The Anonymous Widower

BESS Projects Represent ‘Encouraging Progress’ in New York Efforts To Replace Dirty And Polluting Peakers

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Energy Storage News.

These are the first three paragraphs.

Battery storage is playing an active role in helping New York City retire its fleet of peaker power plants, with around 700MW of its most polluting power generation assets already fully retired.

According to a new report, 4,019MW – about two-thirds of a 6,093MW fleet – has either retired or put in place plans to replace turbines with cleaner technologies since New York adopted its climate goals and environment protection policies in 2019.

In addition to 700MW already retired, around the same amount again is actively being moved towards end of life.

Note.

  1. Just over 6,000 MW seems a lot of extra peaker power, even for a city as large as New York.
  2. But at least over 4 GW has been retired or the plans to replace it with cleaner technologies are in place.
  3. The New Yorkers certainly seem to be getting on with the conversion, with about a GW/per year either retired or planned to do so.

The article says this about batteries.

Battery storage is one of a number of different technologies that can be used to replace peaking capacity. While lithium-ion batteries with 4-hour duration might be the most directly analogous in terms of technical capability to peakers, effectively retiring the power plants could be facilitated with a combination of other resources including rooftop solar, offshore wind and energy efficiency measures.

I find the 4-hour duration interesting, but I suspect the Yanks know what they’re doing.

So if you were going to replace the 240 MW Glanford Brigg power station, which Centrica describe as a peaker station, with energy storage, you’d use a 240 MW/960 MWh battery, if you were working to New York rules.

Batteries in the UK, that I’ve talked about lately include.

Amp Hunterston – 400 MW/800 MWh – 2 hours

Amp Kincardine – 400 MW/800 MWh – 2 hours

  • Carlton Energy Park – 1040 MW/2080 MWh – 2 hours – Close to an 884 MW gas-fired power station.
  • Coalburn – 500 MW/1000 MWh – 2 hours- Close to a 946 MW collection of wind farms.
  • Gateway Energy Centre – 450 MW/900 MWh – 2 hours – Close to an 732 MW gas-fired power station.
  • Normanton Energy Reserve – 500 MW/1000 MWh – 2 hours
  • Richborough Energy Park – 100 MW/100 MWh – 1 hour
  • Spalding Energy Centre – 550 MW/1100 MWh – 2 hours – Close to an 860 MW gas-fired power station.

Note.

  1. The first field is Output/Storage Capacity.
  2. The second field is the duration.
  3. I have assumed Spalding Energy Centre is another two hour duration system, like Gateway Energy Centre, which is also being developed by Intergen.
  4. Two hours seems to be the most common duration for a UK battery.

Adding the batteries up gives a virtual 3940MW/7780MWh battery.

It amazing how they add up to quite large values. But then every little helps!

And these are only the ones I’ve talked about.

January 23, 2024 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , | Leave a comment

HyperTunnel Wins Government Backing For Revolutionary Underpass Tech

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.

This is the sub-heading.

Pioneering tunnel builders hyperTunnel have scored a major coup, securing UK government funding to showcase their revolutionary swarm construction technique at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) in South Wales.

These four paragraphs outline hyperTunnel and its demonstration project at the GCRE.

Their underpass project is one of just 16 cutting-edge schemes set to be unveiled at the GCRE’s Dulais Valley site this year. hyperTunnel’s brainchild, the swarm construction technique, harnesses the power of AI, digital surveying, and robot swarms to essentially 3D print tunnels directly in the ground, eliminating the need for messy excavation.

This futuristic approach it hopes will transform underground construction, whilst slashing costs and timeframes. It can also help contribute to waste reduction, risk prevention and help reduce a projects carbon footprint compared to the traditional cut-and-cover methods which are frequently used.

Their GCRE project will see them build a 20-metre pedestrian underpass beneath a test track, cleverly designed to keep the track operational throughout construction.

hyperTunnel’s overarching vision is to offer a financially viable alternative to perilous level crossings which it anticipates will boost safety, and increase rail capacity.

Note.

  1. To learn more visit hyperTunnel’s web site.
  2. The mission statement on the home page is Transforming Underground Construction Through AI, Machine Learning And Swarm Robotics.

I like this technology and think it will go a long way. Hopefully, in the right direction.

 

 

January 23, 2024 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , | Leave a comment