News

Technica Awarded National Grid’s First UK Biomethane to Grid Entry Facility 300 225 Technica Ltd

Technica Awarded National Grid’s First UK Biomethane to Grid Entry Facility

Grimsby-based engineering firm to work on Fairfield Bio Energy Plant

After the successful completion of the generic design phase for National Grid’s Bio Methane to Grid (BtG) framework, Grimsby-based engineering firm Technica has been awarded the first bio methane network entry facility construction project for National Grid Gas.

The firm, which invested £60,000 in the design phase, is now in the process of constructing a self-contained metering, pressure reduction and analyser kiosk which will monitor the quality of the bio methane or ‘green gas’ produced by the Fairfield Bio Energy operation in Stockport.

Explains Bryan Creed, technical director at Technica: “The kiosk is designed to ensure that the bio methane gas quality satisfies stringent UK gas network entry requirements. We expect to deliver the completed kiosk by mid-October.”

Located on the site of the former Ashton Road Landfill in Fairfield, Stockport the facility creates renewable bio methane gas using food waste collected from local hotels, restaurants and offices. The Fairfield Bio Energy plant, only the second of its kind in the country, will process over 25,000 tonnes of food waste and produce around 2.6 million cubic metres of ‘green gas’ a year, enough to supply gas to 1,400 homes per annum in the North West.
Continues Bryan: “This purpose-built project will also benefit from the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which incentivises the generation of ‘green gas’ by paying the producer a premium above the wholesale market gas price.”

The gas produced by the Stockport facility will be injected into the local gas network. This is a relatively new concept for the UK, as traditionally the gas would have been used for electricity generation via a combined heat and power (CHP) engine. Gas to grid injection is around 95% efficient whereas CHP is only around 43% efficient.
“We’re proud to be involved in such a high profile project and firmly believe that this, and future bio methane network entry facilities, will make a real difference to energy provisions across the UK.”

Technica Wins $8 million Design and Procurement Contract from Excelerate Energy 300 225 Technica Ltd

Technica Wins $8 million Design and Procurement Contract from Excelerate Energy

Following the submission of successful Front End Engineering Design (FEED), Grimsby-based engineering firm, Technica, has been awarded an $8 million contract for multi-discipline detailed design and procurement management for the Aguirre Offshore GasPort®.

Located 6km south of the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, the Aguirre Offshore GasPort® will be a floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification terminal with the same capabilities as a land-based terminal. The facility will provide fuel to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s Central Aguirre Power Plant and is a step forward in the island’s strategy to convert power generation from high cost, high emissions imported oil to cost effective, cleaner burning natural gas.

Explains John Davison, managing director of Technica: “The contract with Excelerate Energy includes multi-disciplined detailed design, procurement management and construction supervision to enable the first transfer of LNG in 2015, following approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).”

“The gas is cooled to -162°C and changes state to a liquid enabling 600 times more volume to be transported in specialist ships across the world. It is then transferred from the LNG carrier safely and securely across the offshore platform to the Excelerate Energy Floating Storage and Regasification vessel where it is converted back to gas and transported via a subsea pipeline to the Aguirre Power Plant. We will be responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the whole facility.”

Continues John: “We’ve completed a number of successful projects for Excelerate Energy over the years but this contract represents our biggest to date. As such, we’re actively recruiting quality candidates to bolster our existing team. As well as working on this highly prestigious, global project, we are delivering a variety of engineering projects closer to home so can offer excellent career opportunities for qualified engineers and surveyors.”

“Partnering with Technica was a strategic decision on our part to ensure the success of this very important project,” stated Edward Scott, Chief Operating Officer for Excelerate Energy. “Having partnered with Technica on previous projects, we know the level of competence and professionalism their team will deliver to this integral component of the project.”

Global contracts lead to engineer recruitment 300 200 Technica Ltd

Global contracts lead to engineer recruitment

FOUR experienced engineers have joined Grimsby-based global engineering firm Technica, following a string of new project wins.

The new recruits boost the existing team of 40, and will work on a variety of multi-discipline projects in the energy industry as far afield as Puerto Rico and Canada.

NEW RECRUITS: From left, Phil Ashton, Carl Thomas, Howard Eastwood and Rob Holt, who have joined Technica in Grimsby.

Howard Eastwood joins as senior electrical and instrument engineer, Carl Thomas as electrical engineer, Rob Holt as electrical and instrument designer and Phil Ashton takes on the role of project engineer.
Technica managing director, John Davison, who expects to recruit further in the coming months, said: “As the company continues to grow at pace and we secure new contracts both here in the UK and abroad, we also need to add to the team.

“Howard, Carl, Rob and Phil complement the skills and experience we currently have – they will enable us to secure even more new business and deliver the unrivaled service and expertise in design, management and construction our key clients in the energy sector have come to expect.
“I am more than confident that our workload will further increase over the coming months which means even more job opportunities for qualified engineers, designers, estimators, construction managers and site technicians.”
The company works from concept to commissioning, and at the turn of the year unveiled a new base at Cherry Tree Business Park in Grimsby.
Mr Holt said: “Technica has some demanding yet exciting projects in the pipeline, it’s a rapidly expanding business and the team made me feel very welcome from day one – it has ticked all the boxes for me.”

Read more…

Grimsby Apprentice Wins Award 150 150 Technica Ltd

Grimsby Apprentice Wins Award

ECITB announces Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Apprentice of the Year

Jack Browning (21), a Technica Ltd apprentice has come out tops in the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB), Apprentice of the Year competition. Jack who is doing an apprenticeship in Instrumentation & Control Maintenance, has been selected by the ECITB as its Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Apprentice of the Year. Jack has now been put forward to ECITB’s National Apprentice of the Year competition, which will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in April.

Jack was nominated for the award by his employer Grimsby based Technica Ltd. “Jack demonstrates to clients his skills and interest in their projects,” said Mike Clarke, Technica Ltd. “We are very proud of Jack’s achievements so far and look forward to his continued development within the business to a fully competent technician. His Apprenticeship has given him a strong grounding within the electrical installation discipline, he certainly has the potential to progress to a highly skilled engineer in the future.”

“I feel very honoured to have been given this award and look forward to representing the Yorkshire and Humberside area at the awards dinner in April,” said Jack.

Adrian Wookey, ECITB Regional Account Manager, Yorkshire & Humberside said: “Jack is a great example of how an apprentice can benefit a business. He is obviously very well valued by his employer and his work team and is inspiring to his fellow apprentices. Technica are confident in his ability and are proud to assign challenging tasks to him.”

“The engineering construction industry is in a position to be able to offer exciting and well paid careers to young people. Our latest manpower forecasts predict a 30 per cent growth over the next ten years with 60,000 more skilled workers needed across all our sectors. It is vital to the future of engineering construction in this country that we raise awareness of the industry and the available careers, with young people” said ECITB’s Regional Account Manager.

AN ECITB apprenticeships are available in 15 different disciplines: – Design & Draughting; Electrical Maintenance; Instrumentation & Control Maintenance; Electrical Installation; Mechanical Maintenance; Mechanical Fitting; Instrument Pipefitting (Small Bore Tubing); Non Destructive Testing; Plating; Pipefitting; Steel Erecting; Project Control; Welding; and Moving Loads.

The career opportunities are numerous. There are currently some 100,000 UK workers in the engineering construction industry in more than 170 different roles. There are good career prospects for all these roles and salaries compare very favourably with other industries.

For example, the minimum starting salary, once a young person has qualified as an electrician or welder is between £23- £28K while offshore workers such as riggers can command salaries of between £28- 30K. Starting salaries for engineers, including design, project, welding, electrical, mechanical and instrumentation are between £30-£40K. These figures don’t include career progression and don’t even include overtime.

“An ECITB sponsored apprenticeship is the best start in the business you can have,” said Adrian Wookey. “Our apprenticeships last between three and four years and from the start, the apprentice is employed by one of our companies. In addition, the apprenticeships have been developed in consultation with our industry’s employers, which means the company the apprentice is training with, knows they need an employee with the skills the young person is learning.”

The next generation of engineering construction workers will play a key role in shaping the future world. Currently, this skilled workforce are working in the nuclear industry; they are also at the forefront in developing renewable energy resources and have played a key role in oil and gas production in the North Sea. Engineering construction workers can also be found in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry where they have designed, constructed and maintained manufacturing plants. In fact there is very little in this modern world that doesn’t rely on the skills and imaginations of engineering construction workers.

-ends-

Notes to editors:

About the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
1. The ECITB is the statutory and charitable body set up to secure engineering construction skills now and for the future. It has delivered training successfully to over one million learners over 20 years, and is led and funded by employers from the industry, ensuring the services are relevant and fit for purpose
2. The ECITB provides professional advice, information, skills development and qualifications to help individuals in engineering construction and anyone interested in a career in the industry to succeed. A dedicated website has been set up to provide more detailed information http://careers.ecitb.org.uk/
3. The ECITB sets a range of occupational and training standards, awards industry specific qualifications and invests £20 million each year in support of apprentices and adult learners across a range of skills. From entry level craft and technician programmes through to advanced engineering project management skills. In 2011, 65,000 people were supported through the ECITB’s range of approved programmes delivered by a network of over 200 approved providers.
4.The ECITB strategy is built on three objectives, these are to attract, qualify and develop talented people for the industry. The ECITB operating processes that secure the depth, breadth and quality of service are: employer engagement, identification of skills needs and priorities, stakeholder and provider engagement, delivery and continuous improvement. The ECITB provides support to employers, their employees and apprentices to design, build, maintain and decommission nuclear, power, pharmaceutical, renewables, chemicals, food, water, oil & gas facilities and other processes.

Contact: Ulrika Meegolla, Communications Officer
01923 402 118 ulrika.meegolla@ecitb.org.uk

A further article can be found at the following link.

For more information visit www.ecitb.org.uk

Grimsby Evening Telegraph Article 150 150 Technica Ltd

Grimsby Evening Telegraph Article

Technica Limited has recently been featured in the Business Section of the local newspaper, the Grimsby Evening Telegraph.

The article announces Technica’s head office move to a 10,000 sq. foot facility on the Cherry Tree Business Park. The £750,000 investment features combined workshop and storage facilities, a large open plan design office, a dedicated client project office and meeting room, bolstered by modern welfare facilities.

Managing Director John Davison commented: “This facility provides us with a real identity and will hopefully help raise our profile locally also portraying a professional design office image, as well as providing the construction workshop facilities we were previously renting.”

Fellow Director Bryan Creed said “the new location offers space to enable the business to grow further, we have recently added 10 additional staff members; three design trainees, four apprentices joined by three additional technicians.”

To view the full article, follow the link below.

Business Telegraph – January 2013

Engineering Vacancies 150 150 Technica Ltd

Engineering Vacancies

Salary: Negotiable
Location: Grimsby
Job Type: Permanent

Technica Ltd are a multi-disciplinary design, management and construction company based in Grimsby.
We specialise in providing turnkey projects to the national and international energy sector.

Due to an increase in UK workload and several forthcoming overseas projects we have placed adverts on www.jobsite.co.uk for current vacancies we have in the following areas:
Control and Instrumentation Engineers
Control and Instrumentation Designers
Electrical Engineers
Electrical Designers
CAD Draughtspersons

A good working knowledge of designing and specifying ATEX equipment would be an advantage. We offer attractive rates of pay and a good benefits package for all employees.

If you’re interested in being part of a professional team responsible for developing projects from concept to commissioning please submit your CV to admin@technicaltd.com in the first instance.

Construction Framework – Northern Gas Networks (NGN) 277 160 Technica Ltd

Construction Framework – Northern Gas Networks (NGN)

Technica have completed over 300 design and build projects for Northern Gas Networks (NGN), National Grid (NG), Scottish and Southern Gas Networks (SGN) and Wales and West Utilities (WWU) over the past 12 years.

This wealth of experience has been recognised by Northern Gas Networks with our appointment as a Construction Framework supplier.

Technica directly employ EL6 authorised, competent persons and instrument technicians enabling us to support our design activities with an installation and commissioning service to provide our clients with a full turnkey service.

We look forward to working with Northern Gas Networks on future projects.

New Office & Workshop Facility 1024 486 Technica Ltd

New Office & Workshop Facility

We recently purchased and have now completed the renovation of a combined office and workshop facility. The property is a modern detached industrial unit, having a gross internal area of 10,000 sq ft, plus an additional mezzanine storage area of approximately 3,000sq ft.

We are now pleased to announce that we have now relocated into the new premises at Cherry Tree Business Park, Grimsby.

This new facility gives Technica the capability to construct and assemble larger packages of equipment enabling us to provide our clients with containerised or modularised solutions constructed within our controlled workshop environment.

Technica will be arranging a series of open days over the coming months for local and national clients.

Further Technica Recruitments 150 150 Technica Ltd

Further Technica Recruitments

Further staff have been recruited by Technica to expand its engineering and design team, in providing support with its ever increasing project portfolio with Excelerate Energy, National Grid and other UK Utility providers. This also includes additional technicians for its installation team.

  • Sheldon Kirk (Trainee Draughtsman)
  • Craig Watts (ECI Designer)
  • Ken McGeachie (Trainee Project Scheduler)
  • David Simpson (Electrical Design Engineer)
  • Dave Wilkie (Project Manager)
  • Mike Rhodes (Instrument Design Engineer)
  • Adam Board (E&I Technician)
  • Daniel Purdon (Apprentice E&I Technician)
  • Richard Smith (E&I Designer)
Lavaca Bay LNG FLSO™ 150 150 Technica Ltd

Lavaca Bay LNG FLSO™

Technica have been appointed by Excelerate Energy to conduct the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) work for the development of the first floating gas liquefaction facility in the United States utilising its Floating Liquefaction Storage Offloading vessel (FLSO™) technology. The project will be situated on the Texas Gulf Coast, and will be designed to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to markets worldwide by 2017.

FLSO comprises 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of production capacity, 250,000 cubic meters (m³) of LNG storage, and a fully integrated gas processing plant. With this gas processing capability, the FLSO can accommodate a wide range of gas compositions at its inlet making it well suited for virtually any application near shore or offshore. For those situations where gas processing is not required due to presence of existing processing facilities or where pipeline quality gas is used as the feedstock, the processing equipment can be removed and liquefaction capacity increased to 5 MTPA.

The FLSO will measure 338 meters in length, with a breadth of 62 meters. The FEED is in an advanced phase, co-ordinated from our Grimsby based office, with our client entering into discussions with potential off takers and natural gas suppliers as well as investors and potential sources of finance to take the project forward. We expect FEED to last until the end of 2012, and following its completion and successful permitting project delivery will take approximately 44 months from final investment decision (FID).