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News New changes proposed to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations The Institute of Engineering and Technology and the British Standards Institution has announced some important changes that could be made to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. Dubbed Amendment 2 2022, the changes to BS 7671 will have a wide-ranging impact on the way the electrical industry works. This is the second time the 18th Edition has been amended, following updates to the electric vehicle charging requirements which were implemented this year. One of the largest proposed changes in Amendment 2 is a new Part 8 – Functional Requirements. Part 8 includes Chapter 82: Prosumer’s Low-Voltage Electrical Installations, which sets out the requirements for Prosumer Electrical Installations (PEIs), including considerations for interaction with the smart grid, safety requirements (including earthing arrangements), proper functioning and implementation. Electrical installers will have a large part to play in the selection of the most appropriate equipment and a comprehensive knowledge of this area will be key as prosumer technologies develop. Important changes to fire safety requirements are also proposed in Chapter 4, covering the design of electrical installations in industrial, commercial and multiple-occupancy homes, as well as new information for ‘protected escape routes’. For further detail and updates, please visit the Electrical Review website.
EDF to assist UK public sector with EV transition The UK Government is eager to lead by example in the transition to electric vehicles. Now the Crown Commercial Service is leaning on EDF to make the switch a reality. While EDF’s name is on the contract with the Crown Commercial Service, it’s likely that Pod Point, the electric charger manufacturer that EDF acquired last year, will do most of the heavy lifting. That’s because the Crown Commercial Service requires the creation of a nationwide charging infrastructure. Vincent De Rul, director of EV Solutions at EDF noted, “This appointment further underlines EDF’s role in helping Britain achieve net zero. The installation of effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure is vital to enable progress towards this goal. We are looking forward to continuing to work with government and public sector customers to help deliver the infrastructure that the UK needs.”
UK COULD RISK ITS NET ZERO GOAL DUE TO LACK OF LOW CARBON EXPERTS
While the 2050 deadline may seem like a distant problem, it is imperative that the industry begins laying the foundations for the UK’s net zero future as soon as possible. In order to do that, it’s important that the necessary workers are available to install the technologies that will be needed. Unfortunately, according to the latest findings from the Skills for Climate consultation, 70% of UK engineering services businesses lack the necessary number of workers to undertake low to no carbon work. That could seriously hamper the UK’s hopes of a ‘green recovery’ to the economy. The UK electrical industry is lacking the necessary expertise in a number of low carbon technologies, but firms argue that it’s particularly notable in terms of solar PV, heat pumps, energy storage systems and smart building technology. 6 Electrical Review | October 2020
