Energy Focus January 2024

ALSO

EDITOR Joe Forshaw joe@energy-focus.net

PROJECT MANAGER Tommy Atkinson tommy@energy-focus.net

PROJECT MANAGER David Hill david@energy-focus.net

PROJECT MANAGER Chris Bolderstone chris@energy-focus.net

ACCOUNT MANAGER Isabel Murphy isabel@energy-focus.net

LEAD DESIGNER Aaron Protheroe aaron@energy-focus.net

CONTRIBUTOR Manelesi Dumasi

CONTRIBUTOR Karl Pietersen

CONTRIBUTOR David Napier

CONTRIBUTOR Timothy Reeder

CONTRIBUTOR Benjamin Southwold

CONTRIBUTOR William Denstone

EDITOR’S LETTER

Excitingly, geothermal is starting to get mentioned more and more in Energy Focus. The industry is often overlooked because of the capital required to start projects, but the endless and widespread availability of deep underground heat is too attractive to ignore. HydroVolve, a UK-based technology specialist for wellbore tools, has recognised that geothermal will be a significant energy source going forward. If we can drill faster and more efficiently then cost can be reduced and this industry can boom in the way other renewable sources have over the past decade. Chairman Dr Peter Moyes tells us more.

In home energy, there is a scandal underway that UK Radiators is exposing. Many radiators sold by prominent retailers around the country are not giving the heat they advertise, and this puts unnecessary stress on a gas boiler, making systems totally inefficient. The problem is that there is regulation in place that is not being enforced. MD Rob Nezard is calling on the UK government to take action and implement requirements for the benefit of the environment and the consumer.

Motability Operations is our first cover story in 2024, and this critical provider of transportation for drivers with disability is overhauling its fleet with the goal of transitioning to electric. At the same time, CEO Andrew Miller is looking at what other assistance the company can provide for its large client base who are often left at the back of the queue when it comes to transformational thinking.

In Germany, Maximator Hydrogen continues to innovate like few others as it prepares for the rollout of more hydrogen refuelling stations. New compressors, new dispensers, new geographical markets, and new ideas are keeping this company at the cutting edge. CEO Mathias Kurras updates us on progress since we last covered the company in 2022.

Of course, the underlying theme in all of these stories is the ongoing transition, and that is where the opportunity sits for all in the energy industry right now. Get in touch and tell us what you’re doing to make the most of the prospects that are in front of all of us. We’re on LinkedIn

Published by

Chris Bolderstone – General Manager E. chris@cmb-multimedia.co.uk

Fuel Studios, Kiln House, Pottergate, Norwich NR2 1DX +44 (0)20 3097 1743 www.cmb-media.co.uk

CMB Media Group does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

© CMB Media Group Ltd 2024

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KBAL Differentiated Technology from Shipowner for Shipowners

CADOGAN COMMODITIES

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ROTTERDAM RHINE PIPELINE (RRP)

Delta Corridor Promises Much for Northern Europe

NHV GROUP

New Contracts Buoy Busy NHV

MOTABILITY OPERATIONS

Electrifying UK’s Largest Lease

Fleet in Under a Decade

PRODUCTION: David Hill

Andrew Miller, CEO at Motability Operations, tells Energy Focus more about the challenges of swapping out a fleet of 700,000 vehicles, transitioning from fossil fuel power to battery electricity. It’s a necessary but tough challenge – the organisation’s customers are disabled, and the transition cannot leave anyone behind.

When Andrew Miller, CEO at Motability Operations, took the reins of the company in 2021, it was glaringly obvious from the moment he stepped through the doors that a transition was underway. An unstoppable, relentless, and inescapable movement that Miller knew he must rise to.

Motability Operations is home to the largest car leasing portfolio in the UK. The commercial company that delivers the life-changing Motability Scheme, where disabled people who receive government mobility benefits can swap their higher rate mobility allowance to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. Around 700,000 disabled people are currently customers of the scheme, with the company having helped more than five million people get moving since the

company was founded 45 years ago.

In all that time, the proposition has hardly changed. But now Andrew Miller must lead the way in an evolution like never before – making sure the transition into electric vehicles is affordable and accessible so it works for the customers who rely on their scheme vehicles to live their independent lives. No one must be left behind.

The company works across the middle of the automotive space with low-margin, affordable cars from the world’s top brands rather than high-end, business leasing-type vehicles. But in 2035, the sale of diesel and petrol cars will be banned in the UK and only electric vehicles will be allowed for sale. In preparation, many manufacturers have already adjusted their strategy and are manufacturing electric models at high volume. Nissan, for example, has committed to only selling electric

vehicles (EVs) in Europe by 2030. The likes of DS Automobiles and Jaguar have committed to end the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2024 and 2025 respectively, and global companies like Smart, Polestar, and Tesla are already solely focused on the EV market as the transition to cleaner transportation accelerates aggressively.

For Motability Operations and Andrew Miller, the challenge is how to completely alter the company’s asset portfolio in just a few years, while others do the same, without interrupting the high-quality service that the company has become known for.

“The company has grown significantly in line with the number of people who get that higher rate mobility allowance from government to the extent that we are now buying 15% of all cars in the UK. The size of our fleet is round 730,000 vehicles.

“We are sorting a market failure by making cars affordable for those with disability and making available insurance for those who might struggle to get it elsewhere”

Andrew Miller, CEO

In the last few years, we have done very well on the back of used car values increasing, which as we don’t pay shareholder dividends means we can reinvest all profit to support our customers and sustain the scheme through the EV transition,” says Miller.

“We have significant scale to help our customers and one of the core opportunities is for us to really think about how we engage and get into the electricity and energy side of what we do as the world transitions to EVs.”

ICE CAR SHORTAGE COMING

According to the International Energy Association’s (IEA) Global EV Outlook, the total fleet of EVs (excluding two/ three-wheelers) will grow from almost

30 million in 2022 to about 240 million in 2030 - an average annual growth rate of about 30%. This global shift offers up great potential for the customers of Motability Operations, and Miller is keen to instil a culture that embraces the transition as an opportunity rather than a threat.

“My biggest challenge is that I have to get 700,000 cars switched over to electric in six to nine years,” he says. “And they are cars driven by disabled people and their families, people who are quite rightly concerned about the accessibility of the EV experience, people who often don’t have alternatives and can’t jump on a train or a bus, people who we absolutely have to get this right for.

“Manufacturers are stopping

production of petrol cars sooner than mandate expects and I’m not sure how many drivers realise the shift is already happening. There is a shortage of petrol cars coming and a massive growth in electric cars, and we have to make sure our customers understand what they’re getting into, and make sure they still get a vehicle that meets their needs. It’s an interesting dynamic and by accident we are at the front of the consumer dynamic moving toward electric cars. We have a choice – act like any other leasing company and just let it happen, or we try and look at opportunities so that we can help our customers.”

Miller’s expertise in business transformation was the reason for his appointment as CEO three years ago. He guided the Guardian Media Group through a digital transition, McDonalds Nordics through a shift in strategy as delivery models changed the market, and the Trader Media Group (home of Auto Trader) from print to online service.

So far, Motability Operations has added more than 35,000 EVs to its fleet and this number is constantly rising despite not forcing anyone to choose EVs over ICE. Choice is essential, says Miller, and adding on extra services that would normally be excluded from a lease is important for the company’s client base.

“We are able to use our scale to buy cars at a more competitive price. Our average customer household income is around £20,000 and therefore we have to make cars more affordable for them. We also do it on a universal basis – you

MOTABILITY OPERATIONS

pay one standard rate by exchanging your higher rate mobility allowance and you get servicing, breakdowns, and insurance included, whatever your circumstances. We know that some of our customers would not always get insurance easily. We are sorting a market failure by making cars affordable for those with disability and making available insurance for those who might struggle to get it elsewhere. It’s an invaluable scheme for people to live independent lives, and obviously also has a huge benefit to the economy and society more widely, with access to employment, education, healthcare and more.

“We do not force our customers to take electric,” he adds. “We offer the best we can, but whether we like it or not, it is coming and it’s going to be a huge challenge. It’s not something we can do at a nice slow, comfortable

pace. Our maths says we should be getting another 130,000 electric cars in the fleet in the next 18 months.”

REINVESTING

Working closely with manufacturers, Motability Operations remains steadfast in its mission to serve its clients. Whether that means drumming up deals to bring cheaper electric cars to the market or by influencing design and infrastructure development to accommodate all needs, the success of the company has come through its ability to deliver and not because of a quest for profit.

“Our shareholders are the four major retail banks of the UK, and that is great,” admits Miller. “They do not take dividends and that means any money we make can be reinvested back into the scheme. As the used car market has boomed, we have done

INDUSTRY FOCUS: EV

very well in the last few years. That means the money can be used to help bridge the transition to EV for our customers. It allows us to give people direct payments if they take a lease with us – they get £750 that they can use towards the upfront cost of the vehicle, we’ve installed more than 25,000 free home charge points, we invest in tech to solve the barriers and challenges our customers are always telling us about. We are here to look at supporting our customers over several generations, keeping the scheme going whatever the future looks like.”

Thinking beyond the balance sheet – where the company has around £10 billion of cars - Miller says that Motability Operations feels a big responsibility. For disabled drivers, EVs have distinctive challenges, some that he was not aware of before taking the role. It took a journey with disabled Non-Executive Director, Simon Minty, to realise some of the oversight within energy transition infrastructure.

“A journey with Simon opened my eyes to how little thought can be given to making sure getting around

via public transport and infrastructure is accessible to all. Almost half of our customers don’t have off-street parking and will rely on public charging, and these charge points can be up kerbs, in narrow bays, and with no accessible facilities nearby. We have had customers call us when they have been charging their car and they sit, waiting for 30 mins or more for a charge; but someone pulls up and parks alongside and leaves no room for them to exit if they are in wheelchair. That means people can potentially be stuck for over an hour in their car. Practical aspects in design are so often overlooked. Charge points only offer limited amount of time to begin the charge after you enter your details. When you are manhandling heavy cables and trying to move between cars to and from charge points, it can be difficult, worrying, and off putting. These things that seem obvious have not been thought about in design. Unfortunately, this doesn’t surprise me as, generally, design for disability is left until the end and thought about after other elements. And that’s without even discussing that the cost of public

charging can be much more expensive – prohibitively so for some of our customers – than charging at home.

“We want to make sure this is all thought about at the beginning, we have this one chance to get this right. We’re working hard with our partners to find solutions and put accessibility at the heart of the EV transition.”

Another example comes from the company’s fleet of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs). Specially designed with ramps and a low chassis, these vehicles are essential for people in wheelchairs to move around to and from work and leisure. But, because of the low chassis, mounting batteries on the underside of the car where they would normally be housed is not possible. “The danger is that those types of cars will not be economically viable in petrol cars for much longer and no one is thinking about design for this in electric vehicles,” says Miller. With this in mind, the Motability Foundation, which oversees the Motability Scheme, has been working to make public EV charging accessible. It has used part of the donation it receives from Motability

Operations to co-sponsor a worldleading public accessible charging standard (BSI PAS 1899), which can be applied to all types of chargepoint.

Motability Operations has also teamed with Ian Callum CBE – famous for designing the Aston Martin DB7 and various Jaguar models amongst others – to come up with a solution for manufacturers and, ultimately, end users, where the batteries are mounted on the sides in a modular format and the ramp is built in and not retrofitted.

“Design aspects, whether charging points and locations, or the cars themselves, haven’t been thought about and we as a group must do more to find ways around that,” Miller reiterates.

NO REINVENTING WHEELS

Motability Operations is building a strong network of partners, all working towards a shared goal of making EV usage easier, cheaper, and more

Reliable rapid EV charging.

Wherever the road leads, we’ve got your charge covered.

Over 1000 rapid charge points located nationwide and charging speeds of up to 300kW. ospreycharging.co.uk

accessible. From cars to suitable charging infrastructure on the road to charging at home, and all of the ancillary services that are required, Motability Operations doesn’t want to be a Jack-of-all-trades but rather an expert leasing business within a powerful ecosystem of innovators.

“Our EV fleet, we think, is probably the biggest single electric car fleet in the UK at the moment and that means we are exposed to all the challenges that go with that on behalf of our customers,” says Miller.

“There is no point reinventing the wheel,” he adds. “We are a leasing company who supports those with disability, not an EV or electricity supply business. The way through is to find the right partners, work with them, and find a solution for our customers. We have great partnerships with the likes of Paua, who are trying to help us solve the problem of charging

on the go; Osprey, who are helping us with an app to review charging points for ease of accessibility; and ev.energy who are helping us with a smart charging system that allows for cost savings. We’re also working with local authorities to share data and support placement and accessibility of public charge points.”

Currently, Motability Operations has several ideas around parking, charging, safety, and payment convenience under review with various partners and is scouring the industry to test innovation before scaling for the benefit of its customers.

With this exciting network of companies in place, making a switch to an EV is easier than ever before. More choice, more convenience, cheaper, and always environmentally friendly, Motability Operations is paving the way forward. An important element for Miller is that the perception of EVs

INDUSTRY FOCUS: EV

changes quickly, and the industry is portrayed accurately so that the public can lease or buy with confidence.

“The number one source of anxiety is perceived range, but now we are on to Gen-3 cars we are confident that 400-mile range will become standard and that will help. The second pain point is around the charging network as only around 40% of our customers can put a charger outside their home on a driveway.

“Getting to the bulk of the customers without access to a charger outside their home who are nervous about charging, is our problem,” Miller declares. “That is why we are doing several different pilots in different places, in different ways to figure out solutions. If you pilot and it works, you must then scale and accelerate to build them out even stronger.

“Our unique position is that we hear about this first hand, our customers are incredibly communicative and share their lived experience every day. And most importantly they are representative

of a wider population, not just early adopters or company car schemes. We have this insight that no one else does and we are using it to influence an equitable switch to electric.”

On average, cars in the UK in 2020 released 221.4 grams of CO2 per mile. With cars clocking on average around 7600 miles per year, that makes for an average of 1,682,383 grams of CO2 emissions per car per year. The UK has a target of all new cars and cans to be fully zero emission at the tailpipe from 2035, as part of a vision for net zero emissions by 2050. Transport, excluding international aviation and shipping, was responsible for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 and so the transition to EVs is a big contributor to a national-level solution.

For Motability Operations customers, the first demand for a vehicle is about complementing life – bringing access to transport that connects them with other people, places, and opportunities. The demand for EVs comes second to an affordable car, and so Miller is keen on driving

positivity around the industry to ensure customers have all the information to make an informed choice.

“There is mixed messaging in the market,” he says. “The manufacturers are not waiting. The leasing companies are making changes. The government has made policy, but sometimes in the media there is a confusing message that people can or should wait. We must talk about electric cars in a more positive way. Range is less of an issue now and we are finding solutions to help with charging – and those are the two key blockers that our research suggests stops our customers making the switch.”

POWER BEYOND THE CAR

Further beyond the horizon, Miller – an embracer of change – sees Motability Operations supporting customers in all new ways, beyond just automotive. While a long-term strategy is not yet in place beyond car leasing, there are major opportunities.

“We are trying to understand the environment,” he smiles. “To me, it’s just obvious that the world of

MOTABILITY OPERATIONS

leasing, electric cars, and electricity supply will collide. We need to look at how we play in that wider space and which partners we work with to supply the best solutions. In the linear path from car to electricity generation, where does leasing company involvement start and stop?”

He says that he is excited about technology developments that will allow for bi-directional charging between home and car, with energy transferred between the two as a user travels.

“The idea of your car being a mini power plant for your house is no longer science fiction. For customers earning £20,000, having money back from your car charging your household is an amazing opportunity. This sort of innovation is where the right sort of partnerships become very important as they will be the ones who unlock this.”

In a transitional time that is as disruptive to automotive as digital was to print, online was to retail, and delivery was to quick service restaurants, the entire industry has a lot to learn, and everyone is looking for pole position. The best way to stay at the forefront is by consistently solving problems for customers, and this has been the goal of Motability Operations for 45 years.

“It’s all opportunity and electricity in cars is transformative for our customers. We are talking about managing a transition and not a fundamental problem,” Miller concludes.

In the coming years, Motability Operations has promised £300 million to help bring more EVs to the fleet, and help more customers to take advantage of the transition. The hum of the company’s batteries echoes the promise of a sustainable journey

ENJOY EVERYDAY FREEDOM

Exchange your mobility allowance for a brand new car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.

Find out more at www.motability.co.uk

ahead – a journey where every mile counts towards a future that’s not just driven by wheels but steered by purpose. Electrification of the fleet is more than a trend; it’s a statement.

UK RADIATORS

Inefficient Energy Systems Fuelled by Industry Lies

PRODUCTION: David Hill

There is deception happening daily in the UK home energy industry. Radiators – a key element in the heating system – are being sold with heat output often significantly overstated. UK Radiators MD Rob Nezard shines a light on the problem and calls on the government to take action that would drastically improve efficiency and save money.

Rob Nezard, Managing Director

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HOME ENERGY

//As the European energy crisis continues, with consumers facing higher prices and disrupted supply, governments and companies are trying hard to offer up support. Various schemes have been rolled out across different countries to help during the worst of the crisis when gas prices hit 10 times the normal level as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last year, prices cooled, but remained around three times higher than the average from pre-2020.

A key piece of advice in this energy crunch is to simply use less. Turn off lights, use machines less, walk instead of drive etc. But in the home, with winter bringing temperatures down to freezing point (especially in the UK where the average for January is around 5°C), it’s not always that simple. Central heating systems are on full power. Gas boilers are all fired up – emitting in total, on average, more CO2 than all power stations combined

– accounting for 38% of all UK gas use.

The message from energy companies? Turn down your boiler flow temperature.

But what if the radiators in the home – the equipment that actually does the hard work of heating up the house on a cold winter’s morning – are inefficient? Or worse, what if they don’t get as hot as they should? Even worse again, what if you pay out for all new radiators, add them to a central heating system, but you find out that they are not fit for purpose?

The result is that you will, in fact, not save money. You will pay more. The boiler will have to work harder. To bring the temperature in the home to the desired level, you will use more gas, for longer – inefficient. Radiators are critical in the modern home system.

If radiators are not delivering their advertised heat output, and a large percentage of homes are making the boiler work harder,

the strain on national gas supply is increased. The result here is obvious – demand > supply = price increase.

A RIP OFF?

Officially, all radiators sold in the UK should conform to BS EN 442 regulatory standards and be tested to confirm their ability. At the core of this regulation is the fact that radiators should produce the heat that they advertise in watts and BTUs (British Thermal Units) – Europe and the US have similar measurement tools. However, many do not. Major retailers online and around the UK supply, often unknowingly, radiators that are nowhere near their advertised heat output. And consumers are picking up the bill –estimated to total into the billions.

The UK government aims to reach net zero by 2050 with part of the energy transition around UK central heating systems swapping from gas boilers to

The Lies Costing Britain £Billions - EXPOSED

UK RADIATORS

efficient heat pumps. But upgrading systems relies on efficiency of radiators.

Today, radiators are being sold that do not give out the required heat, or even the advertised heat. It’s a rip off, it’s wasting energy, and it’s not being enforced – despite the regulation that is already in place.

Rob Nezard, Managing Director at UK Radiators, is leading a campaign for change. He is calling for the UK government to enforce regulation. He wants radiators to be fit for purpose. He wants energy efficiency and protection for consumers.

UK Radiators has produced a documentary video with proof, clearly exposing the problem, calling on the government to take action with the goal of a win-win-win; cost reductions for households, transparency for retailers, and environmental progress.

MARKET LEADERS, CHASING CHANGES

Nezard founded his business in 2012 under the brand Distinctive Wholesale, operating a B2B model, importing radiators and selling to distributors around the country. Growing quickly, and becoming recognised as a trusted name in the industry, the company was rebranded in 2020, becoming UK Radiators, changing model to go direct-to-consumer and launching a new website in 2021. All radiators sold by the company are tested by the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) and checked inhouse. All products deliver the promised heat output, and all products are perfectly suited to the job they are a meant for.

“Online, we see ourselves as the market leader, but not because we

sell the most radiators – we don’t sell the most radiators,” Nezard tells Energy Focus. “We are an independent family business and there are online retailers selling similar products to us that are Plc companies with massive advertising budgets. The reason we see ourselves as an industry leader is because within the space there is a major issue with advertised heat outputs of radiators being significantly overstated. That has a big impact on the efficiency of a heating system and therefore a home energy system. We do not participate in this scam and, even though it might make us more money, we are trying to raise awareness to protect the consumer and encourage the government to take action.

“Imagine, you go and buy all new radiators for your house and they claim to provide a certain amount

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HOME ENERGY

of watts based on a certain system temperature, but actually they don’t. You still require the heat output that you think you’ve bought into, but you can’t get it. The only way you can get it is by increasing the operating temperature of the system which significantly decreases efficiency.”

A-rated condensing combi

// IMAGINE, YOU GO AND BUY ALL NEW RADIATORS FOR YOUR HOUSE AND THEY CLAIM TO PROVIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WATTS BASED ON A CERTAIN SYSTEM TEMPERATURE, BUT ACTUALLY THEY DON’T //

boilers – the most common type in UK homes – burn gas to create heat energy, but, crucially, they also collect heat from a secondary process of condensing waste gas, extracting the maximum amount of energy from the input. However, the condensing part of the process can only happen below a certain temperature and if you maximise temperature to fuel inefficient radiators, you lose efficiency in the system. “It’s a real issue that people do not know about,” Nezard explains.

“With the shift towards lower temperature systems such as heat pumps, if you were to install radiators that don’t achieve the output, the system simply won’t work as you cannot just turn up the temperature of a heat pump system in the way you can with a gas boiler.”

25% OVERSTATED

Unfortunately, the extent of the problem is significant. Major manufacturers in international markets

including China and Turkey create products and incorrectly communicate the specs so as not to lose out in a highly competitive market. UK importers and retailers often take the spec sheet they are given at face value and then sell to consumers without investigation.

“Few understand their responsibilities because they are not familiar with the regulation,” explains Nezard.

“We have purchased radiators from various online retailers and tested them under the conditions that they need to be tested to comply with BS EN 442, and we can show that the heat outputs are overstated. Sometimes, it’s 20-25%, and in other cases it’s much more than that.”

What can be done to solve this fundamental issue in the industry, and open the path to a more energy efficient future? According to Nezard, the first step must be robust and consistent enforcement

Continues on page 20

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HOME ENERGY

Continued from page 18

of the regulation, and punishment for those who do not comply.

“We are trying to drive change within the industry,” he says. “Everyone says that their radiators comply with the regulation, but they don’t. However, no one checks. No one is policing. No one controls the industry and the regulation is an afterthought. There is a lot of effort that goes into the system side of things – the boiler or

the heat pump. That is where all the talk is from an energy perspective. But if you ignore radiators within that, you are only looking at half the picture. Without proper enforcement of the regulation, the UK will never achieve its targets of net zero in the central heating space. There needs to be change, and so we want to shine a light on this.

“Our focus is on the government – they must start enforcing the regulations that are in place.”

// WE HAVE AN ADVICE CENTRE AND ETHY HAS GIVEN US THE ‘INDUSTRY CHAMPION’ BADGE THAT VERIFIES US AS, IRRESPECTIVE OF COMMERCIAL GAIN, TAKING TIME TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND DRIVE THE MARKET IN A MORE SUSTAINABLE DIRECTION

MISSION DRIVEN

UK Radiators is based in Colchester, Essex and has a large range of radiators on offer from standard panel to high-fashion products, as well as all associated equipment. The online space is wide open for an ethical player to grow strongly, provided regulation is enforced and products are marketed morally.

“We see so much growth for us in the UK and that is our focus right now,” says Nezard. “We are mission driven. We must raise awareness around this issue,” he reiterates.

“When it comes to management of supply, we have an extremely active role ensuring that products are tested and conform to standards. It was a painstaking process to get to the position we are in now as the factories don’t produce exclusively for us. We have good relationships so we do have the correct information on the products

UK RADIATORS

we sell and we ensure it is accurate.”

To back up the company’s commitment to transparency and fair process, UK Radiators has partnered with Ethy – an online sustainability verification business – to support claims made about product efficiency. The company has also started on a journey to take its operations carbon neutral, partnering with Ecologi to plant trees for each radiator sold.

“We are on a journey with all of this – including improving the energy efficiency of our office,” says Nezard, highlighting that education is essential. “We need to push the understanding that when you buy a radiator you must get the heat output that is stated. There needs to be learning around the industry as it is slightly confusing for people – it’s

not a common purchase and it can be brand new for most people.

“We have an advice centre and Ethy has given us the ‘industry champion’ badge that verifies us as, irrespective of commercial gain, taking time to educate people and drive the market in a more sustainable direction.”

When buying radiators - whether its modern-designer, or traditional column-style – the product must do the job. The cost-of-living crisis in the UK, that continues to cripple many household budgets, will spur bargain shopping and value hunting, and this is dangerous if more retailers are allowed to continue misleading consumers. For the macro picture, home energy efficiency has to be addressed with the 2050 goals in mind, and the industry and government must come together

to forge a sustainable path forward.

“We are determined to drive change and bring in enforcement of regulations. Accurate information is important, but we are calling for proper enforcement which is, to date, nonexistent. It needs to happen for the UK to achieve its targets around central heating systems,” concludes Nezard.

You can sign the UK Radiators petition here, and learn more about heating your premises efficiently here. WWW.UKRADIATORS.COM

MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN

Powerful Growth Continues for Leading Hydrogen Tech Business

PRODUCTION: Tommy Atkinson

The strong and consistent growth of Maximator Hydrogen is continuing from the company’s base in Nordhausen where international expansion, product portfolio development, and customer growth is all on the agenda for 2024. The company is busy moving from one project to the next, and CEO Mathias Kurras is proud of the work of this industry leader.

Mathias Kurras, CEO

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN

//At the end of 2022, Maximator Hydrogen was flying high. Energy Focus heard from CEO Mathias Kurras about the fantastic rollout, amazing innovation, and unabating ambition that the company was experiencing in its bid to become a global leader in the hydrogen technology value chain.

Hydrogen is touted as the fossil fuel replacement – a fuel of the future, an abundant power of tomorrow, because of its ample availability and comparative

// THE COMPANY IS STILL ON A GROWTH PATH. WE ARE NOW MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE //

ease of deployment. We have the technology to make hydrogen effective, but the challenge is about scaling it up. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), transport remains an area where hydrogen is still almost completely absent. While there are several mandates across multiple countries, there are major opportunities for industries to be shaped by early movers.

Maximator Hydrogen, established in 2019, has been growing aggressively as the energy transition has forced the automotive industry to think differently and remap its future path.

The company saw the obvious opportunity in the market as traditional fuels are beginning to be phased out, but the transport eco-systems remain the same. Cars and vans will not disappear from the roads and the need to move will not diminish. A hydrogen

OUR MISSION

We support our customers in keeping the world and our future clean, safe and a better place to live in. Through our know-how, flexibility and solution orientation, we offer our customers security in the production of complex components in a wide range of materials, sizes and quantities. From the procurement of raw materials to ready-to-install parts. We think in terms of your processes and integrate seamlessly into your workflows. Through constant investment in modern manufacturing processes and training, we offer our employees the opportunity to fully utilize their skills.

filling station network is obvious, and Maximator Hydrogen is leading the way.

HYDROGEN AT SCALE

“Our mission is to make hydrogen usable on a large scale and help infrastructure to become climate neutral. We are fuelling the future; we know that in the end there will be hydrogen,” Kurras said previously. Now, serious growth is on the agenda as Maximator Hydrogen goes from project to product, and Kurras is excited about international rollout. He tells Energy Focus that new products and new markets are helping the business to boom.

“The company is still on a growth path. We are now more than 200 people. We have completed a move into our new office building and we are busy planning our own hydrogen refuelling station at our site in Nordhausen.”

www.phmkg.de

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MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN

Thuringia, brand new production halls are busy creating hydrogen innovation for the filling station market around Europe and beyond.

“Right now, the prototype of the 250kW compressor is in operation, and it will be the first system that will be able to refill vehicles directly. That is something which we are promoting in the market as the most energy efficient ways to refuel cars and trucks.”

This ‘big brother’ of the previous MAX Compression 2.0 unit – known for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency compressing hydrogen for filling stations - this latest model can be adapted to quadruple performance, paving the way for large scale refuelling for the likes of ships and trains.

The increased output also means more vehicles can be fuelled at a station

storage required – a key hurdle when rolling out hydrogen infrastructure.

PIONEERING INNOVATION

At the same time, the company is also launching a new dispenser that is redefining safety for users across the industry. MAX Dispenser 1.5 is the latest generation in hydrogen dispenser and was debuted at the 2023 Hannover Messe. Launching across stations in 2024, this innovation brings a multimedia touch screen display with microphone, speaker, and NFC reader. Clear instructions can be given to users, and a service interface makes troubleshooting easy.

The design of the dispenser also focuses on a new hose breakaway coupling system that prevents damage to the refuelling system

should the dispenser move away by accident. New safeguards have been added for over-pressurisation, unacceptable temperatures, and excessive mass flow or gas leakage.

MAX Dispenser 1.5

© Maximator Hydrogen

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN

Many other innovations have also been added to the MAX Dispenser 1.5 and Kurras says that this strategy of continuous improvement will endure.

“We are working on more to add to this innovation,” he says, adding that the company recently partnered with the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences to allow

students to gain practical hands-on experience while building a skilled, innovative workforce of the future.

“We are setting up the prototype for the first mobile refueller and, of course, there are mobile refuellers out there but this one utilises all of the hydrogen transported, unlike a standard gas trailer that might only use 20%,”

Kurras details. “Our solution increases the range of hydrogen refuelling available. This is the next step for us, and it all plays into our plan to scale up hydrogen refuelling stations. We want to simplify stations and show that we are a product and no longer a project. We are on the route to modular station with each module having its own CE marking – easy to assemble.”

The MAX Mobile Refueler has been trialled in the construction sector and, in partnership with LIEBHERR. A first prototype of the product will be going to the test phase to enable the path for refuelling on quarry projects where it is simply inefficient to have stationary hydrogen fuelling infrastructure across so many small sites, with just one or two vehicles at each. It is also extremely harmful to the environment to continue with large diesel-powered trucks and vehicles that emit significant CO2 emissions.

Continues on page 28

FABER CYLINDERS: LEADER IN HIGH PRESSURE HYDROGEN STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Since 1972, one of the major players in the manufacturing of high pressure gas cylinders, Faber has also been one of the pioneers of the hydrogen market with its high pressure storage solutions.

The first cylinders designed and dedicated to hydrogen storage up to 1000bar date back to more than 10 years, providing Faber with a wide view of the development of the market and customer needs. Our deep focus into research and development, together with our long-time collaboration with several notified bodies and research institutes resulted in a continuous evolution of our high pressure storage solutions which are provided fully certified worldwide.

Faber is now offering to the market a new family of modular systems, which combine the flexibility to meet the different needs of the customer and with a reduction of cost and delivery time. Our compact solutions can be easily moved to the installation site and allow the optimization of the available footprint, making them capable to be accommodated into a variety of different station layouts.

Our modular storage family is designed to minimise all connections among the high pressure elements of the storage and each connection is carefully leak checked at the final stages of the assembly line, providing a reliable and certified product to the customer. Performance and safety are always our top priority.

Ready to face the ambitious development plan of the hydrogen market and well aware of the present supply chain challenges, Faber has strengthened its collaboration with a selected range of top suppliers to be able to guarantee high quality products. At the same time, Faber is expanding its own production capabilities of assembly and testing of storage solutions, aiming to solidify its leading position in the market of high pressure hydrogen storage.

If you are interested in knowing more about our hydrogen storage solutions, please contact us at: info@faber-italy.com

MAX Compression System 2.0 | © Maximator Hydrogen

The leading manufacturer of compressed Hydrogen storage solutions

Stationary systems for hydrogen storage

«Medium» Pressure Buffer

● Service Pressure: 550 bar

● H2 capacity per unit from 10 kg to 135 kg

● Vertical and horizontal layout possible

● PED2014/68/EU;ASMESect.VIII

«High» Pressure Buffer

● Service Pressure: up to 1100 bar

● H2 capacity per unit from 15 kg to 200 kg

● Vertical and horizontal layout possible

● PED 2014/68/EU; ASME Sect. VIII

Transportable cylinders for hydrogen distribution

● Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 cylinders

● Service Pressure from 300 bar up to 500 bar

● H2 capacity per unit from 1 kg to 11 kg

● EN 12245; EN 17339; EN 12257; ISO 11119-1

On-Board cylinders for hydrogen mobility

Forklifts and material handling

● Type 1 and Type 3 cylinders at 350 bar

● H2 capacity per unit from 0.5 kg to 1.6 kg

● ISO 19881 (PED); ISO 9809 (PED); JARI S001

Cars, LCV and HDV

● Type 3 and Type 4 cylinders at 350 and 700 bar

● H2 capacity per unit from 1.2 kg to 13.6 kg

● ECE R134; EC 79/2009

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN

Continued from page 26

As a trailer or vehicle-integrated system, the MAX Mobile Refueler is driven directly to the construction machine, which is then fully refuelled to 700 bar in under 15 minutes. The smallest version of the MAX Mobile Refueler weighs about 1000 kg and can refuel about 40 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar and 15°C (59°F).

GLOBAL GROWTH

Hydrogen fuelling stations are in place across much of Europe as this blossoming sector continues to grow. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Switzerland, and more have networks that are booming. But

// WE WANT TO SIMPLIFY STATIONS AND SHOW THAT WE ARE A PRODUCT AND NO LONGER A PROJECT

Sweden, Italy, Lativia, Spain, Norway, Austria, Poland, The Czech Republic, Iceland, the UK, and Estonia are among others that are in the earlier stages of deployment. This represents major opportunity for Maximator Hydrogen which can supply a comprehensive product portfolio from compressors, chillers, storage solutions, supply panels, dispensers, and all the associated equipment and expertise. The way the company will grow internationally follows a franchisetype model, where each country will have its own independent business partner that is closely tied to Maximator Hydrogen in the heart of Germany.

“We are looking to open stations in Italy and Sweden. We will have various stations in Italy around Milan and another large-scale project in Sweden, of which the lion’s share of the plants will be put in place throughout 2024,” explains Kurras. “This is important for us as we look to grow our presence. We are also exploring market opportunities in France and eastern parts of Europe. At the moment, we

are getting ready to scale as we grow, and we are building a robust platform.

“Maximator Hydrogen is setting up companies in various European markets to roll out at scale. It starts with installation and commissioning, and then they look at the service side before operating as their own entities and only buying the modules from Maximator Hydrogen. The teams will grow from there as the local teams know their markets best, and they will know what resources are needed to further scale in those countries.”

As each territory grows in line with the development of the industry – expected to achieve growth of 47% by 2035 against 2022 – Maximator Hydrogen production capacity will also need to develop.

“Longer-term, we hope to copyplot where we take our blueprint and reproduce plants across multiple sites through 2025 and 2026. We cannot look forward with anything but ambition and excitement,” states Kurras.

Continues on page 30

Unlocking Hydrogen Potential: Introducing Edgar HyPro for simple and optimal planning of Hydrogen Process Chains

In the dynamic energy landscape, the role of hydrogen as a clean energy source is gaining momentum. Many companies currently think about how to use hydrogen to their advantage and try to understand what it will mean for them business-wise, infrastructure-wise, and carbon footprint-wise. A new SaaS solution can help to cut through the fog in early planning stages: Edgar HyPro. It is specifically designed for decision-makers in large companies venturing into the realm of hydrogen infrastructure projects, and for consulting leaders guiding others through these uncharted waters.

NAVIGATING YOUR HYDROGEN PATH FORWARD BY PLANNING PROJECTS END-TO-END

At the core, Edgar HyPro is a simulation and optimization software specifically designed as a tool to help hydrogen enthusiasts planning hydrogen infrastructure. It enables users to plan and configure all necessary steps to cover the whole process chain from H2 generation all the way to H2 usage. The software provides a vast set of data for machinery, consumption, power generation, and other relevant data. Furthermore, you can also import your own data, if available.

EMPOWERING YOUR DECISION-MAKING BASED ON PROJECT-SPECIFIC OPTIMIZATION RESULTS

Based on your individual project characteristics (technical, economical, ecological), Edgar HyPro will then calculate thousands of scenarios within minutes to identify the optimal variants that meet your optimization requirements and boundary conditions. The results are presented in well-arranged dashboards and diagrams, allowing users to quickly evaluate whether the project makes sense or not. Thus, leading to a reliable, cost-effective, swift, and straightforward assessment of H2 project ideas in their early stages. Edgar HyPro thereby accelerates project decisions, reduces project planning costs, increases throughput, and minimizes decision uncertainty.

SOFTWARE FOR THE WORLD, MADE IN GERMANY

The SaaS software Edgar HyPro is a product of FI Freiberg Institut GmbH (or FI for short) based in Freiberg, Germany. Established in 2016, FI builds optimization software that enables decision-makers to solve complex economic and ecological questions of the sustainable use of energy and resources with certainty, efficiency, and ease.

MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN

INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN

BUILDING CAPACITY

Asked for the challenges facing the business and its ongoing success, Kurras says venturing into the unknown is never easy. Establishing a hydrogen

refuelling network is something that has never been done before. Much of the technology is novel, and a lot of the science is still being developed for various scale-level applications.

For Maximator Hydrogen, this means driving innovation and scale across not only the customer base but the supply chain at the same time. Kurras labels the company ‘fortunate’ for working closely with so many industry leading companies including (between others) the Schmidt Kranz Group, the Maximator Group, Vernconex, Hyfindr, Schwer, Faber Industrie, Kustec, Zovos-Eko, PHM and the Freiberg Institute (with the software partner Edgar). Edgar for example is an important sparring partner for us in driving forward the scaling up and standardization of our product range. We are learning to understand our customers’ needs better and can therefore also make significant progress at an international level.

“The development of the supply chain is ongoing and we are constantly trying to deepen relationships,” he

MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN

says. “We are talking to the supply chain intensely about new models for various markets including the US. We want to bring our teams closer with our suppliers and that is why we held our Suppliers’ Day in 2023, to see what they need to grow with us and show them what we are doing. We want them to see what we are doing and how we are growing so that they know what they are stepping into with us.

// WE WILL HAVE VARIOUS STATIONS IN ITALY AROUND MILAN AND ANOTHER LARGESCALE PROJECT IN SWEDEN

HYDROGEN - COOLING - POWER for all hydrogen refuelling stations globally

“We have onboarded some new suppliers across the dispenser product, from display and software to design and engineering. We are always looking for innovative new players to help us grow and to develop the H2 world together as partner at eye level.”

There is obvious appetite in the market, both because of incoming net zero targets for industries and countries, but also because people buy into the idea of using cleaner fuels to power life and progress.

In November 2023, Maximator Hydrogen partnered with the Weimar city bus service to rollout a new hydrogen filling station as part of a pioneering transport project. Now, the city has three hydrogen powered buses in operation, removing emissions from the system. Even on the more challenging routes, where elevation is

a problem, the buses cope well and are perfectly suited to hydrogen power. Maximator Hydrogen supplies the systems for refuelling and is proven with a safety record of excellence across 50 systems and over 100,000 successful refuelling operations.

“We see that as a success story,” Kurras concludes. Next is to rollout in more locations, further prove safety, and yet again demonstrate hydrogen’s ability to add to the energy mix in a non-disruptive way. Currently, there are few better examples than the work being done by the team at Maximator Hydrogen.

KUSTEC supplied more than 350 hydrogen cooling systems for HRS. Global presence. Worldwide par tners.

Cutting Cost of Geothermal Drilling

PRODUCTION: David Hill

Utilising a wealth of experience from the North Sea oil and gas sector, applying it to modern problems, and coming up with game changing innovations is the business of HydroVolve. Chairman Dr Peter Moyes tells Energy Focus more about unique tools developed in house that are expanding quickly across oil and gas, decommissioning, and geothermal.

//Reaching the materials that life is based on is becoming more challenging as mineral deposits are deeper, scattered, and harder to bring to the surface. Whether it’s mining companies searching for rare earth minerals, quarrying businesses looking for suitable sand and stone deposits, or oil and gas companies developing wells that can produce at scale. People need these products – that is not in question, but developing assets responsibly, economically, and sustainably is the challenge.

Innovation is not only important, it is fundamental in the ability of business to achieve goals in the modern oil and gas industry, as well as other energy sectors, where traditional solutions no longer fit the challenge.

For those able to develop new ideas and provide significant alternatives - step change results - against what is known across industries, appealing rewards remain.

According to PwC, the most innovative 20% of companies grow at a rate 16% higher than the least innovative. Without innovation,

companies leave themselves exposed. It’s a risk not worth taking.

“Now is a very exciting time,” says Dr Peter Moyes, Chairman of HydroVolve. “What makes me tick is coming up with new ideas and new ways to solve problems - taking a step back and looking at a genuine, all-new way to solve a problem.”

TECH DIFFERENTIATORS

Innovation and invention is at the core of his success. Having established, grown, and sold two companies, and run a further two with

INDUSTRY FOCUS: OIL & GAS

amazing results, this entrepreneur is clear that we must think big, and this is the key to sustainability.

“We look at using technology to differentiate,” he expands. “All of the service providers and operators will look at iterative gains through small developments. A drill bit provider, for example, might aim for a 5% increase in performance but we don’t want to do that. We want to take a step back and look at how we can really differentiate. For example, with our geothermal technology, we are looking at combining older methodology around impact drilling with conventional rotary drilling, and throwing away the rule book to really make impactful changes. We are not getting 5% or 10% gains; we are aiming for 200-300% gains.”

HydroVolve is a developer of revolutionary wellbore technology with the goal of empowering contractors, through the use of technology, to work more efficiently.

Based in Aberdeen, taking advantage of the deep skills on offer in the oil capital, those in the business have a history working on North Sea oil and gas projects, always looking

for how established processes in the industry could be better, faster, stronger, and more productive.

“Our history is in oil and gas well management,” says Moyes. “We work around the tools to construct and service the wellbore, principally in oil and gas. We have seen the market moving towards abandonment. There are a lot of wells needing to be put down, and there is also growth in the geothermal sector. We are rooted in that sector and we are developing products for these two new growth areas. Most of our product is in decommissioning or geothermal.”

Developers of the core technology

HydroVolve INFINITY and PolyVolve SWIVEL, the company brings more power than ever before, with a product range that is interchangeable.

HydroVolve INFINITY is a downhole engine that can power a number of drilling and wellbore management tools. A linear piston engine powered by rig hydraulics, controlled by the rotation of the drill pipe, the system is durable and safe.

PolyVolve SWIVEL is a modern thrust bearing described as the

world’s most advanced, strongest, and most durable. It has an unlimited loadbearing capability and can deliver immense push and pull forces on wellbore components.

Through these two core technologies, HydroVolve has built its reputation, and is finding its expertise pulled into related but fresh industry sectors.

“We are looking at how we can best deploy them within decommissioning and on geothermal energy projects so that we can enhance efficiency,” explains Moyes. “We have found that we can bring significant benefits to the decommissioning market, but we can probably be a game-changer in the geothermal world with some of our products. It’s very exciting.”

START UP JOURNEY

Moyes still considers HydroVolve a start up in many ways. Young in terms of life, lean in terms of headcount, highly innovative in nature, and consistently and quickly growing client base and annual revenues.

“We are in a growth phase,” he smiles. “We are being pulled towards expansion of our team and assets quickly. We face some important decisions as demand is currently outstripping our ability to supply. We are not opportunity constrained, we are looking at how we can best develop the business to service our key markets.”

The company manufactures equipment and sends it worldwide for application in challenging conditions. And this is where start up reputation is less attractive. Operators want proven, robust results. Thankfully, HydroVolve products are already at work far and wide, on sites across the world including China, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East, the UK, and Norway. “We haven’t made a big push in the US yet, but we are being pulled in that direction,” says Moyes.

The supply chain is largely European-based, and key inputs are steel in bar and billet form.

Dr Peter Moyes, Chairman

“We manufacture all components by ourselves or in our network of subcontractor manufacturers in Scotland or the north of England. That allows us to cut carbon emissions down as much as possible in that process,” Moyes highlights.

This is all part of the wider mantra within HydroVolve not to do things the same, not to take the trodden path, but to look for ‘off the wall solutions’.

“It’s unconventional thinking but within the conventional drilling infrastructure of rigs, systems, and methodologies. We are just applying new thinking and equipment to achieve really big step changes – that is where our technology lives,” says Moyes.

INEXHAUSTIBLE ENERGY

Geothermal energy remains underexplored as an option for legitimate infinite energy production. But from the work that has been done in the industry over the years, problems common with oil and gas prevail. Poor flow, well integrity issues, and lacking innovation. The result is that wells can often be at least 30% more expensive to drill. But Moyes and HydroVolve see an opportunity to take their knowledge and apply it in the geothermal space with amazing potential.

“We want to make a difference in the geothermal space, and there is no one more experienced with drilling wells than the oil and gas industry. If we can assist in driving that switch in focus by making it cost effective, that is great,” he says.

Currently, renewable geothermal energy represents just 0.5% of the global electricity market with just 0.2% of electricity generated in Europe from geothermal sources. Research suggests that effective utilisation of geothermal energy could have fringe benefits including rare earth mineral extraction when completed correctly. Clearly, the market has major promise.

“I am very excited about the geothermal industry,” Moyes declares. “It’s an energy source that is

HYDROVOLVE

inexhaustible and it’s everywhere on the planet, allowing access for everyone if they can drill deep enough. Right now, the economics are hamstrung by the drilling costs which accounts for about 50-70% of the capital expenditure. If we can cut the cost by drilling two or three times faster, then we can create energy at a cost way below solar and wind. The power factor means you can get more energy as it is always on unlike wind and solar. We can significantly cut drilling cost and, while there are other science-based technologies out there, we can take an existing rig and system, and plug straight in and double or triple the rate at which it makes hole. The other solutions remain far off in the future, and that is what makes us really excited – we can have an impact now.”

Combining the company’s core

technology with a suite of alternative solutions developed specifically for the geothermal industry, HydroVolve promises to super-charge geothermal drilling operations.

GeoVolve HYPERDRIVE is a rotary drilling system that can enhance the rate of penetration and extend bit life in hard rock drilling. When combined with the GeoVolve TERRABIT, a super-premium PDC drill bit, significant performance increases have been realised against hard, ductile, interbedded or high compressive strength rock. Further gains can be made when adding the HydroVolve HAMMER to the system – the world’s most powerful, most controllable, and most versatile stuck-object extraction system.

Involved in oil and gas since

INDUSTRY FOCUS: OIL & GAS

1991, Moyes understands the industry inside out and keen on promoting the message of a managed transition, with geothermal success released as soon as possible.

“There is now a realisation that we cannot survive without oil,” he says. “Therefore, there has to be a transition and we cannot switch off overnight. We follow the market and we see a really strong growth phase which we are looking to grow into as much as we can. The decommissioning market is tied to the oil and gas market. When

the oil market is thriving, there is big demand on the rigs. That means you can’t use the rigs to decommission or drill geothermal wells.”

As activity slows in oil and gas, and rig owners look for new projects, HydroVolve is perfectly positioned to step in with support.

“We want to push into the geothermal market by making it more economically viable. Right now, the cost of drilling geothermal wells is the number one hurdle for that growth in that industry,” reiterates Moyes.

In terms of general market expansion, a key strategy is around building relationships. If HydroVolve can develop its supply chain in certain areas that have opportunity in oil and gas, geothermal, or decommissioning then it will do so, alongside proven partners.

“Our tools are complex pieces of oilfield equipment, typically 20 to 40 feet long. They require specialist assembly centres to put together,” says Moyes. “We need to find providers that are close to the manufacturer, or they are under the same roof - our partner in Abu Dhabi is a great example. When looking for manufacturer and assembly, it narrows the field quite considerably. We also then look at the client base – if they have the tier one companies as clients then they will likely be able to meet all of our requirements as partners.”

With expansion in the US on the cards for the future, Moyes and HydroVolve are on the lookout for partner companies that can deliver product and service excellence. The initial concept behind HydroVolve was for the company to be an

Specialists in Sealing Solutions

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M Seals manufactures and supplies a wide range of seals, gaskets and other specialist sealing products. We have extensive knowledge of seals for all industries and our technical teams are driven to identify new material developments and product designs that will benefit you as a customer.

CUSTOMISED PRODUCTS

If your application requires a customised solution, our engineers will help you with the design and testing of prototype parts through to scaled production volumes.

Original Equipment Manufacturer but more and more clients are pulling the company towards becoming a full-service provider.

“I am a technologist – an engineer, designer, and developer,” says Moyes. “I like the idea of being an OEM, but we follow the market. If we can be of more benefit as a full-service entity, then we will explore how best to roll that out.”

Long-term, the future of HydroVolve in geothermal energy is extremely exciting. Geothermal energy is projected to provide at least 1300 TWh annually for global electricity consumption by 2050, with innovation shaping the space to ensure it is safer, more efficient, and most cost-effective than ever before. HydroVolve is busy contributing.

“We want to take our learnings from oil and gas and put that to really good use on a genuinely green and inexhaustible energy source in geothermal,” concludes Moyes.

DIFFUSION ALLOYS

New Clean Energy Strategy Galvanises Leading Coatings Firm

PRODUCTION:

David Hill

Diffusion Alloys is a leading global coatings business, with over 60 year’s experience in applying specialist technology to protect against metal degradation across industrial processes. Now following a new strategy in the clean energy market, specifically focused on blue and green hydrogen, energy storage, and nuclear, MD Lisa Randall tells Energy Focus more about opportunities and successes to date.

INDUSTRY FOCUS: COATINGS

//As part of the global energy transition, it is widely accepted that hydrogen (the most abundant element on earth) holds the key to long-term success. But hydrogen, despite its chemical simplicity, is difficult to store and requires modern processes to treat, allowing for the transformation to a useful tool. Depending on the material input, hydrogen is also questioned over its long-term sustainability credentials with CO2 output a part of the process.

Large scale hydrogen production is broadly categorised as blue or green. Blue hydrogen uses natural gas, usually methane, as an input before splitting to form carbon and hydrogen. The carbon that would typically be emitted is captured and stored and the Hydrogen

is sent to storage before being compressed and pumped to pipelines. Green hydrogen follows a similar process but uses renewable energy (solar and wind) as the input, powering an electrolyser to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water, before storing the hydrogen and venting the oxygen with no negative environmental impact.

The processes and components used in both methods are complicated and require significant investment for equipment and commissioning, but the opportunities are large and the stakes are high.

However, when industry players successfully hurdle the initial cost barriers, the next stage is managing the process and protecting components. This requires meticulous planning

to understand and navigate intense heat, corrosion challenges, and detailed engineering processes.

Electrolysers, fuel cells, oxidation facilities, storage equipment, and a range of associated components – mostly high value and large in size – must be protected as the clean tech industry advances.

“We are coming into a very significant period of growth,” smiles Lisa Randall, MD at Diffusion Alloys.

Her business, based in Middlesbrough in the UK’s northeast, is an industry leader when it comes to application of a range of protective coatings against metal degradation. Historically, Diffusion Alloys has been a key player in the energy industry, mainly focused on turbomachinery

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components for the gas turbine market, as well as coating components for the oil and gas and process industries.

But in 2012, a new owner took control of Diffusion Alloys, immediately seeing the potential of the assets and knowledge, and the opportunities within the energy transition. An investment business purchased the company from its previous owner and Randall was part of the team to take the reins. After learning the industry and building lasting the relationships, a new strategy was put in place to take Diffusion Alloys in a new direction.

RE-STRATEGY

“We completed a total re-strategy of the company around two years ago and we exited a sizeable portion of our business which was no longer core,” she tells Energy Focus.

Seeing the potential and obvious onset of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in industrial power generation, Randall set about preparing Diffusion Alloys for work in the cleantech space, especially renewable energy where many existing customers were applying their innovation.

“The strategic refocus of the business was us understanding that there is an opportunity for our coating technology within clean technologies, particularly low-carbon high volume hydrogen production and the solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyser industry where our systems operate at high temperature” she says.

Simply, metal equipment and components must have protection if they are to function at the desired level for any sustained period of time. Assuring extension of critical systems

drives down lifetime capital costs and lowers the total cost of output.

“Our coating technology is niche,” states Randall. “There is a whole world of coatings out there but what is specific about us is that our coatings

// IT’S A SPECIALISED COATING, APPLIED THROUGH A CHEMICAL REACTION. THERE IS NO BOND OR ADHESION; A NEW METALLIC STRUCTURE IS FORMED AT THE SURFACE OF THE MATERIAL //

INDUSTRY FOCUS: COATINGS

provide stable, long-term protection in corrosive atmospheres. It’s a specialised coating, formed through a chemical reaction. There is no bond or adhesion; a new intermetallic structure is formed at the surface of the material, which continuously replenishes the stable oxide formed in service. We provide aluminides, chromides or borides tailored to the corrosion mechanism.

Diffusion Alloys works across

a wide range of steels and nickel based alloys and is able to provide superior protection for large components that others cannot.

“Our aluminide coatings are particularly prevalent in process industries where you have catastrophic corrosion mechanisms such as metal dusting, carburisation, sulfidation, oxidation and coking, typically between 500 and 900 degrees Celsius, where the

stable oxide forms a resilient barrier

Over the last decade, our coatings have found application in solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyser systems where the coating prevents the outward permeation of chromium and thus prevents poisoning of the stack”

QUALITY BASED

Assuring the best configuration and attributes for the coating deliver the

best performance. This is the reason the company likes to become an extension of its customers business, creating a long-lasting, symbiotic relationship,

“We come into the frame when a customer is at the development stage – particularly in clean-tech - where designs can be fluid and challenges are still being addressed,” Randall explains. “We go through from early-stage development all the way through to commercialisation. We influence and we are in dialogue about how the coating can best serve their needs. We become integral and continue to provide technical support through to commercial production. That means we ultimately can provide the quality the client needs.”

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), clean hydrogen is currently experiencing political and business momentum with multiple global projects scaling technology to drive cost down. Transport, buildings, and power generation are areas where hydrogen remain absent, and where many see major prospects.

“We looked closely at blue hydrogen, green hydrogen, energy storage, and nuclear. These industries have different challenges but they are certainly coming very quickly,” details Randall. After exciting the gas turbine market, a portion of the business described as ‘low value add’, a new growth phase was started. New employees are coming on board and Randall expects the business to double staff count and turnover in the next 12-24 months.

“We relocated all our facilities to an existing site we had in Middlesbrough, and we made this our centre of excellence. Since then, we’ve been developing our coatings and processing technologies to take advantage of what is going to be a phenomenal ramp up in demand of blue and green hydrogen.”

In Middlesbrough, part of an industrial decarbonisation cluster project where energy intensive businesses hope to benefit from

DIFFUSION ALLOYS

www.cactusenergy.com

0161 639 1785

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is coming in that market because we are close to our customers, to ensure that our part of the supply chain is ready for a significant ramp up,” says Randall.

PARTNERSHIP SUCCESS

In June 2023, Diffusion Alloys and Johnson Matthey announced a strategic partnership to facilitate the scale-up production in blue hydrogen. Johnson Matthey labelled Diffusion Alloys ‘the best in the world at what they do’ and the company’s tech has also been chosen for major projects that are being rolled out right now. In the short term, Diffusion Alloys has sufficient capacity onsite, but it is considering expansion as opportunities build.

“We have three phases for development,” reveals Randall. “The ramp up we expect to see will not be smooth, but we will manage the first

INDUSTRY FOCUS: COATINGS

two phases with our existing footprint in Middlesbrough. In the next couple of years, we expect to be reviewing how best to deliver capacity well in excess of our current maximum. We will be reviewing in the context of the ramp up of the global supply chain and significant capital investment is likely.”

The company has a range of coating furnaces, from laboratory to medium sized production and up to its largest at 21m in length, one of the largest in the world. This, combined with extensive experience and long-standing relationships, is what propels Diffusion Alloys to the industry’s forefront.

“We are unique with our scale, we have experience and assets, and we have built up an incredible

level of expertise in processing knowhow,” states Randall. “In smaller components for green hydrogensolid oxide technologies for fuel cells and oxidisers – we have considerable level of expertise in coating intricate components. We are talking about complex internal geometries where high-quality coating must extend to all internal areas and then be verified. That is difficult and requires a fusion of engineering and technical skill that we do well.”

First mover advantage in this industry is important, and taking steps to truly understand what is required from new technologies is what allows companies to tailor their package, becoming unique and not a one size fits all offering. Few other

coatings businesses in Europe have the experience and knowledge present with Diffusion Alloys, and none have the assets and relationships. As the company learns more about its new markets, Diffusion Alloys will work alongside its clients to further entrench itself in the energy markets that are so important in the transition.

Randall, a mechanical engineer and finance industry expert, is embracing the task.

“It has been a challenge. Prior to the change of ownership, the company had been under invested in,” she says. “It needed a lot of work, but the base technology was very sound. The question for us was about whether we could take it into new markets. After embarking of the diversification

DIFFUSION ALLOYS

strategy, it became clear that there were significant opportunities for our coatings in new technologies. A few years later, we are actively engaged in solid oxide technology, energy storage, nuclear and large-scale blue hydrogen.

// WE ARE UNIQUE WITH OUR SCALE, WE HAVE EXPERIENCE AND ASSETS, AND WE HAVE BUILT UP AN INCREDIBLE LEVEL OF EXPERTISE IN PROCESSING KNOWHOW //

The development pathway and deployment timeline for each of these industries is distinct but the opportunity within each is huge. We will be ready to provide the coating processing capacity required for large scale blue hydrogen and we will be able to provide the bespoke coating processing capabilities essential to support the ramp up in green hydrogen production.

The reason for the success of the new strategy is that Diffusion Alloys coatings do the job. The company has references all over the world for a quality of coating that significantly extends life of metal components.

A recent case study saw burner plates used in SMR units, typically with a lifespan of three to five years, have their life expectancy more than doubled thanks to the aluminide diffusion coating applied by Diffusion Alloys. The

company has worked with its customer for a decade, applying aluminised coasting to Incoloy 800 plates, and the study found, after metallurgical analysis, minimal degradation of the coating with the burner plates still in good condition after 10 years in service.

With national clean energy targets in place for 2050 across much of the world, and with growing appetite for clean hydrogen production, the market for Diffusion Alloys is wide open. Backed by ambitious and genuine investment, there is no reason this business cannot now thrive as new tech comes to the fore.

KBAL

Differentiated Technology from Shipowner for Shipowners

PRODUCTION: Tommy Atkinson

By using no chemical, no filter, and no overly complicated engineering for crew, the Knutsen Ballast Water Treatment is emerging as an industry leader for LNG carriers and shuttle tankers across the global fleet. MD Jorunn Seglem tells Energy Focus more about the growth of the company that allows shipowners to adhere to stringent international maritime regulations.

INDUSTRY FOCUS: SHIPPING

//Fresh from Marinetec China in Shanghai, Jorunn Seglem, MD at Knutsen Ballast Water Treatment (KBAL), is back at HQ in Haugesund, Norway. She is excited about a busy 2024 as the company’s innovation is quickly recognised as industry leading.

In China, where shipyards are stacked with orders for new vessels, Seglem met with peers to promote KBAL and the unique ballast water treatment that has been developed and refined over the past two decades. She was keen on meeting - with the help of Innovation Norway - those active in LNG transportation and owners of tanker vessels that move liquid fuels around the world. In this highly regulated industry, shipowners must comply with certain international rules in order to dock at certain ports and KBAL has a certified solution that makes life easier for all involved.

Almost all of the world’s LNG carrying fleet is secured on long-term charters, and a large vessel can carry enough fuel to warm more than 17 million UK homes on a cold winter day. But to deliver to the world’s preeminent port locations safely, onboard ballast

water treatment is a must. Since the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) introduced the idea for approvals in 2000, various innovations have come to the fore. Treating water is vital to ensure the spread of invasive marine species is eliminated or minimised. As ships sit in ports and traverse the seas, they take on vast volumes of ballast water to balance, stabilise, improve manoeuvrability, and reduce stresses on the hull. In this water, microorganisms can live and thrive, and if they are released into new territories they can be damaging to the regional marine environment. An effective, reliable, stress-free treatment system is critical.

At Marinetec China, Seglem promoted the KBAL offering and made it clear that this is the only system that is designed and made by shipowners, for shipowners. Using no chemicals or filters, water is passed through a unique two-tier structure to remove bacteria, algae, and other large and small organisms.

“It was hectic but I feel energised from it,” she tells Energy Focus

“We are very ambitious. We have a very good product, and we have the strength of the Knutsen Group behind

Jorunn Seglem, MD

us. We have the marine environment in mind, always. We will be a very good product for many shipowners and I truly believe, based on the feedback we are receiving, that we have a strong future in the mix of ballast water systems across the world fleet.”

NO FILTER, NO CHEMICALS

The Knutsen Group has a long history on the sea. Founded in 1896 as a shipping business in the west of Norway, it grew to become a major ship owner before venturing into various related markets. The expertise developed over many years, working alongside major international energy companies, has helped KBAL to grow from deep learnings that other players cannot match.

The KBAL system takes untreated water through a ballast pump to the inlet of a pressure vacuum (PV) reactor at 2 barG. The water moves through the PV reactor where the pressure changes instantly and the strong force removes larger organisms. Then, the water passes through a UV chamber to eliminate any smaller organisms that remain before being distributed to the ballast tanks. It is a simple solution to a complex problem, tried and tested, and now approved by several important international bodies.

“We saw that initial ideas in the industry tended to use well-known land-based technologies like filter, UV, and chemical, and putting these systems onboard vessels. Our experience as a shipowner, where we have used some of these technologies in marine operations in the North Sea where the water is fairly clear, was that land-based technologies do not always suit the environment onboard a vesselespecially filters where we experienced clogging, with hassle for our crews cleaning them. It was disrupting the capacity of the flow. We didn’t see these options as the best solution onboard our vessels,” says Seglem.

As a shipowner, the Knutsen Group knew it needed a reliable system to

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comply with IMO regulations which were initially discussed in 2000. The Ballast Water Management Convention is a treaty adopted by the IMO in 2004. Developed to remain relevant, from 8 September 2017, the treaty dictates that ships must manage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms and pathogens are removed or rendered harmless before the ballast water is released into a new location.

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“We had already been experimenting with KVOC, another technology that we have patented in our group to reduce volatile organic compounds when loading tankers. We wanted to see if our experience operating advanced vessels in the North Sea could somehow adapt this technology to treat water and to remove organisms, which was the requirement at the time,” explains Seglem.

From Haugesund, the group began testing and partnered with biologists and the local university. The technology was recognised as very efficient when treating seawater and so the group scaled research and spent nine years testing and refining before launching KBAL as a standalone company.

“In 2012, we received the first IMO approval and we were very happy. We

started installing our system onboard Knutsen Group vessels in different ranges. Our group mainly consists of LNG carriers, oil shuttle tankers and, product and chemical tankers. The idea was always to have a robust system that is easy to operate for the crew, with no hazards from using chemicals (for which you need qualified personnel onboard), and with less maintenance required. There are no rotating parts in fact nearly no movable parts –that remains key,” Seglem details.

But, living by one of the Knutsen Group’s key values of innovation, the KBAL approvals from the IMO were not enough for the ambitious leadership. The company was keen to improve and take the system further. When the US Coast Guard (USCG) opened discussions in 2013, further enhancements would be required to meet stringent

INDUSTRY FOCUS: SHIPPING

requirements. Vessels with USCG type approval ambition, including retrofit and newbuild, stands at around 60,000 over the next six to seven years.

NEW APPROVALS

“USCG approval was not fully aligned with the IMO. This new approval meant that we must do additional testing, with more investment in time, resources and money,” says Seglem. “We wanted to learn from the fleet that we had already installed KBAL on and improve further for the crew and for assurance of our component delivery. We decided to develop our own UV system and we developed that while we were testing with the USCG. We were in a race as we had already sold the idea of being USCG approved to our group. It was a hectic period. We had to deliver as we had a date at the shipyard in Korea so failure was not an option. We managed through collaboration with the classification society, Lloyd’s Register.”

In 2020, KBAL received its revised type approval from IMO and the USCG type approval.

“It has been a great journey,” smiles

Seglem. In 2020, the company had 20 vessels sailing with the KBAL system. But all were from the Knutsen Group fleet. Seglem knew other shipowners wanted to use the system and so the business prepared for external markets where competition was strong.

“We were successful and we had some external shipowners take our product,” she adds. “Chinese shipyards have large orderbooks and they are key players for us to be in dialogue with. We have to educate them on our system as we are moving from retrofit to more newbuild markets, and shipyards are key players in that mix.

“It is a very fragmented market with a lot of suppliers. You either supply using filter and chemical, or filter and UV. Our system is different as we don’t use a filter at all. Our patented system uses pressure and vacuum. We don’t need backflushing and therefore we have no clogging. The pressure vacuum reactor in combination with a UV chamber makes us a UV supplier, and there are a lot of players in this market.”

But she remains confident that the efficiency of the KBAL offering is

industry leading, and the nature of the system makes it easier to maintain onboard a vessel. As regulations become more prominent and more demanding, most ships of 400 gt and above will require an International Ballast Water Management Certificate, specifically a D-2 standard certification that recognises discharge of ballast water under certain conditions while meeting strict criteria.

“We have a comprehensive installation manual and we ship the technology to the shipyard. We have good communication with shipyards directly, and we are happy to work with third party engineering companies that integrate our systems. Our dedicated project engineers follow up diligently to ensure that everything is installed exactly as it should be. We also have a commissioning engineer that is sent to test everything and ensure the vessel receives the D-2 certificate – essential in order to sail.”

With global rates for shipping LNG falling in recent months, shipowners are still working closely across the industry to understand future pricing

as more vessels are redirected around the southern tip of Africa, avoiding the Red Sea, as they transport this vital cargo that energises life. With the cost and timing to move LNG seemingly unpredictable, shipowners are searching for consistent, sustainable costing in every other area that they can control. Small, maintenancelight, chemical and filter free, and supported by a global network of partners, KBAL is able to offer predictable pricing for the long-term.

“Ballast water systems are not often at the top of a ship owners’ agenda. LNG carriers and other tankers are always looking at technologies, but usually related to cargo handling or propulsion. We do see more shipowners are interested in having a system that is reliable, with no hazard to the crew. There will be ports that will give penalties for improper use of ballast water systems and so ballast systems will move up the list of importance,” furthers Seglem.

As more partners learn about the

KBAL system, experiencing it firsthand, the team will continue to push development to make it stronger, more efficient, and easier to use – a simple solution to a complex challenge.

“Last year we further enhanced our certificate by limiting the need for operating KBAL to only uptake. Hence the crew can bypass KBAL during discharge, making it more efficient and less prone for wear and tear,” reveals Seglem. “ We are also looking at locations of production considering that the retrofit activity was mostly in Europe and the newbuild market is moving more and more to Asia. We are considering setting up there with at least a logistics base.

“We have done a great job with development,” she adds, paying tribute to the team who has developed the product over the years, and to those who have helped to get KBAL into external fleets. “There are always things we would like to improve and develop further while we focus on expanding our product to external customers.”

BUOYANT INDUSTRY

Hundreds of new LNG vessels have been ordered with delivery expected over the next two years. There is no doubt that the industry has the capacity for KBAL to grow strongly. The Knutsen Group took delivery of its latest LNG carrier in Dec 2023, and there are 20 more newbuilds expected by the end of 2026. This, says Seglem, is encouraging.

“Our customers are very aggressive with their growth strategies. They are willing to look at new technologies That is great for the industry and great for the supply chain, ensuring vessels have the best and most relevant tech. There is a big building programme and our customers are keen on having the most efficient and robust technology onboard. That is positive for us and inline with our long-term vision.”

Of course, like any industry, there are challenges. Slowdowns in deliveries of electrical components, logistics delays, general uncertainty combined with rising interstate rates have made for a space that is more difficult to navigate than pre-2020.

“But there is so much pressure for the industry to explore all possible ways of reaching decarbonization goals and therefore be open for new technology,” Seglem sums up. “The shipping industry is more open to and curious about how new technology can help contribute to less fuel consumption and greener sailing profile. This is positive for us as well.”

KBAL is today fully compliant in all waters and is capable of treating ballast water with a UV transmittance (UVT) as low as 26%, best in class among UV ballast water treatment systems, which allows KBAL to operate in challenging harbours where other systems cannot. Now is the time to go filter and chemical free, and treat water in just one pass.

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CADOGAN COMMODITIES

Bespoke Energy Brokerage with Unshakeable Integrity

PRODUCTION:

David Hill

Just 10 years young, Cadogan Commodities expertly blends bespoke energy brokerage and meticulous research to facilitate superior trading. In a very short space of time Cadogan has broadened its scope from coal to physical products across energies. An exhaustive list of contacts and networks, an excellent view of prices, and a keen focus on the green market give clients assurances of value obtained with the highest levels of integrity.

INDUSTRY FOCUS: TRADING

//An energy commodities brokerage firm specialising in green products, biomass, LNG and coal, Cadogan Commodities has swiftly built a proven track record of reliability and flexibility, backed by constant innovation and evolution to meet needs and exploit opportunities.

“Time certainly flies,” grins entrepreneur CEO and Founder Thierry Rodier on the genesis of his proudly-crafted company.

“One key factor in Cadogan Commodities’ formation was the fact that I have always liked to be independent, and even when working for others I found that this mindset was unshakeable,” he explains, on the back a career consisting of origination and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) roles at the likes of EDF and Credit Agricole.

“After many years of learning and gathering experience at these industry giants, in 2014 I had the opportunity to set up Cadogan, leaving EDF Trading to do so and going in with the view that I

could apply the skills and expertise that I had accumulated to my own journey.

“I started completely from scratch, with absolutely nothing, and over the years we have grown and developed to where we are today. In everything we do, we challenge ourselves to find creative and innovative solutions that bring value to our clients.”

SPECIALISED SKILLS

What Rodier identifies as the most important aspect of Cadogan’s offering is that it is a client business, he says. “We are very good at connecting people together; our main asset is our client base. Where we need to be skilled is in seeing a potential trade and finding the right fit for it, engineering the contract so that everybody is happy.

“Our clients are at the centre of everything we do; we partner with them, listen to them and treat them with honesty and respect, embracing their differences.”

Having the requisite visibility of the market, and sufficient connections to find the right people to work in tandem, are both vital, Rodier assesses, as is the ability to structure transactions in a way that is workable all round. “We also need a strong view on prices,” he adds, “and this is where the synergy occurs with our extensive research activity. We are, typically, very good at predicting which way market prices will go, coupled with an excellent overview of the current state of affairs, which combines to enable us to structure convincing, good-value deals. We also love to interact with clients about our research, either through one off discussions or more regular monthly or quarterly meetings/calls.

“We are full-on, very busy and we work unbelievably hard, which allows us to find deals which would otherwise be unavailable to our clients.”

Continues on page 56

Thierry Rodier, CEO and Oliver Stönner, Chief Analyst

FAST DEVELOPING TRADING COMPANY PRESENT IN THE ENERGY SECTOR SINCE 2011

As the group of companies we have been operating since 2011. Our modern standards and flexible approach led us to becoming an important player in the fuels and biofuels supply in ARA as well as a trustful partner to the biggest entities and refineries.

OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF MODERN TRADING

Including physical products and logistics. We combine the proven track record and experience to enable our clients to receive best quality products, available in different locations.

+48 797 237 353

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Proud to be supporting Cadogan Commodities

INDUSTRY FOCUS: TRADING

Continued from page 54

Cadogan Commodities in its present form consists of, ‘two legs’, as Rodier puts it: research, which sees Chief Analyst Oliver Stönner produce four daily independent reports on energy, and the business side, which Rodier oversees.

“When we started,” Rodier recounts, “these reports consisted of just a few brief paragraphs and a selection of news; now we are putting

out these comprehensive documents covering an array of different energy categories and bringing together macroeconomic, fundamental, technical and volatility analysis, which is all down to Stönner’s incredible efforts.” Rodier’s entrepreneurial tendency lends itself perfectly to the commercial aspect. “I have always loved having to convince people of something,” he states, “and trying to find solutions and structures to deals to make it work for everyone involved.

// WE SEE, WITHOUT DOUBT, THE GREATEST POTENTIAL IN THE GREEN MARKET - POTENTIAL THAT IS SIMPLY NOT THERE IN COAL OR OTHER COMMODITIES. THIS IS WHERE WE ENVISAGE THE FUTURE OF THE MARKET, AND OF OUR ACTIVITY

“I started with a single commodity, and over the years we have put to use the research that we have been carrying out, and the skills acquired along the way, and branched out into trades involving many others.”

GREEN GUARANTEES

It should come as no surprise that, having spent a good portion of his early career as Head of M&A for Renewable at EDF back in 2000, the green sector represents a top priority for Rodier.

“I was dealing with renewable and green energy when these were not hot topics - certainly to nowhere near the extent that they are now,” he unpacks.

“I then left the green sphere for many, many years, and focused on gas and power, which was where we began with Cadogan as our primary focus. Now, we have almost gone full circle, with Cadogan growing exponentially in the

CADOGAN COMMODITIES

green space; I would say that this now represents the majority of our turnover.

“We are extremely active in green electricity and green gas, both of which are, of course, right at the forefront of the thinking of both the industry and the public at this time.”

Guarantees of Origin (GOs) are designed to evidence to a final customer that a given share of energy was produced from renewable sources; Rodier also underlines their importance in Cadogan’s dealings, as well as renewable gas and the associated biomethane certificates, again allowing customers to ensure sustainable production. “We have just launched, at the close of 2023, a new business in France which is centrally focussed on what we call ‘white certificates’, which are awarded through energy efficiency walks,” Rodier reveals. Under the French program of

White Certificates Trading, suppliers of energy must meet governmentmandated targets for energy savings achieved through the supplier’s residential and tertiary customers.

“We have signed a partnership with a company in France to perform these energy walks, and have exclusivity to commercialise those certificates in France to energy providers in our sustained bid to go on being greener and greener.

“It is interesting, because we have not only been guided to this position by our own vision, exemplified by the establishment of our Cadogan Green branch; rather, in this instance, it is also the strengths and needs of our clients and the market that have helped to take us there.”

This is what Rodier views unequivocally as the future of Cadogan Commodities. “We see, without doubt,

the greatest potential in the green market - potential that is simply not there in coal or other commodities. This is where we envisage the future of the market, and of our activity.”

Cautious, of course, but Cadogan Commodities is riding the crest of a wave and only views growth ahead.

“Being in the physical market, we have crafted a real niche with much less competition.,” Rodier concludes. “We are the only company to offer the sheer diversity in what we have established, and while there is competition there this does not scare us, it only inspires us.”

ROTTERDAM RHINE PIPELINE (RRP)

Delta Corridor Promises Much for Northern Europe

PRODUCTION: Tommy Atkinson

As the leading pipeline operator across the Netherlands and Germany, moving millions of tonnes of crude and other products under the ground, RRP is the perfect partner for organisations looking to build and grow on existing infrastructure to create a sustainable system for the future.

INDUSTRY FOCUS: INFRASTRUCTURE

//At the busy Port of Rotterdam, a central energy hub for the European market, many tankers and shuttles dock every day, unloading oil, gas, LPG, and LNG and other commodities for trade on the continent, and for energising industrial processes across the Netherlands and Germany and beyond.

The region is a powerhouse, with the two key markets of northern Europe producing major electrical supply, and utilising a supply chain infrastructure that is world-leading and historic.

However, it’s not all as obvious as it seems. 30,000 sea going vessels arrive each year, with 467 million tonnes of freight moving in and out of Europe. Of that, liquid bulk is an important segment. Crude and mineral oil, and LNG are vital for the economies of the region, and when they arrive, a percentage is sent off in tankers but

some enters a pipe network that disappears under our feet to move quietly and safely for hundreds of miles.

Traditionally, oil has been the main fuel utilising the pipeline network. In 1958, Rotterdam Rijn Pijpleiding Maatschappij (RRP) was founded as a company to move oil from the Netherlands to the industrial centres of Germany. A 24 inch pipeline was buried, allowing for 24/7 uninterrupted transportation, but this was later upgraded to a 36 inch pipeline as demand on the system increased. Today, pumps at tank terminals at Botlek, Europoort and on the Maasvlakte pressurise forces that drive products through the pipeline to the RRP tank terminal at Venlo in the Netherlands east. From here, products are pumped to German refineries at Gelsenkirchen and Cologne.

Oil has always been the focus,

// FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SAFELY, RELIABLY, AND WE BELIEVE WE ARE THE BEST AT WHAT WE DO IN THIS MARKET //

but natural gas and other sources of energy could soon join the pipeline’s product portfolio as expansion and development continues at pace.

EXPANSION

In May 2022, RRP MD Dick Hosman told Energy Focus about a fresh strategy for European energy which would see new pipelines installed close to RRP. Introducing hydrogen to the mix continues to be appealing, while sending excess cardon dioxide from industrial applications back in the other direction for utilisation and storage is equally as interesting.

The project, recognised as the Delta Corridor, would see the construction of four new pipelines between Rotterdam, Chemelot industrial site in the southern Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia – the large state in Germany’s northwest with a host of industrial organisations. The idea is to transport C4-LPG, propylene, hydrogen, and CO₂.

“We are the right party to work on this. We are knowledgeable, experienced, we know what we are doing, and we are able

to join into teams,” he said.

As the Delta Corridor project gains traction, and the various stakeholders continue to innovate to bring it to life, the realisation that underground pipelines are essential continues to be shared. Currently, RRP moves enough product in one hour to remove 4000 trucks from the road. Major companies are signing up the support the Delta Corridor including Port of Rotterdam, Shell, bp, RWE, thyssenkrupp, LyondellBasell, HeidelbergCement, Attero and Chemelot.

But moving hydrogen in this new system, with RRP providing insight and expertise on how to manage complex infrastructure of this nature, is where those involved are placing their bets for longer-term sustainability.

In 2022, confirmation came from the Port of Rotterdam that by 2030, the cluster of companies operating around the port could supply 4.6 megatonnes of hydrogen, planning to move through pipelines. 70 entities have endorsed the intent from the port cluster to bring the hydrogen economy to life, with the promise of saving some 46 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

“Using sustainable hydrogen substantially contributes to the European objectives of reducing climate change and increasing Europe’s energy independence. With the production and import of renewable and low carbon hydrogen we build a sustainable future,” says Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

ATTRACTIVE PARTNER

Using the regions buried pipelines, even hydrogen imported from other parts of the world can quickly and efficiently be distributed across northern Europe.

“Through our existing knowledge and experience and through the synergy with our existing pipelines, we are a very attractive partner for the future operation and management of new infrastructure,” says Hosman.

Currently, the project is hurdling various stages of planning and

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approval – essential in such a large infrastructure development that will, essentially, become an energy corridor of Europe, fuelling industry and progress from west to east, before returning CO2 to Rotterdam and off for storage at sites in the North Sea.

Of course, the major and primary concern is safety. And this is where RRP steps in as a premier partner. Running the oil pipeline it does, for so long, without incident, is a significant accomplishment and a testament for the supply chain and processes implemented by the company which is a JV between Shell, Ruhr Oel and BP.

“We are a safe and innovative pipeline company that excels because it is a leader in its sector. By using our experience, knowledge, skills and passion, we can play an important role for our shareholders and

society in accelerating a controlled energy transition for a sustainable future,” reiterates Hosman.

“For more than 65 years we have been doing this safely, reliably, and we believe we are the best at what we do in this market,” he adds.

With much yet to be confirmed, and the roadmap for hydrogen still being plotted, few things are certain. Two things, however, are as concrete as they can be: Hydrogen will definitely form the base of energy in the future, and RRP is the only pipeline provider with the level of expertise and a safety track record that is able to consult on the best way to engineer the next generation of energy traffic under our feet.

NHV GROUP

New Contracts Buoy Busy NHV

PRODUCTION: Tommy Atkinson

Flying high, flying fast, and flying safe, the yellow of NHV is recognised in the sky as a reliable provider for multiple, critical global industry sectors. Winning several new contracts in 2023, this year will be an exciting one for those aboard and those on the ground as NHV continues to support energy project, building on its unrivalled track-record.

INDUSTRY FOCUS: AVIATION

//In 2022, NHV – the famous yellow helicopter brand – was busy celebrating its 25th anniversary. The company had grown substantially from small operator to become a large fleet providing services to multiple industry sectors including oil and gas, emergency provision, and more.

Unmistakable in the skies, the yellow branding is a favourite for personnel moving offshore because of an excellent record around safety and efficiency. Achieving 25 years of successful flight was milestone for the business because it allowed NHV to enter an exclusive group – only a handful of independent companies have achieved such longevity.

Commercial Director, Jamie John, told Energy Focus previously : “Long term, we want to become the European helicopter operator of choice.”

Now, progress is being made across various markets to ensure that NHV can continue to soar in its chosen markets.

New contracts have been signed, new people are taking senior roles, and fresh industry optimism is buoying the business as it continues to fly high.

TAIWAN

In October, the company announced a new strategic partnership with Apex Aviation to provide for the burgeoning offshore wind market in Taiwan. Locally based, Apex Aviation is recognised as a leader in the regional industry, providing helicopter operations that are safety focused, inline with NHV’s mission.

NHV expertise developed in the North Sea is perfect for the Taiwanese market, and the company is hoping to get to work by the end of 2024.

“At NHV, safety remains our top priority, and we are pleased to announce that the collaboration will also encompass the provision of a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) solution,” said Vice President of Strategic Development, Joseph Kearton.

“NHV is delighted to join forces with Apex Aviation to bring this innovative solution to the market. This collaboration will enable us to deliver a safe and reliable operation, mirroring the high standards our clients are accustomed to in the North Sea, in Taiwan.”

Chairman of Apex Aviation, Wilson Kao was excited about the way forward for the pair in Taiwan.

“Apex Aviation’s operations team in Taiwan boasts unrivalled experience in managing large-scale international helicopter projects,” he said. “We are confident that the amalgamation of our team’s expertise and NHV’s extensive offshore wind experience will successfully introduce long-awaited helicopter services to the offshore wind power industry in Taiwan.”

Currently, NHV enjoys a global presence, headquartered in Belgium but with bases in the

Continues on page 66

INDUSTRY FOCUS: AVIATION

Continued from page 64

Netherlands, France, the UK, Germany, Denmark, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria. Adding a presence in Taiwan is a strategic decision that exposes the group to opportunity in the Far East, complementing a strong international footprint.

Currently, Taiwan imports the majority of its energy and is aiming for major reductions in carbon emissions by 2050 inline with global targets. 40-55 GW of new wind power is essential, and many sites are coming online

already. Floating projects are scheduled for the coming years, and most are expected to be no more than 12 nautical miles from Taiwan’s shoreline.

NORTH SEA

Closer to home, in the central North Sea, the Buchan Well decommissioning project, run by Well-Safe Guardian Ltd, awarded a contract to NHV in August 2023 to provide four flights per week to the project site. NHV champions the Airbus H175 for work like this because of its reputation for safety, the key focus for this and all projects.

// NHV HAS BEEN DELIVERING HELICOPTER SERVICES IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE FOR CNR SINCE 2014 AND WE ARE DELIGHTED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH OUR HELICOPTER SERVICES ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS

“Securing this recent contract with Well-Safe Solutions will play a pivotal role in supporting the Buchan Well Abandonment operations. NHV has invested a lot into the energy industry and this contract is testament to our teams drive and level of service,” said Jamie John. “Our top-tier fleet, including the advanced H175 model, coupled with our experienced crew, positions us well to meet the demands of this critical phase of operations.”

The company boasts deep experience on projects of this nature, and NHV has been clear that it will provide ‘seamless connectivity’ to the site from its base in Aberdeen.

Earlier in 2023, John was happy to launch a new project in partnership with TotalEnergies EP. Again, the H175 craft was the chopper of choice, but this time Esbjerg was the base. Moving personnel and equipment to the Dan and Tyra fields in the Danish North Sea,

NHV GROUP

the company was excited to further enhance its reputation with the major.

“NHV are delighted to be utilising its advanced H175 helicopter to provide safe and efficient transportation for TotalEnergies’ offshore personnel, building on NHV’s extensive experience in supporting offshore operations globally,” commented Andy Dethlefsen, NHV Esbjerg’s Accountable Manager, with John thanking the French giant for the opportunity.

WEST AFRICA

In Africa, NHV was given a new contract by CNR International Côte d’Ivoire SARL – very important considering the company’s ambition in the region. Operating from the base in Abidjan, NHV will deploy the Leonardo AW169 to transfer crew and goods to and from the Espoir and Baobab fields. Scheduled crew change as well as emergency cover and ad hoc journeys will all come under

the five-year agreement.

“NHV has been delivering helicopter services in Côte d’Ivoire for CNR since 2014 and we are delighted to continue to provide them with our helicopter services according to their needs. This is the third type of helicopter we have provided to them,” said NHV Côte d’Ivoire Managing Director, Agathe Dona-Fologo.

“Our team is dedicated to providing safe and reliable transportation to our clients, and we look forward to supporting CNR’s offshore operations in Abidjan for the next five plus years.”

All of these new contracts are welcomed by new Chief Financial Officer, Nele Ghesquiere, who took the role in February 2023. After serving since 2018 across various financial roles, Ghesquiere was the obvious choice to replace former CFO Laurent Verhelst. Upon appointment, she said she was delighted and would continue

to great work of the company.

With much change in a relatively short period of time, many companies would be considering a lengthy spell of consolidation to allow new norms to embed. However, NHV continues to push for growth, searching for new opportunities globally, and always placing emphasis on safe operations.

Across all new contracts, and through all new appointments, the mantra of the company – its core – will always be safe flying operations, and that is what separates it from the rest.

EXHIBITION CALENDAR

KEY UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY

IMPORTANT EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE ENERGY SECTOR, GIVING BRANDS A PLATFORM TO TELL THEIR STORY.

JAN 24

BIO360 NANTES

JAN 24-25 | NANTES, FRANCE

BIO360, formerly known as BIOGAZ EUROPE, is an annual trade fair specializing in the presentation and promotion of biogas technologies and services. It is organized by BEES BioEnergy Events and Services and takes place at the Parc des Expositions in Nantes. The fair attracts numerous exhibitors from various countries and is primarily aimed at farmers, agricultural experts, energy professionals, project developers, and government representatives. BIO360 offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of biogas plants, their applications, and related services. It provides insights into future projects and trends emphasizing the importance of renewable resources. The fair serves as a platform for presenting innovative developments in biogas products and services, further recognized by an innovation competition. In addition to visiting the exhibition stands, BIO360 attendees have the opportunity to further educate themselves through field tours and participation in international conferences. Additionally, pre-arranged, free business meetings offer the chance for networking and finding suitable business and discussion partners. Overall, BIO360 represents a significant event for all stakeholders in the biogas industry. It provides a platform for information on the latest trends and developments, for networking, and for discovering innovative solutions and products.

FEB 6

GENERA MADRID

FEB 6-8 | MADRID, SPAIN

Genera at Feria de Madrid is one of the main meeting and business points with regard to renewable energy and energy efficiency in Spain. It annually confirms its leading position in the Spanish energy fair industry and as a reference in the international scene. Genera has a rich and extensive programme with technical workshops and the so called Innovation Gallery that highlights the efforts of sectors such as research and development.

FEB 20

E-WORLD ENERGY & WATER ESSEN FEB 20-22 | ESSEN, GERMANY

The E-world energy & water is a leading European trade fair for the energy and water industries, held annually at Messe Essen, one of the most modern exhibition centers in Germany. Founded in 2001, it is organized by E-world energy & water GmbH, a company specializing in the organization of events in key sectors of the energy industry. The fair focuses on core topics such as energy generation, efficiency, trade, transport, storage, and green technologies. A particular emphasis is placed on the Smart Energy sector, highlighting innovative solutions for the energy transition and efficient energy production and usage. In addition, products and technologies for the production and storage of renewable energies are presented. E-world energy & water is known for its broad spectrum of products and services, and is considered a significant industry meeting point in Europe. The highlight of the fair is the E-world Congress, offering over 20 conferences on current topics, and knowledge shared by internationally renowned experts. In summary, E-world is a unique platform for discussions on the future of European energy supply and the energy transition.

BIO360 NANTES NANTES, FRANCE JAN 24-25

EUROMARITIME & EUROWATERWAYS 2024 MARSEILLE, FRANCE

JAN 30 – FEB 1

KLIMAHOUSE TOSCANA 2024 BOLZANO, ITALY

JAN 31 – FEB 3

GENERA MADRID

MADRID, SPAIN | FEB 6-8

ENEX KIELCE

KIELCE | FEB 7-8

E-WORLD ENERGY & WATER ESSEN ESSEN, GERMANY FEB 20-22

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