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.

05/08/2013 Knowledge is power The Energy Event returns to Birmingham in September with a packed educational programme. » Read More

28/05/2013 Carbon capture There's more to energy saving than switching the shopfloor onto switching off. Annie Gregory finds out how the best are doing it. » Read More

18/03/2013 Best of both worlds With the first IE4 synchronous reluctance motor and drive package now installed at South Staffs Water, Brian Tinham examines the experience and the issues » Read More

06/12/2012 In the driving seat Motors, drives and controls have been advancing fast, with a goal of improving plant operations, energy efficiency and the bottom line. Steed Webzell explores new systems, emerging best practice and top tips » Read More

06/12/2012 Fuel from air Following a flurry of news reporting the apparent achievement of practical fuel from air plant, Brian Tinham talks to the developers about the present and the future » Read More

05/10/2012 Absorbing practice Staying on the right side of the law might mean paying more attention to absorbents, spill kits and the professional services around them to prevent problems. Brian Wall reports » Read More

05/10/2012 Thwaites green upgrade is picture of efficiency Yellow dump truck manufacturer Thwaites' paint line has been refurbished – and improved its efficiency and environmental sustainability on the way. » Read More

05/10/2012 Laundry saves £30,000 thanks to flash steam recovery Commercial laundry Bates of London is reporting savings of tens of thousands of pounds in energy since installing FREME (flash recovery energy management equipment) plant, from Spirax Sarco. » Read More

01/08/2012 Cool solutions Most plants would benefit from an energy audit, but where should you focus your efforts? And what kind of technology might yield the best dividends? Brian Tinham reports » Read More

01/08/2012 Energy efficiency With energy-related issues topping most plant engineers' agendas, Laura Cork looks ahead to the forthcoming Energy Event, which promises a packed educational programme » Read More

01/08/2012 Cool energy savings for Flurocarbon Hertford site Cool energy savings for Flurocarbon Hertford site » Read More

05/04/2012 Laser focus Energy from waste plants are shining a light on the power of laser-based, real-time gas analyser instrumentation. Brian Tinham talks to Bob Lane of Siemens » Read More

06/02/2012 Manchester Airport saves 4,000 MWh on ABB drives and motors A project to upgrade the air handling units at Manchester Airport is saving 4,000 MWh, as well as cutting CO2 emissions by over 2,000 tonnes a year. » Read More

06/02/2012 Maintec 2012 With this year's Maintec show just a few short weeks away, Brian Tinham takes a lok at what engineers, technicians and mangers can expect to find » Read More

06/02/2012 Electric motor loading Electric motor loading is key to energy efficiency. That's the warning from Marek Lukaszczyk, who wants plant engineers to assess their electric motors as a matter of urgency. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

06/02/2012 Power play Combined heat and power, and energy storage plants are the biggest games in town. Brian Tinham looks at latest developments » Read More

07/12/2011 Compressing costs As compressors and associated plant continue to see engineering updates, Steed Webzell examines the cost/benefits for plant engineers seeking to improve operations » Read More

07/12/2011 Energy efficiency is effective now Just a few short weeks ago, npower raised concerns that, with the UK's wide portfolio of energy regulations, this country simply cannot now raise the investment to build the low carbon future to which it is already committed. » Read More

08/08/2011 Tamar Foods saves 23 percent on HVAC energy One of the UK's largest producers of pastry-based products is reporting 23% energy cost savings on its HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) plant, following installation of ABB variable-speed drives. » Read More

08/08/2011 Energy event 2011 The upcoming Energy Event promises a packed agenda focused on optimising energy management, procurement and efficiency. Laura Cork reports » Read More

08/08/2011 Turbine towers British manufacturing is on the mend. Alan Fitzpatrick reports from a site in Wales capitalising on the rush for wind power » Read More

08/08/2011 Fresh pair of eyes Most plants might benefit from an energy audit, but many could also do with a review of operations, aimed at improving everything from efficiency to product quality. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

08/08/2011 Feet flat on the floor Last month's introduction of legislation concerning new electric motor efficiencies should be focusing minds on cost and carbon saving projects. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

07/06/2011 Spirax Sarco helps Heinz save 473 tonnes of carbon per year Heinz reckons it is saving 6% of its average steam load per year at its baked bean factory in Wigan by recovering energy from effluent. » Read More

07/06/2011 Green without eco-bling As energy saving climbs up plant engineers' agendas, Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of the good and not so good technologies for heating, ventilating and air conditioning » Read More