Good move for Australia

Australian distributor for Alocit and Enviropeel products, A&E Systems PTY Ltd, has moved to spacious new facilities in order to develop its engineering and material processing divisions which have transferred to Australia from Malaysia.

The new offices are in Pinjarra, a fast-growing town approximately one hour south of Perth, the capital of Western Australia and centre of Australia’s extensive mining and resources industries. Servicing all of Australia through a network of approved dealers and service organisations, the office has ambitious plans for an Alocit training centre as well as a new media and communications hub.

For more information on Alocit and Enviropeel in Australia contact General Manager, Chris Harrey. A&E Systems PTY LTD, 36 Harries Way, Pinjarra, WA 6208, Australia. Phone: +61 (08) 9418 3688 Email: chrisharrey@ae-sys.com

Big Foot spotted in the Gulf

Chevron’s Big Foot development, located 225 miles (360 km) south of New Orleans in 5,200 feet (1,585 m) of water, will have the deepest Tension Leg Platform in the world. The platform supports a full-capacity onboard drilling rig for well development and its production wells will use electric submersible pumps at a depth of 16,000 feet (4,876 m). The Big Foot Field is estimated to hold recoverable resources in excess of 200 million oil-equivalent barrels and the production facilities are designed for a capacity of 75,000 barrels of oil and 25 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

2H Offshore, a company working with Chevron on the project, contacted Enviropeel USA through one of its consultants, to talk about the possibility of using Enviropeel to preserve riser splash zone joints for Big Foot. At the time, Enviropeel USA was working with other Enviropeel colleagues in the UK and Malaysia to develop a riser joint protection system for Maersk in Europe. After a number of demonstrations and consultations with 2H and Chevron, a splash-zone riser protection system was proposed that included EMCT, an external impact resistant wrap for Enviropeel that was compatible with the TSA coated risers.

Chevron/2H specified Enviropeel with EMCT to be used on 24 production risers in the Gulf of Mexico beginning in 2014. Corrosion Coatings Systems (CCS), our distribution partners in the region, entered into an MDA with Chevron for this project, acquiring machinery and material on their behalf.

In the event, the riser protection project was postponed until 2018 due to malfunction of tendon legs anchoring Big Foot.

During the Chevron Big Foot Riser specification, 2H Offshore also proposed to the use of Enviropeel and ECMT to another of their clients, TOTAL, for protection of new drilling and production risers on the Delta TLP located in the Moho Nord Field off the cost of the Republic of Congo.

Total and 2H met numerous times with CCS to work out appropriate scope of work based on previous specifications for Chevron Big Foot. Eventually Enviropeel & EMCT was specified to protect 18 drilling and production riser splash zone joints.

Due to the location of the project it was originally agreed that Enviropeel would train TOTAL platform personnel to install Enviropeel and the EMCT system as part of the mobilisation to protect the first drilling and production risers. However, during the first training mobilisation with an Enviropeel team from the UK and the USA, TOTAL decided that it would be preferable for Enviropeel personnel to mobilize for each riser installation to ensure a quality installation.

Currently 1 drilling riser and 5 production risers have been installed successfully, including Enviropeel and EMCT protection. Enviropeel personnel mobilize approximately every 3 months to perform these applications as each drilling riser is installed. This project is slated to finish in 2021.

Enviropeel Holdings, EUSA’s parent company and owner of the Enviropeel brand internationally, has a patent pending for its offshore riser system as well as existing patents for key elements of its application equipment.

The Enviropeel MAEx-25

Riser installation is a key element in offshore critical-path planning. To ensure continuity for their installations both Chevron and TOTAL have now mandated that a spare equipment and parts be present during applications to ensure equipment redundancy. As Enviropeel is specified for splash-zone risers, its equipment is an essential component in the installation critical path and spare equipment must be available at all times.

Most recently ordered for use through 2H Offshore is the MAEx-25 unit which is rated for hazardous location use and was chosen by the client because of its reduced footprint on the drilling floor, along with increased production capacity and user-friendly controls.

The MAEx-25 is available to suit a range of international electrical supply standards and can be equipped with 30 to 60 foot hose lengths allowing it to cover an area of over 11,000 ft2 without changing location. Outfitted with a gas-detection safety shut-down system and explosion proof electrical containment, these units are independently certified for use in hazardous locations by DNV-GL. Contact Enviropeel USA for more information.

TRUE GRIT!

The Stone Slinger's Chorus
(to the tune of Home on the Range)

"Oh give me a home where they need lots of stone
Where John Deere and the Cat cannot play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
and the guys spray quite proudly all day"

Maybe you haven't heard of the 'Stone Slinger' ... I certainly hadn't ... but, now that I have, I want one. Take a big shiny Mack, put a projectile launcher on the back and you have a big boy's toy that can do more than the Ancient Greeks thought possible when they designed the first stone catapaults. This machine shoots tons of stone with such accuracy that it can be used in all kinds of ways to make light work of what would previously have been back-breaking labor ... now it's fun! Have a look at this video ...

Achilles Heel?

However, the Stone Slinger, like all conveyor systems, relies on bearings to keep its belts turning. Spraying tons of aggregate all day means a lot of grit and dust - and this can lead to accelerated wear for bearings caused by ingress of contamination. As we know, prevention is better than cure, so the savvy stone slingers called in Enviropeel to protect the main drive bearing on one of their systems destined for the 'World of Concrete' show in Las Vegas this year. 

High Noon for True Grit!

A 'HARDIE' LIFE FOR BEARINGS

James Hardie Inc. is a fiber-cement business employing more than 2,500 people, generating a revenue of more than $1.5 billion a year.

The James Hardie plant in Pulaski, Virginia produces 1.5 million square feet of fiber board products per day, more than enough for 750 average size US homes. The Company's products are a byword around the world for cost-effective, high quality building products and it has plants in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

The cement slurry used for the fiber board wreaks havoc on the thousands of bearings which the Company uses in the manufacturing process. With some bearings experiencing failure in as little as 2 weeks, it is not surprising that Hardie engineers were seeking to find a solution to this expensive problem. As well as the slurry, epoxy paint sprayed onto the fiber board as part of the manufacturing process also contaminates hundreds of bearings.

After contacting Enviropeel USA, a full scale trial application took place in January which we are confident will deliver the results the James Hardie reliability engineers are expecting. Enviropeel has shown a greater than 500% increase in bearing lifetimes in other similar plants and we expect the same for James Hardie.

The picture top left shows the build up of contamination on production equipment. On the right and below left, examples are shown of the Enviropeel applications that will provide long-term protection for the bearings.

It's that time of year ...

Although one half of the world is enjoying its summer, up here in the northern hemisphere it's still pretty cold and most people are planning what they will be doing once the weather improves. At Enviropeel, the approach of spring means looking forward to the conference season which almost always means a visit to NACE. This year it also means a return to Noria's 'Reliable Plant' Exhibition, which Ivan attended last year, with great success.

As luck, or Murphy's law would have it, both exhibitions are in the same month and on the same dates, so, while it makes the dates easy to remember, it makes the logistics much harder. NACE is slightly longer, starting on the 15th April, Reliable Plant starts on the 17th but they both finish on the 19th. If you would like to visit us, you would be very welcome either in Phoenix for NACE or Indianapolis for Reliable Plant.

Look forward to seeing you!

Many mickles make a muckle ...

Historians will know that when George Washington introduced the concept that 'many mickles make a muckle', he was referring to the old Scottish saying, 'mony a mickle maks a muckle' which essentially means that many small things add up to one big thing. For the Scots, they were talking about taking care of the pennies and the pounds would take care of themselves, but it is a saying that resonates in many areas, including modern industrial infrastructure. It is all constructed from many small things, creating machinery and plant that depends on the proper function of its smallest component.

A wind turbine, for example, is a collection of 'mickles' all of which make a pretty large 'muckle' ... stuck in the middle of nowhere and specifically designed to be exposed to the worst weather on the planet. 

A lot is written about the design and maintenance of turbine components ... products to reduce wear and tear in the gears, how to control the atmosphere in the nacelle and tower to minimize corrosion, coating systems for the structure and blades ... the list of ASTM and ISO standards that apply to the design and manufacture of these complex structures is much longer than my arm. 

But one thing appears to be missing ...

... anchor bolt maintenance standards and recommendations ... see if you can find any.

Turbine foundations are a big deal. A standard 1.5 megawatt wind turbine tower is well over 200 feet high (with its blades making it more than 320 feet), supporting a combined weight of 56 tons for the nacelle and 36 tons for the blade assembly. The tower itself weighs around 70 tons. All of this is anchored to its foundation by a series of bolts set in concrete ... quite a lot of concrete. Have a look at this video of a foundation being constructed in Oregon. You can see the ring of anchor bolts being embedded in the enormous circle of concrete. Once the foundation is complete, the first section of the tower is lowered on to the bolts and secured, then the rest of the turbine is assembled above.

The bolts have to be tensioned accurately to prevent any movement on the base when the tower flexes in the strong winds it is designed for, but still allow some stretch to reduce foundation deflections from the high wind loadings. So the condition of the bolts and nuts is critical to the long-term survival of the tower. Bolt tension issues have been identified as a cause for failure in turbine collapses as have bolt failures from the effects of corrosion.

Yet many bolts are left exposed to the elements, with the result that corrosion rapidly occurs. Proprietary solutions exist for post-construction remediation of corrosion damage to exposed bolts ... these include tape wraps, grease and bolt caps ... but all suffer from limitations that require frequent maintenance or replacement to prevent corrosion damage to the turbine anchors. If the nuts and threads corrode, they cannot be retensioned properly.

So the entire turbine structure relies on a few relatively small nuts to ensure it is firmly fixed to the anchor bolts, yet it is left to the operator to ensure they get the protection they need.

We think protection of these nuts is pretty important. Turbine towers do not collapse very frequently and, because they tend to be off the beaten track, injuries from such collapses are rare but the cost of replacement runs into millions and the constant vigilance that is required to maintain the bolts is wasteful and unnecessary.

The Enviropeel solution is simple. Anchor bolts can vary in length but the exposed threads are always several inches long, so providing the correct size of bolt cap can be a problem. Because Enviropeel bolt applications will fit any size or shape of bolt, it provides a straightforward, one-size fits all solution ... but this is not its only advantage over bolt caps. Bolt caps have to stay in position to work, they usually have some kind of friction fit mechanism to maintain their seal with the base but this is not always effective. Because Enviropeel is spray applied, it moulds itself around every thread making it impossible to dislodge yet easy to remove, if required, by simply screwing it off.

And, of course, Enviropeel contains its own active inhibitors so, if corrosion is already present in the bolts, it not only prevents further deterioration but it will also condition the nuts and threads so that they can easily be adjusted for maintenance. Compare this with protection using a wrapping system ... as long as the wrap stays intact, it will provide a barrier to water ingress but nothing else. And, it cannot be removed for inspection without having to be completely replaced whereas, with Enviropeel, it can be removed and replaced.

Contact Enviropeel for information on how we can design the best possible corrosion protection system for your specific application. We would love to hear from you.

A short video of an Enviropeel wind turbine application can be viewed below. 

GREAT NEWS FROM SHELL

You may recall me speaking about a fantastic follow up report from Shell after its inspection of an Enviropeel test application by our UK distributor in the North Sea (September 2016). This report has now been incorporated by Shell into its recommendations for maintenance purposes in atmospheric conditions:

Test applications for Shell in the North Sea

1. The Enviropeel coating system is a suitable surface tolerant coating system for maintenance purposes for atmospheric exposure conditions. 
2. Minimum surface preparation is required before application of Enviropeel. It is recommended to have a minimum St 2 surface cleanliness.
3. The Enviropeel coating system can provide a reactive solution to existing corrosion problems on assets, with long-term active effects. Based on track records and long-term testing, the expected lifetime prediction for the coating system is 10 years.

Just like we have been telling you all along! 

ENVIROPEEL & ALOCIT HOLDINGS

Enviropeel Holdings, LLC took ownership of the Enviropeel brand and IP in early 2016 following investments in various aspects of the business after the owner of Enviropeel Holdings, Kenny Boehm (whose name rhymes with ‘came’ not ‘comb’) was first introduced to Enviropeel in Las Vegas in 2010. Although Kenny was there for a trade show not the gambling, he decided to make a bet on Enviropeel and his company was soon the Enviropeel license holder for all of the Americas, from Tierra del Fuego to Hudson Bay. He later formed Enviropeel Holdings to acquire all right, title and interest to the Enviropeel brand and IP in early 2016.

Kenny’s background is in engineering, his companies have designed and built caterpillar-tracked drilling rigs as well as making key components for the production lines of a variety of major industries, including Coca Cola. He knows machinery so, although he was fascinated by the unique qualities of the Enviropeel material, he was also intrigued by the possibilities of equipment development for its application.

Through Enviropeel, Kenny came to know much more about the entire corrosion industry as well as Enviropeel’s sister product, Alocit. It might not surprise you to learn that, when he heard about a paint that could be applied underwater, he thought that was a good idea too, and took a majority stake in Alocit International, the company that makes it.

The only problem with Alocit, for Kenny, is that it doesn’t use specialist application equipment that he can redesign … but you can bet he is working on it!

RELEASING THE PAUSE BUTTON

In previous blogs we have talked about changes in ownership, the transfer of the Enviropeel IP to Enviropeel Holdings LLC in America and other corporate wheelings and dealings, without explaining what this means for the most important people in our business … our customers.

In the short term, it has meant a few changes in personnel, including a move for me from working with A&E in the UK to working directly for the new owner in the US. For the Blog it has meant a rather quiet period while we assimilate all the changes and, for Enviropeel, it has brought big investments in a new range of equipment and a streamlined supply chain that should greatly increase availability of material and equipment.

So, for the customer, it is great news.

The new range of application units is more affordable, lighter and easier to move around but with all the capacity and reliability of the superseded CA series. Even better, with major components designed and purpose built by Enviropeel in the US, the new units heat up faster and are far simpler to operate and maintain.

THE MA10

The new MA Series comprises:

The MA10 – a light-weight, one-man unit that can easily be loaded into the back of a pick-up yet with the capacity to perform a wide range of tasks. This unit can be supplied with its own built-in compressor for full operational independence. Unit capacity 10Kg/22llbs. Click to see video of this unit in operation.

The MA25 – a full capacity unit capable of the most demanding tasks. Lighter than the CA18 and easier to manoeuvre yet with almost the same capacity as a CA30, the MA25 is the new Enviropeel workhorse, ready for anything. Unit capacity 25kg/55llbs.

The MA25 Zone 2 unit – similar to the MA25, this unit is DNV certified for use in hazardous areas with explosion-proof electrics for use in areas where gas is present in the atmosphere. Unit capacity 25kg/55llbs.

For more information on MA Series equipment, please contact Ivan Hess at EUSA.

Left: The MA25 is compact, reliable and easy to use.

LOST PHOTO DISCOVERED OF 19TH CENTURY ALOCIT POLAR EXPEDITION

Okay, so it wasn't the nineteenth century or the North Pole, but it was pretty cold. And, I suppose I should point out, Ivan doesn't really smoke a pipe or wear a knitted beanie ... maybe he should because it's an interesting look.

The reason Ivan was out in the cold was that Technip FMC and their client, Husky Energy, were looking for a coating to apply on their FPSO, Sea Rose. They organised a trial of three short-listed coatings - one of which was Alocit. Ivan travelled up to Newfoundland to oversee the subsea application of Alocit in waters below 5°C. Alocit USA supplied a custom-built pumping system for the trial and, despite the distance between the pumping station and the diver, were the clear winners of the trial, significantly outperforming the rival coatings. The system allowed continuous delivery of Alocit to the diver from the FPSO deck to the application site, more than 50 metres away.

The pics below show the diver applying Alocit and the frozen splendour of the area around the work site.

IF ONLY BOTTICELLI HAD KNOWN ABOUT ENVIROPEEL ...

He would definitely have come to our party last week ...

Thank you to everybody who came to see us at the WA Club in Perth last Tuesday, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and, for those who were unable to attend, we hope to see you next time - you missed a good night. Particularly happy was Tony Lutzu of Orontide, who won the prize draw and went home with a case of great Western Australian wine.
Special thanks to Jerry Fraser for his awesome oyster virtuosity and to Dr Peter Farinha of Extrin and Vas Dziombak of Orontide for their insight and the time they spent with us, nourishment for the mind as well as the body.

The evening was organised to raise awareness about thermoplastics and how their use has allowed new approaches to corrosion control ... and, of course, to have an enjoyable evening in the wonderful setting of Perth's Western Australia Club, overlooking a glorious Swan river sunset.

Not a great shellfish lover myself, I had not experienced oyster shucking, especially not as performance art! For most people though, the oysters were a welcome treat, as were the drinks and the opportunity to share some time and stories with like-minded people. The presentations were entertaining and informative, Peter and Vas shared their experiences from a technical and long-term user perspective ... and I was able to sum up some of the Enviropeel story for those who were unfamiliar with the technology.

All-in-all, it was a great evening.

For those of you who are interested, the presentation can be viewed on the following link: Thermoplastic Presentations.

MORE FROM AOG 2017

'The Magic Underwater Coating' 

They say that familiarity breeds contempt and it is certainly true that we all can sometimes take for granted those things which are always around us, not noticing how amazing they might be just because they are just part of our every day life. So, it was with some surprise that we watched the astonished reaction of attendees at AOG to the Alocit underwater application demonstration on our stand. As Chris Harrey, Australian manager for A&E, reported:

... the underwater coating demonstration went down a storm! No one had ever seen such a thing and watched in amazement. People would come back and bring other people to show them the 'magic underwater coating' ...

Obviously, we need to do more to ensure that everybody takes us for granted. No point in keeping all that amazingness to ourselves! Click on this link: AOG Underwater, if you would like to see a 'live' application.


As well as this bit of unexpected excitement, the show went really well. Very high quality visitors, lots of interested attendees. A really worthwhile exercise ... particularly for Jeff Fraser of E&M Industries who went home with a case of wine courtesy of A&E - and Tracey Winn of the Australian Corrosion Association who graciously agreed to draw the winning card.

and now, with a bit more hair ...

Transatlantic co-operation

Talking of Haycoxs and Riser Clamps, here is a group of miscreants off the west coast of Africa who look a lot happier than they probably are. On the left are Josh Haycox and Ivan Hess who were in the Republic of Congo Brazzaville on a mission to assist with training and application using Enviropeel on riser clamps for Total.

Ivan is Technical Manager for Enviropeel USA, based in Indianapolis where he works closely with EUSA President, Kenny Boehm on product and business development for the whole of the Americas. A regular visitor to Chile and Peru, this was Ivan's first trip to Africa.

Josh, who represents a third generation of the Haycox family working to save the world from corrosion, was sent out from the UK to meet up with Ivan in Pointe-Noire. They travelled offshore to the Total platform for Actemium Oil and Gas where they successfully completed the project using Enviropeel equipment supplied by Corrosion Coating Systems of Louisiana.

The second photo shows the platform from the air, although Ivan and Josh travelled the 40 or so miles to the platform by sea in a 'Surfer', a relatively small service vessel used to supply oil and gas installations in the area.

Like father, like son?

Not so much ...

CEO, Arthur Haycox and his son, Technical Director of A&E Simon Haycox, do have a lot in common but it may not be obvious from the photograph. Taken at this year's AOG in Perth, the photo shows them relaxing after a day of presenting to attendees at the exhibition, one of the relatively few arenas where their complementary skills are best displayed together.

Arthur is a businessman and entrepreneur who has a perverse pride in owning a paint company but never using a paint brush, whereas Simon would not only use the brush but redesign it to make sure it gave optimum performance.

Simon was in Perth to work on developments at the Perth office but, as the designer and engineer behind the development of the riser clamp protection system, it seemed like a good idea to have him on the stand to answer questions. His long history with Alocit was also a useful asset as the water tank featured in the photo became a focus of attention for newcomers to Alocit's amazing underwater capabilities. Simon was also involved with the original design for the Enviropeel application units back in the 1990s so, between the two of them, they know all there is to know about the A&E business.

NOW AVAILABLE IN INDIA

Next stop Saturn?

Sean Ong must have enough frequent flyer points to travel across the solar system. He has recently returned to Malaysia from yet another training trip, this time visiting the Indian subcontinent to commission a new Enviropeel application unit and visit a number of clients for Extreme Oilfield Services, who are introducing Enviropeel into the region around Mumbai.

It was a very successful trip, with four operatives trained and a satisfying level of interest from the businesses Sean visited. The photo shows Sean explaining how Enviropeel works to ONGC, India's state-owned oil and gas production company which supplies 77% of the country's crude oil and 66% of its natural gas.

Extreme Oilfield Services provide a wide range of engineering services and manufacture many components essential to the local and international oil and gas industry. Enviropeel has been introduced by Extreme as part of their commitment to innovation, quality and customer service.

Another twelve months ...

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere?

If you like it cold, try the mid-west. Kenny Boehm sent these photos of the roadside as he passed through Indiana on his way to Ohio. It looks pretty, but I wouldn't care to be a cow in those fields.

At the same time as Kenny was travelling through the snow, Ivan was heading south for Texas on a mission to protect some more wind farms, hopefully in warmer climes.


Maybe not ...

Meanwhile, Arthur, our CEO has adopted the most sensible approach. He is spending Christmas in Perth, Australia, where the Christmas turkey will be served with an ice cold beer or a crisp chardonnay from the Margaret River. Possibly with a view of a glorious sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Wherever you find yourself and no matter how you will celebrate the change of seasons and the coming of the New Year, everyone at Alocit and Enviropeel wishes you the best possible fortune for the next twelve months.

Let's make 2017 a good year to remember

ACA Auckland Conference

Who ate all the pies?

Australian manager, Chris Harrey has recently returned from what he insists was a working trip to New Zealand. He offers his attendance at the ACA 2016 Conference in New Zealand as evidence of his labours - and the photo on the right as proof of his attendance. 

This photo was taken shortly after Chris had been awarded the coveted ANZAC Pie Eating award, the trophy for which is proudly displayed on the table in front of him.

Chris is standing with Muir Hamilton of Integrated Maintenance Group (IMG) who represent us in New Zealand. IMG offer a range of specialist services for NZ industry and Muir is the Machinery and Envirocoatings Manager for the Group.

MEET US IN PERTH

Rampant Exhibitionism

It's true, we do like to show off ... especially if it means spending some time in West Australia's beautiful capital city. Perth may be a long way from practically anywhere but it is at the heart of Australia's resources sector, with more resource company HQs per cubic centimeter than almost anywhere on the planet.

So, if you want to talk to the Mining Industry, spend some time with Oil & Gas Industry executives or share a coffee with a major service provider, then Perth is the place to be. Particularly in February 2017, when the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre hosts Australia's largest industry exhibition - the Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference. For us, the highlight of the exhibition will be the A&E Systems stand in the subsea zone ... and we would love to see you there. So, if you're able to attend, why not pre-register and save yourself $20 - entry is free to all who register prior to the event - or let us know and we will arrange free entry for you.

SWIMMING AGAINST THE CURRENT

Going into Europe ...

Sitting in the UK listening to politicians and journalists arguing about leaving the EU is impossibly frustrating. For the record, I was and still am feeling a sense of bereavement ... how could we be so blind to all that is good about Europe and only see the downside? I certainly don't understand it but, no point in rehearsing all the old arguments, we just have to get on with the world in which we find ourselves.

Luckily, despite our political differences, we still find that Europe is a good place to do business. I mentioned last year that our good friend Rogier Verbeek of Energy Coating (www.energycoating.nl) in the Netherlands was making great progress and this has been even more evident this year. There is scarcely a company in the Dutch-speaking world (and a few other language groups) that has not had a visit or a demonstration from Rogier and many of them have responded very positively, with several projects undertaken and some very inviting prospects for 2017. Dank u wel, Rogier.

EDF Test Facility

And, for Enviropeel in Europe, we have had interesting developments with Siemens in France who are working with EDF on preserving their electricity generating infrastructure. You will know that we do a lot of work with Siemens in the UK for various electricity companies providing ingress protection on switchgear. Two of the nuclear sites we work on with Siemens are owned by EDF (the world's largest electricity generator), and between Siemens and EDF and their French counterparts the news obviously filtered through that Enviropeel had something to offer in France as well.

Following discussions and a meeting in Paris, which sorely tested my holiday French, we were invited to participate in a testing programme using Enviropeel for innovative resolutions to problems that EDF wish to solve. The first stage of this programme started last month and an Enviropeel team, headed by our Logistics Manager, James Beale, who is a fluent French speaker, headed for the EDF test centre, south of Paris.

Applying Enviropeel

James reports that the EDF facility was enormous, with a number of testing laboratories that could take full-size infrastructure components through all the potential climatic conditions (and more) that they might encounter in the real world - sun, wind, rain, temperatures down to -40°C and tropical humidity. The image on the right shows just one of these - and it was by no means the largest.

James also mentioned the excellent on-site dining facilities provided by EDF as part of their great hospitality during the visit. Food quality (and quantity) is a recurring theme for our travelling personnel!

The initial application was extremely successful but the testing programme will continue well into 2017, with additional trial applications planned early in the year. We will keep you updated and look forward to extending our entente cordiale, even if it does mean we are swimming against the political current.