Global Centre Of Rail Excellence’s Post

I am delighted to announce that Siobhan O'Dwyer from Kingspan Group will be speaking at the European Infrastructure Conference 2023. Siobhan O'Dwyer is Global Head of Marketing and Public Affairs for Kingspan Group, a global leader in insulation and building envelope solutions for energy-efficient buildings. Headquartered in County Cavan, Kingspan has 22,000 employees, 212 global manufacturing sites, and a commercial presence in more than 80 countries. Kingspan has set itself a series of decarbonisation targets as part of its Planet Passionate 10-year sustainability programme, including a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 50% reduction in carbon intensity in its primary supply chain, by 2030 when compared with a 2020 baseline. Earlier this year Sweden’s H2 Green Steel, which pioneers new green production methods for steel manufacturing using hydrogen, announced that it has secured more than one million tonnes worth of orders, with a sizable proportion coming from its early-stage investor and partner Kingspan. H2 Green Steel aims to be producing steel in 2025 with 95% less carbon than comparable steel today with the world’s first large-scale green steel plant and Europe’s first giga-scale electrolyzer. Using only H2 Green Steel products in the future could see Kingspan reduce the embodied carbon in its insulated panel products by over 45%. It would also make a substantial contribution towards Kingspan’s Planet Passionate goals by delivering up to a 35% reduction in the Group’s scope 3 emissions. Kingspan was one of the first companies to make a long-term commitment to H2 Green Steel. This commercial milestone marks the start of the green steel revolution and has already catalysed the industry to invest in developing low carbon steel products. The green steel revolution has also catalysed major infrastructure investments in Sweden and will impact how projects are delivered across Europe. The building and infrastructure sectors are the biggest users of steel, accounting for 52% of global demand. Steel accounts for 7% of emissions emitted globally. Siobhan will be joining a panel discussion on the decarbonisation of infrastructure and the built environment with Garret Tynan, KBRA, Gemma Mc Rann, Macquarie Group; John Tang Jensen, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Tania Tsoneva, CFA, CBRE Investment Management. The European Infrastructure Conference 2023 takes place in Dublin on November 2nd. For more information, click here: https://lnkd.in/gYAYbk54. #EuroInfraCon #infrastructure #construction #supplychain #design #decarbonisation #renewableenergy #builtenvironment #socialinfrastructure #powerandenergy #heat Premier Publishing & Events Ltd

Project Dragon is set to commence construction this Winter! Securing £25m from the UK Government's Advanced Fuel Fund, this SAF site is anticipated to produce 100 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel annually. Yet another promising development for Port Talbot, alongside the recent announcement to transform the port of Port Talbot into a major hub for Floating Offshore Wind and green energy development. The FLOWMIS award, alongside significant ABP investment of more than £500 million, will unlock a projected £1 billion of investment in Port Talbot and the surrounding area. A joint up approach that utilises existing sites such as Bro Tathan and Cardiff Airport will also be key if the airline industry are to access a wide range of resources to make their commercial operations more sustainable. A focus on securing local procurement opportunities for SMEs will be most key in the success of these projects. It's important that industry reaffirms its commitment to the backbone of the Welsh economy, helping mobilise and sustain a circular economy that employs over 60% of the private sector. On skills, there's a great opportunity for the Welsh government to promote the benefits of STEM subjects, encouraging future generations to explore the opportunities that are being made available to them close to home and how they can reinvest such skills to build resilient local communities. 👏

🌍 Major Leap Towards Sustainability in UK Infrastructure! 🌍 Exciting news from the UK’s infrastructure sector! The six biggest infrastructure companies in the UK have made a significant commitment towards achieving net zero Anglian Water, Heathrow, Lower Thames Crossing, National Highways, Northumbrian Water, and Sellafield have all set phase-out dates for fossil fuel use. These companies, which are expected to invest tens of billions into UK infrastructure over the next decade, have signed up to the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) Five Client Carbon Commitments. The pledges cover the largest-emitting areas in infrastructure delivery, including ending the use of diesel on construction sites by transitioning to alternative energy sources such as diesel replacements, green hydrogen, and electric-powered plant. Here are the phase-out dates set by the companies: Anglian Water Services Water – diesel-free sites by 2035 and a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. Heathrow – the airport’s long-term stretch target is to have diesel-free sites by 2040. Lower Thames Crossing – all construction sites to have zero emissions with no fossil or biofuels used on site by 2027. National Highways – diesel-free sites by 2030. It also aims to achieve net zero for construction and maintenance by 2040. NWG (Northumbrian Water Group) – diesel-free sites by 2040. The utility company has committed to achieve net-zero emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) by 2050. Sellafield Ltd – diesel-free sites by 2030. This is a major step towards a sustainable future and sets a strong example for other industries to follow. Let’s celebrate this commitment to a greener future! 🎉🌱 #Sustainability #Infrastructure #NetZero #GreenEnergy #Hydrogensafe Link:

This is great news for those of us who are already employing hydrogen fuel in our fleets or those who are planning to do so in the near future. With the challenge of sourcing green hydrogen soon to be solved, we can focus on issues around proving its commercial viability and tackling our operational safety and vehicle management procedures. Every step towards total net zero counts.

Morgan Sindall Construction is to design and build a £20m R&D facility in Neath Port Talbot to help steel and metal industries decarbonise. The net zero facility is the brainchild of Neath Port Talbot Council in partnership with Swansea University. To be known as SWITCH – South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub – Harbourside it will be located close to Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant and is expected to take 18 months to complete. SWITCH Harbourside will be a purpose-built open-access centre bringing together expertise across academia, industry and government with the aim of accelerating the region’s transition to net zero. Morgan Sindall will include sustainable energy technologies in the building’s design. This will support the council’s Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy strategy by incorporating technology such as photovoltaic panels to provide a significant clean source of energy and eliminating any fossil fuels used on site during the build. Robert Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said that the facility will support the steel and metals industry to decarbonise processes, develop a circular economy, and create advanced materials for a net zero society. [Construction Enquirer] #construction #decarbonisation #renewables #energy

DECARBONISATION IS IRELAND’S CALL 🌍 At the European Infrastructure Conference last November, Ecocem Global chair Pat Cox, spoke about how the construction and building sector accounts for up to 50% of global CO2 #emissions, taking into account embedded CO2 in key inputs such as steel and #concrete and including the transport of materials and on-site emissions, and that the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects needed to undergo significant transformation, as does public policy, to meet this objective. The central bearing of #decarbonisation in design, construction, and maintenance and how it will play a key role in how projects are procured emerged as a key takeaway in discussions. Whether it is through electricity or alternative fuels, the decarbonisation of infrastructure and the built environment will require an abundant supply of renewable power and global leading expertise in building materials solutions. Both are available to be harnessed in Ireland. The time to ACT is now ⏳ : https://lnkd.in/gcjEKnnw Read the full article 📰 here: https://lnkd.in/eNFUBABk #LowCarbonCement #Cement #Decarbonise #Technology #SustainableConstruction

🌍 CO2Next Project Progresses Towards Developing Crucial CO2 Infrastructure in Rotterdam 🌱 The CO2Next project is advancing its efforts to build essential CO2 infrastructure in Rotterdam. This development is crucial for supporting carbon capture and storage initiatives. The project aims to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability in the region. Collaborative efforts are key to achieving these environmental objectives. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eqYYw_cn #Sustainability #Europe #CO2Infrastructure #Environment #Collaboration

🚧 Industry Minister Alan Mak and the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) have united with top industry leaders to adopt the "Five Client Carbon Commitments." These commitments are a massive stride towards achieving Net Zero, focusing on: Low carbon procurement and incentivised contracts 🌱 Phasing out fossil fuels ⌛(Green hydrogen is vital!) Eliminating carbon-intensive concrete and steel products 🏗️ Adopting PAS 2080 for standardised carbon management 📊 Integrating carbon reduction into procurement processes ❤️ These pledges, initiated by projects like the Lower Thames Crossing, are already showing remarkable results, like a 50% reduction in procurement carbon emissions. Such collaboration sets a transformative path for sustainability in construction, emphasising green skills, technology, and enormous private sector investment. 🌍💼 At Triton Hydrogen, we're thrilled to see this commitment to sustainability. Our innovative Tritonex and Tritonor technologies align perfectly with these goals, offering advanced solutions for a greener infrastructure in the future. 🌍Tritonex stops embrittlement and permeation to enable safe and efficient hydrogen systems. 🌍Tritonor stops corrosion in its tracks, extending the lifespan of infrastructure and reducing the need for expensive repainting and maintenance cycles. https://lnkd.in/e-QuNRxS 💪 #GreenConstruction # Decarbonisation #Sustainability #Innovation #TritonHydrogen #NetZero2050

The Lower Thames Crossing has been awarded Gold level accreditation by The Carbon Literacy Project, the first major UK #infrastructure project to achieve the level. The Lower Thames Crossing, the proposed new #road and #tunnel across the River Thames east of London, is a Pathfinder project exploring low #carbon #construction. It is committed to raising awareness amongst its workforce of the costs and impacts of #carbondioxide, and motivating them to reduce #emissions in their professional and personal lives. The project’s three delivery partners will also be working to achieve Carbon Literacy accreditation. Lower Thames Crossing executive director Matt Palmer said the Lower Thames Crossing would tackle #congestion at the Dartford Crossing, while also serving as a carbon pathfinder project to showcase the ability to develop infrastructure in a net zero future. “The foundation for this is our people, and it’s incredibly important we have a better understanding of how by working together, individual small actions can make a real difference – on this project, on the next, and on the UK’s pathway to #netzero,” said Palmer. Phil Korbel, co-founder and director of advocacy of the Carbon Literacy Project, said a Carbon Literacy Gold was a major #achievement. “In embedding Carbon Literacy #training in the project at such scale the Lower Thames Crossing is walking the walk in terms of maximising its people’s capacity to do their best #climate action. From top table to digging holes in the #ground, everyone has a role to play, and this training starts that vital journey,” said Korbel. National Highways said the Lower Thames Crossing procurement process had already reduced predicted carbon emissions by around 50% at no additional cost, by committing to use low carbon methods and materials. The project plans to remove 20 million litres of #diesel from its worksites by using #hydrogen to power #diggers and equipment. It will also use #electric plant for static or slow-moving #machinery where a mains connection is possible and in smaller equipment where battery solutions are viable. Other #renewable #fuel sources and biofuels may also be used. In December last year a Bouygues Travaux Publics–Murphy Joint Venture (BMJV) was awarded the contract for the Lower Thames Crossing #Tunnels and Approach. Balfour Beatty plc will build the #roads north of the Thames, and Skanska will build the roads in Kent.

Morgan Sindall Construction has been commissioned to design and build a new £20m Swansea Bay City Deal-backed facility in #NeathPortTalbot which will help industry decarbonise. Led by NPT Council in partnership with Swansea University, the facility will be known as SWITCH (South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub) Harbourside and will be located close to Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant. SWITCH Harbourside will be a research facility for decarbonising the metals and steel industry. The building forms part of the City Deal Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth programme and is aimed at establishing the region as a leader in #lowcarbon growth and the #greeneconomy. It is expected to take 18 months to complete. SWITCH Harbourside will be a purpose-built open access centre establishing a collaborative network of expertise across academia, industry and government, aiming to accelerate the region’s transition to #netzero. Morgan Sindell, which recently delivered Baglan Energy Park’s award winning Bay Technology Centre, will include sustainable energy technologies in the building’s design. This will support the council's #Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy (DARE) strategy by incorporating technology such as photovoltaic panels to provide a significant clean source of energy and eliminating any fossil fuels used on site during the build. Robert Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “It's a privilege to play a key role in the SWITCH Harbourside development which will help the region move towards a Net Zero future. "We are working closely with Neath Port Talbot Council and partners Swansea University to ensure we bring together our experience and knowledge to deliver the best possible outcome for the project. This builds on years of development as a responsible business to lessen carbon use in the construction and operation of buildings wherever possible in each project to help us build towards a better future." Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, Cllr Jeremy Hurley, said: “The exciting SWITCH Harbourside project will support the transformation and decarbonisation of our important steel and metals industry and associated supply chain. “This project complements Neath Port Talbot Council’s ongoing DARE strategy and vision to be seen as an attractive place to live, work and do business in.”   Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Swansea University, said: “SWITCH Harbourside will showcase what can be achieved in a net zero future, both in its design and its purpose. “SWITCH Harbourside will build on Swansea University’s track record of bringing together academia, industry, local authorities and government. It will make Welsh research expertise more accessible to business and industry, to accelerate our transition to net zero.” Swansea Bay City Deal - Bargen Ddinesig Bae Abertawe NPT Business (Image Credit: Swansea University Steels and Metals Institute)