With over 500,000 homes currently using heating oil in Northern Ireland, a new video has been released to communicate how straightforward it could be to dramatically cut CO2 emissions through the use of HVO as a near drop-in and, therefore, very cost-effective, replacement for kerosene.
David Blevings, NIOF, explains:
“Further to our November article, ‘NI Energy Strategy – an update’, we learn that OFTEC is promoting a video to local politicians ahead of the new NI Energy Strategy. The video shows how easy a transition to HVO will be for NI consumers and reinforces the immediate carbon reductions that are available for liquid fuel users.
“OFTEC has advised Government that the new strategy must be technology neutral and the inclusion of biofuels offers a seamless transition for existing liquid fuel users; a simple option for government to maximise carbon emission reductions in the off-grid sector at least cost for consumers with immediate effect.”
The video can be viewed here.
For further information contact David Blevings. (dblevings@oftec.org or david@nioil.com)
The end of 2020 saw the culmination of a 3-year development program by Sampi in collaboration with Alpeco Ltd. As a result, Alpeco has announced their brand new TEX FLOW computer which has attained full UK approval and has been successfully undergoing trials with Nolan Oils on its new COBO tanker since September 2020.
Claire Bishop
World Fuel Services has announced that Claire Bishop has been promoted to the role of Vice President, UK Land. Claire started in her new role on January 1st, and takes over from Bob Taylor, who will be retiring in May. As vice president, Claire will oversee all aspects of World Fuel’s UK Land business, comprising Watson Fuels, fuel cards, lubricants, boiler servicing and wholesale fuel activities.
Since joining World Fuel Services in 2016, Claire has worked as senior finance director for UK Land as well as serving as an executive member of the UK Land board. She has played a key role in leading and developing the UK Land business through a period of significant change, which has seen business transform its leadership team, established specialist sales and operational divisions, and invest in new technology, depot infrastructure and advanced vehicles. Before joining World Fuel, Claire held a variety of finance director positions, for companies across the technology and manufacturing sectors.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” comments Claire. “I’m proud to be picking up the mantle from Bob, and to be getting the chance to build on the fantastic work he has done over the past three years. I’m also pleased to work for a company that promotes from within, and one that is focused on supporting diversity and inclusivity. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our great team in the coming months and years ahead.”
Paul Vian, senior vice president, EMEA for World Fuel Services, spoke of his excitement for the future of the business under Claire’s direction. He said:
“Alongside Bob and his leadership team, Claire has played an integral role in developing our systems and processes, and investment in our talent, which has provided the solid foundations upon which we have been able to successfully develop and grow. Our company commitment to succession planning and talent development has made the decision to promote Claire to Vice President, UK Land a rather natural process.”
Paul continues:
“As I wish Bob all the very best of happiness as he completes his journey on a very successful and illustrious career, I also wish Claire all the very best of success as she embarks upon her new journey within World Fuel Services.”
The Tank Storage Association (TSA) has formally launched a new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Charter affirming the sector’s shared commitment to environmental, social and governance principles.
The ESG Charter has been developed in conjunction with member organisations and is accompanied by a framework to assist TSA members in developing clear and common policies. The commitment builds on TSA’s recently launched Safety Leadership Charter and Significant Indicators programme, demonstrating the sector’s dedication to continuous improvement.
Peter Davidson, executive director of the TSA, said:
“TSA’s members play a vital role in the UK’s economy by providing the critical infrastructure necessary for the transportation of bulk liquids, creating jobs and fostering innovation. Through adherence to the Charter, our members affirm their shared commitment to environmental, social and governance principles. Our association continues leading from the front and this, together with our Safety Leadership Charter and Significant Indicators programme, demonstrates our commitment to strive for continuous improvement.”
For an electronic copy of TSA’s Environmental, Social, and Governance Charter, click here.
Peter Turner
It is with great sadness that Fuel Oil News reports the passing of Peter Turner, former managing director of Rix Petroleum, on the evening of Friday 22nd January 2021
After extensive testing, Selwood has become the first UK rental company to offer pumps that can be fuelled by vegetable oil in an industry-leading move that will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Selwood has also committed to ensuring that new pumps manufactured at its headquarters in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, for use in the UK and around the world, are HVO-compatible, subject to individual engine manufacturers’ guidelines.
Lawrence Bradbury, director of engineering at Selwood, said:
“At Selwood we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products and operations wherever possible. Following conversations with several large clients who were looking for alternatives to diesel fuel, our engineers have thoroughly tested the use of HVO in the Selwood range.
“We are delighted with the results – not only is HVO completely interchangeable with diesel in compatible engines, it can also be used with no negative impact on performance. We are very pleased to be able to let customers know that HVO can be used safely as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.”
Selwood has several ongoing initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including the introduction of electric vehicles to the fleet and the option of IE3 electric motors in its pump rental and sales ranges where appropriate. The company holds the ISO 14001 standard for its environmental management systems.
Motor Fuel Group (MFG) announces that it has signed an agreement to purchase seven operational stations and nine new to industry (NTI) sites from BP. This is part of a wider agreement including fuel supply for 100 sites.
Greenergy announces its continued commitment to renewables through an investment in advanced biofuels. Utilising a combination of existing technologies, the project will create low carbon fuels from waste tyre feedstock.
Essar and Progressive Energy, developers of HyNet North West – the UK’s leading industrial decarbonisation cluster – have joined forces to set up a venture to produce low carbon hydrogen at Essar’s Stanlow Refinery in Cheshire, for use across the HyNet region. It will provide Essar Oil UK with low carbon hydrogen to decarbonise its own energy demand in addition to creating a hydrogen economy across North West England and North East Wales.
Natural gas and fuel gases from the refinery will be converted into low carbon hydrogen, with carbon dioxide safely captured and stored offshore in sub-surface reservoirs in Liverpool Bay. The hydrogen production hub will deliver clean energy to industry in the HyNet ‘low carbon cluster’, as well as to fuel buses, trains and heavy goods vehicles, to heat our homes, and to generate electricity when the sun is not shining or the wind blowing.
The UK’s first low carbon hydrogen hub will initially produce 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of low carbon hydrogen each year from 2025. This will be quickly followed by a facility twice this size giving a total capacity of over 9TWh of hydrogen per annum, equivalent to the energy used for heating across the whole of Liverpool. A total investment of approximately £750m will be committed to deliver the two hydrogen production hubs. Follow on capacity growth is planned to reach 80% of the Government’s new target of 5GW of low carbon hydrogen for power, transport, industry and homes by 20301.
The project will use Johnson Matthey’s best in class Low Carbon Hydrogen (LCH™) technology. In partnership with SNC-Lavalin, engineering is well advanced with funding provided by the UK Government’s hydrogen supply competition.
Chris Manson-Whitton, director at Progressive Energy said:
“We cannot reach net zero without decarbonising industry. Today brings a key milestone in that journey as Progressive Energy and Essar Oil UK sign a Memorandum of Understanding setting out how we will work together to deliver this exciting project at Stanlow Refinery.
“Delivering net zero requires a transformation of our energy system. HyNet offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create real change in energy production and consumption, creating a cleaner world for future generations. It will unlock the low carbon hydrogen economy in the North West, reducing emissions and creating and safeguarding jobs.”
Stein Ivar Bye, CEO, Essar Oil UK, commented:
“Essar is committed to innovative growth as a means to create positive impact to both economy and environment. HyNet and hydrogen production is integral to Stanlow’s strategy and will set it on a journey to be the UK’s first net zero emission refinery with the ambition to avoid emissions of over 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere per year, the equivalent of taking nearly a million cars off the road.
“With the support from government to establish the appropriate business incentives, together with Progressive Energy, we are committed to undertaking the development and the financing of its construction.
“Hydrogen has a central role to play in our low carbon energy solution. We are demonstrating that the industry is committed to play its part of the UK’s transformational hydrogen strategy.”
Leading bus manufacturing company Wrightbus is looking to a positive year ahead with the creation of more than 40 new jobs at its Ballymena headquarters, highlighting a positive impact of alternative fuel developments.
Wrightbus, which launched the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen double decker bus in 2020, has created the roles in preparation for increasing production of the vehicle this year to assist global net zero ambitions and support the PM’s pledge for at least 4,000 new Zero Emission Buses to be produced during this parliament.
A recruitment drive will see it employ 46 new members of production and office staff, including coachbuilders, spray painters, welders, electrical engineers, technicians, accountants, sales staff and a project manager. Nineteen of the positions will be apprenticeships, giving a boost to opportunities for young people in the region. And an international project engineer role has also been created as the firm looks to increase sales around the world.
With interest for the hydrogen double-deckers from UK cities and from around the world, Wrightbus CEO Jo Bamford said the new jobs would allow production to keep up with demand.
“There’s no doubt that 2020 was a challenging year for everyone for many reasons,” said Mr Bamford. “We have made huge strides in 2020, despite the year being paralysed by the coronavirus pandemic, yet 2021 is going to be the year hydrogen really makes its mark.
“At Wrightbus we have already launched the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen double decker bus and this year will see us deliver significant orders into London, Birmingham, Belfast and other cities across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.
“This recruitment will help us support the Government’s investment pledge for at least 4,000 zero emission buses on the streets of the UK.
“It’s thanks to this and other orders already in the pipeline that we’ve been able to create these jobs. We’re proud to be supporting the local economy and creating opportunities for young people thanks to the apprenticeships we’ve been able to offer.”
