Winter 2007

• Introduction
• Welcomes and Goodbyes
• 'Voice of the Future' Event
• Bulk Materials Handling Committee - IMechE Committee Visits Immingham
• The Oil, Gas and Chemical Committee Matures
• ATEX for Offshore Operations - Post event report
• New Technical Information and Market Data at your Fingertips
• Offshore Engineering Committee and Tour
• View other issues

• The Select Committee indicated nuclear engineering would be a mainstay in providing energy to the UK alongside renewable sources in the future. Renewable sources (such as wind) were not sufficient and reliable enough to provide sole power for the whole of the UK. Representatives of the nuclear industry made clear that for this to happen new power stations would need to be built. There is a considerable lead-time in doing this, and some power stations are due for decommissioning so decisions would need to be made quickly to enable this to happen.
• Engineers present made clear they would like to see a senior engineer in a prominent position in government. The engineer is absolutely vital in UK industry and the wider services. An engineer in a decision making position within government would support politicians in vital decisions. Malcolm Wicks said it was worthy of serious consideration, but also added that he would like to see the engineering institutions working closer together to provide a common engineering voice.
• The Select Committee indicated portable power and power storage is becoming a limiting factor for future research and development. They indicated the combustion engine would become obsolete over the coming years with a rise of hybrid and electric vehicles. Malcolm Wicks put out a plea to engineers in the country to use their expertise and knowledge to devise better power storage mechanisms.

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