Audio version

11

INNOVATION

February/March 2014 • www.esb.ie/em

ESB showcases the ecar Programme at IBM's Innovation Centre

Dermot McArdle, Head of ecars ESB, with Peter O'Neill, Country General Manager of IBM, at the relaunch of IBM's Innovation Centre

IBM INVITED a number of key companies to showcase their innovative initiatives at an event to mark the relaunch of IBM's Innovation Centre, Dublin. The theme of the conference was the ‘Future of Technology and Innovation’ through the eyes of IBM and its customers. Head of ecars ESB, Dermot McArdle, presented on the company's ecar programme.

ESB ecars is currently working with IBM to develop and implement a cloud-based, electric vehicle IT platform that will allow for a seamless user experience at any charge point in Ireland.

The keynote speaker was Rashik Parmar, President of IBM's Academy of Technology, also a distinguished Engineer with nearly 30 years of practical experience in IBM. He currently leads projects related to IBM Smarter Cities Programme and development of techniques to drive industry level innovation. Sharing the platform with Dermot was AMT Sybex, Paddy Power and AIB. There were over 200 invitees in attendance.

Safety first, quality always: ESB International Quality Manager elected as NSAI Chairperson

ESB International's Quality Manager, Noel Clarke, has been selected as chairperson of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Quality Management Standards Committee

ESB INTERNATIONAL

NOEL CLARKE, Quality Manager, ESB International has been elected as chairperson of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Quality Management Standards Committee.

This voluntary committee is representative of all industry sectors in Ireland and is the national mirror committee of ISO Technical Committee TC 176 which is currently working on the 2015 revision of ISO9001. The NSAI is the body responsible for development and dissemination of national and international standards in Ireland.

Noel will celebrate 25 years in quality this year and has recently been conferred with an honours Master's (MSc) degree in Quality from the Institute of Technology, Sligo. Noel joined ESB International in 2008.

Robert Arthur graduates

Robert Arthur, son of retiree Tony, is pictured above with his family after he graduated from the University of Bath last year with an MSc. with distinction in electrical power systems. Robert received educational support from ESB International to complete his Master's degree

Significant milestones achieved at Carrington CCGT Project

As of January 2014, the numbers of workers on site has increased to over 400 people and new subcontractors for the mechanical erection works are currently mobilising to the site

A number of significant milestones have been recently achieved at Carrington 880MW CCGT site in Manchester including the commencement of the heavy load deliveries via the Manchester Ship Canal to the site

ESB INTERNATIONAL

PROGRESSION OF the works at Carrington 880MW CCGT site in Manchester have increased visibly in the last few months, with a number of significant milestones achieved along the way including:

• The completion of the gas pipe line contract works.
• The completion of the piling works on the site. There were 3,073 piles installed as part of the new construction since May 2013.
• The heavy load barge deliveries via the Manchester Ship Canal to the site commenced. In December there were four barge deliveries to the site containing modules and steelwork for one of the plant's Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). Further deliveries were made in January 2014.
• Over 10,000sq m of concrete has been placed on the site to date, mainly focused on the two power train foundations which are now clearly visible.

Since the start of the year, the numbers of workers on site has increased to over 400 people and new sub-contractors for the mechanical erection works are currently mobilising to the site.

ESB International's project team continues to support local initiatives in the Carrington area.

See page 2 in our News section and 16 and 17 in Generation & Wholesale Markets for more information about the progress being made at Carrington.

ESB - A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE OPEN CHARGE ALLIANCE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

ESB charge point access card being used at a charge point in Dublin

ESB HAS PIONEERED the adoption of an Open Charge Point Protocol (OCCP) which enables the company to manage the ESB network of 1,400 Charge Points from a multiple of hardware suppliers. In the European market, it has become the de facto standard for the roll out of charging infrastructure and supporting IT and communications systems.

ESB is a founding member with e- Laad Foundation (Netherlands) and Greenlots (US) in the development of the Open Charge Point Alliance (OCA). Its key objective is to protect, promote and further develop the Protocol in the EV sector.

The protocol has been adopted by a great number of charge point vendors and central system suppliers in Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.

For more information about the development of a standardised approach to EV charging: http://www.openchargealliance.org/JOIN.html