CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > August 2019 37 NEWS FROMCPA MEMBERS: 3 Skelair Enhances Rental Range and Expands Sales Team Skelair International has expanded its range of rental machines with the addition of the KlemmKR801-3GS to its hire fleet. As part of a strategy to hold stock of a complete range of drilling solutions to satisfy an array of different projects, Skelair has recently taken delivery of the first KR801-3GS in the UK. The Klemm KR801-3GS is a compact and universally applicable rig, suitable for a wide range of projects thanks to its fully operational radio remote control and Tier 4 final CAT 117kW engine. It has been specifically designed to support lighter and moderately difficult drill jobs. The reinforced boom assembly offers the greatest possible flexibility, at the same time as having a load-carrying capacity for the operation of moderately heavy drill heads. Steph Keane, Sales Director at Skelair, commented: “We are incredibly pleased to announce the recent addition of the KR801-3GS to our range of rental rigs. The new rig has enabled us to enhance our offering to customers, providing an all- round solution to drilling requirements with additional flexibility and fuel-saving opportunities.” In a further development at Skelair International, the company has recently appointed Stephen Greatbank as a Sales Engineer. As part of his new role, Stephen will be responsible for the TEI and Marini ranges within the Skelair sales team - two of the most popular rentals in Skelair’s fleet of drilling equipment. Having left the Army in 2010, Stephen gained experience working within the electrical engineering industry. From his expertise, Stephen moved to work within the trench technology sector, for a large German company. Working in the field, Stephen gained valuable experience within the drilling and engineering sector and brings a wealth of hands-on insight into his new role. 97%Diesel-Free ‘Site of the Future’ An ambitious project led by Network Rail and Colas Rail Ltd has used innovative solar lighting and power generation to prove the viability of a sustainable ‘Site of the Future’, achieving 97%diesel-free operation in support of amajor rail renewal project at Llanwern, SouthWales. The joint Network Rail and Colas Rail Ltd initiative used solar and battery technologies from Prolectric Ltd instead of diesel generators to save 6,000 litres of fuel, and more than 15 tonnes of CO2 during a 14-day project centred around a 72-hour possession over a Bank Holiday weekend. The results are being viewed as a significant achievement that marks an environmental milestone towards clean, carbon-free off- grid working, in support of Network Rail’s CP6 target to reduce non-traction energy consumption by almost 20% and carbon emissions by 25%. Ryan Ballinger, Production Manager for Colas Rail Ltd, said: “A 97% diesel reduction at the first attempt is a great achievement. Saving close to 6,000 litres of diesel is the same as driving a family car at 40 mpg twice around the circumference of the world. “It’s also clear where we have learnt the lessons from Llanwern so we can aim to close that small gap. We really want to get to that 100% fuel-free figure by the time of our next challenge, planned for a rail renewal project later in the summer. There’s no doubt these technologies are going to be a complete gamechanger and we need to push on to get to a place where using this type of technology is just business as usual,” he continued. Two 25kW Solatainer® solar generators replaced conventional diesel generators providing light and heat for seven welfare cabins, including site offices, a canteen, toilets and a drying room. The Solatainer is modelled on a standard 20ft shipping container with an array of photovoltaic solar panels charging on-board lithium ion batteries. A total of 21 Prolectric ProLightTM solar tower lights illuminated the site compound, car parking and work preparation areas, as well as being deployed on the trackside, where 200m of ProTrack battery-powered link lighting was also used. Prolectric ProTempTM column street lights were positioned along the access road to the site.