It’s Nearly Ten Years Since I Wrote The Streatham Virtual Tube
In the June 2016 Edition of Modern Railways, there was an article entitled Turning South London Orange.
One of the proposals in the article is to create a virtual tube through Streatham.
So I wrote The Streatham Virtual Tube.
My curiosity has been aroused, as to why the article is one of my top posts.
Does anybody have any ideas?
Or could it just be that someone is promoting the Streatham Virtual Tube In The Local Elections?
TenneT, National Grid Ink Joint Development Agreement For LionLink Offshore Wind Interconnector
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Transmission system operators (TSOs) TenneT and National Grid Ventures (NGV) have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to advance LionLink, a hybrid interconnector linking the UK and the Netherlands via a future offshore wind farm in the Dutch North Sea.
These three paragraphs add more details.
The agreement sets out how the two partners will jointly develop LionLink towards a final investment decision (FID), including arrangements on procurement, governance, and planning, while also aiming to increase transparency on project costs ahead of construction.
LionLink is designed to integrate cross-border electricity interconnection with offshore wind by establishing a direct connection between the two countries through a grid link to the planned Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm. According to the developers, this approach will maximise the use of offshore wind, provide additional system flexibility, and reduce the overall amount of required offshore infrastructure.
The LionLink project was launched in April 2023, when the Netherlands and the UK unveiled their plan to build the interconnector, a first-of-its-kind electricity link to connect offshore wind between the two countries via interconnections.
The same article also said these two paragraphs about the operation of the BritNed interconnector.
While the companies move forward with LionLink, their existing BritNed interconnector is marking 15 years of operation. Since entering service in 2011, the 1 GW subsea link has enabled nearly 93 TWh of electricity trading between Great Britain and the Netherlands.
Over the past five years, BritNed has exchanged enough electricity annually to power around 1.4 million households. The 260-kilometre interconnector remains a key part of both countries’ energy systems and has generated around EUR 1 billion in auction revenues on the Dutch side during its operational lifetime, TenneT said in a press release on 1 April.
It looks like BritNed has been a good investment for all stakeholders.
Note.
- LionLink will be a 2 GW interconnector.
- LionLink will land at Walberswick in Suffolk.
- LionLink has a web site.
- BritNed is a 1 GW interconnector.
- BritNed lands at the Isle of Grain in Kent.
- BritNed has a web site.
- NemoLink is an interconnector between Kent and Belgium.
- NeuConnect will be a 1.4 GW interconnector between the Isle of Grain and Wilhelmshaven, which will be operational by 2028.
- There are two actual and two proposed interconnectors between the UK and France.
The List of high-voltage transmission links in the United Kingdom in Wikipedia is growing.
The Wikipedia entry says this about the Rise of UK Interconnection.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Digest of UK Energy Statistics reports that the UK was a net importer of electricity in 2024, with net imports of 33.4 TWh, up 40% from 2023.
Interconnectors allow the trade of electricity between countries with excess generation (for example, intermittent renewable) and those with high demand. Interconnectors play a key part in balancing variable renewable generation, for example the 1.4 GW North Sea Link allows the UK to export excess power to Norway during windy periods to conserve Norwegian hydro stocks, and import Norwegian hydro power on less windy days.
During the 2022 energy crisis, the UK exported record amounts of power to mainland Europe, helping to alleviate the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on European security of supply.
As of 12 November 2024, Great Britain had nine operational international electricity interconnectors.
The UK is becoming an offshore energy substation on Europe’s North-West coast.
SSE’s Littleton Solar Farm Enters Full Operation
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from SSE.
This is the sub-heading.
Completed 31MW solar farm can power 10,000 UK homes annually
These four paragraphs add more details about the solar farm.
SSE’s 31MW Littleton Solar Farm near Evesham, Worcestershire has now entered full operation following a two-year construction delivery programme.
The newly completed solar farm can now generate enough clean electricity to typically power around 10,000 homes per year.
Its delivery marks another important contribution by SSE towards the delivery of homegrown, affordable, and secure clean energy to UK consumers.
The completion of Littleton marks the delivery of SSE’s first operational solar farm asset. Construction began in December 2023 and was delivered in partnership with Grupotec which acted as main contractor for the project.
This further paragraph talks about enhancing biodiversity.
Littleton Solar Farm has incorporated a wide range of measures across its 77 acre site to protect and enhance local biodiversity. These include maintaining existing hedgerows, planting new trees and hedgerows with locally sourced species, and establishing wildflower margins to support pollinators.
One of the reasons, I wrote about Littleton solar farm is that it is a detailed press release with an excellent aerial photo.
- It generates 31 MW.
- It covers 77 acres.
- It can power 10,000 UK homes annually.
- It took two years to build.
- Grupotec were the main contractor.
Everything is there to give a rough estimate for a solar field.
Has Donald Trump Made Any Reasoned Comments About Lord Sugar?
This was an obvious question to ask Google AI and I received this answer.
Donald Trump has not made any significantly “reasoned” or analytical comments regarding Lord Alan Sugar. Instead, his public comments have been focused on a 2012 Twitter spat and personal attacks aimed at undermining Sugar’s business reputation.
Twitter Spats (2012): The feud escalated when Trump used Twitter to criticize Sugar’s support for wind turbines in Scotland. Trump attacked Sugar’s business acumen, stating, “If you think ugly windmills are good for Scotland you are an even worse businessman than I thought and, in my opinion, should not be doing The Apprentice”.
“Small Timer” Accusations: Trump has accused Sugar of being “not successful enough” to host The Apprentice and claimed that the show’s success in the UK was solely due to his own American format.
Personal Claims: Trump asserted that he “approved” Sugar for the British version of the show and instructed him to “drop to your knees and thank me”.
Earlier Admiration (2010): Before the feud, Trump reportedly made a positive comment to the BBC in 2010, expressing admiration for his counterpart and stating Sugar had “done great” on the show.
Lord Sugar has responded by calling Trump “useless,” “not in his class,” and a “blatant liar”.
Has Lord Sugar Made Any Reasoned Comments About Donald Trump?
This was an obvious question to ask Google AI and I received this answer.
Yes, Lord Alan Sugar has made several reasoned and critical comments regarding Donald Trump over the years, primarily focusing on Trump’s business acumen, his performance on The Apprentice, and his political actions.
Based on his public comments, primarily around 2016–2020 and later, Sugar’s views can be summarized as follows:
Apprentice Performance: Sugar has frequently argued that he is superior to Trump in the context of hosting The Apprentice, calling Trump “useless” in comparison and asserting that Trump was “not in his class”.
Business Acumen: Sugar has challenged the notion of Trump’s extreme wealth, at one point suggesting he would challenge Trump to show whose check for £100 million would clear, referring to Trump’s claims of wealth as “nonsense”.
Political Style and Media Handling: Sugar has criticized Trump’s handling of the media, describing him as “childish” for blaming media outlets and labelling him a “blatant liar”. In 2020, he referred to Trump as a “comedian” who talked “rubbish” regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that his advice was erratic and contradictory.
Trade and Policy: Sugar has criticized Trump’s economic policies, such as tariffs, describing them as “a disaster” that do not take into account the “ramifications of his actions”.
Despite these criticisms, Sugar acknowledged in 2020 that Trump possessed a “fighting spirit” that resonated with his followers.
EU, France Grant EUR 126 Million For BW Ideol’s Floating Foundation Factory
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
BW Ideol has signed the final grant agreement for up to EUR 74 million from the EU Innovation Fund for a factory in Fos-sur-Mer, France, that will produce concrete floating wind foundations. The factory, dubbed Fos3F, has also secured up to EUR 52 million from the French State.
These three paragraphs add more detail.
The final agreement for the EU Innovation Fund grant was signed on 19 March, after BW Ideol revealed in November 2025 that the Fos3F was selected for up to EUR 74 million in funding by the European Commission.
The French government awarded support for the project at the end of 2025 through the C3IV tax credit scheme, dedicated to supporting leading French companies in the Green Industry. The funding from the French State will cover up to EUR 52 million to partially fund development and capital expenditures.
According to BW Ideol, if built, the Fos3F will be a first-of-its-kind factory dedicated to the serial production of concrete floating wind foundations based on the company’s patented Damping Pool.
The factory is stated to have a capacity of thirty foundations per year.
This Google Map shows the location of Fos-sur-Mer.
Note.
- Arles is in the North-West corner.
- Marseille is in the South-East corner.
- The mouth of the Rhône River is in between.
- Fos-sur-Mer is outlined by the red-and-white border.
Google AI says there is significant steel making at the mouth of the Rhône River.
I also asked Google AI, “What turbines will BW Ideol floating foundations support? and received this reply.
BW Ideol’s floating foundations are designed to be universal, supporting all major 15 MW+ offshore wind turbines currently on the market, with scalability to future 20 MW+ platforms. Their concrete barge-type technology—using the Damping Pool® design—is compatible with both existing and next-generation turbine manufacturers.
Key Compatibility Details:
15 MW+ and 20 MW+ Turbines: The foundations are engineered for current large-scale turbines (15 MW+) and are ready to accommodate upcoming 20 MW+ turbines, with designs already certified by DNV.
Proven Technology: The technology has been in operation since 2018 at the Floatgen site in France (using a Vestas V80 2 MW turbine) and in Japan, covering both shallow and deep-water applications.
Universal Application: The design is tailored for diverse metocean conditions and is designed to support the commercial deployment of large turbines in projects like the Buchan Offshore Wind project in Scotland.
Production Scalability: The concrete floating platforms are designed for mass production, capable of being manufactured quickly in a factory setting, such as the proposed Fos-sur-Mer site, to meet the schedules of major developers.
These foundations have received Design Certification from DNV, confirming their suitability for large-scale, commercial floating wind farms.
My Thoughts:
Concrete v. Steel: I used to work with someone, who was a big advocate of concrete yachts. Also check out the Wikipedia entry for the Troll A platform, which is a concrete Norwegian gas platform.
Zero-Carbon: I wouldn’t be surprised if concrete manufacture emits less carbon, than steel.
Port Talbot: Will BW Ideol build a similar factory at Port Talbot? I wrote about the Port Talbot factory in Port Talbot To Become Offshore Wind Hub For Celtic Sea. Both sites are next to a large bay, which would be ideal for parking completed floats and a world-class steelworks.
Buchan: Buchan’s web site says it will use seventy BW Ideol floats and generate I GW, 75 km. to the North-East of Fraserburgh. Google AI said the floats will be built at the Port of Ardersier.
Will A Mini-Steel Mill Be Built At The Port Of Ardersier?
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this reply.
Yes, a £300 million green steel mill is planned for the Ardersier Port redevelopment as part of its transformation into a circular Energy Transition Facility. This facility aims to process scrap steel from decommissioned oil rigs into new materials to support offshore wind developments, alongside creating a concrete production plant.
Key details regarding the development:
Purpose: The mill is intended to process scrap from offshore decommissioning.
Technology: It is planned as a green steel plant.
Integration: It is aimed to be integrated into a new, fully circular “Energy Transition Facility”.
Context: While the facility aims for circular steel production, the port is primarily focused on becoming a hub for offshore wind and manufacturing.
Recent developments as of March 2026 suggest a focus on a “scaled back,” more achievable vision by new owners/managers, focusing on floating concrete wind turbine bases. Additionally, recent UK government intervention restricted a large Chinese-backed manufacturing plan at the site due to security concerns.
How Much Vitamin B12 Is There In A Leon Full English Breakfast Egg Pot?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Based on the ingredients of a LEON Full English Breakfast Egg Pot—which includes a poached egg, Cumberland sausage, bacon, and baked beans—this breakfast provides a substantial amount of Vitamin B12.
Estimated B12 Content: A single large egg contains roughly 0.6 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12. When combined with the pork sausage and bacon in the Full English pot, the total content likely provides a significant portion of the UK adult daily requirement of 1.5 mcg.
Key B12 Sources in the Pot: The primary sources of B12 in the pot are the free-range egg (specifically the yolk) and the meat (bacon and sausage).
Other Nutritional Highlights: The Full English Pot contains 25-28g of protein and 371-398 calories.
It certainly looks that this Leon egg pot gives a significant portion of the UK adult daily requirement of vitamin B12.
Platform 17 At Clapham Junction Station
I took these pictures at Clapham Junction station this morning.
Note.
- The double-platform 1/2 is the main platform for the London Overground at Clapham Junction station.
- Platform 1 handles trains from Stratford station via the North and West London Lines
- Platfom 2 handles trains from Dalston Junction station via the East and South London Lines
- I arrived today in Platform 2 from Whitechapel station.
- Platform 17 is decidedly curved.
- Platform 16, which is used by trains going the other way, is also curved.
- Both Platform 16 and 17 have lifts to the station’s main overbridge.
Currently, some minor upgrade work is being carried out on the station.
The Platform Layout At Clapham Junction Station
This map from CartoMetro shows the platform layout at Clapham Junction.
Note.
- Mildmay services from Stratford on the North and West London Lines are shown in blue and terminate in Platform 1.
- Windrush services from Dalston Junction on the South London Line are shown in red and terminate in Platform 2.
- Platform 17 is the Southernmost of the platforms at Clapham Junction.
Platforms are more or less numbered 1 to 17 from North to South.
How Long Did It Take Me To Walk Between Platforms 1 And 17?
It took me five minutes this morning, but the bridge wasn’t crowded.
How To Carry A Suit On A London Overground Train
I took this picture this morning on a London Overground train.
I’ve never ever seen anybody do this before.
But, I suppose it is fairly logical.
I would expect it would work on other trains, like the Underground.
Mersey Ferry To Be Decommissioned After 67 Years
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A “much-loved” ferry that has crossed the River Mersey for 67 years is being decommissioned.
These three paragraphs add more details.
Mersey Ferries confirmed The Royal Iris of the Mersey is to be replaced by the new £26m Royal Daffodil later this year.
From its launch in Devon in 1959 until a major refurbishment in 2001, The Royal Iris was named Mountwood. She was renamed on her return to service in 2002, following a major revamp.
Mersey Ferries said it was considering how best to mark her farewell “with further details to be confirmed in due course”.
When I was a student at Liverpool University, it was named Mountwood and I used it regularly.
This is a video of the ferry, that I found on Youtube.
I have a thought.
Is There Any Other Public Transport, That I Have Used Recently, That Was Built In 1957?
I can’t think of anything, except the occasional Routemaster bus.
The Anonymous Widower 