The Engineering Digest – August 2024
Welcome to this month’s edition of the Engineering Digest where we bring you the latest news on UK defence, nuclear, renewables and beyond.
From the triumphant return of HMS Queen Elizabeth to our home in Portsmouth Dockyard, šbeekeeping helicopter pilots, significant strides in the UK’s renewable energy sector and a celebration of women in maritime, we’ve got a great selection of stories to share.
HMS Queen Liz Returns to Portsmouth š
Britainās flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth returned home to Portsmouth following four months of repairs in Scotland and a short intensive spell at sea to test her systems.
The ship was put through her paces on trials including sailing at high speed for extended periods of time and manoeuvring as aggressively as possible to give the command team full confidence in her systems following the docking period.
The Beekeeping Royal Navy Trainee Helicopter Pilot š
Royal Navy trainee Merlin helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Adam Pollock, created a beekeeping club at his air station, RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, following a donation for hives and kit by the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity – a charity Hythe has supported for many years through the Royal Navy Engineers Open golf championship.
Two hives have now been placed in a quiet corner of the air station and populated with upwards of 120,000 bees.
Hythe Transforms Team Communication and Efficiency with Connecteam
Last year, our team highlighted a need for a centralised communication and time management platform.
This year, we implemented a software called Connecteam to all permanent and contracted business staff to keep staff informed, make everybody feel involved and improve process efficiency.
Rolls-Royce SMR Designs Gain Approval, Marking Milestone in UK Nuclear Expansion
The UK has taken a crucial step towards enhancing its nuclear power capacity with the approval of initial designs for small modular reactors (SMRs) by Rolls-Royce SMR.
This innovative approach by Rolls-Royce promises a more scalable and cost-effective solution compared to traditional, larger nuclear power plants.
Record Ā£1.5bn Budget Announced for UKās Upcoming Renewable Energy Auction š
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced a significant boost to this yearās renewable energy auction budget, increasing it by Ā£500m to exceed Ā£1.5bn.
Of this, Ā£1.1bn is allocated exclusively to offshore wind, providing more funding than all previous auctions combined to accelerate the development of new green infrastructure.
Women in Maritime Exhibition Arrives in Portsmouth
The “SHE_SEES” exhibition tours the country celebrating the contributions of women in maritime, and is now open at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard‘s in Boathouse 4.
The free exhibition features striking visuals and portraits of inspirational women in the maritime industry.
Organised by the University of Portsmouth and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, it highlights the past and ongoing gender imbalances in the sector.
Thank you for reading!
We hope you enjoyed these highlights and insights into the exciting developments in the engineering field and beyond.
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