EUA | July 2014 | Issue 6

Network

News Welcome… This year is moving so fast and already summer holidays beckon for some, thankfully! We have the next meeting date secured and it will take place in mid-September, all being well the 18

th - keep an eye open for agenda and location details which

will be issued shortly. Keynote speakers for the meeting include OFGEM, which should make for an extremely interesting meeting, hearing about RIIO and its impact on the UK gas industry from the regulators side of the table. I just wanted to say thanks to ControlPoint/Fusion Group for hosting the last meeting. Unfortunately I was unable to make the meeting due to other commitments, however I’ve had some excellent feedback and comments relating to the facilities and tour - I also would like to pass my appreciation to the new NEEG manager, Peter Day, for stepping in as Chair at the last moment! If you are interested in hosting a meeting at your own premises then do let me or EUA staff know, we’re definitely keen to see meetings out on the road, so to speak! You should have received this information, but if you didn’t - click here for the meeting minutes and the GTC presentation is available here. With the Government reshuffle this week, EUA welcomes two new Energy Ministers - Amber Rudd replaces Greg Barker and Matthew Hancock, who comes in for Michael Fallon. Mike Foster will be making contact with them to ensure they know about EUA, its policy position and the issues affecting members. Finally, I just wanted to welcome the most recent additions to the group - ELGIN and Utility Innovations Solutions (UIS). ELGIN hosts a range of transport related datasets and apps on a single map based platform at roadworks.org – they are one of the largest sources of roadworks information in the UK. UIS are specialists in manufacturing new innovations equipment for the utilities sector - gas, water and electricity replacement, rehabilitation and reinforcement projects. We hope to see you both at the next meeting and that your membership is proving to be of benefit to your business activity. Remember! The strength of the group comes from within the members and new additions are always welcome – if you are interested in joining, or know someone who is, please get in touch with me directly or contact the EUA team on 01926 513765 or ana@eua.org.uk. Look forward to seeing you all in September.

Andy Vine, Chairman, EUA Network Engineering & Equipment Group (Sales Manager, Crane Building Services and Utilities)

DIARY DATES

Next Meeting 18 September Mick Watson, Head of Gas Distribution, Costs & Outputs Smarter Grids and Governance – Distribution Contact Ana Ray ana@eua.org.uk to register for this meeting.

Next Event: Utility Metering 11 September Birmingham Find out more Gas 2014 6 November Manchester United Football Club Find out more

Skills & Training

£30 million fund to secure supply of engineers A new £30 million fund to increase the supply of engineers, to encourage more women into the sector and to address engineering skills shortages in smaller companies has been announced (£10 million for developing women engineers, £10 million for improving engineering careers generally and £10 million for smaller companies).

The funding is a direct result of recommendations made in the Perkins Review of Engineering, published last November, which was developed through consultation with professional institutions and leading engineering companies from across the sector. Click here to find out more about funding for developing women engineers Click here to find out more about improving engineering careers Energy and Utilities Industrial Partnership launched The Energy and Utilities Industrial Partnership (EEIP), Chaired by National Grid CEO Steve Holliday, aims to address the gap between the estimated 50 per cent of current employees set to leave the power, renewables and waste management sector in the next decade and the 200,000 new recruits needed by

2023. Government has invested £33m in the EEIP which will be match-funded by the 90 employers taking part, making it the biggest scheme of its type in the country. Launched in June the partnership is part of the Employer Ownership of Skills pilot, which offers investment to develop sector workforces giving them flexibility in how publicly funded training is created and delivered. It also focuses on providing opportunities for unemployed young people and those from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds. find out more here

USIT Harvard Award

This High Potentials Leadership Program is specifically designed for

individuals with 10 to 15 years of experience in roles of increasing responsibility. Participants on the program are top performers in positions of authority who want to grow as leaders. They represent companies of all sizes and stages in diverse, growing industries. Harvard Business School Executive Education is not for everyone; those who accept the challenge, however, will find unique rewards with lasting impact for their companies and careers. The Award will cover economy travel, accommodation and course fees and it is recognised that employers may need to finance additional costs. Typically USIT will award up to 6 Harvard Awards in any given year. Applications close on 26th September find out more here

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Market News The latest news from members…. New direction for utilities specialist

Fastflow Group, has acquired DW Contractors. The company added the property maintenance and refurbishment business to its operation for an undisclosed sum. All the staff will transfer to Fastflow and as a recognised brand and well known company, DW Contractors will not change its name. To find out more click here Fulcrum creates operational alliance with McNicholas Fulcrum has signed a formal five-year framework deal with construction partner McNicholas.

Operating under the Fulcrum brand, the new “alliance organisation” will be run by a joint Board and sees Fulcrum staff concentrating on core competencies of technical know-how and utility infrastructure design expertise while McNicholas contribute logistics, mobilisation and operational delivery support across gas, electricity and multi-utility connection works.

Cerro EMS to showcase new and unique product Cerro EMS has launched a new electrically insulated emergency control valve (EIV). The EIV solves a thirty year old issue with its integral insulating feature providing safety controls. Key benefits include: - Unique electrical isolation technology – Unlike traditional valves the integrated safety controls significantly reduce the risk of human error during installation. - All-in-One design – Requires fewer fittings than conventional installation methods reducing disruption, installation time and cost. Cerro EMS has developed the solution with National Grid’s procurement t and best practice teams. The EIV went from concept to creation within 6 months, complying with gas and building regulations and following extensive field trials is now approved by National Grid. This and other developments will be showcased at EUA’s Utility Metering seminar in September.

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Murphy gains superbrand status

J. Murphy & Sons Limited has joined the ranks of the UK’s strongest brands in the construction, consultancy, design, build and management category. The annual Superbrands Survey reveals top brands identified for a variety of factors ranging from company reputation through to the delivery of quality products and services, reliability, consistency and sector distinction from competitors. more Radius acquires Evopipes

Radius Systems has acquired Latvian piping solutions company SIA Evopipes. The company

manufactures and supplies polymer piping systems and exports to 14 countries in the Baltics, Central and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Target segments are water and gas transportation, gravity drainage, power and telecommunications. read more

Wolseley launch new careers website Working with its employees, Wolseley has designed a mobile-optimised website which features the facility to search and apply for jobs from every page, people profiles, video content and a news feed displaying the latest people related news. There is also detailed information on Wolseley UK’s training and development opportunities, the company’s ‘RESPECT’ values and its

reward, recognition and benefits programme

UK Future Energy Scenarios National Grid has published its 2014 Future Energy Scenarios (UK FES) document describing new analysis of credible future energy scenarios out to 2035 and 2050. The work includes detailed network analysis, which identifies strategic gas and electricity network investment requirements for the future. The range of scenarios is based on the energy tri-lemma of security of supply, affordability and sustainability and proposes four scenarios:

Gone Green

Slow Progression

No Progression

Low Carbon Life

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Industry News Changes to Southern and Scotland Gas Network

Southern Gas Networks and Scotia Gas Networks are moving to one brand - SGN. They are making this change to minimise any customer confusion, improve the quality of interaction with stakeholders and modernise the brand to better reflect the company. Initially vans and other vehicles will be rebranded followed by uniforms, works signage, customer literature etc. The rebrand is being highlighted on the website www.sgn.co.uk Gas storage delivers lower transmission costs, says new EUA report EUA has published a report on the benefits which gas storage facilities may provide to National Grid's gas transmission system. An independent review has determined that gas storage significantly reduces gas transmission infrastructure expenditure by £40m to £65m each year. This work undertaken by energy consultancy experts Waters Wye Associates was commissioned by EUA’s Gas Storage Operators Group, (GSOG). More Utilities industry extends relationship with Achilles After a full market review, it has been agreed that Achilles will continue to run

the Utilities supplier pre-qualification system UVDB which it has operated in the UK for the last 20 years. They will continue to run the supplier pre-qualification, audit and compliance services for a further minimum period of five years. New BSI standard for underground utilities detection PAS 128, ‘Specification for underground utility detection, verification and location’ is a standard allowing underground utilities to be detected more easily. It sets out the accuracy to which data is captured for specific purposes, the quality expected of that data and a means by which to assess and indicate the confidence that can be placed in those data and will provide unambiguous provision for those engaged in the detection, verification and location of active, abandoned, redundant or unknown utilities. New campaign launches national smart meter roll-out A new campaign aimed at engaging the public with the national smart meter rollout has been launched. Smart Energy GB, formerly called the Small Meter Central Delivery Body, has the

responsibility to communicate with more than 2.5 million homes and 3.5 million businesses during the smart meter rollout. Two characters Gaz and Leccy

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will bring to life the frustration many people feel about the way consumers buy and use gas and electricity. Smart Energy GB’s campaign will show how smart meters will start to solve some of these problems.

Sir Bob Geldof gave the address at the London launch event along with Energy Secretary Ed Davey, Baroness Margaret McDonagh and Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Grid GB. Ofgem announces 2014 Innovation Competitions’ shortlist Innovation funding is available to network companies through the Electricity Network Innovation Competition (Electricity NIC), the Gas NIC and the Low Carbon Networks (LCN) Fund. Eleven projects have passed the Initial Screening Process for this year’s competitions and now eligible to progress to the full submission stage. The submission date for fully developed proposals is 25 July. Ofgem will decide which projects to fund by the end of November 2014 see list of proposed projects here.

New EUA publication OUTPUT Magazine EUA has launched a new magazine which replaces Utility Business magazine and combines all the divisional news - HHIC, Utility Networks, ICOM, HWA & Marc. The first issue, Summer, focuses on Sustainable energy & investment and has contribution from DECC, as well as a new ‘View from the House’ feature (Ed Davey) and Leading Voice Judy Lumsden, President of Crane Building Services. Members should have received a copy but if not or you require additional copies please contact caroline@eua.org.uk The Autumn issue will focus on Energy Efficiency and the Winter issue Smart Cities. To be added to the mailing list or if you are interested in contributing editorial or in advertising, again please contact the editor, Caroline Taylor caroline@eua.org.uk

As it’s a new publication we welcome any feedback on what you might like to see featured in future issues. view online here

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And Finally, 10…. of the best smart home ideas of the future With the rivalry between Google and Apple moving from smart phones to smart things, it is clear the way household appliances, utilities, and entertainment equipment interrelate will change. We already have desktops, laptops, smart phones, streaming devices like Apple TV, and even smart televisions, but these systems have barely begun to work together. In June, Apple announced HomeKit, a new software framework for communications between home devices and Apple’s devices. Meanwhile, Nest, the smart thermostat company, which was bought by Google earlier this year, recently launched a similar product. Samsung is also working on smart home technology watch the youtube video

1. TV/Entertainment In the future home scheduled programming has a poor outlook compared to on-demand. High definition television and PC’s will be combined so that one can access the Internet and watch favourite programs at the same time and we’ll easily be able to chat over social media about a television show that both or multiple parties are watching in real time. TV hardware is due for a revamp, gaining what tablets already have: connectivity, storage, and display all in one. Tablet-style remotes to accompany TVs are not new but will become more prevalent, along with apps that let people use their smartphone or tablet to control the TV. But voice and gesture controls are ultimately what will be designed in. Revamping the future of ultra-high definition TV is the new 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector from Sony (if you’ve got $40,000!).

Now you see, now you don't. This transparent TV blends into the background when it's not in use.

2. Personal health Managing your weight and health by monitoring your activity level and calories is a decades-old approach but new devices/apps in smart phones will automate that style of tracking, measuring and logging health-related numbers over the course of a day. Other devices can fill in even more parts of the picture – interconnected bathroom scales that measure weight and percentage of body fat and BMI and store the information to view online, networked blood pressure monitors providing a trackable history of your health, blood glucose meters that can track glucose levels and share with healthcare professionals. This undoubtedly has benefits for GP’s and hospitals when you show up at the doctor's office with a day-to-day history of vitals.

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3 Visual cues

The number of screens around home will increase. To avoid overload, the visual information will integrate better into appliances, mirrors, and even the tools and household items you use. Information will be relative to the task at hand: a screen in the kitchen will report when you are running low on key items like sugar and cereal for example. Your TV will tell you when your washing load has finished or when your energy consumption is high.

The Magic Mirror is a fully functioning Wi-Fi mirror that lets you browse the Web and check the weather while you're brushing your teeth.

4 Energy efficiency A range of technologies and devices are setting themselves up to make the whole life-cycle of energy more visible and easier to control. The Nest Learning Thermostat adapts automatically to users' habits and temperature preferences. It detects your routine and learns to stop heating or cooling the house unnecessarily. Not only does the thermostat require little manual adjustment and learn your habits, it's also networked and can communicate with other Nest thermostats in the house letting you adjust the temperature via an app or Web interface. The goal of the Nest, aside from keeping your temperatures exactly where you want them, is to save power (and money).

5 Speech enabled Whether you are a fan of Apple Siri or not, one thing is clear: speech tech has finally hit the mainstream. The next fertile ground: your home will understand what you say. Already, Samsung and others are developing smart televisions that understand spoken commands. Your home will respond to voice requests for the news, sports, and entertainment. More importantly, your home will using advanced algorithms that determine when you are speaking to the home or to your spouse – sensing a change in your tone, or interpreting a phrase that must be an instruction to change the house temperature.

6 Better contextualization The future home will be smart enough to know what you want – sometimes even before you want it. Ford has already started experimenting with the Google prediction engine to guess where you want to go at certain times of the day. At 6 when you normally get home, the front lights will turn on and, when a sensor in the driveway knows you have arrived, the home will disable the security system, turn on interior lights, and open the garage door.

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7 Robots Home appliances will become more self-aware – vacuum cleaners that work on a schedule, find their way around furniture, and stay within a specific zone are already available. Devices for cleaning windows, sweeping the floor, and even making minor repairs will become more common over the next 15 years.

8 3D printing Engineers and designers have been using 3D printers for more than a decade, but mostly to make prototypes quickly and cheaply before they embark on tooling up a factory to produce the real thing. As 3D printers have become more capable and able to work with a broader range of materials, including production-grade plastics, metals and even foodstuffs, the machines are increasingly being used to make final products. 3D printers will soon become more mainstream, making it possible to take a 3D design on your PC at home and print it out as a solid, touchable object.

9 Personal content experience e-readers and tablets have the widest rate of adoption in the current technology climate, but neither are as pervasive as smartphones. Eventually they will become the normal go-to place for personal entertainment. While the connected TV takes care of large-scale and group content experiences, personal devices will continue to develop and take care of the individual. The e-book is creeping up on all parts of our reading experience, from leisure time to university. Some children born today will be reared entirely on e-books. The ease of transport with digital formats and speed of digital downloading will help ebooks become more ubiquitous. Someday, our bookshelves will be as empty as our DVD and VHS racks.

10 Interconnected awareness The future home will be more self-aware, especially about other activities inside the home. Video cameras at entrances will identify visitors using facial recognition software. Facial recognition software might combine speech recognition software, hand or fingerprint scanning or a combination of these security measures. Homes with advanced network systems will self-diagnose, if one part of the network or peripherals is malfunctioning or needs repair, the owner will be notified. Self-healing of many software problems will occur as patches or workarounds can be download or remote support enabled.

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Your Community

Amey | AMEC Group Limited | AVK UK Ltd | Balfour Beatty | Burdens | Bureau Veritas |

Carillion Utility Services | CERRO EMS | Clancy Docwra Limited | Crane Ltd t/a WASK

Sperryn | DNV GL | Elgin | Fast Flow Group Ltd | Fiorentini UK Limited | Fulcrum |

Fusion Group Limited | Future Energy Group | Gas Measurement Instruments Ltd |

George Fischer Sales Limited | GPS PE Pipe Systems | J Murphy & Sons | Mike

Stratton & Associates Ltd | Morland Utilities Ltd | Morrison Utility Services | National

Grid | Northern Energy Connections Ltd | Northern Gas Networks Ltd | P N Daly Limited

| PLCS Limited | Radius Systems Ltd | SARCO Stopper Ltd | Utility Innovations

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