Topic: Energy Reduction
Blog Articles
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Why Safety Planning Matters More Than Ever
Battery energy storage systems are becoming an increasingly visible part of the UK energy landscape. Once seen mainly as large-scale infrastructure supporting renewable generation and grid balancing, they are now moving into the conversation for industrial and commercial sites too. As more businesses explore onsite generation, peak load management, resilience planning and wider decarbonisation strategies, […]
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Why Voltage Optimisation Still Delivers ROI in 2026
Voltage optimisation isn’t a new idea. It’s been part of industrial electrical design for years. Yet in 2026, it’s still one of the most misunderstood energy-reduction measures and often dismissed as “old tech” or oversold as a guaranteed saving for every site. The reality is somewhere inbetween. For the right type of manufacturing plant, especially […]
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Lessons from the Energy Crisis: Future-Proofing Industrial Power Consumption
The energy crisis of recent years has sent shockwaves through every sector of the UK economy, but nowhere more than in manufacturing. With energy-intensive processes and large-scale facilities, industrial businesses have borne the brunt of rising prices, supply chain volatility, and uncertainty about long-term energy security. While the sharpest cost spikes of 2022–23 have eased, […]
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Low Energy Lighting in High-Ceiling Manufacturing Environments
Lighting in manufacturing environments isn’t just about visibility—it’s a crucial aspect of workplace safety, operational efficiency, employee productivity, and energy management. Particularly in high-ceiling industrial facilities, lighting poses unique challenges. Traditional lighting solutions often result in high maintenance costs, excessive energy consumption, and suboptimal illumination quality. This has led many manufacturers to explore more sustainable, […]
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The Net Zero Vision: How is the UK doing?
The UK was one of the first major economies to create a legally binding net zero target. The goal is to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. But setting targets is only the first step. Actions speak louder than words – anyone can set ambitious goals, but actually making them a reality […]
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Solar panels – the lowdown
There’s no doubt that businesses have become more energy-conscious in recent decades. Fossil fuels have fallen out of favour and renewable energy has become more accessible. But electricity prices in recent years have been volatile. And when you’re dependent on electricity, even the slightest price increase can have a major impact on profits. That’s why […]
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Wind power – the lowdown
Giant wind turbines are no longer an uncommon sight in rural areas of the UK, with over 1500 onshore wind farms and over 500 offshore. And as technology advances, investment in wind power shows no signs of slowing down. But what does this mean for manufacturers and UK businesses? How feasible is it for companies […]
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Heat Pumps – the lowdown
Heat pump technology isn’t new. In fact, it dates back as far as the 1800s. But, like any technology, it has advanced over time. As a result, heat pumps have become more widely used in recent decades. In the last few years, heat pumps have become even more of a talking point in the UK […]
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Why smart buildings are the future
There’s no denying that technological advancements in recent decades have changed the way we all work and live. Everything is becoming smarter and more efficient – including our buildings. More and more homeowners and businesses are investing in smart tech for their properties. While the initial outlay might be significant, the long-term benefits justify the […]
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Our guide to building energy management systems
Building energy management systems (BEMS) are systems that allow you to monitor, control, and optimise the energy used within your building. The phrase building energy management system (BEMS) is often used interchangeably with the phrase building management system (BMS), but there are some differences. A BEMS is focused on energy-related systems such as lighting, heating, […]
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What is the role of companies in reducing our carbon footprint?
We should all be taking responsibility for protecting our planet and a big part of that is reducing our carbon footprint. But while it falls to all of us to do our bit, there is additional pressure on manufacturers, especially those with high carbon emissions. As an absolute minimum, these companies should ensure compliance with […]
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Why is it important to control voltage?
In the UK, commercial electricity suppliers are permitted to feed power from the grid into a network at 230v with a tolerance of -5/+10%. This means the supply may increase to 240v or reduce to 225v at any given time. On average, the supply runs as high as 242v. Most small work tools such as […]
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Are manufacturers doing enough to reduce energy usage?
Climate change has been a hot topic for years now, and businesses are always under pressure to do their part. But are they doing enough to reduce energy usage? Are big businesses making big claims without taking action? Have those grand plans for reducing carbon emissions been left on a shelf to collect dust? Are […]
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How to identify which equipment consumes the most power
If you’re worried about the impact rising energy costs are having on your bottom line, it makes sense to reduce energy consumption. But where do you start? How can you identify which equipment uses the most power and where the biggest inefficiencies are? Reducing energy use (and cost) is much easier if you understand where […]
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Reusing self-generated heat
One of the biggest drains on energy in manufacturing is the heat waste created by various machines and manufacturing processes (i.e. not reusing self-generated heat). Fortunately, there are ways to recover this heat and reuse it. And not only can this help reduce carbon emissions, but it can also lower energy costs. The first step […]
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Lighting Control and how it can deliver ROI
You’re probably aware that switching your bulbs from CFL and halogen to LED can save you huge amounts of energy and significantly reduce costs. But switching your bulbs isn’t the only way to improve the energy efficiency of your lighting. Upgrading your lighting control systems can also deliver a return on investment. And in large […]
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Why energy-efficient motors are worth investigating
Motors and drives are typically the biggest energy consumers on your production line and can account for around a quarter of your power usage. Given the rising energy costs and the focus on reducing carbon emissions, it makes sense to ensure they operate efficiently. So how do you know whether your motor is running effectively […]
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What is Power Factor Correction?
Power Factor Correction (PFC) is the process of improving power factor (and, therefore, power quality) by reducing the reactive power component of an AC circuit. Power factor measures how efficiently your electrical power is being used. It looks at the ratio between real power and reactive power to determine total power drawn by a single […]
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Why energy storage solutions could save businesses thousands
Energy storage solutions are not new. They have been around a while. But with rapidly advancing technology, rapidly increasing energy costs and initial investment outlay costs decreasing, battery energy storage systems are the latest technology that most reasonably sized commercial operations should be considering. The UK Government estimates that battery storage systems could save the […]
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How a factory audit can identify potential savings
In most manufacturing facilities, the top three operating expenses are labour, materials and energy, with energy often coming out as the highest cost. A free energy reduction audit from AES will identify potential energy savings across your factory, helping you minimise your carbon footprint whilst improving your work environment and reducing costs. What are the […]
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Energy Saving Tips – from “marginal gains” to “game changers”
Energy costs are increasing, and there’s no indication when (if ever) prices will come back down. Not surprisingly, businesses across every sector are looking for ways to minimise energy use, reduce waste, and save on cost. The good news is there are plenty of opportunities to improve energy efficiency, no matter how large or small […]
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What can we do to create more energy-efficient buildings?
With climate change a growing concern and energy costs soaring, the need to create more energy-efficient buildings is clear. Individuals and companies are doing their bit to reduce consumption wherever they can. But if we really want to make a difference, we need to think beyond just turning off a few lights and boiling the […]
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Voltage optimisation explained
Recent increases in energy costs mean power consumption has become one of the biggest concerns for companies in the manufacturing sector. Streamlining the production process to remove unnecessary and costly consumption points is a good exercise. But one of the easiest and most effective ways to manage energy consumption and reduce costs is voltage optimisation. […]
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Will modern equipment reduce commercial energy costs
As a sector, manufacturing is responsible for using millions of megawatts of energy daily, long since a concern for anyone managing production and even more so in a period when commercial energy costs are heading upwards. With energy prices rising at an unprecedented rate, it has never been more critical to consider ways to streamline […]
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LED lighting – what’s all the fuss?
Energy prices are a huge concern for everyone right now, so it’s not surprising that most businesses are looking for ways to save. But cost shouldn’t be the only reason to adopt energy-efficient ways of working. Making your factory more efficient reduces your carbon footprint as well as your bills. Rapid advancements in lighting technology […]
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How Variable Speed Drives can make an impact
The manufacturing sector seldom sleeps. Across the world, production facilities operate around the clock to meet their customers’ demands. Anyone overseeing a manufacturing plant knows there are three key components to its operational success: • Using machinery that is fit for purpose • Conducting regular planned maintenance to keep machinery in good condition • Implementing […]
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A Carbon Free Energy Vision (and what we can all do to contribute)
Fossil fuels have been used as fuel for many centuries and are still the biggest energy source for generating electricity. In fact, around 75% of electricity in the UK still comes from power plants that rely on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, coal and oil are not renewable energy sources, meaning there is a finite amount available. […]
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The Future of Energy Efficient Factories
There’s no denying that in recent years there has been a substantial focus on carbon emissions. The growing pressure on governments to decarbonise energy systems is filtering down to manufacturers who are having to seriously evaluate their impact on the environment. Leading companies are proactively implementing initiatives to reduce their carbon emissions. Some companies are […]
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How to slash 20% off your energy costs
Saving money on your electric bills is much easier than you think and could save you up to 20% off your annual energy costs. It’s better for the environment too, because using less energy cuts your carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Here we look at some of the ways in which we can help […]
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Bright spark – Top Three Energy-Saving Ideas
with Carl Johnson – Electrical Technician It’s 2015 and it’s payback time – in a good way! After some challenging years for businesses during the economic downturn, we’ve decided it’s time to shout a little louder about the major savings that your company could be enjoying. When times are tough companies tend not to invest […]
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Get the Facts – Lighting Control
As we all know, energy efficiency is not something to make light of. Businesses looking to save costs and reduce energy usage often focus on machinery, but lighting control can also make a significant contribution to these goals. Clearly good lighting is a must in any business, to ensure that staff can work safely and […]
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Six things to consider when choosing low energy lighting
There are two ways to reduce your running costs for lighting: first, replace your existing lights with ones which use less energy and second, if they aren’t needed turn them off. 1. Replacing light fittings can be expensive. As the aim is to get a return on your investment, ask how any return has been […]
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Bright Spark – LED lighting
Carl Johnson – Electrical Technician How does LED lighting work – and how can it save you money? Has traditional lighting had its day? It may have taken 100 years of development, but LED lighting is finally offering an affordable energy-saving alternative. Unless you only work outdoors and only in the daytime, it’s likely your […]
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Generating a crisis?
Lee Johnson, Managing Director of Advanced Electrical Services explains… Turn on the TV recently and you will no doubt have heard about the ‘crisis’ in the energy sector. The generation and distribution of electricity has certainly been in the headlines over the past few months, but what’s all the fuss about? Reducing carbon and greenhouse […]
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Get the Facts – Carbon footprint
How big will the government allow your carbon footprint to get? When did you first hear the phrase ‘carbon footprint’? While it relates specifically to the amount of carbon dioxide a person, home or business produces, it’s often taken to represent the amount of energy we use in more general terms. The Carbon Trust (www.carbontrust.com), […]
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Case Study – Packing Hall Low Energy Lighting
Significantly enhanced staff working conditions with rapid ROI
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Case Study – Energy Storage System
Energy storage system provides cost savings & eliminates production downtime
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Case Study – Bibby Turboflex
AES low energy lighting project saves 48% in annual lighting running costs
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Case Study – Charles F Stead
AES find the right energy reduction solution with 20.75% annual energy savings.
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Case Study – HSG Bradford
Flexibility key in creating new state-of-the-art energy efficient building on schedule.
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Case Study – KTS Wire
Energy efficient lighting reduces carbon footprint, improves Health & Safety and saves money.
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Project News – Low energy lighting installation at A1 Football Factory
Co-owned and operated by Pontefract’s born and bred Ipswich Town and the Republic of Ireland’s very own Paul Green, the Football Factory brings the next generation of premium 3G football pitches to the area. With a 52,000 sq ft facility, currently hosting four state-of- the-art pitches, the Football Factory will be unrivalled in the quality […]
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Guide – Energy Reduction
Minimising your carbon footprint whilst improving your work environment and reducing costs.
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