, and our members are already on the path towards Net‐Zero. As my predecessor made clear, by working collaboratively with all our members, government, and other sectors, there is a significant and positive role that UKPIA’s members can play in delivering the transformation needed to reach Net‐Zero. I look forward to building on the progress already made to encourage a
competitive, reliable and ultimately transformed downstream sector.” Stephen Marcos Jones said “I am confident that Elizabeth will be an excellent leader for UKPIA. The role of the downstream sector is changing and the opportunities and challenges for the sector to be part of the solution to Net‐Zero are clear. I look forward to seeing how UKPIA and the sector will continue to play a central role in delivering a Net‐Zero carbon UK economy.” Darren Cunningham, UKPIA President, general manager of Humber Refinery and Phillips 66 lead executive in the UK said “We are excited for Elizabeth to join us. UKPIA’s members and I look forward to working with her at such a challenging time for the industry. She brings a wealth of highly relevant experience including working with and in government. Elizabeth will lead our collaboration work with policymakers to provide an attractive investment environment. It is vital for us that government offers certainty and the right policy levers if we are to make the energy transition a smooth one.”
Celebrating 90 Years! Hockman-Lewis Limited marks 90 years in business. (Florham Park, NJ) – this year Hockman-Lewis Limited celebrates 90 years as an export management company, specializing in marketing and selling retail and commercial fueling, automotive service and liquid handling equipment in international markets outside of USA and Canada. Hockman-Lewis Limited was founded in 1932 by J.L. Hockman as a third-party exclusive exporter of service station equipment. 90 years later, H-L is still specialized in vehicle fueling and maintenance equipment, along with downstream fuel, pest control and industrial equipment. The company adds value for its suppliers, international distributors and end-user customers by traveling to the international markets and providing sales, product and technical training. Hockman-Lewis continuously invests in building a solid and knowledgeable team. The company’s operations and export compliance team have the essential skills, experience and knowledge of US Export Control
Laws and Regulations as well as importing countries’ documentation requirements, which have become more demanding and complicated over the years. Today, Hockman-Lewis provides extensive global coverage with nine employees working from its HQ in New Jersey, three salespersons in Mexico, one in Australia covering AsiaPac and one in Dubai covering MEA. The company also has subsidiary distribution companies in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Brisbane, Australia. When asked about H-L’s longevity, Greg Hockman, the company’s president, stated “While the world has grown smaller and more competitive, our success is based on the same values and principles as when we started. We work with reliable suppliers of quality equipment and we maintain honest, open relationships with distributors, allowing us to establish trusting, long-term commercial partnerships.” For details and more information on Hockman-Lewis Limited and its products go to www.hockman-lewisltd.com.
UKPIA statement following events in Ukraine Following the invasion of Ukraine, UK fuel suppliers are working hard to ensure fuels continue to be available. A UKPIA spokesperson said: “UKPIA and its members are working to respond to a rapidly changing environment and our thoughts are with those in Ukraine. Companies are in regular dialogue with government to ensure that fuels continue to be available to the public following the events in Ukraine and resulting sanctions on Russian vessels. Production, fuel imports, and inland deliveries continue to supply the fuels the country needs. “The UK’s oil products are sourced from a diverse range of suppliers including the UK’s own refineries and imports from across 58
the globe. The restrictions on Russian owned, controlled, chartered and operated vessels are understood by fuel importers, and companies that have previously used such vessels are implementing contingency plans such as using alternatives to ensure products continue to be available. “UKPIA also welcomes the planned release of compulsory oil stocks as a means to, as the International Energy Agency has stated, “send a unified and strong message to global oil markets that there will be no shortfall in supplies”. Obligated companies in the UK will participate in the release coordinated by governments and ensure these additional stocks are made available to the market.”
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Press Releases
What to expect from UNITI expo 2022 Elmar Kühn, Managing Director of UNITI-Kraftstoff GmbH and organiser of UNITI expo, discusses the upcoming edition of the trade fair, which will be held from May 17 to 19. After missing out on its fourth edition in 2020, UNITI expo is finally back on May 17-19, 2022. Exhibitors and visitors from all parts of the world will gather once more in Stuttgart, Germany, for the leading European trade fair for the retail petroleum and car wash industries. Amidst preparations for the event, Elmar Kühn, Managing Director of UNITI-Kraftstoff GmbH, provides some insights and details on what attendees can expect from this year’s expo. After this difficult, long delay, how is UNITI expo 2022 preparing to return next May? Elmar Kühn: In 2018, UNITI expo cemented its role as the top trade fair for the fuel retailing, convenience store and carwash industries in Europe. We were aiming to consolidate and expand our position even more in 2020 but the Covid-19 crisis slowed us down. Now, the event is gearing up to come and show the immense support our partners and the main players in each sector have given us to fill the halls of Stuttgart Messe one more time. The numbers are looking great. All major exhibitors have confirmed they will be part of this year’s edition, which currently has 90% of the exhibition space already booked. In addition, we receive numerous registrations from trade visitors from home and abroad every day. What health protocols and safety measures can visitors expect during the three days? EK: Preparations are going smoothly in every aspect of the fair, especially in the health & safety departments. Messe Stuttgart has implemented its meticulous “Safe Expo” hygiene concept by updating its protocols and ensuring everyone a safe attending of the event. Thanks to its innovative infrastructure that provides fresh air, a rigorous cleaning schedule and constant monitoring, you can expect to be protected throughout your stay.
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Is there still a chance to participate in UNITI expo for those interested in exhibiting or attending the event? EK: Everyone interested in being part of UNITI expo 2022 can still join the experience. If you wish to book a space for exhibition, you can contact our team at uniti-expo@com-a-tec.de and we’ll gladly help you with the process. As I mentioned before, we already have 90% of the available space booked, so now is the right time to decide if you are going to be part of this year’s leading European trade fair for the retail petroleum and car wash industries. In addition, any professional who is seeking to attend the event can check the official website for special packages and ensure a memorable stay. What will be the main topics or themes of this year’s UNITI expo? EK: Our goal is to always be at the eye of the storm when speaking about changes in the industry. That is why we will cover the latest developments in the three sectors. Educational sessions and presentations will cover new consumer trends, innovations in the services provided at fuel sites, convenience stores and car wash sites, and the future of alternative fuels, a topic that cuts across the value chain. Technology will also be at centre stage of the event, exploring some of the latest developments that have changed consumer behaviour and business strategies forever. UNITI expo wants to help industry professionals stay ahead of the technological curve and make the most of new business opportunities. What can visitors and exhibitors expect from this year’s UNITI expo? EK: Whether you are an exhibitor looking to meet new clients or professionals seeking to expand your knowledge and expertise, UNITI expo is the ideal platform. We strive to unite people from around the world to expand their business horizons and offer them the best chance to meet customers from all over the globe.
After resuming activities last September, its health measures have proven successful in protecting attendees at each of the events that have taken place. One of UNITI expo’s priorities is that visitors can feel safe while enjoying the opportunities the fair has in store for them.
The encouragement and trust that our attendees have shown us after these difficult times has placed an enormous responsibility on us. We are confident that by delivering the best experience for our visitors, we are contributing and strengthening each industry that we are part of. Hope to see you all in a few months!
In addition, we are very pleased that restrictions on the event industry have already been lifted in numerous European countries and that relaxations are also planned in Germany, which will enable UNITI expo to run smoothly.
Stay tuned for new releases in the coming weeks with news and special pieces about the event. Constantly updated information for exhibitors and visitors can be found at https://www.unitiexpo.de/en/.
We have seen virtual events replacing face-to-face trade fairs over the last two years. What is the value of in-person events in today’s world? EK: The world may have changed a lot in these two years but one constant remains true – face-to-face meetings have no substitute. Virtual tools have proven useful for simple tasks and regular meetings. However, operators, suppliers and retailers can’t wait to get back to doing business in person. We believe that by ensuring a safe and comfortable environment, and Messe Stuttgart has a very successful track record, attendees can make the most of that experience.
About UNITI expo UNITI expo is the leading European trade fair for the retail petroleum and car wash industries. With its compact three-day format, the biennial trade show is tailored to the needs of its target audience. The exhibition space is divided into four themed areas: Technology, payment & logistics; Car wash & car care; Oil companies & fuel retailers; and Shop & convenience. In 2018, the third edition of UNITI expo gathered 467 exhibitors and 17,000 attendees from 120 countries on an exhibition area of 40,000 m². UNITI expo is organized by UNITI-Kraftstoff GmbH in cooperation with com-a-tec GmbH.
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Data Centres Specify KPS High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Piping & Fibrelite Composite Access Covers to Safeguard 24/7 365 operation In an increasingly connected digital world, data centres are critical. With 3.6 million m2 in use by data centres in Europe alone and over 70 projects (851,000 m2) in progress in 12 European countries (ResearchAndMarkets), their growth continues to accelerate to meet the needs of cloud technology, AI, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) data storage and the shift to hybrid working. This trend is mirrored globally, with investment in data centres projected to rise from $244.74 billion in 2019 to $432.14 billion in 2025 (ResearchAndMarkets).
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/europe-data-centre-market-report-2021-2025-a-46-growth-ineuropean-data-centre-revenues-and-a-53-growth-in-public-cloud-revenues-301227565.html https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-data-center-market-report-2021-growth-opportunities-in-edgecomputing-investmentma-new-capabilities-geographic-expansion-partnerships-artificial-intelligence-liquid-coolingrenewables-301231802.html
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Safeguarding Service. Eliminating Downtime. To ensure 24/7 365 operation and minimise the risk of downtime, data centres are constructed with the highest performance, highest quality building materials available, with every part of a 61
Press Releases double wall). KPS will also soon be releasing a 6” double wall product range.
Fibrelite’s FRP composite channel access covers installed at major US data centre
Simple, Safe Underground Infrastructure Access Another contemporary product line seeing widespread global adoption by architects, design engineers and specifiers to enable easy access to underground infrastructure is Fibrelite’s modular FRP composite trench/channel access covers. These are now often specified at the outset of new build data centre projects. Bespoke, modular and lightweight, Fibrelite covers are designed to be removed quickly and easily by two people using Fibrelite’s ergonomically designed lifting handles, even where heavier load ratings are required (e.g. channels running between buildings with vehicle traffic). Due to their unique custom engineering capabilities, Fibrelite can manufacture access covers at all load ratings up to F900 / 90 tonne (A15, B125, D400, E600 and F900). Traditionally, for the past 100 years, access covers have been made from concrete or metal which are 3-4 times the weight of Fibrelite covers, often requiring specialised lifting equipment to remove and replace. Fibrelite covers are also impervious to corrosion and have a unique anti-slip walking surface. In many instances where Fibrelite access covers are adopted, companies choose to specify a bespoke option, custommanufactured to specific requirements including size, colour, load rating, fittings (e.g. securing systems) and moulded identification of below ground services. Fibrelite has also undertaken projects where they have designed and manufactured retrofit replacements
KPS’ HDPE piping installed at major Parisian data centre
facility meticulously planned. Infrastructure is an integral part, normally comprising of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), power distribution, cooling systems, fire systems and security systems, many of which have redundancies (2N+1 for Tier 4 facilities, guaranteeing 99.995% uptime) including back-up power generators to prevent interruption of service. Two contemporary products being adopted by leading data centres across the globe are Fibrelite’s lightweight FRP composite trench access covers (to protect and provide easy access to underground infrastructure) and KPS’ HDPE piping (to fuel backup generators). High-Performance Backup Generator Fuelling Systems A reliable fuel supply is key to backup generators’ smooth operation, connecting generators to fuel storage tanks and tanks to fill points. Nicolas Lefebvre, Generator Activity Manager at Flipo-Richir (France) commented “We regularly install generators to back up data centres in the event of a power cut. We have been using KPS double wall piping exclusively for more than 10 years to connect generators to underground storage tanks. KPS piping is easy to install, mainly thanks to the assembly by thermo‐welding, and the range of products is very complete, which makes it possible to create any type of network, even complex.” Corrosion-resistant, safe and easy to install (due to compact electrofusion fittings) the KPS HDPE piping system helps fuel flow safely, even providing protection against ground movements (using the elasticity and flexibility of HDPE). Safety can be enhanced further by installing KPS’ conductive piping option, ensuring continuous conductivity between the tank and the end of the line (which can be earthed). This helps to prevent the accumulation of electric charges that could otherwise be created by the friction of the fuel velocity and the plastic inner surface. KPS’ 4” (110mm) piping also delivers a 933 litre/minute flow rate, making it ideal for fill lines (KPS piping is available in 1” to 4” diameters in single or 64
KPS piping installed at Chinese data centre for one of the world’s leading tech brands
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for previously installed heavy concrete or metal access covers. “We are proud to be involved in data centre projects across the globe, with our Fibrelite trench access covers facilitating easy safe access to below ground infrastructure, and our KPS piping providing a reliable fuel supply to backup generators. In many cases, we actually custom design and engineer bespoke products to fit each facility’s requirements.” Jo Stott, Marketing Director, OPW Global (a Dover company and parent company of Fibrelite and KPS). For more information about KPS piping, visit: www.kpspiping.com/datacentres
Lightweight Fibrelite FRP channel access covers designed for safe manual removal and replacement
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
For more information about Fibrelite access covers, visit www.fibrelite.com/datacentres 65
Press Releases
Mumbles Group to develop more than 20 new forecourts across the UK following £20M loan from OakNorth Bank • Mumbles Group has an excellent track record in the sector, having completed eight successful forecourt projects since 2014 • The capital from OakNorth Bank will support Mumbles’ ambitious growth plans to acquire and develop more than 20 forecourts • Forecourts continue to play a vital role in local economies, providing over 88,000 jobs across the UK, with over three quarters (76%) of them also engaged in some form of community activity over the last year1 • According to Lumina Intelligence2 , the convenience market is expected to total £47.1B by 2024, increasing by 2.9% from 2021. 1 Association of Convenience Stores-UK Forecourt Sector Provides Over 88,000 Local, Secure Jobs 2 Lumina Intelligence-UK Convenience Market: Size, Growth & Share Statistics
OakNorth Bank – the UK bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs – has provided a £20M loan to Mumbles Group to acquire and develop more than 20 new forecourts across the UK. Mumbles Group is a privately-owned commercial developer with a track record of successful development projects, concentrating on the development of roadside sites for new forecourts. Its modus operandi is to locate assets and opportunities with development potential through the team’s knowledge of the market and enter into lease agreements with established operators. Occupiers include Co-operative Group, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Vets4Pets, with recent projects including the acquisition and development of a new Co-op and forecourt at St Columb Minor, Newquay, Cornwall, Co-op Drakewalls forecourt in Gunnislake, Cornwall and a new M&S and forecourt at Crowthorne, Berkshire. Mumbles’ most recently completed project in January 2022 is a Local Centre at Hele Park, Newton Abbot, Devon. This project consists of a Co-op convenience store plus three additional units that have been let to a local baker, beauty salon and an estate agent. Mumbles are on site currently building a new forecourt and convenience store for Co-op at Moor Road, Chorley, with completion forecast for April 2022. In addition, Mumbles has exchanged contracts for an existing site in Crystal Palace, South London, to develop a new forecourt with a Co-op convenience store, which will include EV charging for the local community. Commenting on the transaction, Dominic David, Managing Director of Mumbles Group, said: “With the Covid-19 pandemic still impacting our daily lives, forecourts and the wider convenience sector continue to play a vital role in local communities. Around one in four independent forecourts are open 24 hours, allowing shoppers
to purchase their essentials without needing to go to a crowded supermarket. With this capital from OakNorth, we will be able to significantly increase our growth pipeline which in turn will create many new jobs in local communities. The team at OakNorth Bank have developed a flexible facility which enables us to draw down the capital as and when we need it, rather than having to re-apply for capital every time we want to develop a new site – which is what most other lenders would make us do.” Eamonn O’Rourke, Director of Property Finance at OakNorth Bank, added: “With flexible working set to continue, we expect convenience stores to remain popular, given their prominent positions within local communities. Mumbles Group has the network and track record in the forecourts sector to maximise on this opportunity and is clearly doing so with its ambitious expansion plans. Simon and Dominic continue to strengthen the Group’s already excellent track record within the forecourt and wider convenience sector, and we look forward to watching the group thrive in 2022.”
PCL Sales Director to retire after 17 years of success PCL Sales Director, Simon Shorter has relinquished his role in charge of End User and OEM sales at PCL to spend more time with his family as he looks forward to celebrating his 60th birthday. Simon joined PCL in 2005 after gaining an MBA at Manchester Business School and following seven years working in city finance and undertaking senior sales and marketing roles at various companies. His extensive expertise and experience have enabled him to achieve substantial growth in sales and profitability for the Sheffield-based company, with significant expansion on the 66
international marketplace for PCL’s world-leading products, setting up operations in China, India and the US among others. As a result, PCL is now an established worldwide brand with an enviable reputation as a leading global supplier of high quality, reliable and advanced tyre inflation and pneumatics equipment. He intends to continue his charity work and lecturing at Sheffield Hallam University. Simon’s knowledge has secured considerable product development in PCL’s core markets of tyre inflation, petrol forecourt, N2 and
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Press Releases pneumatics, with increasing penetration in aviation and non-tyre inflation areas. Speaking ahead of his retirement, Simon said: “It has been an honour to work for such a traditional yet forwardthinking company. Taking the reins as Sales Director for the OEM division and collaborating with excellent people has allowed me to continue to build strong teams and develop overseas operations with the expertise required to continue driving the business forward. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at PCL, building customer and supplier relationships as well as friendships around the world. However, I am now looking forward to a more relaxed pace of life with my family and will be leaving PCL in the very capable hands of our Sales and Marketing Director, Lee Wright.” Congratulating him on his long and dedicated service for PCL, Lee said: “Simon has made an enormous contribution to the company’s advancement and international development. His passion and in-depth knowledge of the industry have taken the PCL brand from strength to strength. We will be sorry to see him leave us and wish him a well-earned and happy retirement.”
Fit for the future: TanQuid digitalizes Duisburg terminal with Implico technology Automated workflows, rich data, and expanded service offerings through OpenTAS TMS 6.0 and cloud services. Duisburg/Hamburg, Germany – The long-running innovation partners in the downstream sector, TanQuid and Implico, are pleased to announce the completion of a visionary digitalization project: After intensive planning and implementation work, all processes at the Duisburg tank terminal are now running with the process-oriented terminal management system OpenTAS 6.0. In addition, the team uses specialized cloud services from the innovative “Supply Chain United” portfolio. The new IT landscape offers a wide range of benefits: Automated workflows. Expanded service offerings. Comprehensive data collection and 68
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Press Releases
evaluation. Paperless processes. Significantly increased flexibility, transparency, and security. And the ability to drive the ongoing energy transition both proactively and sustainably. Among others, there is now a sound basis to further build upon and focus even more strongly on the storage and handling of e-fuels. The site in Duisburg holds a special position in the network of the leading tank terminal operator TanQuid. One reason for this is the enormous complexity of the facilities and processes. Another is the diversity of the service offer, which meets the demanding needs of a broad clientele from different industries. A total of 118 tanks hold a wide variety of chemical, petrochemical, alcohol, and mineral oil products as well as biogenic substances and liquefied gases. These are delivered and distributed by all common means of transport (truck, ship, rail, container, pipeline). Every month, around 3,500 shipments take place in Duisburg – including direct turnovers. The main focus is on the storage and movement of chemicals, which account for around 80 percent of Duisburg’s product volume. As the digital heart of the tank terminal, OpenTAS 6.0 controls all central steps and processes: from planning, loading and warehouse management to administration, quality control and customs documentation via EMCS. Even processes that previously took place in sub-systems are now fully integrated in the new software solution. A major advantage: TanQuid can record, analyze, and optimize all tank storage movements and developments directly and holistically on a data basis.
Digitized check-in process for trucks Delivering and collecting products by truck is the most frequently used mode of transport in Duisburg. On site, it is now handled via a web service with a user-friendly check-in dialog, enabling drivers to conveniently check in and out at the gate using a touchscreen. This accelerates the process on the one hand and reduces the risk of errors on the other. At a later point, the introduction of the innovative Truck Online Check-in from Implico’s “Supply Chain United” portfolio is planned, too. It will allow truck drivers to check in on their way to the tank terminal with a mobile device. Successful innovation partnership between TanQuid and Implico The multifaceted and dynamic large-scale project marked a challenging task for everyone involved. Here, the project team benefited from the deep understanding and good collaboration among the long-standing innovation partners. “The committed efforts of the colleagues on site and the project team have paid off: With the go-live of the new OpenTAS version, our tank terminal in Duisburg is technically and administratively way ahead of the game,” says Thomas Knutzen, Head of People and Technology at TanQuid. “The high degree of automation and the streamlined UI create perspective relief for the team in dayto-day business. Also, the new system enables a fluent exchange with other departments such as accounting. Across the entire site, we now collect even more comprehensive, reliable data. We evaluate this data in detail to continuously improve our business; and to provide our customers with optimum support and care.”
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Press Releases
Tim Hoffmeister, CEO of Implico Group
Thomas Knutzen, Head of People and Technology at TanQuid
Tim Hoffmeister, CEO of Implico, is very proud of the joint project success, too: “TanQuid and Implico – for over 20 years and counting, this team has stood for close cooperation and shared eagerness to innovate. Together, we have now equipped one of the most complex tank terminals in Europe with state-of-the-art TMS and cloud technology. This is a real game changer, especially in the context of the energy transition. After all, only those who fully embrace digitalization will be able to adopt the next trends on the market early on and use them for their own gain.”
Railcar loading at the TanQuid terminal in Duisburg – powered by OpenTAS TMS
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APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Press Releases
TanQuid’s tank terminal in Duisburg now runs with a forward-looking, processoriented version of OpenTAS TMS
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Press Releases Next-gen downstream innovations out of the cloud In addition to the go-live of the new terminal management system in Duisburg, TanQuid and Implico have taken another important step to upgrade the company’s IT landscape: At all sites managed with OpenTAS, the terminal processes are now running in the cloud. This gives TanQuid a fully virtualized, hardware-independent infrastructure. The advantages: Unified technology. Fast scalability. Centralized support. Looking forward, the company wants to build on this further. There are already plans to implement additional “Supply Chain United” services in Duisburg, such as the Truck Online Check-in for incoming trucks or the processing of rail cars, tank ships and direct turnovers via handhelds. About TanQuid Headquartered in Duisburg, TanQuid GmbH & Co. KG is the largest independent tank terminal operator in Germany. The company operates 13 sites in Germany as well as one site in Poland. Its core competencies are the storage and handling of petroleum products, (petro)chemical products, and liquefied gas. Across its locations, TanQuid serves all modes of transport, i.e. tank trucks, railcars, barges, and pipelines. TanQuid was established in 2005, emerging from the former VTG-Lehnkering AG. About Implico Group The Implico Group keeps the world moving by fueling it with data.
Its solutions and services connect, elevate, and streamline the supply chains of the bulk industry. Going beyond digitalization, the international IT company enables its customers to embrace new forms of collaboration. To harness the power of the cloud. And to communicate barrier-free and purposeful within their networks. With more than 35 years of dedicated downstream experience under its belt, the Implico Group takes a holistic view of its customers’ businesses. The aim: to empower storage, distribution, and retail companies to excel on their digital transformation journeys. The Implico Group is a Microsoft Gold Partner, a Software Development Partner of SAP, and a member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork. In the field of Terminal Automation Systems, the company is market leader in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (ARC market study 2020). The Implico Group has been recognized for its products and services on numerous occasions. It received, for example, the Tank Storage Award as “Best Terminal Supplier 2018” and was named one of the Top 10 “Most Promising Supply Chain Service Companies 2020.” More information at: www.tanquid.com, www.implico.com
UNITI expo 2022: Alternative fuels at the helm Alternative and cleaner fuels that help reduce CO2 emissions will be at the center of this year’s event, showcased by suppliers, associations and retailers. Cleaner forms of fuels have become increasingly important to the industry as the need to reduce CO2 emissions from the transport sector becomes clearer. Service stations are becoming multi-energy stations with a mosaic of solutions. Once again UNITI expo will explore all solutions available in an Alternative Fuels Pavilion. Suppliers, associations and retailers will showcase the latest developments in biofuels, hydrogen, RNG, CNG & LNG, e-fuels and e-mobility, and how will they affect the retail business around the world. Visitors and exhibitors can expect a host of sessions exploring the subject during UNITI expo 2022 as part of its conference programme. Industry leaders will get together to discuss the challenges, viability and opportunities of a transition to cleaner fuels. There will also be examples from around the world to help educate suppliers and retailers on this complex but essential subject. Following its debut and success in the last edition, UNITI expo 2022 will feature an exclusive pavilion on the theme of alternative fuels. On an area of approximately 400m², located in Hall 1 and close to the main entrance of Messe Stuttgart, visitors from all over the world will have the chance to stay ahead of the curve through best-in-class examples and knowledge. Due to the results of the previous edition, the event decided to almost triple its original space and relocate it to an area that will 72
multiply its visibility. Manufacturers, suppliers and representatives from innovative companies will showcase their newest products and ideas at the dedicated area. Industry associations will also be present at the pavilion to add to the discussion and assessing initiatives presented at the fair. One of the participants of this year’s Alternative Fuels Pavilion will be global fuel and convenience retailer Circle K. The innovative company, a leader in the e-mobility space, will showcase their solutions for methanol-powered vehicles, another promising fuel for the future. “We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase our latest sustainable fuel concept, in line with Circle K’s commitment to be part of the solution for a sustainable future,” says Sjur Haugen, Director Product Quality & Development for Circle K. “In close cooperation with GEELY, OCI, EuropeanEnergy and Malte Fuel & Wash we are exhibiting Methanol as a realistic carbon neutral fuel solution at the alternative fuels pavilion during UNITI expo in May.” No expert from the industry will want to miss the opportunity to dive into this innovative pavilion that provides a comprehensive scope of the industry. If you wish to be part of the latest alternative fuels discussions and breakthroughs in the leading retail petroleum and car wash trade fair in Europe you can contact our team at unitiexpo@com-a-tec.de and register to participate. Stay tuned for new press releases in the coming weeks with news and special pieces about UNITI expo 2022. Constantly updated information for exhibitors and visitors can be found at www.unit-expo.de.
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Press Releases
Europump prevents truck stop running out of fuel Europump engineers came to the rescue when a faulty overfill prevention device stopped fuel from being dropped into a 100,000ltr derv tank at the busy Route 74 truckstop on the M74, just south of Glasgow. Site manager Bill Law said: “We had a bit of an emergency as the fuel would not go into the tank and we only had one day of stock left. Luckily it was the latter stage of the week when business is quieter, but it was still a big problem. “I called UK Fuels for advice and they said they had started using Europump and were delighted with them. I called them and spoke to Group Operations Director Jack Aplin, explained the problem and he immediately knew what I was talking about. He advised that we needed a new part and ordered it. We received excellent service from Europump. The engineers came out and they got the job done professionally and quickly; we would definitely use them again.” course of action would be a replacement as this was the quickest way forward. We were delighted to be able to help him quickly and get fuel flowing again at Route Jack Aplin said: “We had seen problems with faulty 74. This job was a great example of Europump Maintenance and Eurotank working overfill prevention devices before so I knew what together, with Europump Maintenance handling the initial call and a Eurotank we were dealing with. I told Bill that the best engineer carrying out the work.” APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Branches
Branches Scottish Obituary Alistair Riddell by Andy King It is with great sadness that the Scottish branch announce the passing of one of its retired members, Alistair Riddell. Alistair sadly passed away suddenly at home on the 19th January 2022 (aged 70). He had dedicated his life to the petroleum industry for nearly 30 years as a Petroleum Officer for Lothian Regional Council. After reorganisation in 1996 he continued in that role for City of Edinburgh Council. Taking early retirement in 2003, he continued for a further 8 years with Suresite as a consultant covering Scotland and then the Northern Ireland region. Alistair was well respected by the petroleum retailers in the East of Scotland. Dedicated and fair minded, knowledgeable and precise, Alistair went about his business carrying out inspections, overseeing the construction and decommissioning of sites and latterly doing Risk Assessments on forecourts. He also established a great working relationship with contractors, the fuel industry as a whole and those connected with petrol filling stations. He was also the man to go to when questions arose from retailers and other officers in the surrounding area for advice. A man of great wit and knowledge - one thing I realised over the years was he had some cracking stories to tell of his years in the industry. He also had a very dry sense of humour, but never suffered fools gladly. He never cut corners and always spoke his mind, no matter what the consequences of this would be. With all these traits Alistair was well respected by the retailers, his colleagues and peers. After he retired, he was part of the Scottish branch as a committee member, giving several training courses and always offering his help new Petroleum officers and Local Authorities when they were appointed in their role as a PO. Once a PO, always a PO. He will be sadly missed by all. Personally, I was his understudy for many
Obituary Martin Rich by John Thompson Alistair’s sad passing follows the untimely death of his successor as Petroleum Officer at City of Edinburgh Council, Martin Rich. Martin passed away suddenly at home aged 60 late last year. Martin dedicated most of his career to Lothian Regional Council and City of Edinburgh Council, working as an Enforcement Officer before studying to gain his Weights and Measures qualification. After Alistair Riddell’s retirement Martin took over as Petroleum Officer for Edinburgh for three years before management responsibilities lead to him passing the baton to myself. Martin spent the last ten years of his career as Licensing Enforcement Team Leader within Trading Standards, taking a lead role in the introduction of the new liquor licensing laws in the city, as well as 74
years in Edinburgh and will be forever grateful for his teachings and to be able to have called him a good friend. After he fully retired, his colleagues in Edinburgh continued to keep in touch with him weekly by phone and we would partake in pub quizzes, go for a drink or meet to take in a show at the Usher Hall. He was also very heavily involved in fireworks enforcement and some of the ideas he put forward years back are still policy even today with Local Authorities on the East Coast. Take care my friend. We will see you on the other side and we send our deepest condolences to his son Stephen and daughter-in-law, Karen. We lost a good one sadly.
overseeing a team enforcing the wider licensing requirements for petroleum and explosives, animal health and ‘Civic Government’ licensing, such as street traders and second-hand dealers. During my time working with Martin, he was always ready to offer his guidance and advice, but never stopped me and my colleagues from pursuing projects which would benefit the council. Martin was a dedicated family man, leaving his wife, two sons and assorted grandchildren, whom he was even more dedicated to than his work, which is saying something! Martin will be missed by all his ex-colleagues and friends, particularly those he shared his passion for football and Hibernian FC with, notably when still playing shortly before his passing.
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Branches
Southern The Southern Branch recently held a Branch meeting and our AGM at Deanwood Park Golf Club near Newbury. After coffee and bacon rolls, we started with an introduction and welcome from our outgoing Chairman Ray Blake and the AGM. It’s always useful to look back at the previous year which Ray was able to do, whilst welcoming members back to a physical meeting. Doreen Pooley was welcomed as our new Chairman during the AGM and the branch wished Ray Blake well for his retirement both from the APEA, and from the petrol industry as a whole.
Our first speaker after the AGM was Chris Foxhall of Riversimple Movement Ltd (https://www.riversimple.com/) who presented a fascinating insight into the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles they produce. I encourage you to look at their website at this innovative company with a radical approach to low carbon vehicle production. Following Chris, we heard from Steve Coombe of the Petrol Retailers Association who presented an overview of the forecourt market. With all the volatility of oil prices at this time, it was very useful and interesting to hear from Steve regarding how this is impacting both retailers and customers.
Doreen Pooley, APEA Chairman with Chris Foxhall of Riversimple
Oli Yeo from GripHero
Our final presentation of the morning was from Oli Yeo of Griphero https://www.griphero.com/ who produce gloves contained in a unit within the dispenser nozzle for less waste and mess on the forecourt. The gloves are made from 100% recycled plastics giving a 94% reduction in the CO2 footprint of the gloves. This product has really shown it’s worth during the pandemic by protecting customers in a clean, convenient and environmentally responsible way. 76
The morning ended with an excellent lunch and networking session between members. Our next meeting is planned for Tuesday 24th May at an interesting venue which will add value to the day for members. As usual, CPD certificates were provided to all who attended. David Sommers Southern Branch Secretary
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Training
Training Training course dates 2022 Please contact the APEA office for a quotation for a bespoke course we can run at your offices, for any of the courses listed below, at admin@apea.org.uk, with an approximate number of delegates and preferred dates.
Wetstock Management
3 Day Combined Petrol Filling Stations – Construction, Audit and Inspection Course 20 - 22 June Solihull 5 - 7 September Stansted Airport
13 September
12 September
Stansted Airport
DSEAR Stansted Airport
Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 8 September
Stansted Airport
2 day Electrical Installations - An Awareness 14 - 15 September Swindon
Petrol Filling Station courses on request
Explosives and Fireworks 8 October Stansted Airport
Enforcement Procedures
Vapour Recovery Installations Leak Investigation Safe Installation and Use of LPG APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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Training Online Training courses go to https://apea.org.uk/pages/training or https://apea.mykademy.com/
Course Fees 3 day course with accommodation 3 day, day delegate rate 1 day course
APEA Member £1020.00 £810.00 £260.00
Non member £1120.00 £910.00 £310.00
More information and booking details on the “Training” page at www.apea.org.uk. Anyone booking a training course that is not an APEA member will automatically receive complimentary “Individual” membership to the APEA for one year.
Courses will be designed around the (4th edition) Blue Book Guidance for the Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations (May 2018). A hard copy and a pdf version of the 4th Edition is available from the Publications page of the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk The hardcopy is £75.00 to APEA Members and £150.00 to non APEA members. There is no VAT charged on the hardcopy or pdf formats. The pdf version can be purchased with a licence for individual use and cannot be shared or printed. It is strongly recommended that attendees have access to this document during courses.
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For details of this and any other training enquiry, please contact: Jane Mardell - APEA Business Manager email: admin@apea.org.uk Tel: + 44 (0) 345 603 5507 or Thomas Daly (Training Committee Chairman) Tel: +353 876899281 email: thomasdaly@apea.org.uk
APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
Training The APEA trainers were busy again during the last few months. We provided a 1 day bespoke course for the Ministry of Defence at Wittering RAF base which was well received by all the attendees and bespoke courses for Artelia and Greenergy. Our ever popular 3 day combined course was held at Manchester Airport. This had a great mix of delegates (photo below) from a builder, a site operator, various enforcers (fire service and
Environmental health officers) and auditors for oil companies. The final day resulted in a training audit of a petrol filling station, (Sainsbury’s Cheadle – thanks to Jeff Simms of Sainsbury’s for permission). All the delegates provided good feedback on the day letting us know that they enjoyed the course and we have also received some follow up emails saying that they found the course very enjoyable and informative indeed.
Clayton Hotel, Manchester Airport, 3 day training course venue, March 2022 We have recently carried out our popular three day audit training course in Manchester. We ended up with 18 delegates and on reflection I recalled that I have been coming to this hotel for probably 18-20 years. My first visit coincided with the hotel being rebranded on the day I turned up for the training, assisting John Dallimore with an electrical awareness course. I spent a good hour looking for the Holiday Inn, Manchester airport, even asking drivers of black taxis at the adjacent terminal who insisted that it was on the roundabout at the entrance to the airport complex. Looking closer at the paperwork I had been given I noticed a phone number, and on dialling I received the answer “Bewley’s Hotel, Manchester airport, how can I help you?” The hotel had changed its name that weekend; all was good, but I was a bit worried about the 12 delegates arriving the next day looking for the Holiday Inn. Needless to say they arrived, and the course went smoothly! This photograph is of Mike Conroy, who has, over the years, looked after many training courses at the hotel. When he was in charge everything went smoothly and nothing was too much trouble. He is a genuinely nice chap, and myself and Jamie Thompson believed he coveted an APEA tie which we presented him with during our last visit. Mike has moved on from the training and is now the food and beverage manager so we still see him around the restaurant area. Keeping it in the family, Mike’s son is now a chef in the kitchen at the hotel. If any members need a training room, they are superb at this venue, or a meeting room, then you can contact the hotel and speak to Kelly who now handles the training. Even course delegates comment on the rooms and the lunches provided, all in all a great place for all your meeting and training needs. Brian Humm (APEA Trainer) APEA tel: 0345 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
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