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“Many thanks for putting together the Tendering Masterclass, for presenting the information in an interesting and interactive way and for making Nicholas Electrical more confident in the tendering process.”
Jessica Nicholas, Nicholas Electrical, East Grinstead

Network Update – January 2013

Happy New Year from the Sustainable Business Network! This month; Haywards Heath breakfast, sustainable buildings video, pollution prevention guide, voltage optimisation, business resilience qualification and grants for ISO support for manufacturers.

Sustainable Business Breakfast – 30th January, Haywards Heath
At our next breakfast we’ll be looking at sustainable supply chains. Find out how to demonstrate your environmental credentials to win that big government contract as well as how to examine the impact of your own procurement by tracing the life cycle of products purchased. Plus bacon butties, fresh coffee, networking and a chance to introduce yourself and your business to the audience. Bookings now being taken. View event details.

New Video: Sustainable Buildings and Architecture
Our latest video case study features a domestic refurbishment with wood fibre insulation, a sedum roof, a biomass boiler and solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, as well as a new community building with a ground source heat pump and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system. Both located in Mid Sussex and designed by local architects. View on-line.

Business Resilience Qualification – Free for Limited Period
Climate South East are working with Defra to develop a recognised business resilience qualification to help organisations identify and mitigate risks to their operations and income, such as shifting market forces, theft, skills shortages or severe weather events. During the pilot phase they are offering training and qualification entry free of charge to 75 businesses. Contact Kristen Guida if you are interested.

Is Your Site Right?
Use the Environment Agency’s 10-point Pollution Prevention Checklist and Good Practice Guidance to ensure that your site complies with legislation and that pollution risks are minimised. Includes advice on drainage, oil and chemical storage and waste management. www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ppg

Just What is Voltage Optimisation?
In line with EU standards, most electrical equipment is designed to operate at 230 volts (and can still effective operate at 220 volts). The average voltage supplied from the UK grid is 242 volts however. This means that ‘voltage dependant’ loads, such as tungsten lighting, magnetic ballast controlled fluorescent lighting and uncontrolled motors work harder than specified, using more energy and generating waste heat. Voltage optimisers reduce and steady incoming voltage helping reduce this loss. They have limited benefit on ‘voltage independent’ loads however, such as LED and high frequency fluorescent lighting, ICT equipment and motors with variable speed drives. The Carbon Trust provide a useful guide.

Grants for ISO 14001 or 9001 Support for Manufacturers
The Manufacturing Advisory Service is offering SME manufacturers wishing to implement ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 grants of up to £3,000 for consultancy support. www.mymas.org/resources/grants-funding

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