Net Zero: Alternatives To Hydrogen
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on The Chemical Engineer.
This is the introductory sub-title.
An alternative view for how the UK can achieve net zero for housing and other users, without the wholesale use of hydrogen.
I agree with a lot of what the author says.
- Better insulated houses with heat pumps, battery and thermal storage, and renewable energy.
- The production of green hydrogen for use as a chemical feedstock.
- Biofuels could be promising for heavy haulage, ships and trains.
I do think though, that he ignores, what I think will be a big market for hydrogen – the powering of vehicles like buses, trucks and freight trains in urban areas.
In fact, I believe that the hauling of freight trains, is a classic use for a battery electric locomotive, with a hydrogen-powered range extender.
Read the article!
If you follow the “400 battery trains” link wjthin the Chemical Engineer article it leads to a Railway Gazette article re battery trains for UK. Mention is made of the Dencha units Hitachi supplied to Kyushu Railway in 2016. Misleadingly this is placed next to what I presume to be a futuristic mock up.
The Dencha (JR BEC-819) units look somewhat different.
I thought you might be interested in some footage of such units running “away from the wires.”
I like the forward viewing area!
Comment by Fenline scouser | August 18, 2020 |
Thanks!
I do think that some trains need a forward facing video camera, that passengers can access over the train’s wi-fi. Ideal for keeping kids amused on long boring journeys.
Comment by AnonW | August 18, 2020 |