Smart delays for smart meters?

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The roll-out of smart meters in 30 million UK homes has been postponed by more than a year. A recent Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announcement claims the £11.7bn project will now commence in 2015 to enable the industry more time to design, build and test the communications system required. This, in turn, has seen the end of the roll-out extended to 2020 instead of 2019.

Once in place, the project is aimed at cutting energy usage in households across the UK to prevent the need to import more energy in the future. Smart meters were to be introduced to bring an end to estimated bill by showing exactly how much gas and electricity is being used in each home, by sending an accurate meter reading back to the user’s energy supplier every day.

The delay has been widely supported, receiving praise from Angela Knight chief executive of Energy UK, who explained: “We welcome the government’s decision to allow an additional 12 months to complete the smart meter programme. This recognises the scale of the programme and the need to prepare carefully.”

Backing this opinion, Ed Davey, Energy Secretary, added: “Completing the national roll-out will be an enormous logistical and technical challenge for the industry. Getting this right for consumers is the government’s priority.”

There was more positive news from Don Leper, director of new business at E.ON, who said: “We’re making great progress with our smart metering programme. While E.ON has been installing smart meters for more than two years, this decision now provides the whole industry with the time to make best use of the foundation period to ensure that all our customers benefit.”

An updated view of Smart Meters is planned for publication in late 2013. To a degree, however, the future of Smart Meters and their route to market lays in the balance in the face of the next general election scheduled for May 2015.

 

Part P CPS requirements remain unclear

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The requirements for joining a Part P Competent Persons Scheme (CPS) were due to change on the 6th April, with Qualifying Supervisors needing the new QCF qualification: Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installation Work in Dwellings or similar.

As the new qualification is not widely available, it is still possible to join a CPS under the old requirements – 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and an onsite inspection to verify practical competence. We deliver the City & Guilds 17th edition wiring regulations course and the Domestic Electrical Installer (DEI) qualification that provides underpinning knowledge of Part P, inspection, testing and certification in domestic dwellings.

For installers looking to become QS’ the situation remains unclear and, unfortunately, we have no word as to when this might change, a confusing state of affairs for electricians and training providers alike! We will continue to keep abreast of industry changes and will hopefully deliver the new NVQ when it becomes a necessary Part P CPS requirement.

What has been set out since January of this year is changes to Approved Document P, which mean many electrical installations are no longer notifiable, and non-CPS registered installer can now use a QS to certify work as an alternative to Building Control. Installers can download a copy of the new Approved Document P from the planning portal.

Solar Trade Association update

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The Solar Trade Association is constantly striving to improve the solar sector, for consumers and installers. Here’s an update of the bodies latest activity:

DECC Consultation on Domestic RHI

In the run up to the September 2012 consultation, STA formed a contact group for RHI and this group was involved in a number of meetings with DECC officials. Our intervention ensured that solar thermal was included in the RHI, rather than being side-lined into a grant scheme of its own (to follow the introduction of RHI), and that the consultation kept open the option of a grant above the “value for money” cap, and the idea of a cylinder grant.

The Consultation Response was prepared over several weeks with the help of the Thermal WG and with two opportunities for members to comment.

Subsequently, STA has been actively engaged with DECC, providing further information and clarification of some of the modelling that underpinned in the consultation response.

Clear call for 27p

STA has written to the Minister to ensure that the call for a tariff rate above the so-called “value for money” cap was heard directly.

Call for RHPP to be doubled

In response to the announcement of the delay to the RHI to spring 2014, STA proposed a doubling of the RHPP.  It has now coordinated a joint letter from all theUKrenewable heating trade bodies to the Minister  with this proposal.

Letter from UK Solar Manufacturers to Greg Barker

Stuart Elmes coordinated a letter from 14 companies with UK-based solar thermal manufacturing to the minister.  The letter was highlighting the large proportion of the value chain in theUK, and supporting the STA call for 27p.

Work in MCS WG to improve the energy calculation for solar thermal

If you can’t increase the tariff, then see what you can do to increase the deemed energy.  Stuart Elmes has been working within the MCS solar thermal working group to improve the energy saving estimate in the new draft of MIS3001.  The consultation draft included changes to the way the calculation will deal with occupancy, back up heater efficiency and hot water cylinder losses.  These changes double the solar energy estimate in some instances.

Work with BRE to improve the energy calculation for solar thermal

The calculation methodology for RHI is not settled, but SAP is behind all of the candidates.  Stuart Elmes has been in correspondence with BRE in relation to the treatment of solar thermal in SAP.  It is not possible to reveal details at the present time, but the STA is hopeful to achieve a significant boost to the solar thermal energy calculation.

 

For more information about Logic4training’s solar thermal courses, click here

For more information about Logic4training’s solar photovoltaic courses, click here

#Tweetforheat

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The Solar Trade Association is campaigning for the launch of a meaningful Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), one which will encourage end-users to take advantage, while boosting business for renewable installers, particularly solar thermal ones.

This Friday (26th April) the Solar Trade Association needs you to #TweetforHeat

Stuart Elmes Chair of the STA Thermal Working Group has written an article on his personal blog which clearly spells out the effect of repeated RHI delays on the market for all the domestic scale renewable heating technologies.

The article suggests steps DECC could take right now to improve the market for domestic renewable heat.  If you agree with the proposals and have a twitter account, please tweet the following text on Friday 26th April, any time after 9am:

#tweetforheat @GregBarkerMP read this article on #RHI and please consider the suggestions http://www.solarblogger.net/2013/04/you-just-couldnt-make-this-p.html Please RT

Please also let others who might want to join in know about this. In common with other MPs, Greg Barker is a big user of Twitter, and this grass roots communication could help support proposals the STA has made behind the scenes.

Updated course list in response to changing industry

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April means a new year for anyone who runs their own business. We have updated our price list for 2013, including some new courses and new information based on changes in the building services engineering sector.

The full price list can be downloaded here: PRICE LIST

New courses!

We’ve added the new MET4, Gas Meter course, which is designed specifically for installers who fit Diaphragm type meters. The course is for experienced gas installers who already hold Core Domestic Gas Safety (CCN1) and/or Core Commercial Gas Safety (COCN1), plus Testing and Purging of Pipework (TCPP1) and one or more of the following qualifications:

  • Core Emergency Service Provider (CESP1)
  • Core Meter Installation (MET2)

New information!

As of April 6th the requirements for joining a Part P Competent Persons Scheme changed, with Qualifying Supervisors (QS) required to complete one of two new Level 3 qualifications. More information about these changes can be found on Logic Certification’s blog.

For Logic4training’s full list of courses and prices, download the price list here.

Job opportunities for Luton’s unemployed

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We’ve teamed up with Luton Adult Learning to deliver Access to Building Services, a pre-apprenticeship course for 19+ students which provides an excellent grounding in the breadth of building services engineering. On completion of the course candidates will be ready to go on into full employment at a junior level or start an apprenticeship programme.

If you’re aged 19+, living in the Luton area and are currently unemployed, you could benefit from free training, leading onto a career in heating, ventilating, plumbing, air conditioning and refrigeration, electrical and even renewable technology installation.

On successful completion of the course, candidates will have a City & Guilds 2000-01 Level 1 Certificate in Access to Building Services Engineering, employability and work skills and a CSCS card, necessary to work on many building sites. Logic4training, along with Luton Adult Learning, will also try and link you up with a local employer; to provide experience and hopefully a job or apprenticeship placement.

For more information, download a leaflet here: Access to Building Services Engineering.

We’re looking for employers in the Luton area to take on apprentices/employees following this course, and/or provide general support to candidates during their training. Contact us for more information.

Part P CPS changes explained

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From the 6th April, operatives designated as the Qualifying Supervisor (QS) for electrical work in domestic properties will be required to hold the new Level 3 Certification in Installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installations in Dwellings or equivalent qualification.

These changes are only relevant to Qualifying Supervisors – ultimately responsible for working standards within the company. Installers who operate under a QS are not required to hold the Level 3 NVQ but must still be able to carry out the work safely and in accordance with the relevant regulations; including inspection, testing and certification. Logic4training delivers Part P Domestic Electrical Installer Full Scope courses, plus the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, to provide the relevant knowledge and competence for carrying out domestic electrical work.

20% off 17th Edition Wiring Regulations course, 2 – 4 April at Northolt.

At the moment, anyone who is already a member of a Part P CPS under the old requirements (17th Edition Wiring Regulations and demonstration of an understanding of Part P) will not have to take a relevant NVQ 3 retrospectively – this may change at some point.

While completing an NVQ 3 is a more costly and lengthy process, there is some good news for sole traders working as kitchen fitters, plumbers and heating engineers. Amendments to the Part P Approved Document have removed the requirement for certain work to be notified. Therefore, in many instance, these installers do not now need to be part of a Part P CPS. Registered third party electricians can also be used to certify notifiable electrical installation work as an alternative to using a Building Control body.

Full details of the amendments to the Part P Approved Document can be found on the Planning Portal.

For our full range of electrical courses, click here.

Gas Logic Solutions?

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That’s not us! They say copying is the sincerest form of flattery but we’re not too happy about a completely unrelated company, Gas Logic Solutions, using the Gas Logic name against our wishes. We’re currently dealing with this matter in conjunction with our solicitors.

If you’re looking for high-quality, industry-leading gas and building services engineering training and consultancy then make sure you choose one of the Gas Logic brands; encompassing Logic4training, Electric Logic, Plumb Logic, Solar Logic and Logic4trade, covering the breadth of the BSE sector, plus the tools installers need to carry out their jobs. Gas Logic Solutions is nothing to do with this and has no affiliation with Gas Logic and these established brands.

Gas Logic has the solution for all your gas ACS training requirements, Gas Logic Solutions, well, we wouldn’t like to say!

Gas Logic: Gas safety training for ACS, assessment, re-assessment and new entrants courses available.

Electric Logic: City & Guilds courses for electricians, plus Part P training and AM2 assessment.

Plumb Logic: Training and assessment courses for plumbers.

Solar Logic: MCS recognised renewables training and new entrant’s courses.

Logic4trade: Your one stop shop for the tools and equipment building services engineers need to do their job.

Gas Logic Solutions: ? Nothing to do with us!

 

 

Commercial catering gas safety crack-down

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There’s a big problem in the commercial catering sector and that’s badly maintained gas appliances and illegal work carried out by unqualified installers. Here at Logic4training we want this to be dealt with seriously and are in full support of any clamp downs to stop bad practice. With numerous staff and sometimes customers in commercial catering establishments, the risks to human health and even life, are potentially huge.

In 2012 Environmental Health inspected curry houses in Woking; 32 premises were inspected, 14 of which alongside a Gas Safe Registered engineer. The findings were not encouraging; three restaurants were closed immediately due to detection of gas leaks with others housing unsafe appliances and appliances in need of repair – a number of enforcement notices were also served.

This is an isolated scenario, but one that, in Logic4training’s opinion, should be repeated nationwide. If these more stringent checks are enforced, Gas Safe Registered engineers will be called upon to bring badly maintained equipment up to scratch.

If you already work in the commercial catering sector, make sure your customers are fully aware of the correct operation of their equipment and why this is so important. For example, ventilation is crucial. Multiple appliances all going simultaneously produce high-levels of heat, CO and CO2; consequently, a suitable interlock system must also be installed to prevent the appliance’s operation without suitable ventilation. The interlock system is an often ignored or bypassed area as powerful extraction systems consume a fair amount of electricity causing cash-conscious owners to switch them off – a potentially perilous move.

For gas engineers interested in entering this area, we provide changeover and up-skill packages, plus Approved Prior Learning programmes for non-gas safe registered candidates but who have some relevant experience – APL acts as a stepping stone onto the ACS scheme.

Health and Safety clamps downs, plus a buoyant sector – thanks to Brits holidaying at home and an increase in foreign visitors – means commercial catering could be a great industry to join.

For more information about our commercial catering gas courses, click here.

 

New guide for photovoltaic installers

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A new photovoltaic’s guide has been released to compliment the changes to Microgeneration Installation Standard (MIS) 3002, which refers to PV.

Published by the MCS Solar PV Working group, with support of the Electrical Contractors Association (the ECA), the new PV document is intended to improve guidance for installation companies and the general standards for photovoltaic installations across the UK. An update of the previous DTi guide, it includes a number of new sections to reflect the fast-paced change of technology in the sector.

  • The system performance estimation methodology which now takes into account shading and the use of look up tables;
  • Installation and site work updates to cover wind uplift calculations, a simplified calculation method with worked examples and guidance on calculating system fixing requirements;
  • Design/technical updates.

Installation companies will have three months (May 7th) before they must work to the new version of MIS 3002 issue 3.0.

The new PV Guide can be downloaded for free from the MCS website at: http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/mcs-standards/installer-standards

Logic4training delivers MCS recognised courses for Solar PV installers and designers. Click here for our full range of renewables training.