Green Hydrogen to Flow From Denmark To Germany From 2028
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Central.
These are the two introductory paragraphs.
Green hydrogen to flow from Denmark to Germany from 2028.
The climate minister, Lars Aagaard, and the German economy and climate minister, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, signed an agreement in Copenhagen to build a land-based hydrogen pipeline from Denmark to Germany, which will commence operations in 2028.
The article also says this about the hydrogen infrastructure to Germany.
An underground hydrogen pipeline from western Jutland will probably be used to transfer the hydrogen to northern Germany. The capacity of the new pipeline was not confirmed.
I can see the UK having the means to export hydrogen to Europe.
Cross Border Railway £10million Feasibility Study Due To Get ‘Underway Imminently’
Thw title of this post, is the same as that of this article on ITV.
These three paragraphs introduce the article.
A £10million feasibility study into expanding the Borders Railway to Carlisle is due to get “underway imminently”.
Penrith and the Border MP Dr Neil Hudson discussed the plans at Parliament with Scotland Minister, John Lamont.
There have been calls for the service to be extended past Tweedbank to Carlisle taking in towns and villages including Longtown, Hawick and St Boswells.
This finally looks like a serious move by the Government.
But then there’s an election coming!
ZeroAvia To Bring Zero-Emissions Flight To Sweden
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on AviationSourceNews.
These three paragraphs outline the deal.
ZeroAvia has announced this week that it has struck a deal to bring zero-emissions flights to Sweden.
Such a deal has been struck to allow commercial routes from Skellefteå Airport using hydrogen-electric powertrains with Braathens Airlines.
Braathens Airlines operates a fleet of 14 ATR 72 aircraft, which will eventually have these powertrains utilized for flights across Sweden.
ZeroAvia are also targeting de Havilland Canada Dash 8 airliners for conversion to hydrogen.
Wales’ Inaugural Hybrid Train Service Launches On The Borderlands Line
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Today marks a historic day for the Welsh rail sector, seeing the introduction of the first battery-hybrid trains used in regular passenger service on the Borderlands Line between Wrexham and Bidston, as announced by Transport for Wales (TfW).
The inaugural service for the Class 230 trains left Wrexham Central at 07:31, following months of testing and crew training.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go very well, as some trains were late and there were several rail replacement buses and cancellations.
I’m afraid, Vivarail’s ambitious project is starting to look like a heroic failure.
Could Stadler Rescue The Borderlands Line?
Perhaps the solution for the Borderlands Line, which is only 27.5 miles each way, is to ask Stadler for an estimate to extend Merseyrail’s Class 777 trains to Wrexham Central station.
- Trains would use battery power between Bidston and Wrexham.
- Passengers would not need to change trains to go between Liverpool and Wrexham.
- Trains would go round the rail loop under Liverpool, where they would charge their batteries.
- There may need to be some form of charging in Wrexham.
I’m sure the good people Merseyside and North Wales wouldn’t object, but the politicians in Cardiff might!
The UK-Wide Need For Self-Powered Trains
Consider.
- The UK needs a substantial number of two-, three- and four-car self-powered trains.
- A proportion of these trains will run on partially-electrified routes.
- 100 mph trains would be preferable.
- Some routes would need trains capable of using third-rail electrification.
They are also needed urgently.
Will Mark 3’s Save The Day?
Consider.
- The only Mark 3 electric multiple units still running or in a state good enough to be converted are the thirty-four three-car Class 320 trains and perhaps fifty four-car Class 321 trains.
- Class 317 and Class 318 trains are probably too old to convert.
- A Class 319 train is a very inferior train from a passengers point of view to the Class 321 Renatus.
As some of these like the thirty Class 321 Renatus have been refurbished and given AC transmissions, it might be a good idea to build a few prototypes and try them out on various routes to assess their quality, reliability and performance.
But this route would only give about eighty three- and four-car trains.
It wouldn’t supply any two-car trains.
Sadly, the twenty-four two-car Class 456 trains, which could have been converted have all been recently scrapped.
Are There Any Other Trains That Can Be Converted?
There are several fleets of modern trains, that might be available.
- Four-car Class 350 trains
- Four-car Class 360 trains
- Four-car Class 379 trains
- Four-car Class 386 trains
There may also be some three- and four-car Bombardier Electrostars.
Again, there is a shortage of two-car trains, except for thirty-nine Class 466 trains.
- They are Networkers.
- They were built in the 1990s.
- They were refurbished ten years ago.
- They are third-rail trains.
- They are not in bad condition.
- Their operating speed is only 75 mph.
But they would probably be a hard train to convert and would only be a stopgap.
Conclusion
I am led to the conclusion, that there is a large gap in the UK rail network for a two-car train with this specification.
- Battery-electric operation.
- 100 mph operation
- Battery range of at least eighty miles.
- Quality interior.
- Ability to run on 25 KVAC overhead and/or 750 VDC third-rail electrification.
- Ability to add a third-car in the middle to create a three-car train.
Effectively, they would be a replacement for the Class 170 diesel trains.
Coffee With Added Lift
I took these pictures outside Clapham North station.
As my hands were full and I was in a hurry, I didn’t stop.
Work Underway At Motspur Park Station In South London
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Business Daily.
These two paragraphs outline the project.
Network Rail has announced that £8.9 million is being invested in new lifts and walkways installed among other upgrades at Motspur Park station in south London.
Network Rail is working with South Western Railway and the London Borough of Merton Council to install a step free footbridge as part of the Government’s Access for All programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).
I visited the station this morning and took these pictures.
Note.
- When Motspur Park station was built in 1925, I must assume that there were no persons of restricted mobility.
- According to some commentators, it sounds like Network Rail and its partners are going for a complete rebuild.
- Did the Woodworm Preservation Society protest at the new design?
- Some new trains to serve the station would surely help too!
It should open in early 2024.
I shall be interested to see how the new station alters passenger numbers.
Air Liquide Paves The Way For Ammonia Conversion Into Hydrogen With New Cracking Technology
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Central.
These two paragraphs outline the story.
Air Liquide announces the construction of an industrial scale ammonia (NH3) cracking pilot plant in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. When transformed into ammonia, hydrogen can be easily transported over long distances. Using innovative technology, this plant will make it possible to convert, with an optimized carbon footprint, ammonia into hydrogen (H2).
With this cracking technology, Air Liquide will further contribute to the development of hydrogen as a key enabler of the energy transition.
I think this could be very significant, in the development of hydrogen as an industrial fuel for heavy energy users.
The Anonymous Widower 