The Anonymous Widower

National Gas To Trial Gravitricity’s H2 Storage Solution

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on The Engineer.

This is the sub-heading.

Gravitricity’s H2FlexiStore system for underground hydrogen storage could see a pilot built in 2025 after National Gas secured Ofgem funding to explore the technology.

There is then a graphic, which gives a good visual explanation.

The patented system uses lined geological shafts to store up to 100 tonnes of pressurised hydrogen at 220 bar, equivalent to about 3.33GWh of energy. Unlike natural storage such as salt caverns and disused gas fields, the shafts can be sited anywhere. Gravitricity has previously stated its preference for co-locating the storage near to renewable generation and potential major consumers of hydrogen such as heavy industry.

I can see that this simple system can have a lot of diverse uses.

In Centrica Completes Work On 20MW Hydrogen-Ready Peaker In Redditch, I talked about how Centrica had refurbished a decommissioned peaker plant.

One of these stores would keep a 20 MW peaker plant running for a week.

It would also work well with a HiiROC hydrogen system.

March 12, 2024 Posted by | Energy Storage, Hydrogen | , , , , | Leave a comment

Aurizon Secures Funding To Develop Next-Generation Freight Trains Using Renewable Energy

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Aurizon.

These five paragraphs outline the project.

Australia’s largest rail freight company Aurizon, today received a major boost to its program to develop the next generation of Australian freight trains, aiming to replace diesel fuel with renewable energy sources on its locomotive fleet.

Aurizon has secured a $9.4 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop, test and trial a battery electric tender (BET) to be used in conjunction with a modified locomotive. (refer graphic below).

The tender – essentially a big battery-pack on wheels – will couple with the modified locomotive to operate as a hybrid unit using both diesel and battery-electric power sources. The tender’s battery will also harness re-generative energy captured as the train travels down grades and brakes as part of normal operation.

The ARENA grant represents half of the required funding for the ‘Battery Powered Tender for Heavy Haul Fleet Decarbonisation’ project, with the balance of the investment to be funded by Aurizon. The battery-electric tender and modified locomotive project will be built by Aurizon and technology project partner, Alta Battery Technology (Alta) at a facility in Australia, with design and technology inputs from Alta.

Aurizon appreciates the Federal Government making funding available to support the development of a range of new zero emissions technologies in the transport sector, including technologies that can be developed for application in rail-based freight supply chains that are integral to Australia’s export and domestic industries that rely on transport services.

At a first glance it appears to be suited to Aurizon and its long routes with heavy freight trains across Australia.

These are some more specific thoughts.

Alstom Have Built A Train With a Hydrogen Tender

In From 2025, Nestlé Waters France Will Use The First Hydrogen-Powered Freight Train Through An Innovative Solution Developed by Alstom and ENGIE, I describe a train powered by an electric locomotive with an attached hydrogen power unit.

The Future Of The Class 68 Locomotives

Could these be given a reduced-carbon second life, by developing a specialised tender?

I wrote about this in The Future Of The Class 68 Locomotives.

I suspect Stadler, who seem to be excellent innovators will be watching.

There Seems To Be A Lot Going On In Australia

I have written several posts about decarbonisation of freight trains in Australia.

The big mining companies certainly seem keen to decarbonise.

 

 

March 12, 2024 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment