Product category:
Materials Handling
News Release from: Siemens Transportation Systems | Subject: British industry faces 'energy crisis'
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 January 2007
British industry faces 'energy crisis'
British industry is 'struggling to cope' with an increasingly complex UK energy market, according to one of the UK's leading energy consultants.
British industry is 'struggling to cope' with an increasingly complex UK energy market, according to one of the UK's leading energy consultants At a recent briefing, Steve Barker, Energy and Power Quality Manager at Siemens Automation and Drives, told an invited audience that a combination of high energy prices, new regulations, capex constraints and concerns about security of supply are proving a massive burden for many companies and could leave many in crisis
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Jan 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
New tunnel ventilation solution for Heathrow
Transmitton, part of Siemens Transportation Systems, is to provide a new tunnel ventilation solution for the Heathrow section of the Piccadilly Line, as part of the Terminal 5 project.
Siemens first successful switchgear installation
Siemens Transportation Systems reached a major milestone with the installation of the first of twenty-three 25kV sub stations.
Barker points to a lack of technical management resource on the part of many companies as a barrier to implementing comprehensive energy management solutions, even when key individuals at a senior level have bought into the technical and commercial arguments.
"Too many senior managers are so totally overstretched by day to day activity that they cannot do much beyond keeping a plant or production facility running," says Barker.
"Many know what they need to do in terms of implementing comprehensive energy management solutions, but simply don't have the resource to do it".
Barker says a combination of factors is making the UK's energy market bewilderingly complex for industry.
"Everyday energy prices are only one issue".
"New regulations, hidden power quality issues, the threat of winter energy 'triads', power factor charging and other complex tariff charges are all issues which industry is struggling to identify and cope with".
"It is no good consultants complaining that their off-the-shelf "we can save you money" solutions are being ignored".
"The issue at hand is much more complex than just price".
Barker also believes that capital expenditure controls are proving a barrier to implementation".
""It is unfortunately the case that the potential benefit of installing more energy efficient systems may be inadequate to overcome the capital budget versus capital revenue barrier".
"Those advising industry need to be much more flexible in their approach, particularly in regard financing new equipment.".
• Siemens Transportation Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
