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.

09/01/2025 Sustainable Pathway A new generation of semiconductors will radically reduce carbon footprint, according to photonics expert Antanas Laurutis, CEO of Altechna, a company specialising in custom laser optics and opto-mechanical assemblies for high-power laser ... » Read More

02/10/2024 In the driving seat An expert in variable frequency drives explains to Louise Davis how future-focused solutions can help industry tackle its sustainability issues while also saving considerable costs » Read More

02/10/2024 An industrial revolution A pioneer of electrification explains to Louise Davis why a sea change in mindset surrounding industrial processes is necessary if manufacturers are to continue providing the world with the products and materials it needs » Read More

03/09/2024 Footprints in the land In the global quest to achieve net zero targets, industry is increasingly under pressure to calculate and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Matteo Simonetto, sustainability services manager at TÜV SÜD, discusses how this processes can ... » Read More

03/09/2024 Comment: The need for clarity around carbon I have recently been reading SOE’s review of the UK Government’s 2020 white paper: ‘Energy white paper: powering our net zero future’. The SOE’s assessment stated that while the white paper set out actions that supported reductions of ... » Read More

08/05/2024 Working towards Net Zero targets Following calls for the oil and gas industry to start seriously contributing to Net Zero targets at COP28, what are organisations doing to work towards these goals? » 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

10/06/2021 Railway retrofit An emissions treatment system adapted from commercial vehicles provides a possible way to improve air quality in the rail network. By James Thorpe, senior sales manager, Eminox » Read More

13/05/2021 Mitigating methane slip Although touted as more eco-friendly than liquid fuels, there’s a less benign side to methane, the main ingredient of natural gas. And that relates to its effect when it escapes before combustion, according to Toby Clark » Read More

28/01/2021 Stage V engines in construction A major change in the legislation on mobile plant engines is coming this year. The EU Stage V emissions requirements will mandate dramatic reductions in pollutants such as particulates and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), for plant of almost any ... » 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

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

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

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

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

09/02/2011 Bioenergy:the next generation Biomass plants are more advanced and more prolific than many realise. Birmingham City University's head of bioenergy research Dr Lynsey Melville looks at what's out there – and the future » Read More

06/10/2010 Sands of time Punitive new legislation could prove the high noon for industrial plants that have so far failed to calculate their carbon footprint and formulate a plan to effect improvements. But it isn't too late to get it right, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

10/08/2010 Energy Event Energy efficiency and energy saving are right up there on plant engineers' agendas. Brian Wall previews the forthcoming Energy Event 2010 conference and exhibition » Read More

10/08/2010 Making sustainability pay Following last year's launch of sustainability guidelines by the Engineering Council, Steed Webzell takes a look at today's key issues and responsibilities » Read More

01/10/2009 Babies and bathwater Plant, equipment, instrumentation and the regulatory frameworks have all been evolving to meet the challenges of pollution and climate change. Brian Tinham examines the issues » Read More

01/08/2009 The Energy Event 09 What: The Energy Event Where: The National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham When: 9-10 September 2009 How: Go to www.theenergyevent.co.uk » Read More

01/12/2008 Near zero emissions With the obvious exception of the global economic crisis and its insidious infection now of the ?real economy', recent months, and indeed years, have seen no greater issue than climate change. Governments and organisations around the world ... » Read More

01/10/2008 Fluid thinking According to the Carbon Trust, UK industry spends around £9.5 billion on energy, with at least 40% of that consumed by process heating. 'Using straightforward techniques, between 5% and 10% of this could be saved, reducing spending on ... » Read More

01/04/2008 Power to the people We've got a problem with energy generation. We need more capacity and higher efficiencies to cater for unrelenting increases in demand, but we also need to reduce CO2 and other emissions. This at a time when many of our fossil fuel power ... » Read More

01/02/2008 Carbon capture The UK is to finance the construction of a 300-400MW coal-fired power station with full carbon capture, and intends to work with China on developing and implementing the technology globally. Why? 'Because coal is still the cheapest and ... » Read More