Who we work with

Energy

The energy sector faces unprecedented challenge right now. At first glance, it may seem that the impacts of climate change, the cost of living crisis, and global geopolitics could make working in this industry untenable. But despite these questions, the truth is that there has never been greater scope for innovation and opportunity.

QEM has developed lasting and valuable relationships with many of the UK gas networks, including National Gas, Northern Gas Networks, Cadent, SGN, Wales & West Utilities, the Islands Energy Group and more. Every one of these clients is committed to playing their part in the UK’s net zero goals, and we are working hard to support them in a number of innovative ways.

Providing resource for transition

One of the key considerations for embracing the transition to cleaner, sustainable energies is finding both the cash and the people resource for transition while still delivering existing, high quality service to consumers.

QEM is committed to making every site run more cost-effectively, while still achieving exacting standards of compliance and accountability. By helping clients to achieve compliance within their own procedures and specifications, we can drive process efficiencies that secure value for all stakeholders, and make the savings needed to release funds for innovative projects.

In addition, our network of industry professionals can be mobilised for projects swiftly, without the overhead and delay that so often stall effective recruitment. That same resource is expert, scalable and brings with it extensive energy knowledge and cross-sector insight – beyond that of in-house capacities.

Complex project delivery for net-zero goals

Our clients seek QEM’s support on some of the most detailed and unprecedented net zero project deliverables. We provide expert support in this way to projects that include H21, East Coast Hydrogen, FutureGrid, and the holistic assessment of all gas networks’ policies and procedures in preparation for hydrogen conversion. Our cross-sector experience and access to industry-leading professionals is particularly valued by clients making real headway in the journey to net-zero.

Renewable solutions for the way we already work

QEM are constantly exploring ways of working that are cleaner, more sustainable, and more affordable – helping our energy clients pass on savings to consumers while also enhancing public trust. We are currently pricing work on renewable projects that include both wind and solar, and expect to see real progress on this soon.

One area of real potential is hybrid microgrid solutions for client sites, where different renewable energy sources are integrated with battery storage and protection systems. Operating independently of traditional power grids, these can greatly reduce energy use across project lifespans.

Embracing new technologies

We know that effective energy transition relies on cost-reduction, so that sustainable solutions can become standard, widespread, and rely less on Government funding to develop. QEM has always strived to embrace new technology to drive efficiency and savings, and where the right solution doesn’t exist, to create our own. By understanding the interface of energy, data, and software solutions, we can help our clients see where innovation, efficiency, and cost-savings lie.

Existing infrastructures with sustainable uses

QEM are proven pipeline experts and bring this skills portfolio to both water and energy clients as they identify new ways of working that support net-zero goals. We understand where cost savings can be made by using existing pipelines, e.g. in the conversion to hydrogen in the existing gas network, and the enhanced asset testing and maintenance that these demand. As experienced engineers, we work with, not against, the landscape, identifying where geology itself can deliver supporting roles in the net-zero journey, such as carbon storage and renewable energy.

Environmental management

QEM has accredited certification in ISO 14001, the international standard in Environmental Management. Maintaining our accreditation means that working sustainably and with minimised environmental impact is both embedded into our business processes, and instilled in our people’s values. Further, our new relationship with Adler & Allan has extended our environmental capabilities by driving compliant asset installation and maintenance, and transition to new energy infrastructure whilst reducing environmental risk.

Niche opportunities supporting net-zero

With the conversion to cleaner, more sustainable energy resource, there is inevitably uptake in niche, supporting industry, such as carbon capture and storage in the hydrogen sector, component production, and specialist testing facilities. We are committed to helping our clients create and maximise such moments by providing the timely and expert resource that helps them move swiftly to competitive engagement. We are, for example, already working with several networks on innovation projects that will reduce and/or capture their natural gas emissions as part of this wider goal.

Instilling public trust in change

All our experts are engineers, members of IGEM and are authorised by relevant networks, ensuring that our client projects are delivered with integrity and peer respect. In the high-profile energy sector where every decision is subject to regulatory, Governmental, public and media scrutiny, our compliant and accountable and transparent ways of working are of the utmost value.

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Water

Helping the water sector thrive

The water sector faces several challenges right now – from negative press coverage, to climate change impacts, and exacting internal targets. While the sector will itself resolve many of these questions over time, there are areas of challenge where skilled companies from outside of the water industry can really help.

Infrastructure experience

Engineering companies like QEM can provide crucial support in addressing the problem of ageing water infrastructure – specifically pipelines – that are ever more stretched by rabid urban development, a growing population and climate change. Having delivered on ambitious pipeline projects for several sectors UK-wide, QEM has both the expertise and scalable resource to undertake steel pipeline design and installation for the water sector.

Though steel pipes have not always been the first choice in the water context, they do offer many advantages, including higher pressure capacity, better resistance to aggressive ground conditions, design flexibility, and full documentation traceability – a key concern for a sector often under public scrutiny.

Design and construction

QEM has worked on the design and build of some of the most complicated pipelines in some of the worst conditions in the UK – and have delivered. Key to the success of projects like this is being able to guide design teams to the best solutions, and also help construction teams to achieve their cost and programme goals. That’s two (or more) very different fields of know-how, and few companies can muster such disparately skilled resource in-house. With the water sector currently facing a critical talent shortage that may take years to fix, expert support from outside is yet more valuable.

Best practice applications

QEM has assisted with the design and build of pipelines through all types of terrain, from the Scottish Highlands right down to the West Country. We’ve faced the challenge of regional specificity and know that good data is crucial to handling that effectively. In addition, we use industry-standard documentation and terminology, adapting it to any sector to drive efficiency and accountability throughout their project lifespan.

By bringing best practice from the pipeline industry to the water sector, companies like QEM can deliver successful, inspiring projects that not only improve productivity, but build both sector confidence and public trust.

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