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.

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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 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

07/04/2011 Advanced agitator design shaves 60% off plant energy bill Process engineers at AkzoNobel's Birmingham coatings plant are reporting energy consumption cut by more than 60%, with batch times reduced by 20 minutes, since installing EKATO agitators. » 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

07/06/2010 Money for new energy Building energy strategies are changing thanks to the latest government incentives. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

01/03/2010 Wasting away The Carbon Trust reckons that UK companies are still wasting €1 billion worth of energy per year, largely due to unresolved plant optimisation issues and inefficiencies in energy generation plant itself. Brian Wall reports on ways ... » 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