energy

Sulphur hexafluoride – SF6 – is widely used in the electricity distribution industry in medium- and high-voltage installations such as substations, transformers and power stations. It is an odourless, colourless, non-flammable gas that acts as an insulator and prevents explosions and fires brought about by short circuits.

These qualities have made it the most common gas insulator for HV switchgear and use is increasing as a greater number of smaller generators come onto the grid. However, concern has been raised about the global warming potential of SF6 as use increases, perversely driven by increased demand for renewable energy.

On 9th August, Britain experienced one of the biggest power cuts in a decade as over 1,000,000 people were left without power across England and Wales. As well as thousands of homes going without power, the blackout also had a massive disruptive effect on transport with problems on the rail network and at Newcastle airport in addition to disruption for community facilities and businesses. But what lessons can be taken from the outage?

Energy suppliers are obliged by Ofgem to take all reasonable steps possible to have a smart meter installed in the premises of all their domestic and small business customers by the end of 2020¹. The benefits of smart meters from both a consumer and environmental point of view have been loudly trumpeted in press releases and advertisements, but significant doubts remain and the 2020 deadline looks more and more optimistic when set against the facts. So where is the UK’s smart meter project?

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The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) is an internationally recognised protocol for making businesses more efficient when it comes to energy use.

Amid rising energy prices and an uncertain trading environment, energy efficiency - the so-called ‘fifth-fuel’ - is becoming an evermore important factor in decisions made by business owners and managers. In fact, Carbon Trust research has shown that up to 20% of energy costs are spent on unnecessary or wasted energy so the potential saving is very significant. Luckily, Chauvin Arnoux has provided a comprehensive solution to identifying inefficiencies and waste: the Energy Efficiency Business Solution (EEBS) - available right now from Test-Meter - which features a power quality analyser and thermal camera for picking up on both electrical and thermal wastage.