Leading the charge

[edit] ECA calls for swift action on EV ‘batteries on wheels’ OFGEM plan

ECA welcomes the Government’s EV Smart Charging action plan, and its commitment to develop Britain’s smart electricity network. With only seven years until the sales of new petrol and diesel cars end, swift action is vital. ECA has advocated for a UK-wide integrated EV network for the last two years.

The aim of OFGEM’s plan is to make public EV charging easy, affordable and sustainable for consumers. It offers a vision – EVs as ‘batteries on wheels’ – transferring electricity back to the grid at peak demand.

As more of our buildings are adapted to the energy prosumer model – where energy is given back to, as well as taken from, the grid – renewable generation, storage, load shifting, and time-of-use tariffs will all come into play. Electrical contractors will be instrumental in installing and maintaining these new systems.

ECA Energy and Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor Luke Osborne said:

“Developing a smart and flexible electrical grid is essential to reach our Net Zero commitments. Smart EV charging is a major component of this. Right now, there are an average of 30 electric vehicles to every charge point in the UK. We must act fast to reduce this disparity and make it as easy to charge an EV as it is to refill other types of vehicles. Government’s goal of installing 300,000 EV charge points by 2030 is ambitious. But, with a joined-up strategy for the country, which includes investment in infrastructure and talent, it can be attained.”

Vehicle-to-grid trials around the world have been widely successful. As the Combined Charging System (CCS) Standard extends this capability to the UK, the bi-directional flow of energy to and from EVs is expected to become commonplace.

As our technologies and systems continue to develop, it is important for contractors to obtain proper training with these new systems, and the skills to work with a new kind of electrical grid. ECA offers specialist guidance to its Members in this area and is at the vanguard of the transition to Net Zero infrastructure.

This section of article was issued via press release by ECA under the same title on January 26, 2023.

[edit] CO2onstruct Zero Partner of the year Award from the Construction Leadership Council

Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA took home the CO2onstruct Zero Partner of the year Award from the Construction Leadership Council. The award, presented at a ceremony in London on 28 November, recognised ECA’s flagship Net Zero campaign, Leading the Charge, which promotes the vital role of the electrotechnical sector in the UK’s transition to Net Zero carbon.

At COP26 last year, the Construction Leadership Council launched its CO2nstruct Zero programme, with associated measures to track carbon reduction activities. It challenged the industry to improve in 9 key areas.

A review of the first year of the programme shows industry has:

• Trained more than 500 retrofit co-ordinators, with associated business accreditation
• Connected 55,000 heat pumps by 4,100 trained & registered installers
• Delivered a 33 per cent increase in EV charging points
• Included carbon literacy in professional qualifications

Alongside these measures, the CO2nstruct Zero network has grown rapidly. Several ECA Member firms, along with more than 200 other organisations are now CO2nstruct Zero Business Champions. This network is playing a crucial role in supporting carbon reduction policy development and feeding into government work on retrofit and energy security.

Comment

Stuart Young, Head of Stakeholder Engagement & Management, Department for BEIS, said:

“ECA demonstrated extensive engagement in this space and reached new audiences.”

Mike Smith, ECA Technical Director, added:

“ECA’s Leading the Charge campaign highlights some of the most powerful net zero stories from across our sector. We are delighted to see our work recognized, and to see that we are succeeding in delivering our core message: there can be no Net Zero Britain without the electrotechnical and engineering services professionals and their crucial work.”

Construction Leadership Council Co-Chair and Construction Minister Nusrat Ghani MP said:

“We have decarbonised our economy faster than any country in the G20 and remain fully committed to supporting the construction industry in achieving its decarbonisation commitments through initiatives like Construct Zero”.

Leading the Charge is a digital series produced by Content with Purpose (CWP), exploring the electrotechnical sector’s pivotal role in realising the UK’s net zero ambitions.

The series of films, podcasts and articles highlight some of the most powerful net zero stories from across the sector, with support and input from industry heavyweights including National Grid, Western Power, Megger, Actemium, Imtech and many more.

Industry leaders including ECA CEO Steve Bratt, BSRIA CEO Julia Evans, Electrical Safety First CEO Lesley Rudd and many others share their insights and advice to electrotechnical professionals who want to seize the opportunities presented by the transition to cleaner, more sustainable electricity.

Visit leadingthecharge.eca.co.uk to watch all episodes.

This article was issued in press release format from the ECA Communications team as "ECA scoops award for Net Zero campaign" on December 1, 2022.

[edit] COP27 Update

As the COP27 climate summit gets underway in Sharm El-Sheikh, and as part of ECA's ‘Leading the Charge’ YouTube series, Steve Bratt, CEO of ECA, explains what net zero and electrical transformation means for the Electrotechnical sector, and what the industry needs to drive this journey.

Preparing infrastructure for a net zero future presents great opportunity for the electrotechnical community, but it’s a step change that demands the right support to turn ambition into action.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/1WyH4aNEi9I

Announcement supplied via Press Release from ECA for immediate use, November 7, 2022, entitled "VIDEO COP27: ECA CEO Discusses the Electrotechnical Sector’s Role in the Transition to Net Zero"

[edit] Commentary

By Jane Dawson, Head of Public Relations and Public Affairs at ECA

'I’ve always been struck on how the public take safe and ‘on tap’ electricity for granted. Electricity is an essential service, as important to our modern lives as water. Its contribution to UK energy supply continues to increase. So, when it comes to reducing UK carbon emissions, installing clean electricity will make more difference than any other tactic.

Other low carbon fuels, such as green hydrogen, are decades away from safe, at scale distribution. Harnessing clean electricity is the single most important factor in reaching net zero in the UK by 2050. We simply cannot achieve our emissions targets without it.'

[edit] A Century

For over a century ECA has worked for a safe, secure and fair electricity market. In the future most of our energy will come from electricity. Low carbon energy is the biggest change in how we use electricity since Victorian times. One hundred years ago ECA was in the vanguard of introducing modern electrical installation. Once more we are in the vanguard of the transition to net zero.

But making that transition is far from simple. It is said we already have most of the technology we need. Yet, it is complex to adapt to new ways of working and new methods of installation. That is why with our partners, Content with Purpose, we’ve created a series called ‘Leading the Charge’. It shows the opportunities and challenges for the electrical sector as we make the switch to net zero.

[edit] Leading the Charge

‘Leading the Charge’ is a new venture for ECA. It features stories showing the acceleration of electrification in the UK. Stories which include the development and application of innovative systems and the recruitment of a new generation. It also highlights the need for collaboration, underpinned by the right policy framework.

At ECA we know the electric transformation needs people with the right skills. Along with technical know-how, collaborating with others will be vital. Safety, like the words in a stick of Brighton rock, runs through every aspect of installation and use of new technologies. ‘Leading the Charge’ shows why skills and safety are the bedrock of the transition to net zero.

‘Leading the Charge’ shows how ECA Members and others from the world of business, education and science are overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities to make low carbon living a reality.

[edit] Keep up-to-date

Coming to a social media channel near you, ‘Leading the Charge’ features films, podcasts and articles every week from September to Christmas. To make sure you don’t miss out, bookmark @ECAlive on Twitter and follow us on Linked-in.

[edit] About

ECA is the UK’s leading trade association that represents and supports the interests of businesses and organisations involved in electrotechnical and engineering services design, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance and monitoring across the United Kingdom (excluding Scotland). Since 1901.

ECA offers membership to businesses across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry achieving the highest industry standards and certifications. We also offer a number of Associate schemes for other industry stakeholders in our efforts to improve standards, professionalism and commercial opportunity.

To find out more about the ECA please visit our website

This article originally appeared as ‘Leading the Charge’ on the ECA news and blog site on August 10 2022.

--ECA

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