At the end of January, MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) published the first standard for installation of battery energy storage systems. Battery Storage Standard (MIS 3012) is designed to complement the organisations certification of other microgeneration technologies and has been developed with input from Tesla, Sonnen, Moixa, the STA and REA amongst others.

Electric Vehicles have been big news this week. Not only has the government announced it’s bringing forward a ban on selling new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from 2040 to 2035 in order to help meet the UK’s zero emissions pledge for 2050, the IET has published its Amendment 1 to BS 7671:2018 (IET Wiring Regulatons 18^th Edition) in relation to the earthing of electrical charging equipment at electric vehicle charging points.

An exciting trial at Keele University in Staffordshire is bringing the possibility of replacing natural gas with a gas/hydrogen mix a step closer. The project, led by the gas distribution company Cadent, is the UK’s first live usage of hydrogen in a modern gas network. It is hoped that the year-long trial will provide evidence that customers don’t have to change their cooking or heating appliances to take the blend.

Throughout 2019, Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CEA have reviewed and consulted on the recognition criteria for Awarding Organisations (AOs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The consultation is to ensure risks associated with qualification delivery at centres is minimised and that employers can have confidence in regulated qualifications.

The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) has announced the return of its training awards for 2020, with money off available for some LCL Awards courses.

Christina Aradipiotis owns and runs CMS Training in the town of Limasol on the south coast of Cyprus. Her mission is to support contractors working on the Sovereign Bases (SBAs) on the island as well as local businesses with the very best in training.  CMS Training has just put its first two learners through LCL Awards Managed Learning Programme and our Lead External Verifier & Technical Specialist, James Livingstone was keen to catch up with Christina and find out how it was all going.

LCL Awards’ Technical Expert & External Verifier, Steve Humphreys, recently led a session on the 18^th Edition Wiring Regulations for CEDA, the Catering Equipment Distributors Association and CESA, the Catering Equipment industry's largest trade organisation. Steve joined others from the catering sector as part of a Service Engineers CPD Forum on 9^th October in Cannock in Staffordshire.

LCL Awards is pleased to welcome new Halifax-based, Viva Training Academy to its list of approved training centres. Set-up by heating and insulation business owner, Richard Firth, Viva prides itself on providing a supportive and learner-focused environment which offers a range of building services courses, including LCL Awards’ New Entrants Gas MLP and Level 3 F Gas qualification.

We’re delighted to be the sponsors of the training category at the forthcoming ACR and Heat Pump Awards. Awards will be given to the winners of a wide variety of classes in the ACR and heat pump sector and other sponsors include manufacturers and wholesalers. This is the first time we’ve sponsored the event.

To bring our Domestic Electrical Installer qualification in-line with new industry requirements a revised version, DEI20, will be available early in the new year.