Australia’s FFI Plans $8.4 Billion Green Hydrogen Project In Argentina
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on S & P Global.
A couple of weeks ago I had not heard of Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), but then they did the deal with JCB, that I wrote about in JCB Signs Green Hydrogen Deal Worth Billions.
This paragraph gives a few more details of the deal with Argentina.
The Australian company, which produces green hydrogen from electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, first plans to test the wind power potential in Rio Negro, a southern province in Patagonia, before building a pilot facility and then shifting into full-scale development.
This Google Map shows the Rio Negro province.
Note.
- The province is outlined in red.
- Buenos Aires is on the estuary of the River Plate in the North East corner of the map.
- Puerto Madryn is a convenient port to the South of Rio Negro, which was founded by the Welsh.
According to the article, it looks like much of the hydrogen will be shipped to Germany.
Conclusion
Fortescue Future Industries is extremely serious about hydrogen.
A Comment On The Obituary Of Sir Archie Lamb In The Times
In The Times today, there is an obituary of diplomat; Sir Archie Lamb.
This is one of the comments.
My husband comments: ‘When Lamb was knighted, he said to the Queen “may I ask something, Ma’am?” She replied “as one of my ambassadors, you may ask me anything” “ in that case, may I be knighted as Archie Lamb? I hate my given name, Albert.” “Ah,” said the Queen, “though you can change your family name, you cannot change your given name. But I can. Arise Sir Archie.” Archie told me the story, long long ago. Se non e vero, e ben trovato.’
Priceless!
RMT Head Office Closed Due To Strike Action
The title of this post, is the same as this article on ITV.
Looks like a case of the biter bit!
My First Ride On A Class 484 Train
These pictures tell the story of my first ride in a Class 484 train.
Note.
- Ryde Pier Head station could do with a refurbishment.
- The train was formed of a pair of two-car units.
- The interior shows its origins in London Underground D78 Stock.
- There is a fully-functioning information display.
- At some stations, there is step-free access between train and platform.
These are a few of my other thoughts.
Ride
This was like a D78 Stock train on a good day after a major service.
Operating Speed
I timed the train running along happily at 40 mph on my phone.
Build Quality
More 2020 than 1978.
Timekeeping
The single train was running an hourly service.
As time went on it was getting further behind schedule.
Could this have been due to the power supply not being able to power two trains at the same time, in the same place on the line?
I have just looked at the Real Time Trains figures for yesterday and they are documenting power supply and signalling problems.
It also looks like some trains lost time between Ryde St. Johns Road and Brading. Perhaps this section is short on power.
Customer Reaction
It appeared to be positive.
Portsmouth Waterfront – 1st November 2021
I took these pictures as the ferry to the Isle of White left Portsmouth.
I would have taken some of the ferry, but I caught it with just twenty seconds to spare.
A Dreadful Hot Chocolate At Woking Station
On my trip to the Isle of Wight today, to ride on the new Class 484 trains on the Island Line, I got on a Portsmouth & Southsea train, rather than one to Portsmouth Harbour station.
I was told be the guard, that it would be convenient to change at Woking station, which I did.
I took these pictures at the station.
Note.
- I alighted on Platform 5, where there is a Starbucks.
- I bought a hot chocolate in the Starbucks.
- I then moved to Platform 4 to catch my train to Portsmouth Harbour.
- It was a bit of a precarious platform transfer as the lifts are at the other end of the station.
- Where there was a Pumpkin.
It’s a pity, I didn’t wait to get my drink, as it was one of the worst Hot chocolates I’ve ever tasted.
Later I had a much better hot chocolate in another cafe at Ryde.
Bakerloo Line Extension | TfL Instructs Consultants To Work Up Tunnel Designs
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on New Civil Engineer.
This project is the Mayor’s pet, as it is good for those that vote for him in South London.
But I believe that the West London Orbital Railway should have a higher priority as it serves an area that is in massive need of improvement in public transport and can be delivered quickly and for a lot less money.
New $1 billion-plus Project In Queensland To Double World’s Green Hydrogen Production Capacity
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on ABC News.
JCB Signs Green Hydrogen Deal Worth Billions
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the first two paragraphs.
Construction equipment maker JCB has signed a deal to buy billions of pounds of green hydrogen, defined as hydrogen produced using renewable energy.
The deal means JCB will take 10% of the green hydrogen made by the Australian firm Fortescue Future Industries (FFI).
JCB are certainly going into hydrogen in a big way.
- They have demonstrated hydrogen-powered construction equipment.
- They have developed technology, so that internal combustion engines can run on hydrogen.
- Lord Bamford’s son; Jo bought Wrightbus and company supplied London’s hydrogen buses.
- Ryze, which is mentioned in the article was founded by Jo Bamford.
- JCB have made a strategic investment in electrolyser company; ITM Power.
I can see JCB making more investments in hydrogen.
In terms of green hydrogen production from renewable energy, I can see three areas providing substantial amounts of green hydrogen.
- Australia from solar and electrolysers. Australia has space and sun.
- Africa from solar and electrolysers. Africa has space and sun.
- Waters around the UK from wind and electrolysers.
As ITM Power have the world’s largest electrolyser factory in Sheffield and have recently raised money to build a second one, they could be the big winner in green hydrogen production.
But I can see JCB making hydrogen-powered equipment all over the world and supplying the hydrogen to run it.l
It should also be born in mind, that JCB know how to dominate a market.
Reopening The Askern Branch
On October 27th this Beeching Reversal Project was given £50,000 to build a case for reopening.
These are my thoughts.
The Askern Branch Line
This description of the Askern Branch Line is from Wikipedia.
The Askern branch line is a railway line which runs in North, South and West Yorkshire in England. The stretch of track runs from Shaftholme Junction north of Doncaster (on the East Coast Main Line between Doncaster and York), via Askern, Norton and Womersley to Knottingley, where it joins the Pontefract Line.
This map was also clipped from Wikipedia.
Note.
- Shaftholme junction is where the Askern Branch splits from the East Coast Main Line.
- There are three closed stations on the Askern Branch; Askern, Norton and Womersley.
- Between Shaftholme junction and Knottingley West junction, on the Pontefract Line is 10.7 miles.
- The operating speed of the line is between twenty and fifty mph.
Unbelievably, in those 10.7 miles there are nineteen level crossings.
Current Passenger Services
The only passenger services on the line are Grand Central‘s services between London King’s Cross and Bradford Interchange.
- Grand Central are an open-access operator.
- Grand Central ran the first service in 2007.
- There are four trains per day (tpd) in both directions.
- They call at Doncaster, Pontefract Monkhill, Wakefield Kirkgate, Mirfield, Brighouse, Halifax and Low Moor.
Perhaps, if they stopped at a station on the Askern Branch Line, it would give their finances a lift.
Freight Services
There are up to four freight services per hour on the line.
Askern Station
Askern station used to serve the village of Askern.
- Askern has a population of about 6,000.
- Askern used to be a spa town.
- But then coal was discovered and it became a mining village.
- Do spas and coal mining make a good mix? I doubt it.
- Eventually the station closed in September 1948.
- There is a level crossing at the station.
The village is now developing and there is pressure for the reopening of the station.
Railfuture has backed the reopening.
Norton Station
Norton station used to serve the village of Norton.
- Norton has a population of about 5,000.
- The station closed in September 1948.
- There is a level crossing at the station.
There appears to be no pressure to reopen the station, although the site is protected.
Womersley Station
Womersley station used to serve the village of Womersley.
- Womersley has a population of a few hundred.
- The station closed in September 1948.
- There is a level crossing at the station.
There appears to be no pressure to reopen the station.
Would This Project Be Better Described As Reopening Askern Station?
I can’t find any reference to reopening Norton and Womersley stations, so perhaps Reopening Askern Station would be closer to the reality.
A New Askern Station
This Google Map shows the site of the former station.
This could be a challenging station to design depending on the brief.
Services At A New Askern Station
I suspect that some or perhaps all of Grand Central’s Kings Cross and Bradford Interchange services will call.
But these don’t go to Leeds and I suspect that a service is needed to and from Leeds.
Will The Askern Line Be Electrified?
Who knows?
The Anonymous Widower 