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.

08/05/2024 HVAC challenges A white paper from the Advanced Services Group looks at some of the current challenges facing the HVAC industry, from the energy crisis to stakeholder education to decarbonisation » 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


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


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


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


23/10/2014 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


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


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


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


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


09/02/2011 Downsizing CHP Combined heat and power has come a very long way since Battersea Power Station. Dr Tom Shelley looks at some of the advances and offers engineering advice » Read More


09/12/2010 Steaming ahead Engineering innovation has the propensity to change plant practice, and that applies to boilers and steam generation too. But improvements can also be made by going back to basics. Brian Tinham 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


01/01/2010 Efficient energy Combined heat and power plants are anything but new. However, evolving technologies are revolutionising their scope and HM government likes the sound of it. Brian Tinham reports » Read More


01/10/2009 Saving the earth In the rush to save energy and reduce emissions, it's easy to forget the sheer range of potential solutions. Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of today's most powerful options » Read More


01/04/2008 Cheap as CHPs Combined heat and power (CHP) isn't only about CCGT (combined cycle gas turbine) installations that generate hundreds of megawatts. Especially in these times of expensive energy and environmental awareness, all of us need to be considering ... » Read More


01/10/2006 Energy Efficiency - Powered for change The government is now aware we have to take drastic steps both to save energy and find new sources of supply. There are many ways to achieve these goals. Top of the list has to be to take advantage of government-backed schemes that provide ... » Read More


01/10/2005 All fired up Fortum O&M (UK) operates and maintains the Grangemouth combined heat and power plant (CHP), which supplies power and steam to BP's Grangemouth complex, Scotland's largest industrial site and one of the biggest, most integrated oil and gas ... » Read More