< Previous40 Business Link www.blmforum.net RENEWABLES ABP’s £6.8 million investment will save 2,600 tonnes of CO2e per annum – equating to the energy needs of 1,450 average UK homes. And that’s far from the end of the operator’s carbon reduction efforts. “Our ambition is to keep reducing the emissions that port operations generate, by implementing a mix of clean energy production, and investing further in hybridised port equipment,” said Simon Bird, Director at ABP Humber. Despite the incredible efforts to boost the region’s green credentials over the last few years, there is still a pressing need for the Humber to decarbonise. The region emits more CO2 than any other industrial cluster (fifty per cent more than the next largest), whilst the area is one of the most vulnerable to climate change through flood risk. At least a quarter of the Humber’s economy and one in ten jobs depend on these industries, making safeguarding their competitiveness imperative for the local economy as well as strategically important for the UK. In a vote of confidence for the region’s decarbonisation efforts, the government has awarded £1.7 million in funding to the Humber Cluster Plan following a joint proposal submitted back in August 2020. The Plan will show how the Humber cluster can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, potentially making it the first in the world to do so. This latest funding followed on from initial funding from Innovate UK in April, which enabled the first phase of feasibility work on the plan to decarbonise the Humber cluster. This found that the Humber is likely to need both fuel-switching (such as to hydrogen) and carbon capture to achieve the scale of decarbonisation required, as around half of the area’s industrial emissions come from chemical reactions in industry processes (rather than the power that feeds them) and these cannot currently 39-41.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:11 Page 2www.blmforum.net Business Link 41 RENEWABLES be abated by fuel switching. This joint bid by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership and CATCH also involves eight private sector partner organisations and was submitted to Innovate UK as part of the Government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge Fund scheme, part of the £350 million green recovery package announced by the Prime Minister in July. The project, totalling £2.6 million, will move the Humber closer to achieving large-scale decarbonisation, with businesses across the Humber working to find effective and lasting solutions for the region. The eight partner organisations supporting the Humber Cluster Plan are: British Steel, Centrica, Drax, Equinor, National Grid Ventures, Phillips 66, SSE Thermal and VPI Immingham. They include the strategically important refining and steel sectors, as well as major energy producers and low carbon infrastructure providers. A wider group of businesses will be involved in developing the plan, with all energy-intensive industries in the Humber invited to take part. “This is a significant opportunity to achieve industrial decarbonisation at a large scale in our region, which has the potential to protect important jobs while helping us to achieve our Net Zero ambitions by 2040,” said Stephen Parnaby, Chair of the Humber LEP. “This successful outcome has only been possible with the support of our industry partners, who have illustrated there is a huge appetite in the Humber to innovate, collaborate and strive for solutions to create a cleaner, greener future for our vital industries.” Although the Humber region is a beacon for renewable energy and decarbonisation not only for our region, but the nation, there is still much work to be done. Fortunately, we’re more than up to the challenge. © Shutterstock /Duncan Cuthbertson 39-41.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:12 Page 342 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY A s a result of COVID-19, most businesses will have participated in video conferencing in the past year as a stopgap whilst waiting for in person events and meetings to resume. Though many of us have the basics in place to facilitate this, whether taking part in or running these events, with the pandemic still impacting our region and indeed the entire globe - lasting longer than any of us would have thought at the start of 2020 - it is worth considering some options to upgrade your video conferencing now it is clear that the virtual world will continue to be our main port of call for most seminars, workshops, meetings, expos, and conferences. For smaller businesses in particular, insufficient investment has been made into video conferencing systems and technology, leaving them beleaguered with poor audio, unintelligible speech, delays, echoes, bad lighting, and pixelated video. Internet investment There are numerous simple things that can be done to improve video conferencing. First one should consider connecting your computer/device to your router via an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection. Wi-Fi can introduce increased latency to an internet connection. With video conferencing platforms sensitive to broadband connection quality and to latency, any delay to video data being received can lead to frustrating glitches. Avoiding Wi- Fi with a desktop PC or laptop connected to a router by Ethernet cable, a better experience can be provided. Also worth looking into is a better broadband service, with the most ideal being Fibre- to-the-Premises. If utilising an Ethernet cable is not possible, ensure you are located close to your Wi-Fi router or invest in Wi-Fi access points, so you can place one where you are using video conferencing. Furthermore during video conferencing it is wise to avoid using other services like Netflix as this will fill up buffers in broadband equipment, stopping time- sensitive data packets for video conferencing getting through on time. Of course with kids or other family members in the house it may be difficult to achieve this! Closing as many programmes and tabs as possible before starting a video call also helps, freeing up computing power and internet bandwidth. If your connection is suffering on bandwidth, a programme will often reduce the quality of video and audio to prevent interruption. Lights, camera, action! Though the most accessible option when video conferencing is to use a built- in webcam on your device, this does not guarantee a great quality image, usually having low resolution. Investing in a standalone camera can produce excellent results, presenting a noticeable picture quality difference (sharper, more vibrant) next to an onboard camera. With a decent camera and lens one can also play around with satisfying visuals such as a blur to your background, which is frequently used in TV. Make sure to place the camera near to your screen, and at eye level. Then when you look at the screen you will still be looking to your audience, not off to the side. Another vital consideration to give an immediate boost to your video conferencing is light - without good lighting you will be left with a poor Room to improve With the pandemic far from over, video conferencing remains key to communication and keeping events running. Not anticipating such a long reliance on the virtual world, many of us are still using the bare minimum to enable video conferencing, creating a negative experience with pixelated video and tinny sound. 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:19 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 43 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY © Shutterstock /Andrey_Popov image. This is especially important when employing cameras embedded in computers and mobile phones which need an abundance of light to operate properly and not produce a blurry, dull image. At a basic level, locate oneself in a room with big windows for natural light - however avoid having a window directly behind or a harsh silhouette will be created. By sitting in front or slightly off to the side of a window, a large, nicely defused light will complement the face. If using artificial light, do not rely on ceiling lights which tend to leave us with an unflattering look, casting odd shadows and highlights. Side lighting works well to evenly light the face, as do ring lights. If looking to dive in fully to lighting, consider a basic 3-point lighting setup. This requires a key light, which produces the most light, shining on to the subject, a fill-light filling in any shadows left by the key-light, and a back light providing a soft glow behind the subject’s head. This is a classic set up for any video with someone speaking in front of a camera. Boosting your background with a green screen can also be useful to enhance video conferencing. Bear in mind that both subject and green screen will need to be lit properly - evenly so video conferencing software can distinguish the background clearly. Superior sound When using video conferencing, many will employ their device’s built-in speaker and microphone, both of which come with their own problems. Headphones can be used to overcome numerous sound irritations, for example any issues with echo. It is also worth utilising a dedicated microphone placed 5-6 inches away from the mouth to be better heard and avoid the distant tinny sound that comes with built in microphones, as well as the background sounds and desk vibrations these pick up. An external USB Mic can boost your set up at a relatively low cost - just ensure your computer is actually using your microphone instead of defaulting to the built-in. Alternatively a headset with microphone and headphones is effective, particularly those with active and passive noise cancellation. One can also clean up background noise with software filtering, with third party applications using AI to filter background noise from traffic or pets for instance. An additional basic upgrade is running the latest version of your chosen video conferencing application and operating system to gain access to any modifications and improvements. 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:19 Page 244 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEW YEAR, NEW SUPPLIER 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:20 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 45 NEW YEAR, NEW SUPPLIER COVID-19 has been a major challenge for businesses in almost every sector. As well as forcing companies to adapt and evolve, it has also left many looking to reduce overheads and operating costs to try and weather the storm. One of the best ways to shrink costs is to examine your suppliers and switch them up. Perhaps a single supplier could fulfil the job that two or more were previously performing. Or you could be getting better service for the same costs or cheaper. A company is only as good as its suppliers, with their end products dependent on the raw material and ingredients that they purchase. It serves to follow, then, that a company that is reliant on subpar suppliers will be unable to achieve its full potential and profitability. There are several understandable reasons why a company would remain with mediocre suppliers, other than loyalty, and that’s from the need to trim back supply chain costs and run a leaner operation. However, using cheap suppliers for cheapness sake can be counterproductive and, conversely, end up costing a company in the long run. While loyalty is a powerful motivator, the lack of any meaningful relationship with a supplier can also be good grounds to look elsewhere. It only takes a visit to any of the major food exhibitions taking place around the globe to see the strength of these relationships in action. If a company head feels as though they’re getting the cold shoulder from any of their suppliers, then it’s worth considering a replacement. It can seem as though it’s easier remaining with a supplier so as not to upset the status quo, but that attitude can be costly to a company, especially in this economic climate. Finding a new supplier can be well and truly transformative, whether it’s for raw ingredients or machinery, the difference from supplier-to-supplier can be startling. For example, one supplier of machinery and equipment might just want to squeeze a company for all they’ve got and supply a piece of top end machinery for the sake of it. However, a supplier that you’ll want on your wide will take the time to get to know a company and its operations and offer a machine that’s best suited to a company’s production and processing needs, rather than the most expensive. They might also be able to offer a bespoke option which, while not the cheapest, ensures a company gets a tailor- made solution designed to meet their exact needs and specifications. Having quality supplies can literally mean the difference between hitting profits and not, of using the very best ingredients and something mediocre. The importance of good suppliers cannot be overstated, but it’s also important not to lose sight of how bad, or even middling, suppliers can affect a business. So, this New Year, make it your resolution to find the right suppliers for you. to save Changing suppliers is a great way for a company to begin any new year but, amid the continuing coronavirus crisis, it can also be a means for companies to reduce overheads and reinvest elsewhere in their businesses. Switching 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:21 Page 2T he interest in EVs has skyrocketed following the Government’s announcement that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel models will be brought forward to 2030, putting the UK on course to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonise cars and vans. This comes as the first part of a two phased approach, with ‘Step 2’ seeing all new cars and vans be fully zero emission at the tailpipe from 2035. The move is supported by over £1.8 billion to influence a greater uptake of zero emission vehicles for greener car journeys and comes alongside measures for more charge points and grants for homeowners, businesses, and local authorities to install charge points, as well as £582 million in grants for those buying zero or ultra-low emission vehicles to make them cheaper. Car conversion Car conversion 46 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK As the interest in electric vehicles (EVs) rises in response to a fresh push from the Government, car enthusiasts are not only looking at new EVs, but considering converting their classics. 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:24 Page 1Meanwhile, green number plates were introduced in December 2020 to boost awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads. In response to the Government announcements, electric car searches surged online. One online car supermarket saw searches jump from 310 typical searches per day to 1,679 in the 24 hours after Boris Johnson’s revelation. While many drivers are for the EV switch and understand its environmental benefits, that does not mean they are looking to give up much loved cars they already own, especially classics that they will want to drive for years to come. Fortunately, there is an option gaining ground in conversation that can help resolve this: an electric conversion. Though this is not something new, it is sure to be on the minds of more car owners in the green revolution. With EV conversion kits, car owners can cut their carbon footprint by transforming vehicles into functioning battery- operated EVs. Of course this sacrifices the classic sound one may be used to, and some will argue that this alteration impacts the vehicle’s heritage, but in order to keep these cars on the road in the future, this may be necessary. The option is also utilised to save cars 48 Á www.blmforum.net Business Link 47 AUTOLINK 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:26 Page 2bound for scrap, fits in with growing repurposing and up-cycling trends, and is making classic cars useable for daily driving. The number of classic car enthusiasts replacing engines and fuel tanks in cars that originally ran on petrol with batteries and motors is expanding, with the knowledge that they can fulfil the desire for a classic car and avoid critique for running a car with high emissions. As a result various companies are pushing their different options for electric conversion. In November for example Swindon Powertrain launched its electric Classic Mini Kit in response to “growing customer demand to electrify classic cars and original Minis in particular.” However it has been highlighted that the process of electrifying a classic Mini costs as much as a new model when a battery pack and onboard charger are considered after the price of the basic kit. Meanwhile a plethora of specialists offer electrification to revive and make older cars timeless, such as conversion firm Lunaz, which restores vintage cars with electric parts and is doubling its Silverstone workforce to meet demand. Additionally, companies like New Electric are converting cars, but also teaching drivers how to do it themselves. Owning an EV classic fortunately does not mean sacrificing performance. Lunaz’s electric Jaguar XK120 produces 375bhp and 700Nm of torque with its 80kWh battery pack and motor. The car, which has a range of over 250 miles, goes from 0-60mph in five seconds. The vehicle is also enhanced with modern technological features including satellite navigation, smartphone connectivity, fast charging capability, regenerative braking, full climate control and sensitively integrated power steering. Furthermore, the act of converting petrol cars to electric can improve the 48 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:26 Page 3performance of a car, with mechanics able to take the opportunity to redistribute weight. How does EV conversion work? Converting a classic car into an EV essentially sees the car’s engine and drivetrain replaced with motors and a battery pack. While the process is hailed for being achievable from home, it is a complex job suggested only for confident mechanics to take on. It involves tasks such as changing components like suspension to adapt to the altered handling characteristics that come with the weight changes in installing a battery pack. Changes are also required of brakes, to accommodate regenerative braking, lights and heating, so they pull power from the batteries, and more. When weighing up whether to convert a car into an EV, cost is also to be considered - the process is known to be pricy. However, in this, other aspects including the lower running costs of EVs should be taken into account, lower maintenance, the positives of charging at home et al. Though some will be keen to keep their classics relevant for roads with EV conversion, others will be looking for a clean break, to embrace new EVs. Available choice is expanding, with car makers fully backing the electric shift. In the last issue of Lincolnshire Today for instance commitments from Bentley, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and more were discussed. At the end of 2020, at least 50 pure electric cars were available from showrooms, which will only increase with the new Government EV push. From Alfa Romeo’s planned pure- electric compact SUV to Maserati’s electric MC20, to Mini’s new electric Countryman, the upcoming EVs are varied. www.blmforum.net Business Link 49 AUTOLINK 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 08/01/2021 10:26 Page 4Next >