60% of firms taking energy efficiency action post-ESOS

Six in ten firms that completed an ESOS assessment have taken action, according to initial survey data compiled by The Energyst.

According to the survey, 61% of organisations mandated to undertake an energy audit under the Energy Savings Obligation Scheme (ESOS) said they had taken subsequent actions. A similar percentage (60%) said the ESOS exercise had been worthwhile, although 40% said it was not.

Some 64% said that their ESOS audit had been thorough and suggested multiple energy efficiency improvements. However, despite ESOS requiring directors to sign off the audit, around six in ten (58%) said board level engagement in energy efficiency had not increased as a result.

Read the full article at The Energyst.

Are you an end-user affected by ESOS? The Energyst is looking for your views as part of a forthcoming report. Take the survey here.

Leading economists claim energy efficiency could deliver ‘shot in the arm’ for Scottish economy

Government investment in domestic energy efficiency could help tackle climate change and create 9,000 new jobs

Leading economists have called on the Scottish government to boost energy efficiency investment in Scotland, describing it as an effective way to deliver a “shot in the arm” to the nation’s economy.

The researchers, from the University of Strathclyde and the London School of Economics, said energy efficiency programmes can create up to 9,000 new jobs and drive economic activity across the country.

“Our own research shows that energy efficiency improvements free up disposable income for low income households to better heat their homes or to spend on other things,” said Professor Karen Turner, director of the Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde, in a statement. “This helps reduce fuel poverty and drive new economic activity, delivering a long term and lasting boost to the economy on top of the infrastructure programme itself.

“With the UK economy still reeling in shock from the EU referendum, energy efficiency investment is a direct shot in the arm, delivering a relatively rapid economic stimulus,” she added.

This article was written by Business Green – read the full story here.

Energy shortages are soaring before winter even sets in; energy efficient technology can help

The Independent is predicting that even a ‘moderately cold winter’ will increase the likelihood of the National Grid needing to use backup plans to keep the lights on.

Felix Chow, a Project Manager at Aurora Energy Research in Oxford told the paper: “Unpredictable variations in weather and plant availability means the capacity margin this winter could potentially be as low as 2.5%.”

A looming scarcity of gas plants, that at times generate half of the nation’s energy supply, means spare capacity is at its lowest in a decade.

“Gas is running more often than it was a year ago and outages now have more of a price impact,” Glenn Rickson, the London-based Head of Power Analysis at S&P Global Platts told the broadsheet.

“October is even more risky as it’s colder and there will still be some plant offline for maintenance in the coal and gas fleet.”

It all adds up to a familiar story of risk for big and small UK electricity users.

Today’s firms must internalise solutions to UK energy shortfalls

“It isn’t unusual at this stage in the year for the margin between supply and demand to appear tight during September and October,” National Grid told the Independent. “As we get closer to the time, we would expect the market to respond and demand forecasts to become more accurate.”

But truth be told, the story is now the same each year; power supply looks riskier and riskier. “Unfortunately, around this time of year we see the same stories arising in the media,” says Kevin Cox, Managing Director, Energys.

“It’s a real shame because year in, year out we see no new centralised solutions. The new agreement on Hinkley is years away.”

Cox believes the only way forward is for firms to deliver their own solutions, using energy efficient technology. “LED upgrades, lighting maintenance or boiler controls, all of these can and will lower your energy usage,” he says.

“That will instantly save you money, and insulate you against the worst risks of insecure power. If every business in the UK put efficiency first, there would be lower demands and less pressure on National Grid.”

Cox doesn’t think businesses are to blame for UK energy shortfalls, but does think they can step up while central policy appears lacking.

“If you look at how to save energy in factories, or how to save energy in offices, it is actually quite simple,” he argues. “We already have simple solutions like LEDs; they are affordable and offer vast energy reductions.

“Payback times are lowering across the energy efficiency landscape, solutions are increasing in both the scope of savings and the power of control solutions to offer add on benefits.

“This needn’t be about energy saving alone; this is about building a better, modern, flexible and adaptable business.”

Energys has a wide range of energy efficient technologies. We are delighted to talk through the options with UK businesses, large and small.

LED lighting upgrade achieves up to 75% energy savings for courier company

Energys Group’s range of New Vision energy efficient LED fixtures have been chosen to replace the existing high output fluorescent and metal halide fittings at Prompto Despatch in Cork, Ireland. The new fittings offer a highly energy efficient LED solution coupled with a 14-month payback.

With an extensive fleet of modern vehicles and state-of-the-art warehousing facilities, Prompto Despatch Ltd has steadily developed into one of the most efficient delivery services in Ireland since its foundation in 1986.

Following an audit and assessment of the existing lighting by Impact Energy Solutions, it was obvious from a detailed lighting report that the time was right to upgrade all current fluorescent, metal halide and SON lighting to an LED solution.

Office space

The office facility was previously equipped with standard 600×600 T8 fluorescent luminaires. Each fitting had 4x18W T8 fluorescent lamps (=108W including the ballast). Impact Energy Solutions suggested replacement of these fittings with New Vision 36W LED panels, resulting in improvements in light output coupled with immediate energy savings in excess of +65%.

Warehouse space

Even greater savings have been achieved in the warehouse space. Prompto’s 400W M/H lamps (=456W including ballast) were retrofitted with New Vision’s ‘plug & play’ 80W LED SON lamps, achieving instant energy savings of +75%.

External and internal floodlights

All external & internal 250W & 400W M/H floodlights have been replaced with New Vision’s 80W & 100W LED Floodlights, resulting in energy savings of +70% and a step-change improvement in light quality and output.

Outcomes

The shrewd decision to switch to New Vision LED technology has had an immediate and positive impact on the company’s bottom line thanks to a reduction in lighting energy costs by +60%, plus virtually zero requirement for maintenance.

The New Vision products also offer further piece of mind thanks to a guaranteed 5 year manufacturer’s warranty.

What the customer says:

“It was obvious from the outset that as soon as the New Vision LED lighting was installed we had made the right decision, with much improved lighting levels and instantly reduced energy costs.

“Impact Energy Solutions followed this up, by submitting and securing a Carbon Credit Rebate on our behalf for the LED lighting upgrade project. Apart from reducing our energy costs by more than 60%, we are delighted Prompto Despatch Ltd. is playing its part in reducing our national CO2 emissions.”

James Delea, Managing Director Prompto Despatch Ltd.

Looking to save energy in warehouses? Learn more about our LED replacements for metal halides, or contact us for a free site survey.

Download the full case study

Halogen spotlights to be phased out across Europe

Energy-gobbling halogen spotlights will be phased out across Europe from Thursday, in a boost for super-efficient LEDs ahead of a wider halogen lamp ban in 2018.

Directional halogen lamps already in stores can still be sold after today but no new retailer orders will be possible for the spotlights, which can waste up to 10 times more energy than LEDs.

First hit by the ban will be GU10 halogen spotlights and PAR30 halogen floodlights (big reflector lamps). Lamps with an energy label rating of B or above, such as low-voltage halogen spotlights, will not be affected.

Which? magazine last month advised its readers to switch to LEDs, which can cut lighting electricity bills by up to 90%, according to the coolproducts efficiency campaign.

Read more on this story in The Guardian

Lighting stadia sustainably; why LED lighting is so essential in sporting venues

0Sports hall lighting rarely wins priority over other key investments, such as equipment or flooring. But it has a massive effect on player performance, safety and spectator enjoyment too.

Energys Group has extensive knowledge across many sectors, in particular lighting sports halls and sporting facilities. We understand the minutiae, and we know why the right solution is so important.

This is partially because we sponsor international squash talent Ben Coleman. Given how vital funding for sporting endeavour is, Energys is doubly proud of this involvement.

But our sponsorship also gives us insider insight into the realities of competing in the world’s top arenas. We use Ben’s input to inform and inspire our product offering across sustainable lighting.

“I’ve played on squash courts all over the world, and one of the most important parts to get right is the lighting,” Ben explains. “LED lighting has been introduced into many courts now and players always value it.

“LEDs are bright enough so that you can always see the ball really well, but the latest solutions also minimise any glare which is really, really important during the match and under high pressure situations.

“LED lighting is also more sustainable. I’m not an expert on the environment but I know we must cherish and protect it, and do all we can to make sporting arenas as green as possible.”

The path to sporting sustainability

Different activities have different lighting needs. In sport, fast moving balls mean accurate lights are key. Halls must be kept cool and fresh. Glare can harm the opportunities for players to offer their best.

Energys knows all this, and knows the solutions too. The truth is that next-generation LED lighting technology is being adopted rapidly in sports arenas, facilities, and even in schools across the world. It’s cooler, glare-free, adaptable and affordable.

Nonetheless, specifying this tech requires care and attention. Every LED will deliver significant cost-savings and increased life expectancy, but it is not true that every LED is the same.

Massive benefits can result from implementing the best LEDs in conjunction with intelligent lighting control; but you need the right control suite and the right framework technology.

For example, you may want to specify LED floodlights for minimal flicker, helping cameras offer up the best slow motion replays. You could use various scene settings; perhaps one for creating the best atmosphere pre-match, then another for flicker-free recordings when the event begins.

Moreover, LED lighting can have an enhanced effect on the body’s natural circadian rhythm cycle; essential in sport. LED has a much higher content of the blue end of the colour spectrum, which helps to suppress melatonin levels and encourage a greater sense of energy and vitality.

This is perfect for sporting facilities, whether international squash courts or the local school hall. Players, coaches and spectators alike benefit from what LEDs can bring to the arena.

More detail on Energys’ bespoke range of LED suites and solutions for sports halls is available here. We remain proud to support Ben, and indeed proud to help any school or facility delivering the next generation of UK talent.