An energy and environmental engineering specialist joined various industry experts at an event held in Swansea yesterday (6 December) to address the advantages of organisations contributing towards a resource efficient and low-carbon economy.
The ‘introduction to the circular economy for resource efficiency and wellbeing’ event was held at Swansea’s Volcano Theatre, where Adrian Matthews, Consultant at EFT Consult, spoke of the practical implications of the principles of the circular economy. He emphasised the very real difference this circular approach to resource efficiency can make, such as creating better environmental conditions for employees and customers, while also saving energy and money.
Speakers representing the public, private and third sectors also contributed to the lottery funded event. They included: Emma Thomas of Constructing Excellence in Wales, who provided an introduction to the circular economy; Dr Stephen Wise, Waste Sector Director and Waste Technical Lead within the global environment and infrastructure business, who spoke about waste to energy and opportunities for the Welsh economy; and Joanna Clark from Specific, Swansea University, who provided a talk on buildings as power stations.
Talks were also presented by Paul Reeve, Director of Business Services at the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), who discussed circular economy principles in the built environment; Delyth Williams, CEO of Penywaun Enterprise Partnership, who spoke about resource efficiency for wellbeing; Mark McKenna, Founder and Director of Down To Earth, who gave a presentation on sustainable construction; and Craig White of White Design, who discussed a people-centred housing model.
The event enabled these industry experts to highlight the various innovations and ideas that organisations from all sectors can adopt to improve their environmental practices, which can subsequently benefit the wellbeing of employees and the environments in which they work.
Swansea-based EFT Consult provides environmental and energy solutions to all manner of organisations. The company offers a holistic approach that takes into account economic, environmental health and social wellbeing principles to enable organisations to work towards becoming self-sustainable whilst saving money and reducing business risk.
Chris Jenkins, director of EFT Consult, commented:
“We are extremely pleased to have joined so many specialists in the field of resource efficiency and wellbeing to showcase the many advantages to implementing the principles of the circular economy. Raising awareness of the concepts and benefits of a circular economy can lead to greater efficiency in all manner of organisations through more productive staff, savings on energy and even business growth. We hope the information provided at the event and the chance to engage with leaders in this sector will allow business leaders to consider how these ideas could help them to improve and develop their business for the future.”
With a recent report showing significant health risks as a result of climate change and poor environmental quality, an energy and environmental engineering specialist is urging the UK and Welsh Government, as well as business owners, to step up to their responsibilities to provide a better environment for society and its workers.
Chris Jenkins, director of Swansea-based EFT Consult – a company that provides environmental and energy solutions to all manner of organisations – claims this latest report highlights the drastic impact poor air quality is having on the health and well-being of society.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Lancet Countdown report published on the 31 October, shows that thousands of premature deaths and absences due to sickness can be prevented if appropriate policies are implemented to combat poor environmental quality. This will result in a society where people are healthier with better well-being and provide the UK with economic benefits.
Mr Jenkins fully supports the recommendations of the report, which states Governments must act on air pollution as an urgent priority to help create cleaner air, which will subsequently help prevent illness, premature deaths and save billions in public money. The expansion of Clean Air Zones is also recommended, to ensure cleaner air in the UK’s towns and cities.
The report further showed last year (2016), along with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the RCP estimated air pollution causes around 40,000 premature deaths per year, as well as over six million sick days. This has an estimated total social cost of £22.6 billion per year.
EFT Consult offers a holistic approach that takes into account economic, environmental health and social well-being principles to enable organisations to work towards becoming self-sustainable whilst saving money and reducing business risk. Jenkins suggests that while business owners can implement change to provide greater well-being benefits for their staff through offering an optimum working environment, the advantages will be greater with adequate action from Governments.
Chris Jenkins, director of EFT Consult, commented:
“We fully support the recommendations of this report, which indicates just how serious the impact of poor air quality is on health and well-being. The well-being of staff and their productivity can suffer as a result of being in an environment where the air quality is poor. Smarter ventilation can help to solve this issue, but if the incoming air is polluted, then people’s health and productivity is still in jeopardy.
“This isn’t just about a clean environment, but limiting suffering, saving lives and being more productive as a society. This will not only help lift the mounting pressure on the NHS, but also boost the economy. This can only be done with support from the Government and local authorities to ensure a positive impact on the health and well-being of those throughout the UK.
“The recommendations are in line with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which are based on improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, and this is something we are passionate about as a company.”
Organisations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will continue to struggle with the impact of rising energy costs if a smarter approach to energy efficiency isn’t adopted. That is the message from an energy management specialist, who claims schemes like leased lighting can be a saving grace for businesses not only looking to save money, but enhance the health, productivity and wellbeing of their staff and organisation.
Chris Jenkins, director of Swansea-based EFT Consult – a firm specialising in energy and environmental management for organisations across all sectors – claims organisations need to get educated on the many advantages leased lighting schemes can have on energy bills, environmental standards and business operational risk.
It isn’t uncommon for office-based staff in an organisation to complain about inefficient lighting. Poor light quality is a very real health hazard, and although decision makers would not object to a modernised lighting system, obstacles arise when it comes to paying for it, often at the expense of employees’ health, productivity and overall wellbeing. Energy savings are therefore only one part of a bigger picture when it comes to business performance and profitability.
Yet a new lighting system that uses the latest technologies can be implemented through a leased lighting scheme, which offers the option of paying a monthly fee for the use of the lighting facility, rather than paying the total cost of the equipment and installation up front.
This rental approach has become increasingly popular over recent years as the burden of up front expenditure for a vast range of equipment and services is lifted by financial institutions and leasing companies. Due to there being no significant initial outlay, ownership risks are eliminated and cash flow benefits are provided by utilising energy savings to payback the monthly or quarterly repayments of a lease agreement.
There are government initiatives that encourage companies to undertake more energy efficient practices in this manner. The enhanced capital allowance scheme for energy saving technologies, for example, enables businesses to benefit from tax breaks when investing in eligible energy-saving equipment.
The Carbon Trust Green Business Fund is another initiative, offering an energy efficiency support service for SMEs in England, Wales and Scotland. It provides direct funded support and can offer a capital contribution of up to £10,000 towards an energy saving equipment purchase.
Chris Jenkins, director of EFT Consult, commented:
“Lighting has a significant impact on the majority of organisations and when it comes to increasing electricity costs, outdated lighting systems can be a serious culprit of additional spending.
“Leasing schemes are massive now and companies really should take advantage of the rewards they can offer. With tax incentives and various support initiatives available to companies, leased lighting should be seriously considered. It is ideal for organisations that need to modernise their lighting system with the latest technologies to benefit staff, customers and other visitors through better energy management. Adopting this approach also demonstrates a company’s commitment to energy efficient practices, while saving on costs.”
EFT Consult offers a holistic approach to energy management that takes into account economic, environmental health and social wellbeing principles to enable organisations to be self-sustainable whilst saving money. The firm has strategic partnerships with two of the world’s largest lighting and energy solutions specialists to ensure clients receive the highest quality equipment and service.
An energy and environmental management consultancy is warning organisations to get informed when it comes to metering regulations to ensure they are not caught out if sanctions should come into force.
Swansea-based EFT Consult, a specialist in energy management, power and indoor environmental quality, claims a lack of awareness about the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 has meant many organisations are not compliant with the requirements set out by these UK-wide regulations.
The regulations implement a number of the requirements of the European Union’s (EU) 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) with respect to the supply of distributed heat, cooling and hot water, and apply to anyone who is a ‘heat supplier’. A heat supplier is defined as a person who supplies and charges for the supply of heating, cooling or hot water through a district heat network (DHN) or a communal heating (CH) system.
The aim of the regulations is to enable users of heating, cooling and hot water supplies to be aware of the amount they are consuming and subsequently be incentivised to lower that consumption, thus helping to promote energy efficiency.
Yet confusion exists around the subject, leaving many organisations, landlords and property owners unclear as to what they need to do to ensure they are compliant. Amended regulations are expected in coming months following a public consultation by the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which will assess the cost effectiveness of metering.
EFT Consult specialises in energy management for all types of organisations across the public and private sectors. The company offers a holistic approach that takes into account economic, environmental health and social wellbeing principles to enable organisations to be self-sustainable whilst saving money.
Chris Jenkins, director of EFT Consult, commented:
“It is clear from our experiences that many organisations do not understand or aren’t even aware of obligations surrounding the metering of heating, hot water, cooling and billing. These rules should be of great concern for landlords in particular, who supply such amenities to multiple buildings via a district heating network or to tenants in a multi-let property via a communal heating network.
“We are able to assist those who need to ensure they are up to date with the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 and help them to understand what is required of them as amended regulations come into place.”
As part of its operation, EFT Consult promotes the virtues of the circular economy, whereby materials and resources are used for as long as possible and then recovered or regenerated at the end of their life. In the context of energy management, this means adopting greener technologies, storing energy, minimising energy waste, recycling energy where possible and ensuring all aspects of a business are as efficient as possible.
Adopting this approach can also lead to much wider and very tangible benefits for companies. These include economic gains, usually through cheaper bills and the greater efficiency of staff; environmental health, thanks to better lighting and air quality; and social wellbeing.
A former member of the Corps of Royal Engineers in the British Army will translate skills honed on the frontline of some of the world’s most dangerous warzones into the realm of energy, and environmental management and security, following his appointment at a leading company in this field.
Adrian Matthews from Llanelli has joined Swansea-based EFT Consult, a specialist in energy management, power and indoor environmental quality. Matthews has been hired as a consultant, tasked with helping EFT Consult’s current and future clients improve their energy efficiency and energy security, while also promoting the wellbeing of organisations and their staff.
Matthews left the forces in 2003 and has gained considerable experience in business since working in sectors including engineering, mechanics, hydraulics, sales and finance while also gaining considerable entrepreneurial experience along the way.
During his time in the Army as a combat and technical engineer – a multi-skilled role supporting military operations in theatre – Matthews learned about the importance of being self-sufficient and living sustainably, especially when on Army bases overseas. One of his roles was to ensure the energy supply to a camp or base was secure, a mind-set also very relevant to many sectors of the UK economy such as data centres and care homes.
As an ex-combat engineer, he will now apply his engineering skills and experiences since leaving the military to his new role with EFT Consult.
EFT Consult specialises in energy management for all types of organisations across the public and private sectors. The company offers a holistic approach that takes into account economic, environmental health and social wellbeing principles to enable organisations to be self-sustainable whilst saving money.
The company promotes the virtues of a so-called circular economy, whereby materials and resources are used for as long as possible and then recovered or regenerated at the end of their life. In the context of energy management, this means adopting greener technologies, storing energy, minimising energy waste, recycling energy where possible and enduring all aspects of a business are as efficient as possible.
Adopting this approach can also lead to much wider and very tangible benefits for companies. These include economic gains, usually through cheaper bills and the greater efficiency of staff; environmental health, thanks to better lighting and air quality; and social wellbeing.
Matthews commented:
“I’m pleased to be part of EFT Consult as a company that really wants to make a difference to organisations from all industries while also helping their local environment.
“Energy security and energy efficiency are relevant to all sectors and organisations of all sizes. I want to help encourage people to look at the bigger picture when it comes to the environment and wellbeing, to help create ideal scenarios for future generations. The higher the wellbeing value of businesses and their staff, the more productive we can be as a society through implementing the circular economy principles.”
Matthews is also part of a research group whereby professionals in fields including the environment, economics, business and medicine, examine different aspects of social wellbeing. He feels it is crucial to revolutionise industry standards to establish improved environmental health and social wellbeing for the future.
Chris Jenkins, director of EFT Consult, commented:
“Adrian is highly experienced in energy management and has demonstrated how he can use his engineering skills gained in the military to help create better environmental and wellbeing standards within our target market. He is incredibly passionate about social wellbeing and therefore shares this value with EFT Consult as a company.”
The UK is using less energy even though the economy is growing
Normally the more a county grows the more energy it consumes but new figures from the Governments statistics for the BBC New shows the average person in the UK today is using 10% less electricity than five years ago. Even when there is a current boom in large TC’s, computers, smartphones and tablets.
The EU directives on household appliances have driven down energy consumption when people are doing the ames tasks.
For example a new A rated fridge freezer saves 73% of energy, compared to one 20 years older. This is a saving of £100 a year from a household energy bill.
The introduction of LED lighting is saving 29% electricity in 2003 compared to 2008. LED lighting also delivers an improved light and lasts longer.
The EU is looking for further reductions and is now clamping down on inefficient vacuum cleaners. The tightening up of the standards is being driven by policy to improve energy security and reduce carbon emissions.
The UK Climate Change Committee said that the average household bill would have increased by an extra £165 between 2004 and 2013 if these energy savings had not been made. A fact that not many people know.
A report from the UK Committee on Climate Change said household bills would have increased by an extra £165 between 2004-2013 if the energy savings had not been made.
Another huge improvement that has made a big impact on energy consumption is the use of modern efficient gas boilers. Gas use for heat and hot water has dropped by 25%
Insulation has reduced energy demand too. The number of homes with loft and cavity wall insulation is up from 39% in 2004 to 67% in 2013.
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Three British companies have been awarded a share of over £1.3 million to spur on innovation in turning reeds and rushes from wetlands into bioenergy, Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker announced today.
Contracts have been awarded to AMW IBERS, Natural Synergies and AB Systems, as part of a Department of Energy and Climate Change competition to help entrepreneurs demonstrate new ways of turning plant-based material derived from harvesting wetlands into renewable heat and electricity.
Read the full press notice on the DECC website
Dr Martin Read CBE has been appointed as Chair of the CFD Counterparty Company by Energy and Climate Change Secretary of State, Edward Davey.
The CFD Counterparty Company is a new Government-owned company being established as part of Government’s Electricity Market Reform.
Dr Martin Read will be supported in this three year role by Jim Keohane, as the Senior Independent Director (SID). The two appointees will also take on the Chair and SID positions of the Electricity Settlements Company when it is established.
Read the full press notice on the DECC website
Launching the UK Government’s Energy Paper analysing the potential impact of independence on Scotland’s energy, Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, made the positive case for the UK’s single energy market, showing how independence would increase people’s energy bills.
Speaking to a conference of energy industry stakeholders in Edinburgh, Edward Davey argued that because the single UK energy market is ten times the size of Scotland’s energy market, Scottish energy bills are lower. He listed a range of reasons, including the way investment in transmission and distribution networks are currently shared across the whole of the UK, to the way the subsidies for energy distribution in remote rural areas like the Scottish Highlands and Islands are currently paid for by all British consumers not just Scottish bill payers.
The UK Government’s analysis shows that energy bills in an independent Scotland would be higher by at least £38 a year and perhaps by up to £189, once the full cost of supporting renewables are included.
The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has been launched today, offering homeowners payments to offset the cost of installing low carbon systems.
The scheme is open to everyone – home owners, social and private landlords, and people who build their own homes – and is available to households both on and off the gas grid.
Further information
