IET and BSI urges electrical industry to have its say on IET Wiring Regulations

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The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI are calling on the electrical industry to have its say on an amendment to the current BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 (2022) + Amendment 3 (2024), which will go to DPC (Draft for Public Consultation) on 7 August 2024. BS 7671 is the Requirements for Electrical Installations: IET Wiring Regulations.

  • Draft for Public Consultation open from 7 August 2024 to 3 November 2024.
  • Latest amendment expected to be published in 2026

The amendment, known as Amendment 4, has been long-scheduled and will incorporate changes to harmonised standards at European level which the UK has to adopt within a certain time period.

The DPC for Amendment 4 is hot on the heels of Amendment 3 which has just been published and is available as a free-to-download PDF ‘bolt-on’ to Amendment 2 from the IET and BSI websites.

Amendment 4 is expected to be published in 2026, until that time electrical installers need to have a copy of Amendment 2 (2022) – the ‘brown book’ and Amendment 3 (2024) free PDF bolt-on to be up to date. Join the IET for a live webinar at midday on Wednesday 7 August 2024 as we announce the proposed changes and how they may affect you.

Comments on the DPC for Amendment 4 can be submitted through BSI’s Standards Development portal between 7 August 2024 to 3 November 2024.

IET’s Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations, said: “The days of the ‘evergreen electrician’ are gone. Changes in technology, installation practices and developments in standardisation are happening so quickly. It’s therefore so important that installers and designers stay well-informed of what’s happening in the industry. The IET is the authority for electrical installations in the UK and ensures that the wiring regulations committee, JPEL/64, carefully considers all necessary updates to the Regulations to ensure they best meet the needs of industry.

“It is intended that this Amendment will include requirements for Stationary Secondary Batteries, low voltage generating sets, power over ethernet, energy efficiency and functional earthing and functional-equipotential-bonding for Information and Communication Technology Equipment and Systems (ICT). Each area of change is a response to fast evolving technologies.”

BSI’s Dan Palmer, Associate Director, Committees, said: “BSI is proud to have been partners with the IET for over 30 years.  As electrification increases in the UK, we can all benefit from supporting high standards of safety. Keeping this critical standard on electrical installations updated is vital to ensure continued safety. We urge people with an interest to look at the suggested changes made in the draft and provide your comments.”

The Chair of JPEL/64, Graham Kenyon, said: “The members and officers of JPEL/64 invite anyone involved in the industry to contribute to the standard by providing comments on the Draft. We will initially focus on addressing comments related to the intent of technical changes put forward. Comments made on other parts of the standard will be considered in future work of JPEL/64, both for BS 7671 and international work. I extend personal thanks to all the organisations and individuals that have contributed to this Draft so far, both at National and International level.” 

The IET and BSI jointly manage JPEL/64, the committee responsible for BS 7671.

The History of Solar Panels: Harnessing the Power of the Sun

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The History of Solar Panels: Harnessing the Power of the Sun

Solar panels, a cornerstone of renewable energy, have a fascinating history that stretches back over a century. From the early discoveries of photovoltaic effects to the sophisticated solar technologies of today, solar panels have evolved significantly, reflecting advancements in science, technology, and our understanding of energy sustainability. This blog post explores the history of solar panels, tracing their development from early scientific discoveries to their current status as a key component of the global energy landscape.

Early Discoveries and the Birth of Photovoltaics (1839-1900s)

The concept of harnessing sunlight to produce energy is not a modern idea. The journey began in 1839 when French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. At just 19 years old, Becquerel observed that certain materials produced small amounts of electric current when exposed to light. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for the development of solar panels.

In 1873, British engineer Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductivity of selenium, which furthered interest in using materials to convert light into electricity. This interest was taken up by William Grylls Adams and his student Richard Evans Day in 1876, who found that selenium produced electricity when exposed to light without any heat or mechanical energy involved. This proved that a solid material could convert light directly into electricity, a crucial step toward modern solar panels.

In 1883, American inventor Charles Fritts created the first genuine solar cell by coating selenium with a thin layer of gold. Although Fritts’ cells were only about 1% efficient, this was the first instance of a functional solar cell that could convert sunlight into electricity.

The 20th Century: Advancements and Applications (1900s-1950s)

The early 20th century saw sporadic interest in solar energy, primarily in theoretical research and small-scale applications. However, the real breakthrough came in 1954 when Bell Labs scientists Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed the first practical silicon solar cell. This new cell was about 6% efficient, a significant improvement over Fritts’ selenium-based design.

This invention marked the beginning of the modern photovoltaic era. The Bell Labs solar cell was publicized in The New York Times as the beginning of a new era, leading to significant interest in the technology. Initially, these silicon cells were expensive and used mainly in specialized applications like powering remote communication systems or research satellites.

Solar Panels in Space: The Vanguard I Satellite (1950s-1960s)

One of the earliest adopters of solar panel technology was the space industry. In 1958, the United States launched Vanguard I, the first artificial satellite powered by solar cells. Vanguard I was equipped with small solar panels that provided power to its radios, proving that solar power could be reliable in space.

This success demonstrated the viability of solar technology for space applications, leading to its widespread use on satellites and space probes. Solar panels became the primary power source for spacecraft, paving the way for the development of more efficient and reliable solar technologies.

Oil Crisis and Renewed Interest in Solar Energy (1970s)

The 1970s marked a pivotal decade for solar power. The oil crisis of 1973, caused by an embargo by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), led to a dramatic increase in oil prices and highlighted the vulnerabilities associated with reliance on fossil fuels. This crisis spurred renewed interest in alternative energy sources, including solar power.

During this period, governments and private companies began to invest more heavily in solar technology. The U.S. government launched the Solar Energy Research Institute (now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) in 1977, focusing on advancing solar technology and reducing costs. Additionally, research led to the development of new materials and designs, such as the use of crystalline silicon, which improved efficiency and reduced the cost of solar cells.

The Rise of Photovoltaic Technology (1980s-1990s)

The 1980s and 1990s saw significant improvements in solar panel technology and manufacturing processes, making solar power more accessible and affordable. Advances in semiconductor technology and the development of thin-film solar cells further lowered the cost of production and increased the efficiency of solar panels.

During this period, solar panels began to be used more widely in residential and commercial applications. Countries like Japan and Germany started to offer incentives and subsidies for solar power installations, helping to build a market for solar energy. The photovoltaic industry began to grow, with companies producing more panels and driving down costs through economies of scale.

The 21st Century: Solar Panels Go Mainstream (2000s-Present)

The early 2000s marked a turning point for solar energy as advancements in technology, combined with growing environmental concerns and favorable policies, accelerated the adoption of solar panels worldwide. The cost of solar panels dropped dramatically due to improved manufacturing techniques, economies of scale, and innovations like thin-film technology and multi-junction solar cells, which further increased efficiency.

Countries around the world started to implement policies and incentives to promote solar energy, recognizing its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and renewable energy mandates helped spur the growth of the solar industry.

By the 2010s, solar power had become one of the fastest-growing sources of new electricity generation worldwide. Technological advancements continued to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar panels, with new materials like perovskite offering even greater potential. Innovations in energy storage, such as batteries, have also enhanced the ability of solar power to provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity.

The Future of Solar Panels: Beyond 2024

As of 2024, solar panels are more efficient and affordable than ever before. They are a crucial part of the global shift toward renewable energy, with installations spanning residential rooftops, commercial buildings, and vast solar farms. Emerging technologies, such as bifacial solar panels that capture sunlight on both sides, and solar tiles that integrate seamlessly into building materials, are expanding the possibilities for solar energy.

Researchers are exploring new materials and designs to increase the efficiency and flexibility of solar panels, such as organic photovoltaic cells and quantum dot technologies. With continued investment and innovation, solar panels are poised to play a vital role in a sustainable energy future.

Conclusion

The history of solar panels is a story of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and a growing commitment to sustainability. From the humble beginnings of the photovoltaic effect discovered by Edmond Becquerel in 1839 to the highly efficient solar technologies of today, solar panels have come a long way. As we look to the future, solar energy will likely continue to evolve, providing clean, renewable power to meet the growing energy needs of our world. The sun has always been a source of life; now, more than ever, it is a vital source of energy, powering our path to a sustainable future.

Demand for heat pumps surges as grant application increase by 39%

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Demand for heat pumps continues to grow with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme enjoying the third best month for applications in its history.

Figures for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme released today (29 February) show there were over 2,000 applications for heat pump grants in January 2024 – only exceeded by October and November last year, which immediately followed the increase in government-funded heat pump grants. 

The January figure is up 39% on the same month last year as families take advantage of the 50% grant increase introduced by the government last autumn, making the initiative one of the most generous of its kind in Europe.

The news follows recent government figures showing the UK is the first major economy to halve its emissions – having cut them by 50% between 1990 and 2022, while also growing its economy by 79%.

Energy Security Secretary, Claire Coutinho, said:

I don’t want families to have to choose between cutting costs and cutting emissions. I want families to feel supported, not forced, to make changes that are right for them.

After we made our heat pump scheme one of the most generous in Europe, applications have soared by 40% year on year – showing that our approach is the right one.

The figures also revealed the average monthly number of applications from November 2023 to January 2024, the months after the grant increase, has been 39% higher than the monthly average before the uplift.

Up to the end of January, the scheme has now received 33,424 applications in total and has issued more than £133 million in vouchers to customers.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme helps households make the switch from fossil fuel heating systems to cleaner low carbon heating alternatives, by covering the majority of the average upfront cost of an air source heat pump.

In October, the Prime Minister increased grants for the installation of air source and ground source heat pumps to £7,500. The scheme also offers £5,000 off the cost of a biomass boiler.

The figures released today also show a regional breakdown of where heat pumps have been installed in England and Wales.

The South West has seen the most with 3,894 installations, followed by the South East with 3,886 and then the East with 2,671.

Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association, Charlotte Lee, said:

It’s great to see interest in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increasing, supporting the installation of over 20,200 heat pumps to date across England and Wales. 

The uplift in the grant value for air source and ground source heat pumps in October 2023 to £7,500 has been well received by both the sector and consumers and we hope this increasing interest will be a trend which continues forward as we move to decarbonise home heating in line with the government’s legally binding net zero targets.

Rollout of electric vehicle chargepoints to be accelerated

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New measures to support electric vehicle drivers from the government’s Plan for Drivers have launched today (5 February 2024), including grants for schools, cash for councils and new proposals to boost chargepoint numbers.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, will launch support for greener schools in Nottinghamshire today, with a new grant providing up to 75% of the cost to buy and install chargepoints, up to £2,500 per socket, up from the previous £350. 

Paid for by the Department for Transport, the grant forms part of the Workplace Charging Scheme and is available for state-funded schools, colleges, nurseries and academies to boost the chargepoint facilities for staff and visitors. This could also help schools to generate revenue by making their chargepoints available to the public.

The school’s grant is for state-funded schools and education institutions, which must have dedicated off-street parking facilities – applications can be made online. Independent schools may apply for funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme and the Electric vehicle infrastructure grant for SMEs. 

The government is also delivering the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to local authorities across the country. The first capital payments for charging projects have been approved to 3 local authorities from East Sussex to North Yorkshire, and 2 London boroughs, bringing the total funding for these areas to more than £ 14.2 million. The funding will support the installation of thousands of new chargers, ensuring the rollout continues at pace to support drivers in every area of the country.

Through our LEVI capability funding, almost 100 dedicated EV officers have been newly recruited to support chargepoint procurement. To aid local authorities in building a skilled workforce and delivering their charging projects, the government is also launching the electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) training course for their officers, which will open to all local authorities from mid-March following a successful trial. 

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

We’re getting on with delivering our Plan for Drivers, and this latest set of measures will mean EV owners everywhere benefit from easier and more convenient access to chargepoints. 

This government has already spent over £ 2 billion to ensure a smooth switch to EVs, and we’re committed to supporting drivers as we transition towards net zero in a proportionate way that doesn’t burden working people.

More and more drivers are making the switch to electric vehicles, with fully electric vehicles accounting for over 16% of the new UK car market in 2023, according to industry statistics. The number of plug-in vehicles in the UK has also risen to over 1.2 million, of which 770,000 are fully battery-electric, meaning more and more drivers are making the switch.

As this number continues to grow, government is investing alongside industry in EV infrastructure to ensure we meet our climate change commitments, while charting the fairest path to net zero which does not unnecessarily burden families.

New laws recently came into force to provide EV drivers with easier and more reliable public charging, mandating that prices across chargepoints are transparent, easy to compare and that a large proportion of new public chargepoints have contactless payment options. This comes as over 53,000 public chargepoints have been installed across the UK, demonstrating the progress that has been made in the switch to electric. 

Minister for the School System and Student Finance at the Department for Education, Baroness Barran, said: 

This is an exciting opportunity for schools across the UK to become part of an ongoing move towards a greener public sector. Schools engaging with this grant will be supporting the development of green infrastructure, helping to improve their local environments.

Developing a greener education estate is a key element of our sustainability and climate change strategy. The expansion of this grant supports our ambition to improve the sustainability of our schools in the ongoing move towards net zero.

In addition, the government is today launching a consultation to look at ways to speed up chargepoint installation across the country. The proposals would give EV chargepoint operators the right to carry out street works using a permit rather than a licence. 

Permits can be issued much faster, taking days instead of months, and are significantly cheaper to obtain than licences, reducing costs for operators and speeding up the chargepoint rollout for drivers.

While the consultation runs, a new good practice guide has been published by the government to improve consistency in processing licence applications across different areas. 

These are the second package of measures delivered from the government’s Plan for Drivers and follow last month’s announcement of a crackdown on disruptive roadworks and better digital information to boost sat-nav accuracy.

To further deliver on our Plan for Drivers’ commitments, we have published a list of common questions and answers on the transition to EVs, including battery range and chargepoint availability across the country.

To provide further flexibility to individuals and organisations wishing to install EV charging outlets, we will shortly consult on removing the 2-metre limitation so that wall-mounted outlets and upstands can be installed anywhere within an area lawfully used for off-street parking.

Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

Through initiatives like the Electric Vehicle Cable Channel Pilot Programme and improving local electric vehicle infrastructure, we’re working hard to help residents without off-street parking, along with road users in Nottinghamshire, to charge their electric vehicles.

We are continuing with our ambition to make Nottinghamshire healthier, more prosperous, and greener. Initiatives like this are a step closer to achieving these ambitions.

As a county, we must do all that we can to protect the environment, and that’s why we welcome this continued government support, which helps us to roll out electric vehicle infrastructure more widely across Nottinghamshire.

These measures come following the UK’s world-leading path to reaching zero emission vehicles by 2035 coming into effect earlier this year. The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, providing certainty to consumers and industry – helping speed up the rollout of chargepoints.

The government’s approach to EVs has already attracted record investment in gigafactories and EV manufacturing, including:

  • Nissan’s recent investment of over £3 billion to develop 2 new electric vehicles at their Sunderland plant
  • Tata’s investment of over £4 billion in a new 40 GWh gigafactory
  • BMW’s investment of £600 million to build next-generation MINI EVs in Oxford
  • Ford’s investment of £380 million in Halewood to make electric drive units
  • Stellantis’ £100 million investment in Ellesmere Port for EV van production

Last year, the UK and EU agreed to extend trade rules on electric vehicles, saving manufacturers and consumers up to £4.3 billion in additional costs and providing long-term certainty for industry.

In addition, the On-street residential chargepoint scheme (ORCS) is open to all UK local authorities. 

Grants are also available to help businesses make the transition through the government’s Workplace charging scheme (WCS), as well as people in flats and rented accommodation through the Electric vehicle chargepoint grant.

Families could use electric vehicle batteries to power homes and save on bills as government backs new charging technologies

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The government announces funding for new charging technologies, which mean families could use their electric vehicle batteries to power their homes and save on bills.

Families could soon save hundreds of pounds on energy bills by using electricity stored in their electric vehicles (EVs) to power home appliances such as fridges and washing machines – thanks to new 2-way charging technologies being supported with government funding.

Households could power their home appliances as a result of the development of bidirectional charging, which enables electricity stored in a vehicle’s battery to flow back into the grid or back into the home and workplaces, which can then be used to power other devices.

This builds on existing smart charging technologies, where EVs can be charged when electricity prices are lower overnight. Families could then use these Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies to save money on their bills by selling the electricity back to the grid when prices are higher.

Businesses could also benefit from the V2X technologies by storing electricity in their fleets of EVs and using it to power their operations at a later date. These technologies will also help make it even easier to rely on renewable technologies such as solar panels, with less need for fossil fuels to provide for surges in demand by allowing stored renewable energy to be sold into the grid instead.

Four projects are today receiving a share of £4.8 million of government funding to support their work testing and implementing these innovative technologies.

Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said:   

The prospect of families being able to store energy on their doorstep in electric vehicles and use it to power their homes is incredibly exciting.

This is exactly the sort of ingenuity and creativity that makes the UK one of the world’s most innovative nations.

By backing this technology, we could save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also supporting jobs, investment and growth.  

Transport Minister for Technology and Decarbonisation Anthony Browne said:

We’re continuing to support drivers, and this innovative new development is the next step in levelling-up our charging technology, which will benefit many households across the country.

This government has already spent over £2 billion in the transition to electric vehicles and our charging network is growing at pace, with 44% more public chargepoints than this time last year, meaning drivers can charge more easily than before.

The successful companies are:

  • Hangar19 Ltd in Chelmsford – will demonstrate a 3-socket bidirectional charger, making a wider range of EVs available for energy flexibility and bidirectional charging
  • 3ti Energy Hubs Ltd in Leatherhead – will combine a quick-to-deploy bidirectional charging hub with a solar canopy and energy storage battery, house in recycled shipping containers, which can make access to bidirectional charging available in more destinations, including vehicle depots
  • Otaski Energy Solutions Ltd in Gateshead – will trial their bidirectional EV charger to enable fleet EV operators to access energy in a flexible way which could deliver savings in line with electricity supply and demand surges
  • Electric Green Limited in London – will work with QEnergy to trial wireless V2X technology with a fleet of 20 delivery vehicles at Royal Mail

Today’s funding builds on existing government funding for electric vehicle charging, such as the £70 million pilot scheme, announced at COP28 in Dubai. This will also boost the number of ultra-rapid charge points at motorway services.

It comes as some of the world’s leading car manufacturers are choosing the UK as their home to develop the latest electric vehicles and the battery technology. They include:

  • BMW, who have announced a £600 million investment to transform their Oxford plant to build the electric Mini
  • JLR (a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors Limited, part of Tata Sons) – Tata Sons are investing £4 billion in a new gigafactory to create up to 4,000 highly skilled jobs
  • Nissan, who have announced they are delivering up to £2 billion investment to create a new electric vehicle manufacturing hub in Sunderland – helping put more zero emission vehicles on UK road

The UK has also committed to ending the sale of all new non-zero emission vehicles by 2035 to support the delivery of net zero. This ambition, combined with government support for industry through technologies like V2X, is helping cement the UK’s world leading position in the design, manufacture, and use of zero emissions vehicles, which will provide economic growth by stimulating employment, investment, and exports.

This follows the Prime Minister’s proportionate and pragmatic decision to delay the ban on new diesel and petrol cars from 2030 to 2035 – bringing the UK in line with countries such as Canada and Spain – which will support manufacturers and families in making the switch to electric, providing flexibility while also helping to grow the economy.

Dr Marco Landi, Head of Technology and Innovation, Electrification Services, JLR said:

We are delighted to be collaborating on this project with partners and the UK government to be able to accelerate and pioneer V2X technology. This funding will drive our work to make charging simpler, greener and cost effective, which is key to our all-electric future.

Working together with industry-leading partners, we are developing a complete EV ecosystem, from batteries to charging, supporting our net-zero transformation.

The programme is part of the overarching up to £65 million Flexibility Innovation Programme, supporting the efficient and flexible use of electricity, within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).