News Archive - Monthly Archives: August 2021

Energy procurement frameworks allow for flexibility

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Choice Energy Framework - Brochure Cover

A blog on edie.net outlines the benefits of public sector energy procurement frameworks as a means of encouraging energy efficiency.

Control, choice and competitive pricing are some of the key benefits of an energy procurement framework.

But a blog written by Ranjit Singh, utility framework sourcing manager at HealthTrust Europe, outlines another advantage – they can help public sector bodies become greener without putting added pressure on already tight budgets.

Singh argues that investment in green technology and energy efficiency measures such as installing LED lighting and carbon compliance monitoring can pay off in the long term.

“One of the most effective ways for public sector bodies to access these high-value goods and services to unlock green energy and utilities lies within developing accessible procurement frameworks,” he reasons.

“Flexibility is the key – allowing public sector bodies more flexibility in selecting the solutions that fit their organisation best will encourage more bodies to make the switch to greener alternatives. Increased flexibility also means the public sector can be more receptive to change and innovation, able to access the most energy-efficient solutions as soon as they are available – putting the public sector at the forefront of cutting-edge green technology.

“Investing in green products will not only enhance energy efficiency but will also generate significant monetary savings, enabling local authorities to focus on other urgent priorities.”

If you would like to benefit from having multiple suppliers to choose from in the energy procurement process, please get in touch with one of our consultants on 01225-867722

MFG plugs into Energy Managements EV expertise

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How we’re helping the UK’s leading forecourt operator to become a market leader in EV power.

Recent announcements by Asda and Vauxhall have only served to highlight the speed at which the motor industry is shifting from petrol or diesel-powered vehicles to EVs.

Food retail giants Asda recently confirmed it will move its entire company car fleet of 600 vehicles to electric by 2025, a move that will save more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions on the road to net-zero.

Meanwhile, it was announced at the end of last month that British automotive brand Vauxhall Motors will only sell electric cars and vans from 2028 onwards.

Nearly 260,000 pure-electric cars were on UK roads at the end of May 2021, and you can double that number if hybrid plug-in vehicles are included.

With more and more companies following the lead of Asda and Vauxhall Motors in the future, this will only help to make the upward trajectory even steeper.

Pumping up the baseload

Servicing the needs of those new EV customers is the business of the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG).

MFG has over 900 stations in operation and Energy Management is helping the company to equip itself for the ramped up numbers of EV vehicles visiting their sites.

At present, an MFG forecourt petrol station with a shop but no EV charging points typically has a base load of 40 kVA, to support lighting, refrigeration and other electricity-powered devices.

For on-site EV charging points to be installed, however, that baseload needs to increase to around 1500 kVA.

Discussions need to be had with the District Network Operator (DNO) to see if the planned infrastructure upgrade is possible in the first place.

If it can be done, Energy Management works with the DNO to calculate exactly what level the baseload needs to increase to and how much the project will cost.

An Energy Management EV specialist then arranges for metering installation and the type of supply contract that works best for the business.

If you would like to know more about our EV installation infrastructure service, please get in touch with Stuart Newbury on 01225-867722 or email sn@energymanagementltd.com

Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) consultation – get involved

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The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently running a consultation process to seek views on government proposals to update and improve the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS).

BEIS hopes to strengthen and increase the uptake of energy efficiency measures in a variety of ways, whilst also incorporating some net-zero targeting within ESOS, and has asked for feedback from eligible companies.

Do you need to comply? You can find out here >>

The closing date is 28 September 2021.

Among the points of discussion are:

  • Improved energy auditing
  • The quality of training of assessors and access to ESOS expertise
  • The net-zero challenge
  • The transparency of the reporting process
  • Extending the scheme to a wider range of businesses
  • Increasing uptake by making action mandatory

Subject to feedback, the government would like to introduce legislation addressing the first four points as soon as possible. ESOS is currently in Phase 3, and UK businesses have until December 2023 to comply.

The proposals to extend the scheme to more businesses and possibly make action mandatory will be considered for implementation, again subject to the findings of the consultation, for ESOS Phase 4 (compliance year 2027).

Full details of the proposals can be found here >>

How to respond

Respond online at: beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/energy-efficiency/strengthening-energysavings-opportunity-scheme or send an email to: businessenergyuse@beis.gov.uk