The Anonymous Widower

15+ MW Floating Wind Turbines to Be Tested At Norway’s METCentre

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

This is the sub-heading.

Three companies have signed contracts with Norway’s Marine Energy Test Centre (METCentre) to test new technology aimed at reducing the costs of floating offshore wind by demonstrating floaters equipped with 15+ MW turbines.

These are the first two paragraphs.

According to Norwegian Offshore Wind, this is the turbine size that will be relevant for future floating offshore wind farms.

The test area is located just a few kilometres away from the Utsira Nord zone, where Norway’s first commercial floating offshore wind farm will be located.

This sounds like the sort of sensible test philosophy, that you’d expect from the Norwegians.

October 9, 2024 Posted by | Energy | , , , | Leave a comment

Lower Thames Crossing Decision Delayed To May 2025

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

This is the sub-heading.

A decision on whether to build a new road crossing under the Thames will not now be made until at least 23 May 2025.

These are the first three paragraphs.

The Lower Thames Crossing would link Gravesend in Kent and Tilbury in Essex.

A statement from Transport Secretary Louise Haigh on Monday said the delay was “to allow more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review”.

This is the third time the decision has been extended, with previous dates of 20 June and 4 October having also been missed.

This article on RouteOne, which is entitled Further Lower Thames Crossing Delay Draws Dismay From RHA, indicates the views of the road haulage industry.

On the other hand opponents say that the building of the link will damage the Green Belt.

But then the Government’s proposed housing will do that!

I laid out various options in What Are We Going To Do For The Lower Thames Crossing?, but it just seems an intractable problem.

The Wikipedia entry for the Lower Thames Crossing is a long list of failed and abandoned proposals.

October 9, 2024 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , | Leave a comment

Wrightbus Signs Deal For Largest Ever Order

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

This is the sub-heading.

Ballymena bus manufacturer Wrightbus has signed a deal to supply more than 1,000 buses to operator Go-Ahead over the next three years.

These are the first three paragraphs.

The company said it is the largest deal in its 78-year history and will be worth up to half a billion pounds.

Go-Ahead is an international transport group and one of the UK’s largest public service providers.

Wrightbus has had a strong 2024 with 786 buses registered so far this year and it now employs more than 2,000 people.

It finally looks like Wrightbus is securely on the road again.

October 9, 2024 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , | Leave a comment

Looks Like It Was Modelled On A Steel Urinal Stolen From The Gents In A Flat-Roofed Pub

This pithy comment was put in the comments of The Times for an article on the Tesla Cybertruck.

I once saw a Hummer on the road in London, but Tesla’s monstrosity would be a lot worse.design.

The Cybertruck is certainly a design crime!

October 9, 2024 Posted by | Design, Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment