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What infrastructure do we need to prioritise to develop the region's potential
over the next thirty years?
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The initial vote in which options were ranked by the audience in order of
priority, and the opening presentations, were framed around the above question.
The initial options were:
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A
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Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
Given our present dependence on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles for mobility and
distribution, the future will either hold a radical rearrangement of our transport
arrangements or else a non-fossil-fuel-based system – the Electric Vehicle is one
solution. To encourage the adoption of Electric Vehicles in a timely fashion, a
charging infrastructure should be created.
|
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B
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Resource efficiency
We need to be much more intelligent about our use and re-use of materials,
energy and other resources. Infrastructure can deliver efficiencies through
circulating resources across infrastructures and businesses, from introducing
district heating systems throughout cities through to using waste to generate
electricity.
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C
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Flood risk management in the North East
The North East has seen significant flood events over recent years,
damaging homes, communities and infrastructure. Reducing flood risk
needs to be prioritised to ensure communities are sustainable and to
minimise the disruption caused.
|
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D
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Long term integrated transport strategy
The North East needs to focus its attention on the strategic transport
routes to and from the region in order to increase connectivity locally and
nationally, with schemes driven by the region with one clear message. We need to
invest in infrastructure which is vital to aid economic recovery.
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E
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Establish a new energy generation mix
The North East has a wonderful heritage in leading innovation in the field
of power generation. In a time of significant change and driving towards a
low carbon economy; we must take full advantage of our skills and capability
in shaping that future.
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The event was introduced by ICE President, Richard Coackley
and facilitated by
Caspar Hewett
and Stephanie Glendinning.
The options were introduced by five
speakers:
A
Edward Bentley,
Northumbria University;
B
Richard Dawson,
Newcastle University;
C
Stephanie Henderson,
Environment Agency;
D
Laura O’Toole, Jacobs;
E
Tony Quinn,
National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec).
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|
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Outcome and Discussion
The result of the initial ballot (held before the presentations and discussions) were
as follows where the score for each option indicates the percentage of
of its potential maximum achieved in the vote
(100% if everyone who voted ranked that option first). There were 32 valid ballots.
Options E (Establish a new energy generation mix),
D (Long term integrated transport strategy) and
B (Resource efficiency) were very close, scoring
78%, 73% and 70% of their potential maxima respectively.
Option C (Flood risk management) scored 46% and
Option A (Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles)
was far behind scoring only 26% of its potential points.
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A + D
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Long term integrated transport strategy incorporating
charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
This option scored 54% of its potential points in the final ranking
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B
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Resource efficiency
This option scored 73%, making it the highest ranked option.
|
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C
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Flood risk management
This option scored 53%
|
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E
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Establish a new energy generation mix
This option scored 67%, making it the second highest in the final ranking.
|
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F
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Working together /co-operation
This option scored 50%.
|
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G
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Housing: a place to live
This option scored 29%.
|
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H
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Challenging the growth model through localism
This option scored 43%.
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Top of page
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Speakers
Edward Bentley is a researcher with the
Power Engineering group
at Northumbria University, and has been pursuing the question of the effects
of Electric Vehicle charging on the Power Grid for several years.
His research group recently completed a project for One North East
to create an Excel-based tool to assess the impact of Electric Vehicle
charging upon the low voltage distribution network.
He is currently involved in a European Union project to promote
Electric Vehicle usage in the countries surrounding the North Sea.
Edward says: "Given the finite nature of fossil fuel reserves, and
the exponential growth in the rate of consumption, it is clear that petrol
and oil will cease to be cheaply available at some point. Estimates
vary, but some sources suggest that oil will cease to flow freely within
30/40 years. Given our present dependence on fossil fuel powered vehicles
for mobility and distribution, the future will either hold a radical
rearrangement of our transport arrangements or else a non-fossil-fuel-based system
– the Electric Vehicle is one solution. To encourage the adoption of
Electric Vehicles in a timely fashion, and incidentally to support the new
Nissan battery plant in Sunderland, a charging infrastructure should be created
in the region."
Top of page
Richard Dawson is Reader in
School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at
Newcastle University and is a Core Researcher in the Cities (now Resilience)
programme at
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
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He has developed an urban integrated assessment system facility that
couples economic projections, land use change, climate impacts and emissions
accounting tools. These tools were built by Richard and other researchers
in the team. Richard is also the Partner Representative for the
Tyndall Centre at the University of Newcastle.
Richard's research focuses on sustainable cities; work which started with his role
as a researcher in the
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Cities Programme.
Prior to this he was appointed as a researcher at Newcastle University in 2004,
having previously worked at Bristol University where he also did his PhD.
His research has focused on the analysis and management of risks in
civil engineering and environmental systems. It is a cross-disciplinary endeavour,
involving collaboration with leading researchers, consultants and government agencies
nationally and internationally. A remarkable feature of his work has been
its application at broad scales - recognition that engineering systems have a
much wider influence than their physical form and need to be considered within
their broader environmental and social context. This engineering philosophy has
become known as Earth Systems Engineering and he is a founder member of the
Centre for Earth Systems Engineering Research (CESER) at Newcastle University.
Top of page
Stephanie Henderson is a civil engineer in
Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the
Environment Agency,
joining in 2007 for a placement and returning in 2008 after completing
her M.Eng in Civil Engineering at Durham University and is currently working
towards Chartered Status. Her role in includes hydraulic and flood forecast
modelling, project management and design of embankments, flood walls and trash
screens. Recent projects have included writing a flood forecast for Morpeth
and flood modelling projects in Durham and Darlington.
She joined the graduates and Students committee in 2007 while still at
university and is now the Honorary Secretary of the committee and joined
the ICE North East Flood Expert Panel in 2011. She has worked as the
Schools and Colleges Liaison Rep for the committee, organising the
Creative Construction Competitions in 2009 and 2010.
Stephanie also volunteers in schools as an ICE Ambassador and is a
CREST assessor for the British Science Association.
In her spare time, Stephanie is on the Board of Directors for the
Star and Shadow Cinema, working as their Bar Steward and on their
money team doing Companies House returns.
Top of page
Laura O’Toole is a member of the the Traffic and Transport team at
Jacobs.
She joined Jacobs in 2005 after completing a Masters degree in
Civil Engineering at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and is
currently working towards gaining Chartered status. Her role in the
Traffic and Transport team includes traffic signal design, signing and
lining schemes, junction design, traffic modelling, and transport assessments
and travel planning. She has been seconded into client offices, and assists
in a MEng/MSc module with Newcastle University. Recent projects include the
junction design and route modelling for the New Wear Crossing in Sunderland,
and Manchester Metrolink Airport extension.
Laura joined the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East
Graduates and Students Committee in 2006, holding the position of
Chairman from 2008 to early 2010. She joined the ICE NE Transport Panel in 2009,
contributing to the National Transport Panel, local events and press releases.
Laura presents at schools events both for Jacobs and for the ICE, and is keen to
encourage young people into the profession.
Outside of work, Laura is an avid Scuba Diver and holds a
PADI Advanced Open Water certificate, passing her exams in the North Sea in 2008.
She has dived in several countries around the world, on reefs, in wrecks and in
caves. She has dived with sharks, manta rays and turtles, and would love to dive
with a whale shark in the future.
Top of page
Tony Quinn joined National Renewable Energy Centre (narec)
in March 2010 as
Director of Major Projects and Assets and has responsibility for delivering
Narec’s £90m investment programme in both onshore and offshore test facilities.
He is also responsible for business delivery within the existing blade test,
marine and electrical test facilities.
Tony has held senior positions within Nexus (owner operator of Tyne and Wear
Metro system) and PB Power as Asset Management Director and Project Director
respectively. He has fulfilled the roles of client, consultant and contractor
and has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of power generation from
large fossil fuelled; gas fired combined cycle through to energy from
waste plants. Tony specialises in project development and project delivery.
Tony is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
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2012
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