Humber innovation and excellence recognised as area industry celebrates
THE AREA IN PAST YEAR
PHILLIPS 66 made it two awards in a month as it took the Green Innovation Award at the Humber Renewables Awards. A global leader in one of the most carbon intensive industries, it is playing a prominent role in the pioneering transformation of a cluster built on a fossil fuel economy.
This year has seen a £20m investment in processing capability lead to the production of sustainable aviation fuel, and a multi-year contract with British Airways has been secured on the back of the work with used cooking oil.
It followed special praise from the British Chambers of Commerce at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards.
Delighted to collect the second accolade in a month, Harry Crocker, Phillips 66 process engineer, said: “Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, and Humber Refinery has taken the step of using waste food as a feedstock to start producing sustainable aviation fuels. We’ve been very busy.”
Colleague Dan Salmon, who works in product planning, added: “We are trying to leverage a facility that provides the fuels many have used to get here today to do something that has a Net Zero impact on the climate.
“It is all about what we have got to do to get to that Net Zero target.”
Another business seeing double was Pure Renewables, with the Hull company named Small Business of the Year as employee Jacob Jones, was named Apprentice of the Year.
Judges heard how it had a track record of year-on-year growth delivering commercial and domestic energy solutions across heat pump, solar and thermal technologies.
Chris Whitelock, managing director, said: “This is really special. About a week ago we celebrated our 15th birthday, when we started the business no one knew what a heat pump was - including myself.
“It is a fantastic testament to the team. It is such an accolade for the tremendous men and women we have, as demonstrated by Jacob - a double winner.”
Jointly nominated by his company and apprenticeship provider East Riding College - where he has picked up an outstanding contribution accolade, commitment, determination and focus to succeed has been identified in him.
He said: “I feel really proud. I have built my confidence as we have gone on and I know I have the support from my team at Pure Renewables. I thank them for all their support.”
Education, training and the encouragement of the next generation brought a hat-trick for Orsted in helping ensure a great green future when it comes to employment , with two of the three real partnership approaches for the company that won Large Business of the Year too.
Work with Grimsby’s Havelock Academy and the WIME Raising Aspirations Programme, a Green Port Hull initiative, saw the Diversity and Inclusion accolade shared.
Analysis of job applications had shown a marked difference based on deprived or affluent areas, with female applications to the sector as low as 10 per cent.
In a six-month pilot the offshore wind developer worked with the closest secondary school to its huge Grimsby base, sending in female staff to promote the opportunities the industry offered.
Lauren Little, stakeholder advisor, said: “As a woman in the industry it is great to be able to inspire more women and girls, especially in Grimsby.”
School representative Jo Woodhouse said there had been an “immediate reaction” to what the teenagers had seen.
HUMBER RENEWABLES CELEBRATES THE BEST OF GREEN ENERGY IN
With ATT Orsted has delivered Thrive, the immersive training facility at Immingham.
Jason Ledden, an instrumental figure in its arrival to induct Hornsea Two offshore wind farm contractors and employees, said: “What we tried to do was immerse people in a situation they wouldn’t want to be in, look at the feelings that brings about and get people talking about how to work better and more safely.
“It is a legacy project, and even though Orsted funded it and brought it to fruition, this is now here for the industry to use.”
The new visitors’ centre at the £14m East Coast Hub capped off the inspirational work to encourage engagement.
Tricia Percy, one of Orsted’s first employees, now executive PA at the Grimsby site, said: “It was a rewarding project to be involved in, and a great collaboration between operational staff and the stakeholder team.
“We wanted to deliver an inspiring facility, not just for school children, but for investors and visitors from all over the world.
“We’ve welcomed people from Taiwan and the US, local councillors and ministerial visits.
“We give the same experience to everyone, but mainly it is to encourage young children into the sector.
“We have had really good feedback and we are really pleased.”
Held at Doubletree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa and Golf Resort, Scunthorpe’s Corrboard was a home patch winner, taking the Best Renewables Project Award for its anaerobic digestion powered sheet production.
It now uses 100,000 tonnes of waste product from food it produces the packaging for as a feedstock annually, helping it become one of the most environmentally friendly manufacturers in its industry.
It is about to invest further to take biogas produced into boilers, taking its renewable credentials to 100 per cent - and creating a world first.
Anne-marie Barron, head of finance, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into this over the past eight years. Plastic is not the way forward, it is cardboard and renewables, we want the full circular economy.
“It is the future, we are bringing in our own electricity, rather than feeding off the grid, and that is absolutely how we want it to be.”
Another driving towards Net Zero in spectacular fashion is Jordan Brompton, the co-founder of Myenergi, named Renewables Woman of the Year.
The business has moved to a state-of-the-art headquarters, now employs 350 people globally and is about to hit annualised sales of £50m - with the EV charging Zappi eco- smart tech leading the way.
“I’m so delighted, it means so much,” she said via videolink. I am so very proud and want to thank everyone in the team who has got us to this point. We are a team, but it is really nice to be recognised, I’m super grateful.”
Hours after the acceptance the company was revealed as the new shirt sponsor for Grimsby Town FC.
A leading community engagement project was also recognised, with Positive Activities Developments taking the title.
The community interest company is behind Humberston Eco Conservation Centre, described as a unique off-grid community set in 15-acres.
A total of £450,000 has been invested in access, bore water supply, community cafe and biowaste unit, all powered by wind, solar and battery technology.
It was used as a case study at COP26 as an exemplar for humanitarian aid, while helping inspire young people in renewables and conservation.
Mark Fenty, who is leading on it, was “amazed” by the recognition. “We are two-and-a-half years through a five year development programme,” he said.
“There is lots to do, we are not finished - it is hard work.”