• ITI Group’s £15m framework extension with SSEN Distribution creates new jobs

    ITI Group has secured a two-year extension to a programme delivering operational technology panels to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution, enabling them to progress a nationwide roll-out of efficiency upgrades to their substation network, and in doing so has created a number of new jobs. The contract, worth £15million to the Sheffield-based systems integrator, involves a significant upscale in production to the programme, which commenced in 2022 with an initial test and development project to prove the concept. Earlier this year, ITI delivered a large batch of panels of an advanced design following consultation and collaboration with the client to fine tune the solution. Now, with the client impressed by the quality and quantity of delivery, they have made ITI Group…

  • Fleet Solid Support Ships Programme successfully completes its Preliminary Design Review

    Navantia UK and BMT Achieve the First Key Milestone on the FSS Programme after collaboration in the Functional Design The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships programme for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), which marks the first major milestone in the programme. The PDR has been completed in working sessions between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Navantia UK as prime contractor of the programme and BMT, who has led the functional design phase. This milestone has confirmed the robustness and maturity of the design, marking the progression of the programme. The FSS now enters a new phase, focused on detailed design and heading towards the start of construction in 2025, according to the schedule. The completion of the PDR has been possible…

  • Firstco present their Vertiport insights at the World Smart City Expo in Korea.

    South Korea is at the forefront of the global smart cities and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) revolution, setting new benchmarks for innovation and sustainability. With a strong focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies, the country is transforming urban landscapes into intelligent, interconnected ecosystems. As one of the UK’s leading innovators in Vertiport Management Systems, Firstco were invited to speak at this year’s World Smart City Expo (WSCE) in Seoul, Korea. WSCE is a leading forum where industry innovators, city planners, and technology experts gather to explore the potential of smart technologies to shape our future cities. Our involvement in the “K-Smart City Vertiport Forum” highlights our commitment to developing cutting-edge solutions in both the urban and AAM space, ensuring…

  • ITI Group consult on Net Zero SCADA for UK transition to hydrogen power

    ITI Group are partnering with National Gas Transmission on a project which will support the National Transmission System (NTS) to transition to hydrogen gas, CO 2 or gas blends, and help achieve a Net Zero future for the UK. The GB’s pipeline network and related infrastructure is currently set up for the distribution of methane (natural gas). National Gas Transmission (NGT) is investing in understanding the requirements and modifications needed to enable their network to transport net zero molecules through a programme called HyNTS. A new project, named SCADA Solutions for Hydrogen Networks , has been initiated to determine the optimum monitoring and control solution for the shift. Alistair Carvell, Hydrogen Innovation Engineer at National Gas said: “Our goal is to ensure that we are ready…

  • BMT and Strategic Marine Unveil Sustainable StratCat35 CTV at WindEnergy Hamburg

    Working in partnership with Strategic Marine, BMT is proud to introduce its latest addition to the offshore wind industry: the StratCat35 Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV). This cutting-edge vessel, making its debut at WindEnergy Hamburg , is designed to meet a wider range of operator requirements while placing sustainability at the forefront of the offshore wind sector. As part of Strategic Marine’s range of CTV vessels, the StratCat35 delivers significant advancements in both design and functionality. At 35 metres in length, this vessel offers an expansive deck area, significantly improving storage capacity and enhancing operational versatility by allowing more working space. The proven BMT Z-Bow hull form provides superior seakeeping in harsh offshore conditions, while also improving vessel speed…

  • Siemens and CPI expand transformative research partnership

    Technology company Siemens and one of the UK’s leading innovation centres, CPI have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to enhancing collaborative research into advanced manufacturing processes. The new contract will follow on from an initial collaboration agreement that was signed in 2020, under which Siemens has provided advanced hardware and software to underpin the development of CPI’s leading Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. The enhanced partnership will allow CPI to leverage Siemens’ expertise and technology across the full range of its research portfolio, ranging from battery materials innovation and photonics to printed electronics. The MoU was signed by both parties at Siemens Transform 2024 event at Manchester Central. The event saw industry…

  • iconsys backs Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s ‘Gift a Day’ initiative

    A Telford-based manufacturer that is passionate about developing the engineers of the future has become the first company to back a new fundraising drive by The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. iconsys, a leading UK power, control and automation solutions provider and system integrator, is backing the ‘Gift a Day’ initiative to sponsor a week of running costs at Enginuity museum for the first week of this year’s school holidays. The agreement is part of the company’s commitment to growing its own talent and getting more young people interested in a career in industry and will be followed by the possibility of holding a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) event later in 2024. It has even sent three of its technical partners to the museum to help curators repair and maintain…

  • Fundamentals Ltd: GCSE to Apprenticeships

    Fundamentals board member Geoff Baker explains why choosing an apprenticeship is a great way to start a career in engineering or technology – just as he did at the start of his own journey. A Past President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, his qualifications and memberships include an MSc, CEng, FIMechE, FIET and FRSA. How apprentices can get a head start in green energy careers Thinking about what to do after GCSEs? Want a career with plenty of interesting jobs, opportunities for personal development, security and excellent rewards, in an industry committed to making the world cleaner and greener? Then it’s time to check out apprenticeships in the electricity sector. Why electricity? Because it’s the key to a worldwide transition from fossil fuels to a sustainable future,…

  • BMT and Greenline Marine Unveil Cutting-Edge Electric Ferry Design at CFA 2024

    Navigating the Future of Electric Ferries: Advancing Efficiency and Sustainability in Maritime Transport BMT, a global leader in maritime design and engineering, in collaboration with Greenline Marine Inc., is set to unveil an all-electric ferry design at the Canadian Ferry Association (CFA) 2024 Conference and Trade Show. The 32-metre ‘Greenline 150 Passenger Electric Ferry,’ which will be revealed at BMT's booth on Day 1 of the conference, represents a significant advancement in ferry design, combining state-of-the-art technology with a strong emphasis on efficiency and environmental sustainability. As the maritime industry faces increasing pressure to enhance operational efficiency while minimising environmental impact, BMT and Greenline Marine Inc. have partnered to introduce an innovative…

  • Specialist machine builder to advance customer automation with Siemens partnership

    ALPHR Technology, a manufacturer of specialist machines, has partnered with Siemens to accelerate the integration of automated & test technologies in customers' manufacturing operations. ALPHR supplies machinery for automation & testing to leading manufacturers across the automotive, medical, HVAC, aerospace, electronics, industrial and transportation sectors. The company's machines are used by several OEMs like Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Rolls Royce & others to automate & test their products. The partnership sees ALPHR adopt Siemens technology across its specialist machinery and advanced robotics systems, which will help streamline and standardise digital operating systems for customers, making them simpler and quicker to implement. Facilitated by manufacturing technology distributor…

  • SULSTEMIC brings STEM to life at HMS Sultan

    HMS Sultan celebrated the exciting world of Royal Navy Engineering and STEM as young people from local schools visited HMS Sultan for ‘SULSTEMIC.’ Around two hundred year 7 pupils aged 11-12 enjoyed an action-packed day of interactive displays and activities showcasing how engineering contributes to technology. In addition, the children learned how Royal Navy engineers and technicians keep Royal Navy aircraft, ships and submarines driving forwards on operations. RN Air Engineers introduced the young people to principles of fault diagnosis in helicopters as well as the basics of how to conduct a flight service and maintain Survival Equipment. RN Marine Engineers enabled the y oung people to get ‘hands on’ building circuit boards, experimenting with generators, fitting flanges and fixing…

  • Digital indoor mapping leader joins Siemens Xcelerator

    UK leader in indoor mapping technology Pointr, has joined Siemens Xcelerator - a digital platform designed to support the digitalisation of industry and infrastructure in the UK and overseas. Pointr provides innovative digital indoor mapping services which enable intuitive location experiences across shopping centres, hospitals and campuses to connect people with buildings, at scale. The business has its AI-driven mapping software implemented in over 5,000 buildings, including Harrods in London, which integrated Pointr’s mapping technology into its Mobile Store Guide. Pointr’s mapping and wayfinding solution enables visitors to navigate buildings using smartphones or tablets. With location analytics, building operators better understand how visitors interact with the space and use the…

  • Green technologies raise voltage challenges for DNOs

    The new era of intermittent generation and fast-changing customer demand is raising fresh challenges across the grid, says Dr Jon Hiscock, CEO of voltage experts Fundamentals. The connection of wind and solar generators to the grid, plus the rise of heat pumps of electrical vehicles, are increasingly affecting network voltages. The results include bad experiences for consumers, and growing concern among operators about maintaining compliance. For example, one of our DNO clients called us recently to tackle the problem of a customer who could not charge their electric car. The voltage they supplied was too high, tripping out the EV charger safety circuits. Our motorist’s problem was that they live in a housing development with a lot of rooftop solar panels, causing voltage surges in their…

  • The Future of Engineering: Opportunities in the Data Centre Industry

    By Erin Roche, Talent Acquisition Specialist at IET Enterprise Partner VIRTUS Data Centres The data centre industry stands at the forefront of technological advancement, representing one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors in the world. These critical infrastructures are the backbone of the internet, supporting everything from cloud computing and streaming services to essential research and artificial intelligence (AI). For mechanical and electrical engineers, the data centre industry offers a wealth of opportunities and a promising career path. A Crucial Growth Sector Data centres are crucial for keeping online services and technology running smoothly. In recent years, there has been a huge surge in demand for data processing and storage, driving significant growth in the…

  • Postgraduate Engineer R&D Apprenticeship and Engineering Doctorate Program

    Postgraduate Engineer R&D Apprenticeship and Engineering Doctorate Program By Oxford Brookes University In a bid to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application in the field of engineering, Oxford Brookes University has introduced a pioneering apprenticeship program that offers a unique blend of academic excellence and industry relevance. The program, comprising a Postgraduate Engineer Research and Development Apprenticeship (Level 7) followed by an Engineer Doctorate (Level 8), is set to redefine the landscape of engineering education and professional development. The PG Diploma (Phase 1) is an apprenticeship that is ideal for employers looking to build a collaborative research and development partnership with one of the leading engineering schools in the UK…

  • Collaborate and innovate

    By University of Sunderland Businesses from across the north-east have been finding out how working with the University of Sunderland as part of a world-leading programme to support innovation can help them thrive. More than 30 small and medium-sized enterprises attended the University’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) event, which brings Faculty of Technology academics and businesses together to explore how research and development can be undertaken and applied to solve business challenges and provide new opportunities. Businesses attending the event, which took place Wednesday, 13 March 2024, at Hope Street Xchange on the University’s City Campus, included Durham Constabulary, Pearson Engineering Ltd and Speedings Ltd. L-R: Dr David Nelson (Senior Lecturer in Computer Science…

  • L3Harris drives positive change for women in the workplace

    By L3 Harris L3Harris Technologies, one of the largest defence companies in the world, was named last year as one of Forbes’ ‘Best Employers for Women’ and included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index. In the UK, there is a drive and passion among employees to truly unlock the full value that women bring to the workplace. L3Harris UK employees are passionate about making the company a great place to work – and for women to grow professionally and personally. A major catalyst for change has been an employee resource group called WE 3 which stands for women who strive to empower, enhance, and encourage other women. Established in early 2022, the group is well represented by women, as well as men, across the company. It aims to provide female employees across all L3Harris sites with local…

  • A Symphony of Art & Science: Introducing Spear, the 140m trimaran yacht concept. A new collaboration between T. Fotiadis Design & Lateral Naval Architects.

    By BMT Group Limited With its striking streamline design, Spear combines efficiency, comfort, and expansive open spaces to create an unparalleled cruising experience. From the moment you step aboard, you're greeted by the sleek lines and a streamlined profile that define Spear's aesthetic. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, every aspect of this superyacht is optimised for high-speed cruising, suitable for the adventurous owner. As there isn’t anything else in the market quite like Spear, with a length of 140m, 4,650 Gross Tonnage (GT), and a beam overall of 23m, it was difficult to find a suitable baseline to compare to. After consideration, a 110m monohull of 4,400 GT provided the closest solution. At a generous cruise speed of 18 knots, the trimaran's propulsion power…

  • 6G Terahertz Communications for Future Heterogeneous Wireless Network (6G-TERAFIT)

    By University of Bradford et al. This work is supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under grant EP/Y035135/1, and HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01-01-ID: 101131501, MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS Staff Exchanges (SE) University of Bradford, United Kingdom: Raed A Abd-Alhameed, Viktor Doychinov, Vuong Mai, Ifiok Otung The Instituto de Telecomunicações, Campus Universitário de Santiago 3810-193 Aveiro: Issa T. E. Elfergani, Jonathan Rodriguez Paderborn University, Germen: Jens Förstner, Christian Hedayat SARAS TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, United Kingdom: Ashwain Rayit THINGENIOUS LIMITED, Greece: Aristidis Konstantas, Dimitris Uzunidis Summary and objectives of the project: Numerous new applications, such as big data analysis, artificial intelligence…

  • Visionary visualisation: Sweco joins global ExPEDite partnership to build digital twin design into renewable energy planning

    By Jason Wheelhouse Earlier this year, an exciting kick-off summit took place in Latvia to launch an innovative ‘digital x sustainability’ project, as 19 partners from 11 countries met to develop plans and visions for a potentially transformative reset in the way district-wide energy estates can be planned and designed. Here, Sweco Digital Delivery Manager Dinos Ipiotis reflects on the aims and opportunities of ExPEDite as it looks to make ‘digital’ the default setting in society-scale net zero strategy. Dinos explains: “Our ultimate collective challenge in the ExPEDite partnership is to enable the planned creation and management of, as the name suggests, PEDs – Positive Energy Districts. These are, in short, urban or extra-urban areas capable of generating, using and distributing energy…

  • Capula generating green energy following solar PV installation

    By Capula Industrial automation and control systems integrator for critical infrastructure and energy, IET Enterprise Partner Capula has recently completed a solar photovoltaics (PV) installation at its offices in Stone, Staffordshire With a continued commitment to reducing carbon emissions, Capula has invested in a system that will supply green energy to its facilities and has already generated over 20 MWh of electricity in just 3 months. Commenting on the installation, Steve Tellwright, Capula’s People & Quality Director, said, “We continue to support our clients in the energy sector as they deliver projects that are providing greener energy to the UK. “As the energy landscape changes, as well as supporting our customers, we also must look at how we meet our energy needs as part of…

  • SuperTAPP SG saves £20k+ per distributed energy connection

    By Fundamentals Adding transducers to integrate distributed energy resource (DER) connections with a Distribution Network Operator’s (DNO) management system typically costs upwards of £20,000. Fundamentals’ SuperTAPP SG voltage control relay has extensive transducer functionality built-in and therefore offers significant savings whilst future-proofing for future DER connections Fundamentals CEO Dr Jon Hiscock explained: “Many operators are not aware that DER connectivity is a key feature of our SuperTAPP SG solution, which is already being deployed to implement advanced voltage control functionality required for new DER connections. The activation of DER connectivity as part of the SuperTAPP SG solution would obviate the need for separate transducers and significantly reduce the cost of…

  • Collaboration and commitment to project success in the heart of Derby

    By HVSS In 2019 IET Enterprise Partner HVSS were approached to tender for a significant job on a sprawling 50-acre industrial and logistics warehouse park located in the heart of Derby, developed by St Modwen in partnership with Network Rail. The scope of the project involved providing 7.2MVA of electricity, Medium Pressure (MP) gas and water with the project feasibility being hinged on an offsite route spanning 2.8km, demanding ethical, cost-effective solutions. During this scheme, HVSS had full involvement with Derby City Council and National Grid to complete the initial substation connection which was situated over a laborious and demanding 3km route from the site location and within the busy city centre. A further five substation installations have taken place totalling six new substations…

  • ITI Group advances the upgrade of SSEN Distribution infrastructure

    By ITI Group ITI Group has commenced work on an advanced design of operational technology panels in the latest stage of SSEN Distribution’s nationwide substation upgrades. SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) Distribution’s vision is to upgrade the communications infrastructure to approximately 1,500 substations across the UK, with the aim of improving efficiency, in order to achieve output targets at lower operational cost. The end goal is to meet OFGEM pricing targets, while maintaining the safe and secure transmission of operational data back from geographically dispersed sub-stations and other electrical infrastructure within the SSEN Distribution portfolio. ITI Group started work in early 2022 on an initial test and development project, building panels for Dundee and…