Finalists in the Humber Renewables Awards 2023 are today revealed.
Judges have assessed nominations, forming the shortlist of businesses, organisations and individuals vying for the honours. They will be presented at the gala dinner event that is this year the finale to the Offshore Wind Connections 10th anniversary conference and exhibition, in Hull, on May 4.
Humber Renewables Awards, now in their 11th year, are delivered by Business Live publisher Reach Plc, a long supporter of the Humber Marine & Renewables event. The two unite to mark a decade of delivery on the Energy Estuary, with Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership having merged last year.
Read more: Grimsby to host world's largest 'living lab' for offshore wind tech development
On our judging panel this year were Camilla Carlbom, chair of Stallingborough specialist agency Carlbom Shipping, and Kerry Monument, Grimsby hub operations and maintenance manager for headline sponsor RWE, joined by Humber business editor David Laister.
Mr Monument said: “I am impressed with what we have seen from this area and I am looking forward to a great evening.”
Reflecting on the momentum that still abounds in offshore wind, with several more farms being brought forward, he said: “It remains a really positive time for the cluster, and offshore wind. We have secured Sofia for Grimsby, we are looking to secure Dogger Bank South, and this means bringing more jobs to the area. We’re seeing expansion of the control room at Royal Dock, real investment in the port.”
A contractor has recently been appointed to deliver the expansion of the original building, delivered for previous project finalist Triton Knoll, one of two RWE wind farms operational in the cluster.
The Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year, sponsored by DFDS, and the Humber Renewables Champion, sponsored by Siemens Gamesa, have been specially selected by the judges and will be revealed on the night.
Event sponsor is Renewable UK, with RES, John Roe Toyota and Humber Marine and Renewables covering drinks, cars and programmes. Full details about tickets for the event can be found here.
The Humber Renewables Awards 2023 shortlist:
Engaging the Community / Community Project
Sponsored by RWE Renewables Ltd
Generation Net Zero
Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire worked with ORE Catapult to develop the project, growing it from a skills gap identified by primary school teachers to deliver the newly introduced design technology curriculum content, while engaging primary schoolchildren from under-represented groups in STEM and renewables education.
HFR Solutions CIC
Humber-based community interest company specialising in workplace safety training and emergency response. It works closely with organisations, businesses and communities to help better plan, prepare and respond in the event of an emergency. It funded and installed a new sustainable eco-friendly sensory garden at a care home.
Orsted / Culture House
Completion of Hornsea Two offshore wind farm was celebrated with three events reaching more than 40,000 people - including the Festival of the Sea. The ambition had been to connect a groundbreaking project hidden from sight, with vessels serving them only seen for two days a month, with the community which it is part of.
Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
Sponsored by Orsted
Bureau Technical Services, Hessle
Quality assurance and quality control specialist that has recently become a statutory inspection provider and is certified by Lloyds Register. Provides a full spectrum of services across the global energy sector and UK engineering industry, working on some of the world’s largest and most demanding projects, including two Humber wind farm developments.
HDM Solar, Hull
Independent, family-run retailer of renewable energy supplies, stocking an extensive range of solar panels, batteries, inverters, kits, cables, connectors, mounting brackets, electric vehicle chargers and accessories. The eight-strong team supports both domestic and commercial projects, from camper vans to warehouses.
RSUK Group, Grimsby
A five-strong team offers solar, electrical and EV services, as well as insurance and finance company-backed maintenance and repairs. In the past 12 months it has underlined its ability to deliver large-scale projects in-house, delivering award-winning service. It has targeted new-build car charging requirements across the county as a high-growth segment.
Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation
Electric Fish Van Fleet Project, Grimsby
Grimsby’s mobile fishmongers are being given the opportunity to go green in a funded pilot brought forward by Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing and the Seafood Grimsby and Humber Alliance. Toyota UK is also on board as 10 per cent of the 100-plus vans look to be switched.
Loyal Leaders, EngineeringUTC North Lincolnshire
The winning project group from the successful Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge made a significant contribution to lowering energy usage at Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire, after developing and implementing an energy pledge, working with finance and facilities managers to cut bulls by a third with a range of practical and behavioural initiatives.
Pillswood Project, Harmony Energy
Europe’s largest battery storage system has been built alongside Creyke Beck substation at Cottingham, near Hull. Delivery was accelerated to ease the potential winter energy crisis brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent gas-supply pressures. It features Tesla technology and can power 300,000 homes for two hours.
Excellence in Renewable Skills & Training
Sponsored by Swire Energy Services
CWind
Initially established in Great Yarmouth, the GWO-accredited training division was relocated to Port of Grimsby East, alongside its operations and maintenance hub. The ‘unparalleled facilities’ give a truly authentic experience, as well as being based on a working quayside, it boasts an 18-metre wind turbine tower and sea survival facilities. It supports local, national and international clients.
Hexis
Training provider delivering courses for statutory inspection and maintenance of wind farm support systems, pioneering standards for the emerging industry that have been fully accredited in collaboration with a working group of industry experts. Based in Suffolk, it has delivered on site at Humber Gateway, and recognises the cluster’s importance.
RES
Independent renewable energy company launched its first dedicated wind turbine technician apprenticeship programme in 2022, in Grimsby, with a seven-strong cohort ranging from 16 to 26, including school leavers and former military personnel. A future careers and training manager has also been recruited, to identify opportunities for further development of employees.
Renewables Education
Sponsored by University of Hull / Aura Innovation Centre
C3 Group
Hull firm with sustainability and energy efficiency at the core has partnered with Thrive Academy to help it reduce its carbon footprint and save money on bills. It has engaged with students on activities around the subject, including creating a road map to net zero, with plans to host further STEM activities, while offering community advice as part of the collaboration.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council / Dogger Bank Wind Farm
Skills development and inspiration of young minds for future careers in education, funded by Dogger Bank Wind Farm. It focuses on an increase and expansion of STEM provision with bespoke programmes for teachers of ages three to 11 to raise knowledge and expertise. Careers education is also being embedded in the primary curriculum. Fostering a ‘learn it, see it, be it’ ethos.
Phillips 66
The Refinery Education Team and Early Careers Network developed a challenge in rounds aimed at catching Key Stage Four students’ imagination, with all 30 schools in northern Lincolnshire were invited to take part - some 2,000 pupils. The final was held at a regional careers fair with high profile independent judges. 2023 will see 100 schools in the Humber participate.
Green Innovation
Sponsored by ORE Catapult
Cellform Hydrogen
Manufacturer of specialist bipolar plates for electrolysers and fuel cells in the emerging hydrogen market. Designed to provide best possible stack power and efficiency and described as key in the link between renewable electrical and chemical energy, with pioneering work being undertaken on the Humber. Production set-up is scaled up easily by the German-headquartered operation.
Finboot Tech
Blockchain technology deployer to track and trace interconnected supply chains to understand carbon footprint, allowing a proper response to consumer and regulatory pressures.
It helps major manufacturers and blue chip companies transition to a circular economy, ensuring waste isn’t created, while ensuring renewable or biological materials are used as fuels.
University of Aberdeen
Modelling of a new semi-submersible floating concept for offshore wind turbines. Work involved significant hydrodynamic complexity to prove feasibility for deployment on UK continental shelf. Peer review has described it as an efficient design for harsh environments of the Southern North Sea. It focuses on a cost-effective catenary mooring system with polymer components.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Generation Net Zero
Second listing for Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire and ORE Catapult education project.
Phillips 66
The in-house Inclusion and Diversity Team has brought a step-change at Humber Refinery, educating and empowering the workforce when it comes to the importance. An Allyship programme launched in 2022 has brought positive change to culture, encouraging staff and contractors to support each other, seek different perspectives and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
RES
Five affinity networks cover the different dimensions of diversity and each is supported by an executive sponsor, RES’ highest decision-making body. The diversity and inclusion strategy, RESpect, is sponsored by the company chair and aligned to the overall business strategy. Achievements have included gender neutral parental leave, gender pay and bonus gap reporting and women’s PPE.
Woman of the Year
Siobhan Mooney, reporting and secretariat manager, Xceco Ltd
One of the pioneers in offshore wind operations and maintenance in Grimsby, she was a founding employee of XceCo having worked on Lynn and Inner Dowsing since 2011. Described as quietly influencing industry development, from ensuring female changing facilities to team cohesion and charitable efforts, she is a ‘real role model to other women’ and unflappable in a demanding role.
Jenny Sutcliffe, principal consultant for regulatory affairs, Phillips 66
Described as a knowledgeable environmentalist and talented process engineer, she joined the decarbonisation team at Humber Refinery in early 2021. A flag-waver for the region, she shares the Gigastack and Humber Zero work on stage as a coveted industry speaker, while progressing the journey with government and stakeholders as a strong role model in education outreach.
Claire Swannick, logistics co-ordinator, Triton Knoll offshore wind farm
Originally a materials handler, she was inspired by renewables while working in oil and gas, going on to facilitate crew transfer vessel logistics on Humber Gateway before switching to its RWE big sister. A STEM ambassador since 2016, and now building a team of them, she led on the development of a Lego Wind Energy Workshop for Key Stage Two, now delivered to more than 2,000 children.
Jennifer Vincent, director of business development, Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire
Long-association with the renewable industry through work with Humber LEP and on STEM with the Careers Enterprise Company. She has brokered partner relationships between education and industry and is behind Generation Ne Zero, the primary-focused STEM project now backed by ORE Catapult, Phillips 66 and Orsted. A ‘powerhouse of ideas and enthusiasm’ dedicated to young people.
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by BAE Systems
Ria Matthews
Fourth year offshore wind turbine technician apprentice with Siemens Gamesa, currently working on Hornsea Two. Gives her time as a STEM ambassador with young people and female-specific groups. Having reached the highest sea cadet rank she is now part of the volunteer work force within her unit, and became the youngest officer in the organisation nationwide.
Mollie Mills
Now part of RWE’s Triton Knoll team, her exemplary attitude towards her development, grasping opportunities to learn from experienced technicians, was praised. With a year working offshore under her belt she is described as equalling and exceeding those senior to her in technical knowledge. She is now leading teams on annual service tasks, conducting ‘brilliant’ tool box talks.
Arthur Wells
The Pure Renewables apprentice is described as a dedicated heating engineer, specialising in the installation of air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. Leadership skills have been highlighted, with installations led on. He has a deep understanding of the technology and an analytic ability to troubleshoot and problem solve.
RWE cohort
Team entry. George Brant, Liam Cox and Morton Plumb all recently completed their Renewables Engineering Apprenticeship, working at Humber Gateway offshore wind farm and studying at the Uniper Engineering Academy and Derby College. Covid led to limited exposure to the practical side of the learning, causing major disruption, but they progressed to become authorised technicians, with self-development praised.
