Electrical Contracting News (ECN) September 2016 | Page 14

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TURNING THE TIDE

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Confirmation that the ECA has backed proposals to build a series of tidal lagoons in the UK has reignited hopes that the UK may eventually become pioneers of a new renewables market that has the potential to significantly bolster our energy generation options .

A tidal lagoon is a man-made harbour created in a tidal area . The movement of the tide in or out means that a difference in water levels ( known as ‘ head ’) builds up in the lagoon . Once a sufficient head height is reached , gates are opened , allowing water to rush through the gaps and turning big turbines installed underwater . The rotating turbines then generate electricity . This process then occurs in reverse , on the ebb tide , as sea levels start to fall and a tidal head is created by holding water back within the lagoon . This means the tides can flow through turbines four times daily to generate power .
The ECA believes that tidal lagoons offer a ‘ complete package of long lifespan , high flexibility and very high energy predictability ’ and it ’ s difficult to argue with those assumptions . Current proposals suggest that Swansea may be the location for the first installation of this type and , if it were to go ahead , the facility would make use of 16 turbines to generate 320 megawatts of power , potential powering between 120,000 and 155,000 homes . As an island nation we have the best tidal resource in Europe and the second best in the world . In this regard , the generation of power through tidal technology makes perfect sense and you have to wonder why it hasn ’ t happened earlier . Great strides have been made in the offshore wind farm sector but it looks as though tidal is a must if we are to have any chance of meeting the emissions reduction target of 80 per cent by 2050 .
The electrical sector could be in line to benefit if the Swansea project does eventually get off the ground , with the developer pledging to create thousands of new jobs . All of this now rests on the Department of Energy and Climate Change which is currently reviewing the proposals and deciding whether or not to provide the subsidies needed . At 1.3 billion pounds , the lagoon will not come cheap and there must be fears that the government will use the current economic uncertainty to delay or postpone its decision - if the project does get the green light it will be be seen as a genuine statement of intent on renewables and proof that the waylaid green agenda isn ’ t completely dead in the water .
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LJJ has made another senior appointment at its Central office in Solihull . Clive Ward joins the company as electrical contracts manager with a remit of overseeing delivery of electrical installation contracts from tender through to handover . LJJ ’ s Solihull office has also appointed Gerry McNally as mechanical contracts manager .
ESP has appointed a new area sales manager for the North East region . Chris Cotton joins the company following six years working within the electrical wholesale industry , where his roles have included operations manager and regional sales manager , and his work has involved working closely with some of the UK ’ s largest electrical wholesalers , to ensure maximum sales potential for the products represented .
Schneider Electric has announced the appointment of Thomas Belaisch as vice president of Partner Retail UK . His role will cover the Schneider Electric Retail portfolio of solutions and services in the UK .
Ellis has appointed Claire Walker as its new UK sales administrator . Clairewill work under newly appointed UK sales manager Dawn Williamson as the company seek to expand its domestic sales .
Hylec-APL has announced the appointment of Steve Robbins as sales director , effective immediately . Steve joins Hylec from connector manufacturer Souriau , where he was regional sales manager , N . Europe , for four years , covering the UK , Nordic and Baltic countries .
GBE Converge Group has appointed John Thornley as the new UK sales manager . With 17 years ’ end user business development experience , John will help grow the Gloucester based company ’ s maintenance and system installation portfolio .
Campbell & Kennedy ( C & K ) has promoted Anton McCabe to solar project manager . With over 15 years ’ experience in the electrical industry , Anton has overseen the installation of several large scale solar PV installation projects throughout the UK for clients in both the private and public sector .
Electrical Safety First has appointed Geraldine Cosh as business development manager for its new consultancy service designed to help improve product safety and recall processes . She has extensive experience in the areas of injury prevention and risk and project management , as well as developing design solutions for consumer products .

movers & shakers …