Technical Committee Update – drafted 17th July, 2020.

UK GAS QUALITY CHANGES

Members are reminded that responses must be returned to AMPS by the 23rd July.

The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) have been charged with the task of producing a new gas quality standard to replace Schedule 3 of the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GS(M)R).

The current Schedule 3 of GS(M)R needs to be replaced to reflect current gas quality and the changing needs and sources of gas supply the UK market. Decarbonising the gas system is essential to meeting net zero, and a new gas quality standard is essential to decarbonising the gas system, securing UK gas supplies, and ensuring that future gas supplies continue to be as safe as they are now.

The proposed new IGEM standard would ensure the gas networks continue to deliver gas to customers safely and efficiently, and would support deep decarbonisation of the gas system through biogases and hydrogen, by:

  • Helping to secure UK gas supplies from domestic and imported sources;
  • Reducing gas processing emissions;
  • Allowing more biomethane onto the network;
  • Being complemented in the near future by a hydrogen quality standard, to allow hydrogen to be blended, without additional legislation.

It is important to remember that the GS(M)R are primarily intended to ensure the safety of the public and Schedule 3 of the Regulations is the baseline for the changes. Safety will continue to be the primary aim of the proposed new gas quality standard.

IGEM formed a Gas Quality Working Group, upon which AMPS has a representative to oversee the production of this new standard.

For AMPS Members manufacturing or producing gas engines or turbines, the effect of the proposed new standard will be to widen the range of Wobbe index, resulting in changes to the range of heating (calorific) value and Methane Number of Natural Gas in the UK.

A consultation has been issued, attached here are:

Comments on the documents must be submitted by the 30th July 2020.

Would interested parties please review the documents and return their comments to me by the 23rd July, if possible. TechSec@AMPS.org.uk

CONSULTATION ON THE REFORMS TO THE TAX TREATMENT OF RED DIESEL AND OTHER REBATED FUELS

The government has published a consultation on reforms to the tax treatment of red diesel and other rebated fuels announced at Budget 2020. The consultation will close on 1 October 2020, and can be found here:

The government is dedicated to meeting its climate change and wider environmental targets, including improving the UK’s air quality. At Budget 2020, the Chancellor therefore announced that the government will remove the entitlement to use red diesel and rebated biofuels from April 2022, except in agriculture (as well as horticulture, forestry and pisciculture), rail and for non-commercial heating (including domestic heating).

The Chancellor recognises that this may be a significant change for some businesses. This consultation seeks views on whether the government has overlooked any exceptional reasons why other sectors should be allowed to continue to use red diesel beyond April 2022. The document asks for views on the government’s proposals for implementing the changes announced at Budget and is also seeking further information about the current end uses of other rebated fuels, such as non-aviation kerosene and fuel oil.

As trade bodies representing users and suppliers of red diesel and other rebated fuels, HM Treasury would welcome our responses to this consultation, which will be treated in a way that takes full account of the fact that we are representing a lot of members. In this regard, they would really appreciate it if we could help consolidate replies from your members and highlight where there may be a variety of opinions within your membership so we can build a complete picture of your sector.

HM Treasury recognise that the impacts of COVID-19 could mean that some stakeholders struggle to engage with this consultation. If anyone is having difficulties, then please contact us so we can work with you to ensure you are able to engage appropriately.
Their intention is to run a webinar on Thursday 30 July to provide an overview of the consultation. If you would like to attend, please could you register your interest by emailing me your contact details and I will register your interest with HM Treasury. They will be in touch shortly with those who register interest to set out more details.

CESAR (CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SECURITY AND REGISTRATION SCHEME)

This has been in operation for over ten years and has resulted in reduction in plant theft and increase in plant recoveries and discounts to insurance premiums for CESAR tagged plant.
Full details can be found at https://www.cesarscheme.org/benefits-construction.php

Q & A Key points:

A) What is CESAR?

CESAR is an equipment registration and security scheme using Datatag hi tech security markings that acts as a powerful deterrent to theft and an invaluable aid in recovery, in the event of theft.

B) Does it work?

Yes. Official statistics issued by the Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit, based within Scotland Yard, show that a machine without CESAR is 4 times more likely to be stolen than a CESAR registered machine. Plus, the recovery rate for unregistered plant is as low as 5% but the recovery rate for stolen CESAR registered machines has increased to nearly 30% in 2009, 6 times that for ‘unregistered’ plant.

C) How is my machine protected?

CESAR registered machines are fitted with a sophisticated Datatag multi-layered security system that gives each machine its own unique ‘fingerprint’, that is impossible for thieves to remove.

Datatag security is made up of 4 elements, both visible to act as a deterrent and covert to aid identification and recovery. Firstly, several tamper proof registration plates are securely fitted to the machine’s chassis. Secondly, several Datatag RFID transponders, each the size of a grain of rice, are hidden in the machinery each with its own unique programmed code. Thirdly, the machine has patches of chemical forensic liquid Datatag DNA painted on it.

The liquid DNA also has microscopic Datatag Datadots® suspended in it which are barely visible.

It Is literally impossible for thieves to remove all the tell tail identification traces from a CESAR registered machine.

D) What type of equipment can CESAR be fitted to?

CESAR can be fitted to all types of self-propelled and trailer mounted construction and agricultural equipment.

E) Can CESAR be fitted to existing machines?

Yes. CESAR can be fitted to any type of construction and agricultural machine of any age. An additional benefit of registering equipment with CESAR powered by Datatag is that machines without a DVLA vehicle registration mark are recorded on the DVLA’s ‘Off Road Register’ giving full visibility to the police.

F) How much does CESAR cost?

Manufacturers include the cost of CESAR in their products. In the ‘aftermarket’ CESAR typical costs are given on the CESAR Website. There are no other costs associated with CESAR powered by Datatag, once fitted a machine is protected for life.

G) Can the CESAR ‘tags’ be used for other purposes.

Yes. Because CESAR gives each machine a unique identity with the Datatag RFID or fingerprint, this can be used for stock control, billing, and service scheduling.

H) New development – CESAR Emissions Compliance Verification (ECV)

What will be relevant to AMPS Members is that the scheme is being extended to include the ‘emissions rating’ of the plant.

CESAR ECV is a ‘bolt-on’ product which compliments the existing CESAR Security System and additionally allows quick and easy verification of a machines emissions category. This feature, using tamper evident colour coded labels with a unique alpha/numeric code is linked securely to a machine’s unique CESAR identity and ensures complete integrity of the system.

With the introduction of Low Emission Zones and “green” construction sites, there is an urgent demand for the quick identification of the certified emission levels of machines brought on to sites.

Developing ECV involved the support of the HS2 Project, the Energy Savings Trust and London boroughs. The mix of a secure database of machines’ vital information plus an easy to read and scan visual sticker cuts out a lot of work for construction site managers and local authorities.

With an industry looking increasingly at the environmental impacts of construction work CESAR ECV will be invaluable to companies required to manage large scale projects and multiple contractors ensuring plant on site is as ‘clean’ as is possible.

OFGEM INVESTIGATION INTO THE 9th AUGUST 2019 POWER OUTAGE

The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority opened an investigation into the power outage of Friday 9 August 2019, to establish the circumstances and causes of the outage and the lessons that can be learned to improve the resilience of Great Britain’s energy network, and to investigate the compliance of the key licensed parties involved with their licence and code obligations. The final report on Ofgem’s findings can be found here.

The investigation found that the combined loss of two large generators, as well as the smaller loss of generation at a local level, together triggered the subsequent disconnection, loss of power and disruption to more than one million consumers. Two large power stations, Hornsea One Ltd (co-owned by Ørsted) and Little Barford (operated by RWE) did not remain connected after a lightning strike. They have each agreed to make a voluntary payment of £4.5 million into Ofgem’s redress fund.

Local network operators disconnected and reconnected consumers in response to the loss of power as expected. However, UK Power Networks began reconnecting customers without being asked to by the Electricity System Operator (ESO), which could have potentially jeopardised recovery of the system. This has no impact on 9 August and UK Power Networks has recognised this technical breach, taken swift action to prevent any future reoccurrence, and agreed to pay £1.5 million into Ofgem’s voluntary redress fund. All parties have fully cooperated with the regulator throughout its investigation.

In January Ofgem also closed its investigation into National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), and all five other DNO groups, namely Electricity North West Limited, Northern Powergrid, Scottish and Southern Energy, SP Energy Networks, and Western Power Distribution. We continued to review the ESO’s application of the security standards it is required to meet, alongside reviewing the standards themselves. Having explored this area and noting that the standards themselves are to be amended, Ofgem have concluded that there is no merit in continuing the investigation. Therefore, they are closing this investigation on administrative priority grounds.

The incident has underlined the importance of the ESO adapting to the complex and changing world it operates in. Ofgem has already announced that it will be conducting a review into the structure and governance of the ESO, and the concerns raised in this investigation will inform this work. Ofgem has also made recommendations to ensure the UK continues to have one of the world’s most reliable electricity systems in the world, particularly as more small-scale generation is connected to the system.

Alongside the report, the ESO’s reports submitted to Ofgem following the power cut on August 9th 2019, are available from TechSec@AMPS.org.uk

UK GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR EVIDENCE IN THE ENERGY FIELD

The UK Government have issued three ‘Calls for Evidence’ in the Energy field which may be of interest to AMPS Members. These may influence the direction government goes in this field in the future. Any Members who wish to respond to these calls are requested to send their comments to the Technical Secretary.

Combined Heat and Power: the route to 2050 – call for evidence

The Government is seeking initial views on the current benefits from Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and the future role of CHP generation of all types in the transition to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and in particular how the technology may support the decarbonisation of heat and industry.

They recognise the current challenges facing the economy and this consultation is not indicating the removal of support at this time but is seeking feedback from all CHP stakeholders to shape the future approach.

Government is keen to hear from CHP operators, Heat network operators, energy companies, network operators, technology suppliers, large businesses, SMEs, financial institutions, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), Local Enterprise Partnerships, Non-Governmental Organisations, academics and anyone else with an interest in this area.

In the Clean Growth Strategy, the Government set an ambition to enable businesses and industry to improve energy efficiency by at least 20% by 2030. Clean Growth is one of the four grand challenges of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and energy efficiency and decarbonising heat are vital parts of the ambition. In June 2019, the UK committed in legislation to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Combined heat and power (CHP) is an efficient process that captures and utilises the heat that is produced in power generation, this is usually electrical but can in some instances be mechanical. By generating heat and power simultaneously from the same fuel, CHP can reduce carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to the separate generation of heat through a gas-fired boiler and an electricity power station. Where a demand for both heat and electricity exist in the same location, CHP can reduce energy costs whilst reducing carbon emissions and air pollution. The call for evidence can be found here.

Energy-related products: call for evidence

In 2019, the UK became the first major economy in the world to pass legislation to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. A target was set requiring the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by this date. This is significantly more ambitious than the previous target of at least 80% reduction from 1990 levels and will require more innovative and effective climate policies.

This Call for Evidence explores how effective policies for energy-related products in homes and businesses can support the UK’s transition to net zero by 2050, and can be found here.

Energy-related products are goods, such as washing machines, lighting equipment and televisions, which use energy or affect energy consumption when in-use or in standby mode. In total, they make up approximately 55% of total (non-transport) energy use in the UK1 and are currently regulated under three policies in the UK:

  • Ecodesign
  • Energy Labelling
  • The Energy Technology List (‘ETL’)

Ecodesign sets minimum energy performance standards for products which gradually push the least energy efficient products off the market. Ecodesign requirements can also facilitate progress towards a more circular economy by setting requirements relating to aspects of a product’s resource efficiency, at any point in the product lifecycle from production to end-of-life. These include material consumption, emissions, pollution and waste generation, as well as durability, repairability, recyclability and ease of material recovery.

The ETL is a UK energy efficiency scheme that encourages private and public sector organisations to procure energy-saving or energy efficient plant and machinery; and since its inception in 2001, the ETL has grown to include around 14,000 products across 16 technology groups. It aims to simplify investment decisions and help overcome information barriers, as well as reduce transaction costs for buyers, sellers and the public sector.

The ETL is not covered in this Call for Evidence as BEIS is consulting on it separately (below).

Energy Technology List Scheme: its future direction and technical changes to the 2020 update

At Budget 2018, the Government announced the ending of the Enhanced Capital Allowance for Energy Saving Technologies with effect from April 2020.

Since then BEIS has conducted a range of engagement activities with stakeholders to seek views on the future of the Energy Technology List (ETL), the underpinning scheme that sets technology performance criteria and lists the products that are eligible for support under the Enhanced Capital Allowance.

BEIS has concluded that, going forward, the ETL continues to have a role within the package of measures necessary to achieve net zero by 2050 and, in the near term, to help meet the Government’s ambition to improve business energy efficiency by at least 20% by 2030.

This consultation is in two parts. Part one (this document here) sets out the future policy direction for the ETL that BEIS intends to follow and seeks stakeholder views on the approach it describes. The second part (download here) is a technical consultation on the proposed changes to the Energy Technology Criteria List for 2020.

BEIS will publish additional documents alongside this consultation: a report of stakeholder workshops held in Summer 2019, and a ‘Discovery’ report commissioned to understand the user needs for the ETL web presence. We are not seeking views on those reports but would be keen to engage with stakeholders who are interested in their content.

BSI – Coronavirus: Safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic – General guidelines for organizations

The current COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally shifted the way people live and work. As the pandemic spread and began to impact different regions, many countries faced a sudden ‘lockdown’. With populations confined to their own homes, organizations of all types had to change the way they operated or shut down entirely, with little or no time to prepare. Following the initial global crisis, a potential cycle is emerging: outbreaks are controlled, and restrictions are eased, new clusters of cases emerge and restrictions need to be reintroduced.

The second version of this document, as presented below, has been reviewed by an expert Advisory Group following a public commenting period. All comments received have been reviewed to ensure the guidelines reflect growing knowledge and emerging good practice.

Building on and complementing formal guidance issued by governments and other trusted sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), BSI has developed this set of guidelines to assist organizations as they adjust the way they work, and to protect workers, and the people they come into contact through work, from the ongoing risks.

This document is not a formal standard, but a set of general guidelines, developed at pace, using a flexible, agile process.

The second version of this document, available here, has been reviewed by an expert Advisory Group following a public commenting period. All comments received have been reviewed to ensure the guidelines reflect growing knowledge and emerging good practice.

The guidance includes the following:

  • Scope
  • Terms and definitions
  • Planning and assessment of risks
  • Suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
  • Psychological health and well-being
  • Resources
  • Communication
  • Hygiene
  • Use of personal protective equipment and face coverings
  • Operations
  • Performance evaluation

Whilst BSi point out that this is guidance, developed at pace, using a flexible, agile process. It is not a formal standard, which would take several years to develop, they are however considering the development of a standard.