The EZW team has been working with Coatech to make sure the new promenade at Rhyl doesn’t just look great, but that the surface dressing is done with minimum waste and maximum re-use.

The Enabling Zero Waste (EZW) team has been working closely with Coatech Ltd (a specialist contractor and applicator of resin floor and wall surfacing) to avert waste generated during the surface dressing of the West Rhyl Sea Defence works project. 

The EZW project focussed on assessing options for diverting waste streams from landfill; looking for options to reduce, reuse and recycle all waste produced from the scheme. Key waste streams included plastics, pallets and waste aggregate and of particular interest in this scheme was to look for solutions to upcycle leftover aggregate.

Waste data and information is in the process of being collated and a case study report will be published within the next couple of months. But top line figures are –

• Early analysis indicates that zero waste was sent to landfill
• The majority of waste was recycled (including cardboard packaging, containers, plastic wrap)
• 51 pallets were reused by local distribution businesses for packaging
• 12 pallets were reused in a community garden scheme in Rhyl
• The majority of leftover aggregate was reused in community projects

If you would like to find out more about Enabling Zero Waste please visit http://www.cewales.org.uk/current-programme/enabling-zero-waste/  ; follow @EZWaste_Wales or call a member of the team on 02920 493322.

The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon is one of the most imaginative, dynamic and high profile infrastructure schemes in the UK, not just Wales. But who will build it and what does it mean for Welsh construction?

If all goes to plan the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will meet a significant part of Wales's energy demands and create employment opportunities across Welsh construction and engineering as well as associated regeneration schemes. So, what's happening?

CEW and Tidal Lagoon Power held an event yesterday (Thursday, 26 May) to bring all parties and stakeholders up to date with the latest developments. It was confirmed that the Chinese contractor, CHEC, is no longer involved with the project and that the marine works will now be re-tendered. Otherwise, the project remains on track and if its go ahead is confirmed then it will generate many jobs for Wales – and not just in construction.

The team remain convinced that tidal energy is cheaper than nuclear and hope to offer some clear cut evidence to argue their case even more strongly in the coming months. The audience on Thursday was enthralled by the ideas, imagination and huge potential for the scheme and its impact on other similar projects.

It is planned that with a 320MW installed capacity, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will be the largest marine energy development in the world.  A £1billion infrastructure project developed by Tidal Lagoon Power Limited, it will have a predictable output of some 495GWh each year of clean, green electricity to power more than 155,000 homes, and a design life of 120 years.

Stay tuned for more details.

Innovate UK is driving ideas in the UK, particularly around business led innovative projects in infrastructure. They are running a competition to challenge industry – the winners gain £15M investment.

Innovate UK, in collaboration with the Knowledge Transfer Network will be hosting a series of events across the UK to discuss the forthcoming competition ‘Infrastructure Systems’. 

Infrastructure forms the backbone for economic stability, growth, competitiveness and productivity in modern society and is key for social wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Yet these infrastructure systems in the UK, and globally, face increasing social and environmental pressures. As an example, to be successful in the future, cities need to deliver a thriving economy, great quality of life and reduced environmental footprint, whilst managing growing economic, social and environmental stresses.

Innovate UK are to invest up to £15m in business led, innovative projects in Infrastructure Systems, provisionally including

• Solutions for affordable, sustainable and secure energy systems
• Innovative solutions for Nuclear Fission
• Innovative solutions for Offshore Wind
• Solutions for connected transport through the integration of multimodal transportation systems
• Resilience of infrastructure and cities to environmental and societal pressure
• Integrated solutions to systemic challenges in urban areas 

Where possible, projects should address more than one of these areas particularly through the introduction of cross-cutting technologies (e.g. digital, sensors, autonomous systems) that can address system integration. The briefing events will include 

• an opportunity to hear about the scope of the competition in more detail
• an opportunity to network and develop cross sector partnerships for the competition
• an opportunity to meet with InnovateUK for 1 to 1 discussions about the competition 

These events will benefit businesses, academics, researchers and local authorities involved in energy systems, resilient urban systems, connected transport systems (Autonomous Vehicles not in scope) and pulling in new technologies from digital, communications, sensors, electronics and novel materials sectors.

To register for one of the events click on the links below;

• 7^th July 2016 Glasgow
• 12^th July 2016 London
• 12^th July 2016 London Webcast
• 19^th July 2016 Bristol
• 21^st July 2016 Manchester