Northumbrian Water’s groundbreaking sewer robot, Pipebot Patrol, has made its television debut. The company’s “Bin the Wipe” campaign was featured during the prime-time slot, urging customers to stop sending “flushable” wipes down the toilet, which wreak havoc on pipes. While this detritus seems innocent enough, in reality, it can turn into troublesome clogging that causes horrendous floods and requires multi-million-pound repairs. Pipebot Patrol has been developed as an early-warning AI solution that sewer systems desperately need.
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HK Electric marked 135 years of keeping the lights on with an Engineering Conference where over 100 industry cross-sector stakeholders gathered to discuss innovation, resilience and sustainability. From the streetlamps in Central in 1890 to a >99.9999% supply reliability for over 590,000 customers today, the company has been at the forefront of smart grids, natural gas and now green hydrogen. A new Historical Corner at HK Electric Centre showcases artefacts from a century of service, including a commemorative plaque that honours the staff who died defending the North Point Power Station in Second World War.  

EDL Energy has acquired GWE Biogas, including the Sandhill Biogas Plant in East Yorkshire, one of the UK’s most advanced anaerobic digestion facilities. Since 2011, Sandhill has churned out biomethane for the gas grid, powering 6,000 homes and capturing 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ on an annual basis – all from food and farm waste that might have otherwise clogged landfills. With this extra boost in EDL's electrical generation capacity, the deal empowers EDL to scale up cleaner energy for local industry and feed excess clean power to the national grid.  

HK Electric has tapped long‑time partner Taihei Dengyo Kaisha Ltd to install its new gas‑fired generating unit at Lamma Power Station, due to be commissioned by 2029. This latest chapter is estimated to lift gas-fired generation from the current level of around 69% to about 80%, while slashing CO₂ emissions by 35 million metric tonnes – roughly what 50 million trees absorb each year. In addition, the new unit incorporates flood protection measures, marking a significant step in Hong Kong’s shift to cleaner energy and carbon neutrality by 2050.  

Northumbrian Water is spending £26.9 million to upgrade sewage treatment at several sites in County Durham, located in the North East of England. This endeavour involves stripping phosphorus from wastewater, protecting the water quality in the River Wear. Work began in early 2026, with completion expected in 12 to 18 months. £44.1 million will also be spent to cut storm overflows as part of an overarching £1.7 billion environmental conservation mission taking place between 2025 to 2030.  

Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) welcomed over 700 fresh faces to the family as they began the transition to operate all Australian Gas Networks’ assets, along with select third-party assets, from APA into the business. This latest expansion will allow teams to ramp up the company's capabilities coast to coast. To mark this new era, AGIG held celebrations at 13 locations, which hosted more than 1,000 employees. This brought colleagues old and new together to connect, cementing bonds for the road ahead.

Reliance is doubling down on comfort and efficiency with its 2025 launches of two powerhouse heat pumps now primed for growth across Canada. Hisense’s ductless models are part of a 2026 FIFA World Cup customised line-up designed to bring comfortable, “stadium-level” air quality and efficient performance to homes. Reliance is also expanding its Gree/Kinghome line-up. Together, the dual push brings smarter, more efficient heating and cooling into more homes, strengthens brand presence and reinforces Reliance’s promise to deliver comfort, value and an outstanding customer experience.

Northumbrian Water has made an unexpected recruit: Bracken, a four-year-old Labrador, doesn’t just have a nose for tracking wildlife (that too!) but also the ability to safeguard biodiversity. The specialist sniffer dog spots hidden creatures like hedgehogs, ensuring safe relocation before site maintenance can put them in harm’s way. It’s a smart, paws‑on way to protect the wildlife and boost conservation efforts across North East operational sites.

Northern Ireland’s largest gas distributor, Phoenix Energy, has earned top accolades from global benchmarking organisation GRESB for its ESG performance. Phoenix retained its five-star rating and placed joint first globally, whilst also receiving two sector leader awards: the Infrastructure Asset Super Class Leader – Network Utilities, and the Infrastructure Asset Class Leader – Network Utilities: Gas Distribution Companies.

Locally, it achieved Platinum Level in the 2025 Environmental Benchmarking Survey through Business in the Community Northern Ireland, for a fifth year in a row.

From supply chain monitoring and community biodiversity initiatives to its pathway to net zero and plans for delivery of renewable gas solutions, environmental sustainability is Phoenix’ passion.  

EDL Energy is putting pedal power to purposeful use in Brisbane, Australia, combining fundraising, teamwork and hands on mentoring to support vulnerable young people. Six EDL Energy teams took on a 100km virtual cycling challenge at the Queensland University of Technology, helping raise A$12,000 for charities that support vulnerable youth.

CFO Susan Marrinan got even more hands-on, joining the 2025 TRACTION CEO Bike Build, rolling up her sleeves with young people aged 12-15 to assemble bicycles that build far more than mobility. She says, “Each bike built represents more than a project – it’s new skills, confidence and optimism about what’s ahead for these young people.”

In October 2025, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group launched its “Innovate” Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), building on the success of its predecessor, “Reflect” RAP (2023). This initiative outlines clear commitments and implementations to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with the two-year plan including a comprehensive engagement strategy to nurture long-standing stakeholder relationships. To celebrate, AGIG held a kick-off event featuring reflections from a Yorta Yorta artist, leaders, and community partners. This initiative notably birthed the First Nations Lands Map, a cultural GIS mapping tool that earned the Energy WA’s 2025 Energy Inclusion Award for deepening respect for Traditional Owners across operational lands.  

UK Power Networks is rolling out its “Blue Light” project to fast-track the emergency services transition (including ambulances, police and fire) to electric vehicles and low-carbon depots without missing a beat. This digital tool maps available electricity capacity across sites, reducing the need for multiple connection applications. By coordinating efficient upgrades, it saves time and money, saving precious resources. Born from frontline input and cutting-edge data, the project empowers organisations to model scenarios, prioritise investment and accelerate emergency services’ shift to Net Zero.  

In UK, Northern Gas Networks has introduced a £50,000 Community Partnering Fund, facilitated by Point North, to help charities and groups tackle fuel poverty across Tees Valley. Grants from £1,000-£10,000 will fund initiatives including energy advice and carbon monoxide safety education for vulnerable households. The health impacts of those affected by fuel poverty during the cold winter months are stark, and this much-needed support can be a literal lifesaver for Tees Valley residents.  

As part of ongoing efforts to support national reconciliation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has launched an interactive geospatial platform co-developed with Indigenous-owned consultancy Winyama. The platform, Ngurra Portal, is a digital portal that provides cultural and historical context to AGIG’s sites and assets.
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A fire at a Hong Kong housing complex devastated hundreds of lives and homes. The CKHH family moved quickly to bring support to those in need. Watsons, PARKnSHOP, Fortress and Watsons Water delivered essential supplies and set up Care Service Stations. They also donated home appliances, home essentials and personal care products to the affected families as they move into transitional housing. HTHKH’s 3Shops offered free backup phones, portable chargers, SIM cards and 5G services. The HK Electric Service Team provided on-site help. The Li Ka Shing Foundation promptly distributed HK$30 million to charities to provide immediate relief and pledged HK$50 million for recovery efforts, aiding families to rebuild their lives.

CK Infrastructure (CKI) brought together more than 1,200 staff members and their families across Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Canada to attend its biennial CKI International Family Day. The event featured friendly competitions, including tug-of-war and a dance contest. Chairman Mr Victor T K Li described the CK Group as a “Business United Nations”, and CKI, as one of the flagships of CK Group, embodies many of these characteristics. This is underscored by CKI’s leading position in the global infrastructure market and its worldwide team coming from diverse cultural backgrounds, experience, and expertise.

HK Electric has revamped its Smart Power Gallery (SPG), unveiling a five-storey SPG 2.0, an interactive hub presenting the company’s push for a smart, zero-carbon and caring city. To celebrate the relaunch, HK Electric hosted 20 students from the company’s “Happy Green Schools” programme, taking them on a tour through the new multimedia displays, games and decarbonisation workshops. The gallery isn’t just a showcase; it’s an upgraded classroom for the city’s next generation of sustainability thought leaders. Schools and organisations are welcome to book free guided tours or participate in online learning activities.  

ista has kicked off a six-year sustainability partnership with Borussia Mönchengladbach, one of Germany’s top football clubs, bringing smart metering and energy monitoring to the entire Borussia-Park complex. Spanning over 40 football fields, including the stadium, hotel, restaurants, offices, retail and training facilities, the project makes energy use transparent, identifies savings and reduces CO₂ emissions. The collaboration demonstrates how data-driven solutions can power real climate impact, proving that large-scale buildings (stadiums included) can go smart, efficient and greener, one meter at a time.

Northumbrian Water is bringing a real-life Wall‑E to the sewers of northern England. Pipebot Patrol is the world’s first autonomous robot to patrol live pipelines, spotting blockages before flooding occurs. A £1.8 million initiative led by Northumbrian Water, Pipebot Patrol captures real-time data with advanced mobile sensors and delivers alerts via a user-friendly dashboard. By reducing emergency callouts and keeping crews away from hazardous conditions, Pipebot Patrol promises smarter, safer and more proactive sewer management across the UK.  

HK Electric has commissioned Hong Kong’s first low-voltage direct current (LVDC) system at the home of the city’s giant pandas, Ocean Park’s “Giant Panda Adventure”. The hybrid alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) microgrid keeps the enclosure of the giant pandas powered up with world-class electric technology. The system can instantly switch power sources during a power anomaly, ensuring stable supply while minimising disruptions. Beyond the panda habitat, HK Electric plans to bring this innovative hybrid microgrid to commercial buildings across Hong Kong Island, taking a step towards smarter, more resilient energy infrastructure for the city.  

Northumbrian Water is turning wastewater into a resource with the Net Water PositHyve project. This initiative transforms treated wastewater into high-quality, clean water, reducing the need to use drinking water for industrial purposes. Backed by the UK’s water regulator, Ofwat, and their Innovation Fund Water Breakthrough Challenge, the project aims to recycle up to 740,000 litres daily, helping industrial sites operate more sustainably and protecting vital water resources for future generations.

UK Power Networks (UKPN), in partnership with Open Climate Fix, is using AI-powered technology to estimate rooftop solar generation in real time by combining UKPN’s measurements with historical weather and satellite data. This process informs forecasting models, helping grid operators make faster, data-driven decisions, plan upgrades and predict energy flows. With 20GW of solar energy production currently installed in the UK projected to reach 90GW by 2035, this AI-driven approach illuminates a clearer path to net zero, and home solar could save households billions on energy bills.  

Hydrogen Park Gladstone in Queensland has completed more than six months of operations, delivering a renewable hydrogen blend to around 700 homes and businesses. Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), in partnership with the Queensland government, has delivered an up to 10% (by volume) blended renewable gas to the city’s gas network. The company welcomed local officials to visit the hydrogen park for a tour and a community BBQ. The project demonstrates the potential of renewable gas and marks a major step towards scaling up clean energy solutions across Australia.  

ista is refreshing its brand identity, embracing a “bold, simple and smart” approach designed to inspire across 20 international markets. Key brand codes have been streamlined into a sleeker, more digital-friendly aesthetic, featuring a custom font, a refined colour palette and intuitive infographics to modernise the look and enhance usability. The brand evolution reflects ista’s history from a heating meter reader and billing company into a global energy service provider focused on climate protection in buildings.

The new tagline, “Switch to smart”, embodies ista’s agile, data-driven mindset and underscores its commitment to building a smarter, more sustainable future for all.

EDL is celebrating two decades of clean energy generation at its Wonthaggi Wind Farm on Victoria’s Bass Coast in Australia. Since commissioning in 2005, its six turbines have run for about 175,000 hours – that’s wind doing what it does best, day after day! What began as a bold step into wind technology now stands as a keystone in EDL’s renewables story and a reminder of the value of smart site selection, strong landowner relationships and reliable grid connections. Wonthaggi proves that wind can power communities today while helping build a sustainable future.

The UK’s hydrogen ambitions have been boosted by funding of £96 million approved by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) for East Coast Hydrogen. The partnership, led by National Gas, Cadent and Northern Gas Networks, will repurpose and build pipelines to deliver clean hydrogen across the North East, Humber, Yorkshire and the East Midlands, decarbonising power generation and heavy industry while reducing emissions and protecting jobs. The next phase will enable all three networks to carry out engineering, planning and public consultation on proposals over the next two years. Backed by 120 organisations, this will pave the way for a hydrogen network to be delivered over the next decade.

Reliance Home Comfort has expanded its US footprint with its acquisitions of CM Heating in Washington and Air Force Heating & Air in Georgia. This move has brought 200 new team members on board and enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as plumbing and electrical service capabilities across key US markets. Thanks to rigorous preparation efforts, Reliance is experiencing a smooth transition period for this acquisition. This milestone has solidified the company’s continued commitment to growth and to delivering exceptional service to its customers.

This summer, Northumbrian Water concluded its £17 million enhancements to sewerage networks and treatment works in Teesside, North East England. The funding covered the construction of two separate pipelines and the conversion of a pumping station. The projects prioritised environmental protection, network efficiency and minimal disruption to commuters. Not only will these upgrades safeguard wastewater services but they will also support local transport routes and deliver lasting benefits to Teesside residents.  

Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has just signed its first biomethane connection deal, linking the Delorean Corporation’s upcoming SA1 Salisbury Bioenergy facility to South Australia’s gas network. The project will bring up to 210 terajoules of renewable gas generated from organic waste into existing pipelines annually with no system overhaul needed. It’s proving that biomethane is ready for primetime and can contribute to AGIG’s ambition to deliver 100% renewable or carbon-neutral gas in its distribution networks by 2050.  

Northumbrian Water has pumped £4.4 million into three environmental projects to reduce sewer overflows in England’s County Durham. The upgrades are part of major work across North East England and include new tanks, sewer diversions and separating surface water from wastewater pipes – key moves to prevent stormwater from overwhelming the system. The upgrades are expected to cut spills from these assets into the River Wear by over 75%, capping them at just 10 per year per site. This recent investment contributes to the overarching effort to protect local waterways.  

With extreme weather events becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change, HK Electric isn’t waiting for the rain to fall – they’re using technology to avoid potential disruptions. Key improvements include reinforcing Lamma Power Station, implementing anti-flooding measures in substations and using underground cables for power transmission. The company has adopted new design standards, enhanced infrastructure resilience and implemented contingency measures to ensure a stable power supply. In addition to its goal of producing net-zero power before 2050, HK Electric aims to future-proof its power infrastructure against severe weather challenges to the end of the 21st century.  

UK Power Networks is pioneering green energy adoption on the River Thames. Through its “Electric Thames” initiative, the company is charting a low-carbon future for London’s maritime sector by exploring electric vessel adoption, grid upgrades and vessel-to-grid technology, where boats double as floating batteries. In partnership with the Port of London Authority, Marine Zero and others, the project has analysed 62 commercial vessels and identified 21 riverside charging hotspots. Backed by Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, Electric Thames could be the UK’s blueprint for sustainable waterways.  

To support World Environment Day, HK Electric has debuted its “barter market”, encouraging employees to give their unwanted items a second life. Over 200 pre-loved items – from drones and milk frothers to plush toys and teapots – found new homes in just two weeks.

The initiative, inspired by the United Nations’ theme of waste reduction, also featured a “third life” section with items made from recycled materials. The event builds on the success of HK Electric’s “Pass It On” platform by promoting the reuse of goods, sustainability and a low-carbon lifestyle.

Northern Gas Networks is developing young Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) masterminds by mentoring students in partnership with the Big Ideas Programme by Solutions for the Planet. Through hands-on guidance, employees help 11-13 year olds from disadvantaged areas turn big sustainability ideas into business plans – with the top entries being pitched at the Palace of Westminster.

From wooden satellites to “minus meat” burgers, the students’ concepts are bold and inspiring. But it’s not just the children who benefit: mentors say the experience boosts their own confidence and creativity. That sounds like energy well spent!  

This winter, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) partnered with Point North to help vulnerable households in the northeast of England. Together, they’ve announced a £50,000 Community Partnering Fund, offering grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to charities and community groups fighting fuel poverty in County Durham and Tees Valley.

The fund will support energy advice services, raise awareness of the Priority Services Register (PSR), and educate the public on carbon monoxide safety.

The benefits of being on the PSR range from being provided with alternative cooking and heating equipment, to the provision of hot meals and even alternative accommodation if this is needed.

The overall aim of the fund is to support those in or most at risk of fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency, raising awareness of the PSR, building community resilience, and increasing gas safety awareness.  

An ecosystem is a complex dance of organisms all seeking to thrive. The flora and fauna of the HK Electric Lamma Island Power Station get a boost from the Company's Green Hong Kong Green (GHKG) education programme in coordination with The Conservancy Association.

Lamma Island hosts around two-thirds of Hong Kong's recorded biodiversity, with 30 bird species recorded within the power station area. HK Electric regularly monitors the water and air quality in the waters near the plant to ensure that the natural environment and biodiversity within and around the plant is not affected and, better still, improved.

GHKG shares this biodiverse environment via online and offline tours on 12 eco-heritage routes established on Lamma Island and Hong Kong Island.  

A pivotal 18-month trial has found that heat batteries could help millions of UK homes switch to low-carbon electrified heating while alleviating pressure on the electricity grid. Led by UK Power Networks in partnership with OVO and tepeo, the “NeatHeat” trial installed tepeo’s Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB) in 30 homes in the UK.

The results were astounding: a 95% reduction in peak-time heating demand, making heat batteries a strong alternative to fossil fuel boilers. By storing energy during off-peak hours and releasing it when needed, this tech could be revolutionary for the UK’s 2050 net-zero ambitions.  

HK Electric is stepping up its decarbonisation efforts with an enhanced Energy-efficient Community Subsidy Programme in 2025. The initiative will offer up to HK$3 million per building to support non-profit non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools in improving energy efficiency and adopting renewable energy solutions, thus leading to cost savings as well as carbon reduction.

The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Fong Shu Chuen Social Service Building was among the first batch of beneficiaries of the enhanced programme, which is expected to save 400,000kWh annually for the building upon completion.  

UK Power Networks (UKPN) is supercharging London’s electric bus revolution with a £4 million investment in the Thornton Heath district. The company has installed 5km of high-voltage underground cables and upgraded a local electricity substation. This will enable Arriva to roll out 109 electric buses from its Whitehall Road depot, thus delivering essential new power infrastructure to bus fleets and motorway service areas through the installation of rapid charging hubs.

This project is part of a broader effort to decarbonise transport, supporting cleaner air and lower carbon emissions, and accelerating the country’s transition to net zero.  

Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has broken monumental new ground in advancing Albury-Wodonga’s transition to sustainable energy. Construction has officially begun on Hydrogen Park Murray Valley (HyP Murray Valley), a A$65 million renewable hydrogen project.

Backed by funding from the Australian and Victorian governments, the project will feature a 10-megawatt electrolyser – the largest on Australia’s east coast – at launch. It will generate up to 500 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually.  

Australia is no stranger to the impact of climate change — heat waves, bushfires and extreme storms. SA Power Networks (SAPN) is tackling the challenge head-on. From in-the-field protection protocols to weather modelling and forecasting, SAPN is protecting staff and customers alike.
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Enviro NZ has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, highlighting its role in helping New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon, low-waste future. The report highlights how Enviro NZ is focusing on helping Kiwis live sustainably despite cost-of-living challenges. Key achievements include a 26% reduction in Scope 1 emissions since 2021, an 18% increase in renewable electricity from landfill and a 52% rise in low-carbon vehicles in their fleet. Enviro NZ’s initiatives include reaching 10,000+ households with a new organic recycling service.

The company is committed to achieving waste minimisation and resource recovery targets, driven by strategies that focus on people and the environment. Enviro NZ continues to be a leader in sustainability and the development of a circular economy.  

Wales & West Utilities (WWU) is helping out residents in the southwest of England with the Greener Homes Advice Line, a free service launched in collaboration with YES Energy Solutions. Funded with a £500,000 grant from the WWU’s Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), this initiative offers callers expert advice on energy-saving strategies, understanding bills and enhancing home energy efficiency. The project is set to support thousands of customers while potentially saving each household over £500 during its two-year duration.  

The Everest Residence project, Hong Kong Island’s pioneering Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) transitional housing initiative, has made great strides, thanks to contributions from HK Electric. Through its Smart Power Services (SPS), grid-electricity supply replaced diesel generators during construction while HK Electric subsidised energy-efficient electrical appliances for 103 units, addressing the housing needs and enhancing the quality of living of the underprivileged. This minimised the project’s carbon footprint.

Initial feedback from tenants highlighted the benefits of energy-efficient electrical appliances, including reduced fire risks and lower energy costs.  

The “Back in Fashion” Design Competition brought innovative and fashionable designs to the runway in a collaborative event by HK Electric and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong. The crème de la crème – 30 entries out of the total 220 submissions – were put under the spotlight at a fashion show at Central Market, Hong Kong, meant to highlight eco-friendly designs and upcycling materials which would otherwise go to waste. These transformative outfits make for a great show and promote HK Electric’s efforts to support ventures in waste reduction and recycling.  

Research in the UK shows that half of all carers of elderly relatives have put their own health aside due to caregiving responsibilities. Over 60% of carers report negative impacts on their mental health, while more than half say that their physical health has taken a toll. With the number of people aged 85 and up expected to double in the next 15 years, the rising number of “hidden carers” poses a growing challenge for the UK healthcare system.

The Carents Room, supported by Northern Gas Networks, is addressing this issue by providing funding and resources to vulnerable customers. Their efforts ensure that carers receive the support they need to look after themselves while caring for others.  

Over 300 UK Power Networks (UKPN) employees laced up their boots for the 20-mile Royal Ramble charity walk, raising an astounding £40,000 for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Starting at Richmond Park in distant west London and finishing at Potters Fields Park by Tower Bridge, the event saw teams of up to seven tackle the challenge. Many participants joined as part of UKPN’s “donate-a-day” scheme, which allows employees to volunteer for charity twice a year. The fastest groups completed the route in under eight hours, with refreshments provided along the way. The funds raised will help the Duke of Edinburgh Award to support young people in developing vital life skills.

Northumbrian Water (NWG) is investing £20 million into a first-of-its-kind project in the UK that will develop smart sewers and other savvy technology, such as smart sensors and AI analytics, to reduce the risk of spills from storm overflows. Using techniques already successfully trialled in the US, NWG will have the power to control wastewater direction and flow, therefore reducing the risk of spills. Ten years of testing across the pond have shown an 80% decrease in spills in a section of an Indiana wastewater network, so with this new plan, NWG hopes to see similar results.  

HK Electric, State Grid Corporation of China, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Xi’an Jiaotong University have extended their collaborative programme “Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy” for another four years. Ongoing since 2018, this renewed partnership aims to drive efficiency and innovation in the power sector while conducting on-site research in Belt and Road regions. With hundreds of professionals trained worldwide, the programme will continue to offer cutting-edge seminars and tours to power plants and research centres, facilitating exchange of views and experience-sharing among the engineering practitioners.  

Australian Gas Networks (AGN) reached two significant milestones at the tail end of August. It’s been 25 years since CKI made its first offshore investment in Envestra (now known as AGN) as one of its major shareholders, and 10 years since CKI acquired full ownership of the business. To celebrate, CKI and Australian Gas Infrastructure Group employees gathered at the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. They honoured the dedication and contributions of those who have been part of the company since it joined the CKI family, recognising their roles in shaping AGN’s growth and success as a key player in Australia’s gas network industry.

Wales & West Utilities (WWU) is leading the way in sustainable operations with Project GREEN and transforming its equipment line-up for a greener future. Traditional diesel and petrol tools are being replaced on a trial basis with innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to see how their performance measures up. Several fleet vehicles are also being run on hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel (HVO), which cuts emissions by up to 90%. Also in the arsenal are a new 3,000-litre solar-powered bowser, which uses photovoltaic panels, and a fully electric 1.9-tonne excavator.

Hongkong Salvage & Towage Services Limited (HKSTS) has celebrated the commissioning of LNG SENTINEL I and LNG SENTINEL II, the first two locally licensed liquified natural gas (LNG)-diesel dual-fuel tugs. These advanced tugs are set to safeguard the world’s largest floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) and the Hong Kong Offshore LNG Terminal. This move marks a significant leap towards greener maritime operations, showcasing Hong Kong’s dedication to sustainability and innovation. The LNG Sentinels will ensure safe and efficient terminal operations, reinforcing the city’s LNG infrastructure development.

CitiPower and Powercor (Australia) have launched a new platform to explore the innovative potential of a marketplace that could provide alternatives to traditional poles and wires upgrades in Victoria’s electricity networks. The online marketplace connects non-network solution providers with opportunities to address network constraints. By involving third parties, CitiPower and Powercor aim to identify cost-effective solutions, such as batteries, virtual power plants and demand management programmes, while maintaining a reliable energy supply.

More opportunities will be released through the platform later this year and early 2025, with multi-year contracts on offer to support the growing energy demand.

Facing the challenge of extreme weather, Northumbrian Water is pioneering the use of flying drones to secure real-time data. Water-testing technology mounted on flying drones can enhance the quality and frequency of water quality reporting in difficult environments.
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Safety engineers at CKHH companies around the world are innovating by using flyers and rollers to improve quality, lower costs and increase the frequency of safety inspections.
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UK Power Networks Services, the private networks business of UK Power Networks, has acquired UU Solar, a major provider of renewable energy, including solar and much more, for an enterprise value of £90.8 million. UU Solar owns and operates 65 solar photovoltaic farms, four onshore wind facilities and one hydro generation asset, with a total installed capacity of 68.7MW. The company has long-term agreements and profitable status, enabling it to expand its renewable energy generation in the future.

While much of the energy generated today goes to United Utilities Water Limited, a regulated UK water and sewerage company, UK Power Networks Services can leverage their UK-wide water, electricity and other critical infrastructure asset portfolios to create synergy between UU Solar and their other businesses.

SA Power Networks has teamed up with Carbonix to conduct the first-ever long-range drone patrol of electricity power lines in Australia. The flight demonstrated the benefits of “over the horizon” drone operations, conducting thermographic inspections and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) imaging across 150km of powerlines in South Australia.

This exciting development highlights that the power drones have the potential to reduce overall travel and operational costs as well as improve staff safety. Drones are also able to speed up responses to outages, facilitate fault detection, aid in bushfire preparation, and streamline maintenance and line re-stringing work. This pioneering initiative heralds a new era in powerline management.

HK Electric has announced its decision to construct another new gas-fired generation unit at Lamma Power Station. The new generation unit, L13, will be manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd in Japan, marking a pivotal step towards the company’s net-zero goals. The unit, now in development, is slated for commissioning in 2029 and promises to push carbon emission reduction during the transition to alternative forms of electricity.

Meanwhile, HK Electric is exploring the use of hydrogen energy and looking for insights from innovative hydrogen energy facilities inside Takasago Hydrogen Park, with a view to creating a greener and more sustainable Hong Kong.  

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and a number of heavyweight industry partners have secured nearly £500,000 in Ofgem funding for its Hydrogen Cost Reduction Programme (HyCoRe), which will explore hydrogen’s role in easing the upfront investment needed to achieve net zero in the UK.

Joined by industry giants such as Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, Kinewell Energy and Arup, NGN will delve into hydrogen integration with existing energy networks in a series of projects that have already garnered over £16 million in Ofgem funding.

The six-month HyCoRe project will focus on national modelling, regional solution modelling and technical challenge assessment, aiming to pave the way for green hydrogen integration into the gas network.  

Enviro NZ has achieved Green Star NZ accreditation, including full accreditation for its Auckland and Central North Island centres, showing the significant strides it has made in construction sustainability. Green Star, an environmental rating system for commercial buildings in New Zealand, promotes waste reduction and enhances the country’s carbon footprint while prioritising the well-being of its citizens.

Enviro NZ now offers tailored waste audits, material segregation solutions, employee training and digital diversion reporting to aid clients in meeting sustainability targets.

Enviro NZ’s focus on sustainability continues with the construction of an organic facility in Timaru, where waste will be turned into compost and used to help improve soil quality in the region. This facility, at Redruth Recovery Park, will boost its organic waste-processing capacity and contribute to a thriving circular economy.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has received £300,000 in innovation funding for two studies that would research transitioning to net zero in the UK.

The first project, PATCH (Production and Long-Term Containment of Hydrides), explores alternative hydrogen storage media, while the Regional Energy Strategic Modelling project (RESM) focuses on optimising gas, water and power networks simultaneously, to support low-carbon infrastructure.

Funded by energy network users and consumers (through the Strategic Innovation Fund, SIF), the projects aim at rapidly achieving net zero in the UK at minimal cost while maximising benefits to networks and consumers.  

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has secured funding for 12 pioneering projects as part of its initiatives to propel innovation in electricity and net-zero efforts. Now in their discovery phase under Ofgem and Innovate UK’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), these initiatives have the objective of fast-tracking net-zero plans, fortifying network resilience and lowering costs.

Partnering with over 20 leading innovators, the projects include endeavours such as electric-powered boats and heat capture from waste. UKPN is enthusiastic about the projects’ potential to revolutionise its operations and communities.

So far, UKPN has managed to seamlessly integrate 58 projects into its workflow. This has resulted in £425 million in customer savings, which is a testament to the company’s mission to deliver tangible benefits through strategic collaboration.  

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has trialled a cutting-edge traffic management planning solution, 1Streetworks, which has the ability to reduce connection times and improve safety.

Tested in Surrey, the trial drastically cut surveyors’ design time from hours to minutes for 300 sites, while continuing to meet the high levels of safety and accuracy required under the regulations. This success has led to an expanded trial in Kent, testing whether it can be used to benefit customers served by other workstreams across UKPN.

The biennial 2024 Energy Networks Australia Conference in Adelaide proved pivotal for Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), shedding light on their strides in advancing renewable gas initiatives at the event, which unites industry leaders to navigate the future of energy solutions.

AGIG’s senior staff were in attendance to present their latest energy initiatives, such as their community-centric approach to sustainable partnerships, gas network use for carbon-neutral electricity and the future of renewable gas. AGIG’s Hydrogen Park South Australia facility also hosted a site tour and hydrogen barbecue at the Tonsley Innovation District.

To prevent fish from entering Lamma Power Station when it pulls in water to cool down generation units, HK Electric has introduced the Acoustics Fish Deterrent System (AFDS). After testing various sounds, they found that both whale and low-frequency sounds worked best to keep fish away. Thanks to the AFDS, the volume of fish getting caught in the station plummeted from 2,000kg per day in 2019 to under 2kg daily by 2023. This innovative solution not only slashes operational expenses but also safeguards marine ecology and station machinery.  

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has stepped up to aid vulnerable individuals dependent on electricity for medical devices. With 120,000 people on the UKPN priority register who rely on power for life-saving medical equipment, Power Protect has introduced battery packs, ensuring that critical equipment operates during prolonged outages.

In this essential initiative, these free battery packs can last more than 17 hours and are offered to affected customers during outages exceeding four hours. This extra support is part of UKPN’s continued commitment to enhancing customer well-being and its dedication to ensuring safety during longer power interruptions.  

MasterChef Australia Season 16 has kicked off with a gas-powered culinary revolution by being the first season to use carbon-neutral biomethane and hydrogen gases. Partnering with Australian Gas Networks (AGN), who are part of AGIG, as well as Jemena, ATCO and Solstice, the iconic show has transformed its kitchen through sustainable energy.

Thanks to the finest in Australia’s gas industry installing the new gas supply, MasterChef contestants were able to cook with biomethane, which is derived from organic waste. Also in the series was a unique BBQ challenge that showcased carbon-neutral hydrogen gas. This one-of-a-kind partnership sets a new standard for kitchens nationwide, and AGN highlights that Australians can continue to cook with gas whilst emitting fewer emissions on Australia’s journey to net zero.

The Green Hong Kong Green campaign, a joint effort between HK Electric and a local green group, the Conservancy Association, has focused on showcasing the biodiversity of Hong Kong in 2024. Through various activities, including an online tour of natural habitats, the programme aimed to raise awareness and engage the public in biodiversity conservation. Experts revealed through a coral survey near Lamma Power Station that it is a thriving habitat for coral species. By showcasing local natural treasures, Green Hong Kong Green is fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of its protection.  

HK Electric co-hosted an opening ceremony for the city’s first offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal with its project partner, CLP Power. The supply of low-carbon LNG to Hong Kong’s electricity generation and distribution companies will help the city in its transition to carbon neutrality by 2050.

The project was the collective success of business partners, marine experts, engineers, technicians, construction workers and other colleagues from the two power companies. The city has also benefited from the Hong Kong SAR Government’s environmental policies that have facilitated the construction of this complex but important infrastructure.  

Hydrogen is the future of Queensland, and Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) is building that future. Construction has started on Hydrogen Park (HyP) Gladstone, located on Australia’s northeast coast. The plant will enable AGIG to introduce a 10% blend of renewable hydrogen into the natural gas currently used by homes and businesses. The renewable hydrogen burns clean with no carbon emissions and can be increased as a percentage of the flow over time. Around 770 homes and businesses will be online by early 2024 – and as the project reaches its full potential, it will save over 57 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere each year.  

HK Electric has introduced a powerful, mobile electricity-generating unit that can step in to provide a green supply in case of an emergency. It is a two-truck system that could also be deployed as a backup power source for major events. It can provide up to two hours of continuous power supply for more than 650 households. In Hong Kong, it debuted at the FIA World Rallycross Championship in autumn 2023.

The innovative system’s dual-pronged approach features an energy storage truck and a power changeover truck that allows an uninterrupted power supply. Batteries are replacing traditional diesel systems – they are quieter and greener in operation.  

SA Power Networks’ “Flexible Exports” project has won the Australian Institute of Energy’s SA Energy Project of the Year Award 2023. The award is offered to the most significant and successful energy-related project, such as research, policy, legal, commercial, engineering and construction, over the past 12 months.

SA Power Networks engaged with more than 6,000 national and international stakeholders to successfully develop and deploy Flexible Exports, which allow solar customers to export up to 10kW of energy depending on grid capacity at the time. It’s a game-changer for both the industry and customers alike who now have an even bigger stake in producing zero-emission energy.  

If you don’t have a Supply Chain Day, perhaps you should consider organising one. UK Power Networks (UKPN) does, and it tells suppliers how important they are and how they can help.

On Supply Chain Day, 135 suppliers, representing 80% of suppliers, committed to honouring UKPN’s new green Code of Conduct. More are signing on. UKPN also provides support for micro- and small-business suppliers that may lack the resources of larger firms.

The Code addresses actions that include committing to the circular economy, reducing carbon emissions, improving social mobility and upholding high ethical standards, among other requirements.  

Global sustainable energy producer EDL and key project stakeholders Republic Services, NW Natural Renewables and Pennant Midwest have commenced operations at the Limestone Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility near Youngstown, Ohio, USA.

EDL has upgraded an existing landfill gas-to-energy power plant to an RNG facility near Republic Services’ Carbon Limestone Landfill.

This new facility is helping to tackle the issue of carbon-heavy landfill gas (LFG) that typically escapes into the atmosphere due to the decomposition of rubbish. The LFG is processed and conditioned into pipeline-quality RNG – reducing harmful emissions and providing a reliable source of green energy for local residents and businesses.

The Limestone RNG facility is designed to produce 1.7 million MMBtu (million British thermal units) of RNG in 2024 – comparable to removing the emissions from 13,170 passenger vehicles from roads each year.  

Wales & West Utilities have partnered with ARUP, a global engineering consultant, to produce a report to explore how hydrogen could transform the aviation sector across their region. Hydrogen in Aviation explores how hydrogen could be used at airports in Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Newquay.

The report also helps potential users and suppliers to make practical plans to incorporate hydrogen into their operations. Pipeline builders can use the report to plan infrastructure changes and support the advancement of the hydrogen economy. This is an exciting first step in decarbonising our air travel.  

CK Infrastructure gathered a group of high-achieving colleagues from around the world and their family members for a day of fun and games in Hong Kong last November with 1,200 participants attending. Held after a long COVID-induced hiatus, the CKI International Family Day brings together staff and family members from Hong Kong, Mainland China as well as the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. A tug-of-war and dance competition were two of the highlight events of the day.

The CKI International Family Day celebrates the team and family spirit amongst colleagues of different nationalities and cultures from all corners of the globe, standing united as a strong family unit with common fundamental values and a desire to achieve excellence. The smiles and joy were clear enough to show that the CKI family was happy to be together again!

UK Power Networks is taking real steps to help its customers with their cost-of-living struggles. It provides funding and programmes that help energy-vulnerable populations deal with increased costs and isolation.

The Cost of Living Fund now stands at £500,000 and is distributed to organisations so that they can conduct more home visits and provide income to those desperately in need. With cold snaps threatening people, the support has empowered the creation of 120 “warm hubs” that have reached over 18,400 people; over 3,000 have received substantial support.  

Jabiru Power Station in the Northern Territory, Australia has completed 500 days of operation – providing renewable energy from solar power to local residents and businesses in the remote township, surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

In a powerful blend of clean energy and environmental conservation, global sustainable energy producer EDL has partnered with the Northern Territory Government, Parks Australia and local Djurrubu Rangers to safeguard the black-footed tree-rat and its habitat.

An established 1,000-hectare conservation zone will be carefully managed through a plan and monitoring programme, including controlling feral animals and weeds, managing fires on a small scale and conducting surveys to keep track of the local wildlife.  

Enerven is taking on its biggest project to date after winning a landmark contract to construct a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for Origin Energy at their Eraring Power Station in New South Wales. Enerven’s expertise in high-voltage and renewable energy was crucial in securing the right to build the 460MW battery – among the largest in Australia. The A$600 million investment will enable renewable energy to be stored and dispatched during peak demand, supporting grid stability and energy security as well as creating up to 128 construction jobs and 10 operational jobs.  

HK Electric and its partner, CLP Power, have opened their liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to receive LNG for power generation. This offshore terminal features the world’s largest Floating Storage and Regasification Unit vessel, the Bauhinia Spirit, with an LNG storage capacity of 263,000m³. The LNG is stored onboard the Bauhinia Spirit until it is regasified and sent on to the two power stations including HK Electric’s, contributing to the green energy transition in Hong Kong.  

Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) has ramped up the supply of hydrogen to customers in South Australia. In May 2023, the current 700 customers ballooned to 4,000 homes and businesses in Mitchell Park, Clovelly Park and parts of Marion. Happy customers over the past two years of HyP SA’s operation merit the expansion of the platform that produces hydrogen and then adds it to natural gas flows to customers. HyP SA currently has Australia’s biggest electrolyser to create stored hydrogen power and will hold that title until the next wave of projects come online, including Australian Gas Infrastructure Group’s 10MW HyP Murray Valley project, in mid-2025.  

Essex & Suffolk Water is investing £49.3 million in upgrades to its water treatment works at Barsham to bring clean water, clean living and a more resilient environment to over 75,000 people across a wide swathe of the region. A new reservoir will contain over 20 million litres of water. New pumps, filters and tanks, chemical dosing and plant-washing facilities will combine to ensure clean, fresh, great-tasting water.  

It is all Enviro NZ now! The constituent companies have been brought under the Enviro NZ brand. EnviroWaste, ChemWaste, EnviroEarth and the parent company Enviro NZ all now bear one moniker and look, simplifying and strengthening the brand in the public eye. Popular apps such as the EnviroEarth app will still work and will be updated with the new style in time. Enviro NZ employs around 1,100 New Zealanders who provide essential waste and recycling solutions for a third of all local councils, and more than half a million business and household customers.

Australian Gas Infrastructure Group is rolling out hydrogen production facilities in the HyPs: Hydrogen Parks. The next to come is Murray Valley. Construction is commencing soon on HyP Murray Valley and it’s expected to start producing in mid-2025. The HyP will create hydrogen that will be mixed into the existing natural gas supply to the homes of 40,000 customers in the Albury-Wodonga region. The 10MW electrolyser will have eight times the capacity of Australia’s current biggest operational electrolyser, eclipsing its production.  

Northern Gas Networks is about more than gas. It has secured support to conduct a 12-week study into the integration of offshore wind generation and electrolysis, especially the optimal placement of infrastructure, such as electrolysers and energy storage, to minimise the cost and maximise the resilience. The Hydrogen Cost Reduction (HyCoRe) programme is supported by the national energy regulator and development agency, OFGEM, through their Strategic Innovation Fund and has the participation of other energy companies including UK Power Networks.  

SA Power Networks is expanding its world-leading Flexible Exports programme, allowing customers to export more solar energy into the grid. Solar customers are able to export (i.e. sell) up to 10kW per phase from their rooftop solar panel systems, depending on network capacity. Successful trials have proven that customers could export the maximum 10kW allotment 98% of the time. Customers getting on board with the Flexible Exports programme not only earn a return on their rooftop solar investment but also contribute to a more sustainable and stable energy grid overall.  

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is commonly used as an insulator to protect against shock for high-voltage electrical systems – and has over 22,800 times the global warming potential (GWP) of carbon dioxide. UK Power Networks is installing its first SF6-free Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), which uses a combination of dehumidified oxygen and nitrogen that have a zero GWP. The company aims to reduce the use of SF6 for new switchgear across all voltage ranges where alternatives are available on the market. This will deliver operational efficiency, as SF6 management, training, reporting and disposal is costly and onerous, whereas the GIS is a safer, simpler platform.  

Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia, and Chris Beattie, Chief Officer of the State Emergency Service, invited SA Power Networks (SAPN) to a special event to recognise agencies that made at difference in their response to the recent River Murray floods that plagued South Australia from November last year until February 2023. Staff were praised for their tireless work and inter-agency cooperation, and the Premier presented SAPN with a memorial plaque to recognise their “outstanding collegiality and cross-government support for the River Murray floods”.  

The SA Volunteer Awards, hosted by the South Australian Government has recognised SA Power Networks’ efforts in the community with a Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. The Award celebrates a for-profit business that makes an extraordinary contribution to the community. SAPN supported in the region of 44 organisations last year with millions of dollars of direct grant funding. During 2022, it also launched its inaugural community grants programme that benefited another 25 community groups, schools and not-for-profits. That big-hearted approach to the community deserves to be celebrated!

CKHH companies are enacting adaptive strategies to mitigate climate change, including leading the charge in the hydrogen revolution. Day 2 of the Global Climate Action Conference explored how CKHH companies deal with climate-change extreme events and how they are transitioning to climate-friendly energy generation.
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CKHH companies aren’t just spending money on traditional renewable energy – they are investing in original R&D to bring innovative solutions to bear. Pilot projects advance to become invaluable solutions to mass adoption of green technologies that just might save us all.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI), carbon-neutral hydrogen heating boilers, low-pressure hydrogen storage innovations and other solutions are coming together as H2GO Power (“H2GO”) at Northern Gas Networks’ Low Thornley Test Facility in the UK to bring cleaner energy to the people. H2GO will be powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels using an AI-enabled optimisation software platform to ensure the most efficient use of renewable energy to distribute gas. The project is funded through the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s £26 million Industrial Hydrogen Accelerator Programme to advance an end-to-end industrial fuel switch from natural gas to hydrogen.  

Jabiru (Northern Territory, Australia) is home to EDL’s award-winning Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Project. This project has enabled the town to significantly reduce diesel use, with 100% solar energy produced during the day. Excess solar energy is stored for use after dark, enabling over 50% of total energy consumption to come from renewables. It also promotes equity by ensuring 99.9% energy reliability for all of Jabiru’s residents. Preventing 6,000 tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere and promoting equity won the project the 2022 Asian Power Awards’ Solar Power Project of the Year – Australia!  

The UK is a global leader in achieving net-zero ambitions. Wales & West Utilities is helping businesses and gas consumers in the region with the transition to a greener fuel source, hydrogen. The HyLine Cymru pipeline is expected to stretch across south Wales, connecting customers to a clean-burning hydrogen option. Commercial-scale production of clean hydrogen in Pembrokeshire, Port Talbot and the Celtic Sea ensures that the generation of hydrogen is economically feasible and allows even more customers to benefit. Evidence from feasibility studies will enable projects like these to be launched in the future, supporting the widespread switch to hydrogen in the early 2030s.

Northumbrian Water (NWG) has a zero-carbon target to hit in 2027 – and they just hit another important milestone on the way there. Carbon emissions have fallen more than 90% since 2008, when they stood at 303,000 tonnes. In 2021, NWG improved further, reducing carbon output by more than 50% year-on-year to their current level of 22,000 tonnes.

All of NWG’s 1,886 sites are now powered with renewable energy. The popular “Power from Poo” programme sees NWG transform 100% of wastewater sludge into power. Advanced Anaerobic Digestion plants on Tyneside and Teesside process around 2 million cubic metres of sludge to generate 10MW of energy – enough to power around 20,000 homes. Every little bit helps as NWG moves to net-zero Carbon.  

The Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has won the 2022 Energy Community Engagement Award at the South Australian 2022 Premier’s Awards in Energy and Mining. The accolade was given for the success of the engagement programme surrounding its Hydrogen Park South Australia project. AGIG co-designed the programme with the community, as the residents of Mitchell Park became the first in Australia to receive a hydrogen–natural gas blend into their homes. Schools and businesses in nearby suburbs will be the next to benefit from a blended solution when the project expands later in 2023.

UK Power Networks (UKPN) is working with retired personnel and those who may retire in the future to transition into careers in the energy sector. Education and networking with contractors form part of the services that help UKPN to fulfil its commitment made as a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant of 2015. Veterans, reservists and their family members got to hear from energy sector workers, including those who had entered the sector after their military service, at a special event held at the Imperial War Museum in London. This scheme provides a rich platform for veterans’ next careers whilst recognising the wealth of transferable skills and experience gained by those who have served in the military.

Terminally ill patients should not be consumed with anxiety over their power bills. This is the simple concern being addressed by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) in partnership with end-of-life charity, Marie Curie, Wales & West Utilities (WWU), SGN and Cadent. Two Energy Support Officers will be hired to work with those in need to improve their situation in the face of rising energy bills. The programme will also provide energy-management specific training to current Marie Curie staff in the community so that they can help people to access grants and benefits and reduce the stress of costs.  

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is at the forefront of the extensive research, planning and testing needed to ensure that hydrogen can be used safely and efficiently in the UK gas network. The pilot HyDeploy project saw 668 homes in Winlaton, Gateshead receive an 80:20 gas–hydrogen blend to heat their homes and for use in their appliances, in a 10-month demonstration that concluded in June.

NGN has also received permission from the regulator Ofgem to plan for a two-year hydrogen test-run of home hydrogen use in Redcar, Teesside. If investment and the final green light are forthcoming, up to 2,000 homes and businesses will receive locally produced green hydrogen. It will see boilers designed for 100% hydrogen used as part of the attempt to create a complete “hydrogen village”.  

At Home with Greenie was the theatrical hit that wowed elderly audiences in Hong Kong this super-hot record-breaking summer. This roving puppet show, produced by HK Electric, visits senior citizens to promote low-carbon living and electrical safety. Lending a cooling hand, HK Electric distributed 4,000 fans to families in need as part of their “Breeze to Care” programme.

UK Power Networks is investing over £100 million of infrastructure in London and the East and South East of England. Over 100 projects will see upgrades of substations, transformers and circuit breakers to support more than 8.4 million homes and businesses. Of the total investment amount, £66 million will be dedicated to Green Recovery scheme projects that will fast-track low carbon at 86 sites, advancing the nation to hit targets set out in the government’s Ten Point Plan towards Net Zero by 2050.

EnviroNZ sees New Zealand as a nation of committed recyclers. The company is supporting the country’s commitment with its new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Timaru, South Island. The new MRF can process up to 5 tonnes of mixed plastics, aluminium, steel, paper and cardboard every hour. Materials are recovered for reuse and are kept out of landfill.

HK Electric won the Sustainable Business Award at the BOCHK Corporate Environmental Leadership Awards 2021. It also took the Gold Award – the top spot – in the “Manufacturing” category. This was in recognition of HK Electric’s outstanding work utilising green energy, promoting decarbonisation and assisting Hong Kong to achieve its carbon neutrality target, namely being totally carbon neutral by 2050.

New Zealand’s Beast is eating up timber – and that’s the solution, not the problem! Unwanted waste wood makes up 12% of all waste filling up the Kiwi nation’s landfill sites. EnviroNZ’s new heavy machinery, known as “the Beast” chews up waste wood and converts it into wood pellets. Those pellets are then sold to a cement factory which uses them as biofuel. This keeps construction and demolition timber out of landfill sites and reduces the use of fossil fuels – a double win, courtesy of the Beast!

Power plant design demands that everyone — from staff and neighbours to dolphins and birds — is kept safe. HK Electric and Canadian Power may be an ocean apart, but both have ingenious design elements and technology that enable them to take on explosive fuels and turn them into a safe stream of electricity, powering people’s lives and entire economies.
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The British energy regulator, Ofgem, has bestowed £500,000 on Northern Gas Networks (NGN) for five projects that will help the UK on their journey to building a net-zero economy. Projects range from supporting a rail decarbonisation strategy to the use of hydrogen in heavy duty transport. In another project, robots using thermal imagery can assess pressure conditions in pipes to reduce methane leakage. Residential energy efficiency and generating power from gas flow round out the five fabulous projects.  

Northern Gas Networks is running a world-leading, first-of-its-kind, closed test to replace natural gas with 100% clean burning hydrogen. A disused area with a pipe network that previously supplied homes with gas will be closed off for the experiment. Similar to natural gas, an odourising agent will be added for extra safety. Hydrogen burns with zero emissions, making it a leading contender for helping the UK achieve its net-zero carbon emission targets for the nation.  

Responsible waste management is now a concern for all good corporate citizens. The circular economy is an economy where resources are constantly being captured and put to good use instead of going to waste. EnviroNZ is supporting New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon circular economy. These efforts are chronicled in their first ever Sustainability Report, showcasing their work with industry partners to deliver tangible solutions that can bring the circular economy to life.

The move to electric vehicles (EVs) is being shifted into high gear by UK Power Networks. Their new innovation project, Optimise Prime, includes the development of a “site planning tool” that is making the conversion of entire fleets of vehicles to EVs quicker, easier and cheaper for fleet managers. The complexity of making the shift is a challenge as managers determine when, where and how vehicles can recharge. Royal Mail, Centrica and Uber now have over 6,000 EVs in the programme.  

Northumbrian Water has been awarded over £6 million in the second round of the Water Breakthrough Challenge, led by the UK’s water regulator, Ofwat. The funds will advance projects which will help to reduce leakage and enable innovation across the utilities sector. The award will flow to two separate projects: the National Leakage Research and Test Centre and Stream, an open data-sharing platform to improve collaborative research.

EnviroNZ has enlisted sustainability champions Deepa Goswami and Danielle Schäche to help New Zealanders waste less and recycle more. The duo empower citizens and businesses to think about waste in new ways in support of regional waste minimisation goals. They work with local government bodies and community groups as part of the team at EnviroWaste.

Wales & West Utilities is helping profoundly deaf people to protect themselves from the odourless, invisible silent killer, carbon monoxide, as well as smoke and heat. Working with the local Fire and Rescue Service, they are funding the installation of Wi-Fi-enabled alarms, complete with strobe lights and vibrating pads, in the homes of deaf people and their families. Traditional sound-based alarms may suffice in other circumstances, but installed alarms and wearable devices will specifically help this community. The project is funded by Wales & West Utilities’ Vulnerability & Carbon Monoxide Allowance, designed to support the most vulnerable people in our communities.  

Northern Gas Networks made an amazing discovery while decommissioning 85-year-old gas tanks in Bradford, UK. The Birkshall Gasworks site contained three time capsules from 1937. The glass containers each contained a copy of the Telegraph & Argus newspaper and documents listing the date of the construction and engineering, which was overseen by the Bradford Gas Corporation and Chief Engineer G.E. Currier. NGN tracked down Mr Currier’s family to gift one of the time capsules to them.  

Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival is back! The world’s best and brightest innovators in water management will return for the sixth iteration of this fount of creativity. Online and live attendees will bring their solutions to address issues related to cybersecurity, climate change, water scarcity and other important topics. Scientists and engineers will mingle with musicians, comedians, environmental activists and documentarians at the Newcastle Racecourse in July 2022. Stay wet, Northumbria!  

UK Power Networks keeps the lights on day and night in the heart of Leicester Square, London, the entertainment district of the metropolis. While the crowds buzz on the streets above, a freshly upgraded electricity substation will soon hum beneath them, safely transforming electricity to the lower voltages used by residents, businesses and impresarios alike. “Cleaner and greener” gets top billing as the new network elements improve efficiency and reliability.  

International Women’s Day 2022 was the day to launch the utility’s new Women’s Inclusion Network. One of the goals is to inspire more women to choose a career in the gas industry. Women will share life experiences and provide advice and support to their colleagues in, or considering joining, the gas sector.  

The UK aims to decarbonise the entire rail network. Eversholt Rail, a UK rail company, is leading the way in providing zero-emission hydrogen-powered trains for the UK. Trainspotting is about to get a whole lot greener.
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Australian Gas Infrastructure Group is proving itself a public ally by greening the gas supply of Australian homes and taking the first steps to deliver 100% emission-free hydrogen to replace gas.
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UK Power Networks’ new Green Recovery programme is funding a range of “shovel-ready” projects to supercharge the UK’s march towards its Carbon Zero future. Over £66 million has been committed to supplying heat pumps for local authorities and communities. Eighty-six applications were approved for projects, including district heating for schools and communities, which will provide more efficient use of energy and reduce carbon footprints. The use of electric vehicles has also been promoted with software upgrades that enable a single substation to support up to 500 charging stations without the need for additional investment in hardware such as heavy cabling or new substations.

EDL opened Australia’s largest-ever hybrid microgrid power project, which now provides up to 85% of renewable energy in good weather conditions. The microgrid integrates wind, solar and thermal generation along with batteries to supply the Agnew Gold Mine with 99.99% reliable energy with, on average, 50–60% coming from renewable sources. It is the first in Australia to power a mine mostly with wind-generated electricity. But this is just the start; EDL plans to continue the hybrid renewable journey on this landmark project with the goal being to power the mine with 100% renewable energy.  

Northern Gas Networks has launched its East Coast Hydrogen Programme in partnership with Cadent and National Grid with an event at the House of Commons. East Coast Hydrogen aims to connect over 7GW of hydrogen production to supply up to 39,000 commercial and industrial sites along with up to 4.4 million homes. This could mark a huge improvement in the carbon impact incurred through heating homes, powering transport and meeting the needs of industries.   

Enerven, an SA Power Networks company, has won the Australian Construction Achievement Award. Their Zero Cost Energy Future project for SA Water saw Enerven design and build over 242GWh of solar photovoltaic (PV) and 34MWh of energy storage across 33 South Australia water sites in less than 24 months. This storage enables SA Water to manage their excess energy production and feed it back into the grid to achieve a zero-net outcome.

HK Electric has taken a major step forward in transitioning from coal to cleaner gas for the generation of electricity. The new gas-fired unit, L11, has adopted “combined-cycle gas turbine technology”, one of the most efficient, cleanest and most widely used methods for generating electricity from fossil fuels. It began supplying energy to the grid in November 2021. The installation of another gas-fired unit, L12, has begun and will further boost the company’s gas-fired generation capacity when commissioned.  

South Australia is a world leader in the adoption of rooftop solar energy. On the sunniest days, home owners now put more energy back into the grid than they take out. In late December, a new record was set with the distribution network operated by SA Power Networks exporting 185MW to the national grid. SA Power Networks’ active support of rooftop solar has resulted in it receiving the South Australian Premier’s Award for Innovation and Collaboration in Energy for its Enhanced Voltage Management Project. This project has improved substation voltage management and local network solar capacity for 80% of SA Power Networks’ customers.

Northumbrian Water has taken an expansive view of improving water in the UK across the North East, Essex and Suffolk by asking the public how they could improve the river and coastal environment where a public right of way exists. Over 30.2km of waterways have been improved, far beyond regulatory requirements, in response to public guidance that prioritised areas as diverse as biodiversity, access and water quality. The area has benefited from improved signage, a red squirrel-protecting ranger, a new osprey observation base for birdwatchers, and river restoration including funding to support visitor facilities, paths and boardwalks across a 404-hectare wetland.  

UK Power Networks will commit almost £1 million to upgrading the electricity grid to allow for renewable energy to be connected to the power grid for households in Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Wind and solar farms will be able to feed energy into the power system, reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. The ‘load blinding relays’ are like safety valves that help to monitor electricity.

New Zealand’s EnviroWaste is setting a target of keeping concrete out of landfill by using an innovative process to recycle the vital building material to create various grades of aggregate. A new recovery and processing plant has been unveiled at its Bombay Resource Recovery facility in South Auckland. The company has a long history of innovative recycling including kerbside collection of recyclables, food scraps and glass recycling. The latest plant will help New Zealand to reduce the environmental impact of its current building boom by bringing old concrete into new projects and reducing the need to mine virgin sand and coarse aggregate.

UK citizens aiming to support the country to hit net zero carbon emissions are benefiting from extra funding to help the United Kingdom get there by 2050. UK Power Networks is carrying out 86 low-carbon energy projects worth £66 million that will help transition the economy to one that has a lower environmental footprint. ‘Shovel-ready’ plans were targeted for immediate impact, including installing rapid electric vehicle charging stations in local communities, energy generators looking to connect more renewable energy to the electricity network, and community energy projects.

Northern Gas Networks Finance raised
£1 million through the sale of a green bond to local investors that will allow them to realise returns of 1.6% a year over 10 years. The funds will be used to upgrade the current network of gas pipes to make them hydrogen ready as Northern Gas Networks builds the zero-emission network of the future. Offering the bond to the public gives people a chance to participate in greening their future.  

HK Electric is helping construction sites to reduce their noise and air pollution on site while also decarbonising construction work. In crowded Hong Kong, construction sites are often hemmed in by thousands of pedestrians and neighbours just metres away from noisy diesel generators used to power their reach for the sky. By providing a timely, reliable and adequate grid electricity supply during construction, builders can switch from diesel power on site to quieter, greener electricity. Neighbours and workers will love getting a break from the din of diesel during construction, and carbon emissions can also be reduced by 60%.  

Northern Gas Networks has been actively involved in funding and directing projects aimed at using zero-emission hydrogen to reduce the use of fossil fuels across the economy. Partnering with gas distribution company Cadent and the UK government, it has built two homes that are equipped with hydrogen-powered appliances. The semi-detached houses, built near Gateshead, were officially opened in July by the former Energy Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan. The houses will be models for hydrogen-heated homes, providing the least invasive and most cost-effective route to zero carbon home heating for a large proportion of UK homes in the future.  

Installing homes for migratory swifts might not be the first thing you think of a power company doing, but UK Power Networks partnered with North East Herts Swifts Group to do just that. The birds’ population has been declining for years and the power company is helping by installing potential homes, including tempting bird song audio, on the village hall in Albury, southwest of London. Swifts nest as colonies and return to the same home every year after their long migration to Africa, so once established in Albury, they could return annually.

High-performance management at HK Electric is supercharged through education delivered by a host of internal and external professors at the HK Electric Institute.
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Northern Gas Networks is partnering with National Grid and others to create a £12.7 million closed-loop experimental system to test the use of hydrogen in support of the UK’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions. The multi-firm collaboration will receive an award of £9.07 million from Ofgem (the UK energy regulator) via their Network Innovation Competition.

With brighter days – and even brighter nights – ahead, UK Power Networks is upgrading London’s nightlife. A £16.2 million upgrade discreetly installed under the legendary Leicester Square Gardens will see three major transformers replaced with cleaner and greener successors over a two-year period. The site will also be visited by school leavers and out-of-work young people being helped by a local programme to develop career-starting skills for a brighter future.

HK Electric provides a free one-stop Smart Power EV Charging Solution service to assist customers in implementing electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, including accessing a HK$2 billion government fund for the installation of EV charging-enabled infrastructure in private residential buildings. The free charging service at HK Electric’s 12 EV charging stations across Hong Kong Island has also been extended to the end of December 2021 and half of these now feature new multi-standard quick chargers.

UK Power Networks is making the most of middle management by launching a new Leadership Academy that will reach up to 600 line managers. The UK’s Apprenticeship Levy scheme is being reinvested in delivering courses leading to Chartered Management Institute qualifications in a programme tailored to the company’s specific needs. External experts will enliven the programme and it will finish with a full graduation ceremony for those ready to flex their new management skills!

A first-of-its-kind energy microgrid that takes its supply from wind, solar, and thermal generation, and manages distribution using battery solutions, has won big in 2020. EDL’s Agnew Hybrid Renewable Project in Western Australia has won Engineering Solution of the Year at the 2020 Global Energy Awards. The project has also won at the 2020 Asian Power Awards (Innovative Power Technology of the Year – Australia) and the 2020 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards (WA Division).  

COVID-19 may be invisible to the eye, but not to scientists working with Northumbrian Water to trace its spread by sampling wastewater.
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Two UK-based gas and power companies have been recognised for their ambitious work, receiving prestigious awards for their latest endeavours. Northern Gas Networks’ H21 hydrogen project was awarded the 2020 Pipeline Industries Guild Award for the best onshore pipeline concept. And UK Power Networks was named ‘Network of the Year’, taking the top prize at the annual Network Awards.

Northern Gas Networks received a £770,000 grant to link the Bradford Alternative Fuel Centre to the gas network which will, in turn, power the development of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling station. This funding from Ofgem will help the UK on its way towards reaching its decarbonisation goals, building on the green advantages of CNG as a fuel alternative.

Powercor opened two new depots, valued at A$10 million each, in Kyneton and Shepparton, Australia. These developments have replaced outdated facilities from the ’60s and ’70s, allowing its local workers an upgraded space to continue providing its services to their communities.

Fun fact: A heritage-listed tree graces the front of the Kyneton depot!

A Wales & West Utilities Army reservist made the switch from his job as team leader in the gas emergency and pipeline service to assist with the British Army’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He admits that retraining to work in the fight against coronavirus “was a bit of a culture shock”, but his work helped keep front-line medical professionals and the community protected from COVID-19.  

Wales & West Utilities (WWU) brings mains gas to the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in Exeter. Building new infrastructure is normally a long, drawn-out affair, but the COVID-19 field hospital couldn’t wait. Connecting this high gas-usage facility was urgent and WWU delivered.