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.

26/08/2017 Powering the plant Today’s under-pressure facilities managers have to become smarter than ever before to keep abreast of the ever-changing challenges of the role, as Chris Beck explains » Read More

18/10/2016 On the meter In the ongoing drive for business to increase efficiency, understanding exactly what energy is being used where is at the heart of any solution, as Mark Venables discovers » Read More

02/11/2015 Catapult to deliver the ETI’s Smart Systems and Heat Programme The Energy Systems Catapult has taken on delivery of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) Smart Systems and Heat (SSH) Programme, which is the Catapult’s first major project. » Read More

21/09/2015 Light fantastic How your factory is illuminated can have a massive impact on energy costs, morale, quality and productivity. Ian Vallely sheds light on a critical overhead over head » Read More

07/08/2015 Power trip Energy is moving rapidly up the agenda as fuel prices and environmental concerns become areas of increasing concern to factory managers. The Energy Event will offer an opportunity to discover how these issues will impact on your business ... » Read More

19/06/2015 Energy Oversight With energy-saving projects reaching saturation point, it's worth reminding ourselves that there are more improvement options than might meet the eye. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

19/03/2015 Efficient energy Combined heat and power plants have come on in leaps and bounds – and contract packages and financial incentives are making them increasingly attractive. » Read More

23/02/2015 Premium efficiency Since 1 January 2015, IE3 premium-efficiency motors have been compulsory for new machines in the range 7.5–375kW. Brian Tinham examines the implications of the second phase of EU MEPS » Read More

09/12/2014 Firing on all four? Heat recovery should be a burning issue for engineers and managers – whether maintaining existing boiler plant or specifying new systems. Brian Tinham looks at available technologies, and what's coming » Read More

03/12/2014 Starter for ten We're all aware of the importance of choosing higher-efficiency electric motors, pumps, fans, etc, to cut costs and emissions, but are we missing a trick? Brian Tinham reports » Read More

03/12/2014 Lay waste to poor treatment There are many ways to clean up performance of water and effluent treatment units in industrial plants. Steed Webzell takes a look at some of them » Read More

13/11/2014 Fired up for success Bosch Thermotechnology's Worcester factory is already a benchmark site within its group for efficiency, but this engineering powerhouse has sparked yet more improvement, thanks to lean production lines and some serious energy-reduction ... » Read More

23/10/2014 More for less Getting something for nothing isn't everyone's experience, but when it comes to energy efficiency it's easier than you might imagine to come close. Brian Tinham talks to Bosch Thermotechnology and Autoglym » Read More

27/09/2014 Money for nothing Combined heat and power is one of those rare examples of a system that breaks the rule that insists 'if something sounds too good to be true it probably is', says Ian Vallely » Read More

27/09/2014 Opportunity knocks? While the temptation is understandably to tackle energy-saving projects piecemeal on the shopfloor, taking a holistic approach will reap far bigger rewards. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

02/07/2014 Winning the power struggle Why fight only for production improvements when you can also add significantly to the bottom line by implementing a few simple energy-saving measures, asks Ian Vallely » Read More

19/05/2014 Heat of the moment Thermal cameras have grown in popularity as fast as prices have fallen. But, while their inspection power is immense, there are issues for the unwary, warns Brian Tinham » Read More

07/05/2014 Climate change: on the horns of a dilemma Seldom does a single study on a solitary branch of science elicit global comment, transcending culture, politics, language, industry – indeed, society in general. » Read More

30/04/2014 Efficiency drive Modern electric motors and variable speed drives are receiving more attention from factory and plant managers, particularly as the rules mandate higher efficiency choices. Brian Tinham examines the issues » Read More

29/11/2013 Cream of the crop Former BFA award winner Barfoots of Botley is generating 13,000MwH of green energy a year from vegetable waste thanks to a pair of combined heat and power units fuelled by a massive anaerobic digestion plant. Ian Vallely reports » Read More

15/10/2013 So much potential, yet so little uptake Where sustainability is concerned, the art of the possible is accelerating far faster than the reality of adoption. » Read More

26/09/2013 Balance of power Most plants would benefit from a structured energy review of their plant operations. Steed Webzell examines the latest methodology and equipment able to transform existing plants. » Read More

16/09/2013 Power packs Fluid power is not renowned for its revolutionary developments, but it is changing. Brian Tinham goes behind the scenes and busts some myths » Read More

16/09/2013 Full head of steam Although most plant's steam systems could be doing better, in terms of energy efficiency, methodology is as important as technology. » Read More

07/08/2013 Getting it wrong When two companies issue statements in as many weeks suggesting that engineers and managers are missing the point on appropriate plant choices, it's time to take notice. Brian Tinham reports » Read More