Is Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Trucking Almost Ready For Prime Time?
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Freight Waves.
It is a comprehensive article, that discusses hydrogen-powered trucks with respect to the United States.
Some quick points from the article.
- Companies are looking at dedicated routes.
- California with its emissions legislation, will be in the forefront of hydrogen trucks in the US.
- Nikola will build hydrogen filling stations to support big customers.
- Toyota are using the same fuel cells in passenger cars and the largest trucks.
- Toyota are trialling their trucks on short runs from the ports in the Los Angeles area.
There does seem to be a lot of US companies getting involved in hydrogen.
The article is definitely a must-read.
Some of the applications mentioned for hydrogen trucks are more about heavy loads over short distances, than taking a load half-way across the US.
These applications will possibly mean.
- Back-to-base refuelling.
- More running in urban areas.
- Large reductions in emissions and pollution.
As fleets get larger, it might be economic for a fleet to have its own system to provide the hydrogen, as the hydrogen-buses do in Pau.
I suspect that roll-out of these applications could be helped by some well-designed tax incentives.
Approaching Kings Cross – 19th February 2021
I took these pictures approaching Kings Cross.
Comparing these pictures to those in Approaching Kings Cross – 6th January 2021, show that work is progressing.
Highview Power Begins 2021 With 4 GWh Of CRYOBattery Storage In Global Pipeline
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Solar Builder.
Read the article to find out how Highview Power are progressing with partners, offices and projects all over the world.
Not bad for an idea, that was invented in a garage in Bishops Stortford.
The article points to this video produced by the BBC.
If there’s one new venture, I wish I’d have a share of, it is this one.
- One of the projects, I worked on at ICI was optimising the size of a new plant to make plastic granules. I learned a great deal about how process plants can be scaled and their mathematics and economics.
- I believe that Highview Power’s CRYOBaterries fit with everything I know and are just world-class process engineering arranged in a unique way, which means they can be built in any country, where modern process plant technology is available and can be run and serviced by skilled engineers and technologists.
- Their partnership with the likes of Sumitomo Heavy Industries means, Highview Power, probably has access to the best technology, for some of the components needed.
After reading the article in Solar Builder, I now feel that Highview Power are on their way!
One of the first places, I shall visit after lockdown ends is Carrington near Manchester, to take pictures of the site of Highview Power’s 50 MW/250 MWh system, that is being built at Carrington.
TfL Confirms Northern Line Extension Work Is ‘On Track’
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Wandsworth Guardian.
It is good to hear, that there has been no further delays.
Part of the article talks about the use of the Kennington Loop, which is shown in this visualisation from at least a century ago.
But what I found useful was speculation about the services after the extension opens.
However, it is thought that when the new stations open, 16 trains per hour will carry on to Nine Elms and Battersea, leaving just eight trains per hour terminating at Kennington and travelling around the loop.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised to see all trains going to Battersea Power Station station, as it might be operationally easier and the higher frequency may attract more passengers.
A Class 66 Locomotive At Stratford
I’ve needed a generic photograph of a Class 66 locomotive for some time and one obliged at Stratford.
The sooner these are replaced with a modern more environmentally-friendly locomotive the better.
Artwork At Hackney Wick
I took these pictures as I walked from the 30 bus to Hackney Wick station to get to Stratford.
Hackney Wick station and the subway with its mural in concrete, appears to be complete.
The Anonymous Widower 