Professional Affiliate of the Engineering Council UK

THE INSTITUTION

 

The IDGTE office is located in a modern office complex in Bedford.  Technical papers are

Presented at the City Conference Centre, Coleman Street, London and are subsequently

repeated at regional locations.

 

The Institution has members in over 40 countries. Its vision is to be the leading independent, international, professional body serving the interests of those involved in the design, development, manufacture, application, operation and maintenance of reciprocating internal combustion engines and gas turbines, their related fields, and emerging energy conversion technologies.

 

Staff of the Institution, under the direction of Council, executes conferences, training courses, visits and numerous other activities, as described on this web site.

The Institution of Diesel and Gas Turbine Engineers

Bedford Heights, Manton Lane, Bedford  MK41 7PH, England

 

Tel:  01234 214340       Fax:  01234 355493 Email:     enquiries@idgte.org

 

DAVID SQUIRRELL - PRESIDENT

 

Our Institution occupies a niche position among a sea of giants, including the Mechanicals, Marine, and Civils.  To survive we must continue to do what we have been doing for almost 100 years, offering something unique and valuable to our members, and retain the specialisation, expertise, and focus that others cannot.

 

However, times have changed and the foundation of our success, the Working Cost Report, is a shadow of what it was, and what it should be.  Commercial sensitivity has made submission of detailed technical information and costs difficult, though all companies, and users, still need to be able to compare themselves to their competitors, to drive improvements, or recognise a job well done.

 

As an independent and well established Institution, with a proven record in the industry, we should be able to have the trust of our members, and be able to aggregate, harmonise, and sanitise data such that individual company’s anonymity and commercial sensitivities are protected, yet we can be clear what really is best practice.  

 

Our future also demands that we recruit and retain new members, preferably as they start their working careers.  We must appeal to these people such that they recognise the unique position we occupy, and that we can further their understanding of our industry, and set themselves apart from their peers.  This year we have introduced a new “Back to Basics” section in the Power Engineer focused on a younger reader, but will also, we hope, be of interest to others.

 

We are still seeking sufficient support to be able to award “Engineering Technician” status.  We have many talented individuals dedicated to the profitable operation and maintenance of power generation plant, yet have little formal recognition of these skills.  By working in close collaboration with a few selected companies, and the Engineering Council, we hope to be able to offer a common training package that will define the standard for our industry, and offer a clear path to “Engineering Technician” status focused towards the needs of our members.

 

Mindful that we are not all still in our youth the Heritage Committee have organised a variety of visits that have been enlightening and well attended, as well as providing a focus for more social activities.  They have also provided a number of articles in the “Power Engineer” that will probably have stirred many, hopefully fond, memories of yesteryear.

 

Recently our website has been completely rebuilt and is now managed entirely in-house.  This gives us greater control over content, and makes us more responsive to changes and improvements.

 

All these activities are driven by a team of volunteers drawn from the membership, individuals who give their time and skills freely, and who sit on the Council.  We welcome anyone who would like to be more involved in the running of the Institution, or people who could contribute informative articles for either the “Power Engineer” or the website.  No qualifications are required, just enthusiasm and some time, though a good sense of humour is also appreciated.

 

I would like to thank you for your continued support for the Institution, and hope to see you at future functions, conferences, the general meetings either in London or the regions, or possibly the Annual Luncheon on 8 April 2008 (and yes it is on a Tuesday).  Please, if you can, bring a friend, or even two, and encourage them to join, and help sustain this niche organisation in the sea of giants.  We have much to offer but need your continued support if we are to thrive.

 

 

FORMATION OF THE INSTITUTION

 

It was a peculiar good fortune that the founder members of the Diesel Engineers and Users Association were practical men who could look at things in a way that Sir Winston Churchill called the 'modern' eye.

 

They were blessed moreover with due regard for past experience and possessing comparatively high boiling points, were able to discuss controversial matters with complete frankness, believing with a seventh century poet that ‘experience joined with common sense, to mortals, was a providence'.

 

For its formation on 16 July 1913, the Association was indebted to the enthusiasm and co-operation of six engineers and their supporters. A notable engineer being Percy Still.

 

It was resolved that 'any central station Chief Engineer, who is a diesel engine user, may be admitted to the Association on application, and that other engineers should be proposed and seconded by members, so that their qualifications may be considered by a committee'.

 

It was around this time that a great deal of operational experience with stationary heavy-oil engines was accumulating, but without being put on record and without being made generally available.

 

Moreover, what had become urgently needed was unfiltered discussion by responsible engine users, of the oil engine problems being encountered; most notably in electric generation stations.

 

Fortunately these discussions now took place in a co-ordinated manner between engineers able to participate with the sole object of arriving at the truth. It was this impartial and non-polemical discussion which proved, and has continued to prove, so helpful. Not only to users of prime movers all over the world, but to the designers and manufacturers of diesel engines, gas turbines and their auxiliary equipment.

 

It may be of interest to mention that Michael Longridge, lecturing in 1914 on 'Breakdown of Stationary Engines', recalled that when, during 1880, he commenced to collect statistics of steam engine breakdowns, he found that 'engines running for 50 to 60 hours per week, broke down on average once in 5.5 years; now (1914), though speeds and pressures have doubled, they break down once in 9.5 years.'

 

Indeed, failure of exhaust valves and connecting rod bolts were typical failures for steam and diesel engines at that time - highly loaded components, which receive similar attention today.

 

In undertaking the role as President I would welcome feedback from Members on any issue as the future success depends heavily on Member participation and satisfaction. I look forward to meeting many of you during 2007.

 

 

TECHNICAL INTERFACE

 

The Institution has representatives on several committees and cooperates with other professional bodies. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, the Renewable Energy Association and the CHP club, for example.

 

 

DIESEL AND GAS TURBINES

 

Whilst originally a reciprocating engine organisation, the Gas Turbine sector has developed significantly and the Institution actively promotes interest in all aspects of the development and use of land based Gas Turbines. IDGTE is the only professional body based in the United Kingdom specifically serving these interests. The range of gas turbine activities includes machines from micro-turbines to the largest gas turbines for power generation. Technical papers and events on Gas Turbines are regularly presented. Following earlier success with other seminars, in October 2003 the Institution hosted a major Conference covering the Developments in Technology and User Experience of Gas Turbines. The Conference was very well received and attracted a large number of delegates. New members from the Gas Turbine Industry are welcome from all parts of the World. The proceedings of both the September 2001, October 2003 and October 2005 Gas Turbine events are available from the IDGTE office.

 

 

CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA

 

The IDGTE organises bespoke conferences, symposia and other events, with a view to bringing the industry together and sharing developments in the industry with the experienced as well as the up an coming young engineers. Although the primary focus is on the prime movers there are always papers concerning ancillary equipment and services.

 

One of our normal formats is the two day event, where time is provided for questions to an expert panel of lecturers and adequate time given to exchanging more information over lunch and evening meals.

 

 

FUNDING AND OFFICE FACILITIES

 

The IDGTE is funded mainly by subscriptions, sponsorship and margins on conferences. These funds are used to achieve IDGTE objectives, with such activities administered by our team based in the office at Bedford.

 

The greatest regular expenditure is that of compiling and printing the Journal. This is the main channel through which the Institution communicates with its membership and members are encouraged to use the journal as a two-way exchange - personally and professionally. We make every endeavour to print the journal in colour, but it is expensive and in order to keep the journal looking attractive sponsorship is sought. This is the Journal that goes directly to the individuals involved in selecting products to support land-based diesel and gas engines.

 

Could you or your company offer sponsorship for the journal?