6 INDUSTRY NEWS
HV assets offered as power-as-a-service IN COLLABORATION WITH Vattenfall, Bowers Electricals can now provide high voltage (HV) electrical assets via Vattenfall's Power-as-a-Service offer, reducing upfront investment requirements and providing ongoing maintenance and support. Power-as-a-Service enables businesses to benefit from the latest technologies, upgrades, and innovations without additional CAPEX investment. Modern energy-efficient technology and
active network management can help reduce costs while delivering carbon savings. The model sees Bowers Electricals supplying new assets and Vattenfall owning and operating them – taking full responsibility for IOM (installation, operating and maintenance), compliance (safety, technical and environment), planning and management. Vattenfall adopts the assets for an initial 10-year term.
The offer applies to any sector and any size business where the client owns a HV private network, which can include heavy industry, data centres, process and manufacturing, healthcare, mining and aggregates, and local authorities. Vattenfall can adopt all HV assets downstream of the distribution network operator (DNO) equipment; primary switchgear, secondary ring main units (RMU), transformer's, cables, and HV generators.
FLEET RENEWAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR TYNE & WEAR METRO
SWISS TRAIN MANUFACTURER Stadler has signed a contract with electro-mechanical repair specialist, Houghton International, to extend maintenance support for the Tyne and Wear Metro until October 2023. Houghton International will work with Stadler to deliver an accelerated maintenance plan, increasing contracted volumes to extend the life of the current fleet of trains until the transition to a new fleet of trains from 2023. The scope of the agreement covers both planned maintenance and emergency repairs and encompasses assets including traction motors, motor alternator sets and compressor motors. The renewal of the maintenance contract follows the announcement that Stadler will be providing Nexus Metro with a complete fleet renewal and a new depot by 2025. Stadler assumed Quarter 1 2022
responsibility from Nexus for servicing and maintenance of the Metro's fleet in October 2020. Commenting on the project, Chris Robson, Sales Director at Houghton International, said: "Having worked closely with Nexus and Tyne and Wear Metro for almost 15 years, it is great to start a new journey with Stadler and continue to support the existing vehicles until their end of life. "It is satisfying to know that Stadler will continue to trust Houghton International to support the ongoing maintenance of traction motors, as well as other components, as they condense the maintenance programme to coincide with the depot demolition and new depot build. Our expertise in traction motors and other light rail assets means Houghton International is well placed to continue to provide support.
Marc Robson, fleet manager at Stadler, said: "Houghton International is already working with us to support our traction motor maintenance programme, so when we required further rotating machinery support for our accelerated maintenance plan, they were a natural choice. "Their commitment and willingness to serve Stadler and the community as a whole has always stood out, and communication at all levels has been consistently excellent. "Houghton International has proved quick to mobilise and provides high-quality overhauls with a speedy turnaround. The fact that they are based locally means that together, we can work nimbly to resolve any issues that may arise. We look forward to our continued close working as we move from the old fleet to the new one." www.theaemt.com
