Aggreko - Experts & Thought Leaders

A Dumbarton-based global pioneer in temporary power, temperature control, and energy solutions, Aggreko, is reaffirming its commitment to development, skills, and training as its successful apprentice program celebrates its latest class of graduates. Andrew MacNaughton, Calum Michie, Lewis Chisholm, Derek Collie, and Rafal Fijalkowski will all be graduating from Aggreko’s apprentice program in Scotland, with all being offered permanent roles within the company. developing talent Aggreko is continuing its focus on developing talent by taking on its latest cohort of recruits, with a group of eight joining its apprenticeship schemes.  Following the success of previous years, the business has increased the class of 2023-24, with three more apprentices joining compared to last year. three- to four-year program 2023 apprentices have supported the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Goodwood Festival, Rugby World Cup, and the Ryder Cup The three- to four-year programs give participants on-the-job training throughout the business and see them attend university or college one day a week. Equipping learners with practical experience in all aspects of the business includes building new products, maintaining existing products, and supporting Aggreko’s ambition to provide new efficient technologies and greener upgrades to all sectors. It also allows apprentices to travel and support Aggreko’s event business, where in 2023 apprentices have supported the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Goodwood Festival, Rugby World Cup, and the Ryder Cup to name a few.  hands-on skills and knowledge When asked about his apprenticeship, Andrew MacNaughton, who is graduating in MA Engineering, said, “My experience within Aggreko was nothing short of amazing." "I have gained invaluable hands-on skills and knowledge of the equipment and technology, which has equipped me for a career in engineering, and at the same time I have developed great people and communication skills." broadening experiences I can’t wait to learn from my colleagues and take up new opportunities to come in my career" “I will be staying with Aggreko as I’m enjoying the work I carry out day to day. I can’t wait to learn from my colleagues and take up new opportunities to come in my career." "Working for a global company means I have been fortunate enough to travel, which I enjoyed and would like to continue, so the opportunity to stay with Aggreko and broaden my experiences is one I couldn’t pass up!” addressing the skills gaps  The apprenticeship program forms part of Aggreko’s wider commitment to addressing the skills gaps in engineering through training and development and instilling a passion for the industry in its global teams.  One such example is currently second-year apprentice Harley Higgins, who won Scottish Apprentice of the Year in March 2023 and was commended for having a huge passion for engineering. Additional one-year program  Aggreko has apprentices throughout Europe, including in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, the Americas, and Australia.  For 2024, the company is launching an additional one-year program in the Middle East for recent apprentice graduates either with Aggreko or with other organizations or recent university graduates with a technical or engineering degree.  enhanced customer experience At Aggreko, we are committed to growing our talent and developing people with the skills for the future" Head of Manufacturing at Aggreko, Kimberley Campbell said, “At Aggreko, we are committed to growing our talent and developing people with the skills for the future." "With this scheme, we can provide the best talent to deliver an enhanced customer experience, supporting our delivery of sustainable solutions, greener products, alternative fuels, and services." training and development  “We offer a skill set that does not only support the manufacture of our great assets, but we also provide the training and development to increase skills that are transferable to work throughout Aggreko." "The hands-on experience, working skills acquired, the opportunity to travel to short- and long-term customer sites, and being able to earn while you learn make this scheme a great proposition for someone looking to break into the engineering world.”

Amid an impending reform of UK F-gas legislation, a temperature control specialist is calling upon manufacturers to re-evaluate their approach to equipment procurement in order to futureproof against legislative shifts. This call to action, from Aggreko, follows the EU’s recent decision to completely phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) by 2050. However, with the UK expected to revise existing EU legislation and adopt its own stance from 2025 onwards, manufacturers face an uncertain legislative landscape. use of flexible hire models With the UK looking to move away from existing EU F-gas legislation, investing in new equipment at this time invites the risk" With this in mind, Ruth Martin, Sector Development Manager for Manufacturing at Aggreko, is advocating for the use of flexible hire models as a means to achieve compliance. She said, “With global temperatures on the rise, chillers and similar temperature control equipment have become more vital than ever to the sustained operation of manufacturing processes. However, with the UK looking to move away from existing EU F-gas legislation, investing in new equipment at this time invites the risk of it becoming non-compliant in a matter of months should new laws be put in place." scale solutions Ruth Martin adds, “That said, manufacturers still need to integrate new temperature control equipment in order to deal with rising temperatures and maintain uptime on processes. Outsourcing chillers and cooling equipment from a specialist can help manufacturers do just that without the need for a risky capex investment.”  Flexible hire contracts, such as those offered by Aggreko, afford operators the ability to scale solutions up or down in accordance with demand. Flexible hire contracts This allows businesses to effectively meet seasonal peaks, alongside quickly substituting solutions in or out in order to maintain compliance with legislation. This approach also affords a number of additional benefits to the operator, such as increased energy efficiency This approach also affords a number of additional benefits to the operator, such as increased energy efficiency through equipment being correctly matched to its application, specialist support to help integrate and maintain new equipment, and the ability to circumvent lengthy supply chain delays that may otherwise prove a barrier to investment. Outsourcing temperature control Ruth Martin said, “In uncertain times, flexibility is the greatest asset that a business can have. Outsourcing temperature control can help manufacturers meet demand and maintain uptime while the legislative landscape settles." She concludes, "It’s long past time that businesses re-evaluated their approach to temperature control, and the impending shift in F-gas legislation provides the perfect impetus to do so."

With grid instability and energy security continuing to prove challenging to industry across Europe, a new report is highlighting solutions for high energy users to navigate a complex energy market and avoid downtime from grid resilience issues. As rising costs resulting from Europe’s energy crisis begin to settle, the report, titled 'Race to Resilience', indicates that ongoing energy instability means power supply remains a major concern for energy intense industries at risk of shortfalls.  Complex energy market According to Aggreko, high energy users across Europe are in a precarious position in terms of future energy supply and security, particularly as investment in capacity for renewables for the grid is increased. As the relief packages for businesses’ energy bills across multiple European countries finish in 2024 As the relief packages for businesses’ energy bills across multiple European countries finish in 2024 and the EU’s gas price cap agreement ends in February 2024, concern is being raised that this will compound issues further. From this, the report explores how facilities can secure enough power both now, and in the future, highlighting a revised approach to decentralized energy as the route capable of improving security of supply, reducing transmission losses and lowering carbon emissions. Demand and supply disruptions Chris Rason, Managing Director, Aggreko Energy Services, comments: “The unpredictability of Europe’s power network, combined with ongoing energy instability means wide-scale uptake of autonomous models has the potential to transform Europe’s energy system. And while many high energy users have taken initial steps towards decentralized models, a revaluated approach to on-site power is crucial for industry to move forward – especially given the critical issues in play.” He adds, “Aggreko’s Race to Resilience report therefore aims to bridge the gap between today’s challenges of exponential energy demand and supply disruptions, with tomorrow’s objectives of security and sustainability.” Gas-powered generators The report gives prominence to microgrids, gas-powered generators, combined heat and power, and energy storage as decentralized solutions able to deliver enhanced energy resilience and gives practical examples of these in action. Aggreko deployed a microgrid, using a diesel system alongside gas and battery solutionsOne scenario was a 12MW industrial facility facing a planned shutdown of local power infrastructure. Here, Aggreko deployed a microgrid, using a diesel system alongside gas and battery solutions, to give the site a complete standalone solution. To give decision-makers a starting point when identifying such models, the report also highlights a series of calculators developed by Aggreko – these include the Hire Vs Buy, Grid Compare, Data Centre Power Selector and Greener Upgrades calculators. Key turning point Chris Rason continues: “The development of new technologies has paved a way to resilience through a more autonomous, smarter and greener energy model. However, with upgrades through outright purchases proving difficult due to supply chain disruption and capex costs, bridging solutions offer a risk-free way to make this step and balance plant, profit and product.” He adds, “While volatile markets have always been difficult to navigate, the current state of energy instability, compounded by ailing grid infrastructures and pressure to reduce emissions has put high energy users at a key turning point. The solutions put forward in Aggreko’s latest report therefore aim to light the path towards new energy models for Europe’s biggest industries.”