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.

05/08/2019 Down the pan Having designed, built and installed power systems throughout their careers, two directors saw first-hand how water produced by AC units was going down the drain, so decided to spend a penny on a new system » Read More

08/05/2019 Comment: Give and take Over the years covering industry, I’ve written a lot about nature and the environment. Usually I channel my inner Attenborough, reiterating how we need to do more to protect our lands and oceans, help wildlife, and minimise air and waste ... » Read More

08/05/2019 Tapping into nature A Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of the UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network » Read More

04/04/2019 A nuclear approach to seismic sensing This article discusses the latest trends in seismic monitoring and protection systems for nuclear plants, including technologies adopted and current best practice driven by enhanced risk management demands » Read More

04/04/2019 Turning up the heat Heat networks and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) have gained in popularity, as legislators and developers recognise them as a way to meet energy reduction targets. However, technical and operational challenges, and user acceptance issues, ... » Read More

07/03/2019 Comment: Don’t bottle it A cross-industry consortium set up in January, Alliance to End Plastic Waste, aims to reduce the amount of waste plastic that ends up in the world’s oceans, as it harms aquatic life and aquatic environments. » Read More

07/03/2019 Pressure cooker A move towards renewables is vital if we want to stop burning fossil fuels. But the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy has been a stumbling block. Promoters of two fluid-compressor plant technologies claim to have the solution » Read More

07/03/2019 Where there’s smoke… Recently-published HSE guidance has set the first UK limits for workplace exposure of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide, as well as lowering the carbon monoxide value: that means that employers whose workers come into contact to ... » Read More

05/02/2019 The wonders of waste United Utilities’ £200 million investment at its Davyhulme wastewater treatment works in greater Manchester has put the site right at the forefront when it comes to sewage treatment » Read More

05/02/2019 Comment: Monster of the deep A ‘monster’ fatberg, longer than six double-decker buses, has been found in Devon. South West Water says it’s the largest mass of oil, grease and wet wipes discovered in its service history. » Read More

05/02/2019 Fuel for thought Liquefied natural gas is a relatively new fuel that is available to off-grid consumers. What benefits can this alternative to oil-based energy bring to site? » Read More

05/02/2019 Cleaning up Leaks and uncontrolled releases of diesel can have major impacts on nature and the environment if they aren’t dealt with properly. Luckily there are different measures, products and services available for operators and businesses in ... » Read More

05/02/2019 At sea Oil spills in the offshore oil and gas industry were put under the Health and Safety Executive’s spotlight over the past year » Read More

05/12/2018 A cut above The Brent oil and gas field operation is all but over after 40 years. Now the first of its 24,200 tonne ‘topsides’ platforms is in the process of being dismantled, with components recycled, reused and disposed of in a highly complex ... » Read More

05/12/2018 Avoiding landfill Plant items are often disposed of before reaching the end of their operational life. However, alternatives to disposal are emerging – not only selling on, but also repurposing – which help the environment as well as support community ... » Read More

17/10/2018 Colliding with fatbergs in FOG Technical guidance about the sizing and use of industrial grease traps is needed to combat the modern fatberg epidemic, according to a new industry association. Penny Hitchin dives in » Read More

02/07/2018 The challenges of maintaining the leading edge Daniel Petherbridge, technical service engineer at Belzona Polymerics, looks at the challenges of repairing and protecting wind turbine blades’ leading edges » Read More

02/07/2018 IoT in energy Utility and energy companies are keen to advance towards Internet of Things solutions, research shows. However, there are also some key challenges that need to be faced, as Adam Offord reports » Read More

30/06/2018 Driving forward Forklift truck manufacturer Combilift has opened its brand-new global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Ireland. (NOTE: This article was originally printed in Manufacturing Management magazine) » Read More

30/04/2018 Minimising yaw brake noise Maintenance of wind turbine generators (WTGs) aims to sustain efficiency levels and ensure continued reliability, while also dealing with any other concerns that may be raised, as Mark Venables discovers » Read More

30/04/2018 On the right side of the law Understanding the current energy legislation and, more importantly, realising business benefit from it, is more important than ever before. Ashley Phillips, director of Ørsted UK, explains more » Read More

30/04/2018 Meeting energy-efficiency expectations Using a digital twin can help manage energy efficiency across sectors, as Mark Venables reveals. » Read More

28/02/2018 Putting the focus on energy The development of an energy efficiency programme has many direct and indirect benefits. It can significantly reduce a manufacturer’s energy use per unit of output, and thus the unit costs to ensure persistent profitability, and it can ... » Read More

28/12/2017 Will new emissions legislation catch plant engineers unawares? The Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) is due to be incorporated into UK law in December 2017. Unfortunately, there is currently a deafening silence from the industry over what this will mean for engineers. » Read More

28/12/2017 CHP – an efficient, cost-effective solution With plant and factory operational costs rising, owners and operators are keen to identify efficiencies that save money without impacting performance. With this in mind, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology can be an attractive ... » Read More