Energy and Environment Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

02/11/2023 Exploring thermal fluid analysis Regular thermal fluid sampling and analysis enables businesses to proactively monitor fluid condition and intervene before issues impact production » Read More

31/08/2023 Rooftop solar power opportunity There is now national attention on an unusual area of industrial real estate. High out of the way of trees and other blocking buildings, rooftops are said to be an ideal place to mount solar panels for renewable energy generation, reports ... » Read More

31/08/2023 AI sorts waste When it comes to sorting waste on a conveyor ready for recycling operations, AI-based robotic technologies are setting the tone for a step-change in this challenging process, reports Steed Webzell » Read More

31/08/2023 All about ESOS For large companies, there is a six-month reprieve for filing the next (Phase 3) Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) report. Although a clear deadline is in place, 5 June 2024, other details remain unclear as the underpinning ... » Read More

08/08/2023 Solar panel potential With more plants becoming interested in adopting renewable energy, how easy or complex is the task of integrating solar panels to reduce mains supply dependency? » Read More

08/08/2023 Fostering a maintenance culture Our society has become a throw-away one, and part of the problem is a lack of knowledge and capability in repair » Read More

13/07/2023 Green is growing Environmental issues run through this month’s magazine like a stick of rock. The cover feature addresses coming regulation of so-called ‘forever chemicals’ used for their waterproofing and non-stick properties, and many other consumer and ... » Read More

09/06/2023 Peak pack For a while I have been concerned with the amount of unnecessary and excessive packaging I receive from online retailers. » Read More

18/05/2023 Geothermal energy: mining a rich seam Long abandoned and mostly ignored, disused coal mines are being given a new lease of life as a renewable energy source with the potential to deliver a zero-carbon footprint » Read More

16/05/2023 Tips for reducing energy use Within the water treatment industry, aeration processes consume the most energy. However, costs for electricity are continuing to rise. Reviewing current processes and taking advantage of some modern technology are just two ways to ... » Read More

16/05/2023 The ‘green marine’ fuel quest Maritime shipping has long been dominated by heavy diesel engines, which contribute to global warming. Could that all be about to change as punitive new regulations come into force, asks Brian Wall » Read More

29/03/2023 Hard target What can be done to increase the number of heat pump installations to meet the government’s challenging net zero targets, asks Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

29/03/2023 Show time The wide-ranging German industrial show has put the COVID years behind it as it returns to grapple with industry’s – and society’s – many other challenges. A show preview is below, accompanied by exhibitor projects profiled on surrounding ... » Read More

20/03/2023 Asset management: bending lines into circles The future circular economy needs asset management to define and support the management of multiple asset life cycles and harness and unlock additional value streams that the assets enable, according to The Institute of Asset Management » Read More

20/03/2023 Changes to building energy efficiency With 1 April 2023 fast approaching, it is time to get serious about the upcoming changes to the Minimum Energy Efficient Standard (MEES) Regulations, which come into force then. By Kylie Cooper, partner, Wright Hassall » Read More

20/02/2023 All about storm overflows As Southern Water recovers from a dark period, managing storm overflows is the biggest challenge that it – and the industry – faces. Water utilities use storm overflows to serve as relief valves that ensure that rain and wastewater is ... » Read More

20/02/2023 Preventing waterborne pollution disasters Marine pollution from shipping and offshore installations is a constant threat to the UK on many levels. Preparing for the worst to achieve the best is the goal of simulation exercises. By Brian Wall » Read More

20/02/2023 Shop air gets the squeeze April 2022 saw the launch of a taskforce targeting a 10% reduction in the energy consumed by compressed air systems. Steed Webzell details the campaign’s key messages » Read More

09/01/2023 Construction: the call of nature New rules on improving biodiversity during the development of industrial parks are coming soon, demanding net gains in site ecology » Read More

09/01/2023 Optimising pumps for efficiency Given the global rise in energy costs, there has never been a better time to review and assess the efficiency of your pumping systems – whatever their size, complexity or indeed area of operation. Basic information and guidance on ... » Read More

19/12/2022 Musts when decommissioning buried storage tanks Underground storage tanks (USTs) provide an invaluable resource, but eventually their working lives come to an end and they need to be removed. How can that be done in an environmentally safe and hazard-free way? » Read More

14/11/2022 Energy efficiently While it may not be exciting, energy efficiency really has a vital role to play in helping the country make the most of its resources, both as consumers and industry. As an employee in the oil and gas industry, I have witnessed a number of ... » Read More

23/09/2022 Waste no more: change comes to Magnox at Sellafield nuclear site Sellafield recently began removing waste from one of its most hazardous buildings, culminating a huge engineering and operations project that has been many years in the making. By Steed Webzell » Read More

23/09/2022 Power generation: heating in the city E.ON is commissioning a £4 million project to install one of the UK’s largest zero carbon heating and cooling systems beneath the streets of London » Read More

23/09/2022 Feeling the heat: industrial temperature control The temperature of the office is an ongoing debate in businesses globally. Employers often search for the optimal temperature to ensure employees are comfortable and productive, but did you know there’s also an optimal air temperature for ... » Read More