Prof. Gary Stevens presented the paper "Life-Cycle Environmental and Economic Assessment of Spatially Distributed Systems: Application to Power Systems." at the LCA 08 conference in Seattle on 30th September, 2008.

Conventional LCA is limited in its ability to describe systems that are distributed in space and time and where they may interact with a variety of local environments. A recent European Commission funded project addressed this limitation for power transmission systems. The approach used has now been generalised to any large infrastructure problem – the result is LEAP, a methodology and software tool for Life cycle Environmental and economic Assessment of infrastructure Projects.

LEAP 3.0 can be downloaded from our website and used for 14 days as a free trial. This site also provides more detailed information about LEAP.

LEAP Website

Dr Henryk Herman presented a paper at the IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation in Vancouver 11th June

Dr Henryk Herman presented a paper at the IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation in Vancouver 11th June. This covered the work done by GnoSys over the last 24 months using wide wavelength spectroscopy to determine the degree of polymerisation, and hence remaining life, of paper insulation in transformers. This methodology has also been applied to measuring the quality and insulation properties of resin-filled mica papers on generator bars with excellent correlations to the Megger test, power factor capacitance and other physical properties.

One of the earlier slides in the presentation caused an intake of breath as it was probably the first time a nude was shown at an IEEE meeting - in this case Michaelangleo's David was used to illustrate the generic questions of in-situ measurements. Otherwise the audience was attentive, the speaker did not fall off the podium, some smart questions were asked (which the speaker fielded reasonably well) and electrical engineers and utility operators were introduced into the wonderful world of remote spectroscopy.

During this time Vancouver was damp and miserable, with low-lying clouds limiting the world-class view that is this city's trademark. The speaker's comment: does Vancouver actually have mountain tops nearby?

REDFR (Reduced Emissions by the Development of Novel Sustainable Flame Retardant Products)

This TSB funded project is aimed at the development of new environmentally sustainable nonwoven fabrics composed entirely of flame retardant particles and short fibre recycled materials. The intended products are principally targeted at mattress components utilising waste fibre from streams sourced in the UK, taking advantage of the large amount of textile materials entering the waste stream. The project is being contributed to by a large consortium of companies, ranging from suppliers of recycled textiles to mattress manufacturers.

Gnosys’ contribution to this project will be assessing the environmental and economical impact of using recycled fibres and novel flame retardants in comparison with virgin raw materials and current manufacturing practices, using life cycle assessment software. This will involve assessment of a reference/benchmarking position and three case studies utilising alternative flame retardant materials and possible changes in the manufacture process.

Telecoms Projects

We are currently undertaking a new series of projects, working with a telecommunication company in the assessment of the physical characteristics of new cable materials. Of particular interest in current work involves the measuring the dynamic friction characteristics of a new supplier for cables in an effort to ensure the lowest friction materials are highlighted for ease of feeding of optical fibres into the cables.

GnoSys welcomes National Grid as a new client.

LEETS, the life cycle based decision support tool, is being implemented with National Grid for use in the on-going high voltage tunnel projects around London. LEETS will assist National Grid with not only decision making, but also project auditing and management.

• www.nationalgrid.com

GnoSys welcomes BP as a new client.

We have been working with BP to enhance the environmental analyses of exploration projects.

• www.bp.com

GnoSys welcomes Grundberg Mocatta Rakison LLP as a new client.

We have been working with GMR to provide expert witness information on polymer product development.

• www.gmrlaw.com

GnoSys welcomes Stiefel Laboratories Ltd as a new client.

Although we have done some work together in the past, this represents a new direction looking at active pharmaceuticals.

• www.stiefel.co.uk

GnoSys partners Westbrook International plc on WEEE compliance reporting

GnoSys agrees to jointly implement the REMAT web-based business solution for WEEE compliance reporting and resource management with Westbrook International plc.

• Westbrook International plc
• REMAT "Highlights Report"

International Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena

GnoSys presents two papers at the International Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena in the USA.

• Conference details.

The UK Implementation of the WEEE directive to take effect from January 2007

The UK Regulations implementing the WEEE Directive were laid before Parliament on 12 December 2006 and enter into force on 2 January 2007.

• DTI - EC Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
• UK WEEE Regulations (SI 2006 No. 3289) (PDF)

EEP Industry Issues Revealed

SUMEEPnet* (Sustainable Use of Materials in Electronic and Electrical Products) has been working to highlight the top WEEE related issues facing the industry. At the Challenge conference (Dec 2005) SUMEEPnet began the process of consulting industrial governmental and academic groups to prioritise issues currently facing the EEP industry. This was followed up with a consultation exercise. For further details visit the SUMEEPnet website.

*SUMEEPnet is an EPSRC funded network. More information can be found on the SUMEEPnet website

Polymers in Electronics, 2007

Gnosys will be presenting at the Polymers in Electronics meeting in Munich in January 2007.

• Conference details, RAPRA.

IeMRC 2006 Conference

GnoSys UK had a presence at the IeMRC 2006 conference in Loughborough on 20th September. Gary Stevens spoke about the potential impact of WEEE on ELV management. He also presented the GnoSys UK project for qualifying recyclate plastics. These presentations are available for download below:

• Potential Impact of WEEE on End-of-Life Management
• Rapid Assessment of Rapid Assessment of Electronic Product Enclosure Plastics for Manufacturing Support and End-of-Life Management

For notification of our WEEE-related publications and news please register on the SUMEEPnet website .

TranSpec™ Briefing at CIGRE 2006 Session

Prof Gary Stevens, MD of GnoSys UK, is currently attending the 2006 Cigre Symposium in Paris, and briefing delegates on TranSpec™. This method provides a new and exciting development for condition monitoring, especially in those machines using paper and oil as the insulating media. The TranSpec™ portable analyser has been tested on a number of field campaigns, and following an extensive development phase, is expected to be available commercially in the near future.

TranSpec™ Briefing Paper

GnoSys UK at the CIGRE 2006 Session

CIGRE is holding its 2006 session in Paris from 27th August to 1st September. Courtesy of RTE, GnoSys UK will have a presence there to showcase the LEETS framework and software tool. This is an opportunity for the power industry from around the world to see what LEETS has to offer them.

More information about the session can be found here: www.cigre.org.

For more information about LEETS, download the briefing paper.

Visit RTE's website to learn more about them.

GnoSys UK Ltd. Open for Business

GnoSys UK Ltd is now open for business. We will continue to offer our expertise in advanced polymeric materials and environmental systems analysis. GnoSys UK will also expand its consultancy services maintaining a strong link with the University of Surrey and other research partners.