Interview: Hitachi’s Nick Hughes On Driving Innovation In Rail Propulsion
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on The Engineer.
As with the article I discuss in Hydrogen On The Line, it is another well-written and informative article from The Engineer, where those at the sharp end of innovative rail technologies give their views.
This is the introductory paragraph.
As part of a series of articles exploring the propulsion technologies that will shape the future of key transport sectors The Engineer spoke to Hitachi Rail’s Nick Hughes about the innovations that will propel the rail sector into a low carbon future.
The Engineer asked these questions.
- What propulsion innovations will help power the rail sector towards net zero?
- Can you outline some of your organisation’s own key activities in this area?
- What are the key obstacles and challenges to developments in this area?
- What is your vision for the long-term future of propulsion in your sector?
I find the answer to the last question most interesting.
Rail is going to become increasingly digitised and integrated into other sectors involved in smart cities, mobility-as-a-service and flexible green grid. Therefore, Hitachi Rail won’t be able to stay at the forefront of innovation by its self. This is why we are focused on building partnerships with other like-minded, innovative, clean tech companies like Hyperdrive Innovation, Perpetuum and Hitachi group companies such as Hitachi ABB.
Hyperdrive Innovation is going to apply its knowledge and expertise from the automotive sector, to develop a market leading battery for Hitachi trains. Perpetuum predictive analytics improve reliability and availability of existing trains. Meanwhile, Hitachi ABB’s experience of the power sector allows our battery train solution to incorporate charging, storage and grid management. These partnerships creates an entry point into the rail market for our partners, potentially leading to future growth and jobs.
However, it is important to recognise that the established technologies of today – battery trains, discontinuous electrification and high-speed trains – are the technologies will help achieve the 2050 net zero emission target.
I would very much agree with all that is said.
Getting A Flu Jab
Ten days ago, I got a text message from my GP’s surgery, asking me to make an appointment for a flu jab.
I have phoned several times since and have not got through successfully. As I also need a B12 injection and some more Warfarin, for which I might need a quick chat on the phone from my doctor, it is getting increasingly important that I get through.
Dr. Rosemary Leonard on the BBC this morning, said that there were a lot of people wanting flu jabs this year, so I may march in to Boots, as was suggested in the text message.
Incidentally, why can the GP Surgery text me, but they have no simple way I can text or send them an e-mail from a form with Capcha to sort the bad from the good?
Healthcare and computing seem to have a match made in hell!
Environmentally-Friendly InterCity 125 Trains
InterCity 125 trains are not the most environmentally-friendly of beasts.
- They do not meet the modern emission regulations.
- They still emit a lot of carbon dioxide.
- They is also a deadline of 2040, when UK railways will be net-carbon-free.
There might also be individuals and groups, who feel that these elderly trains with so much history, should be replaced by modern zero-carbon trains.
- Would the same groups accept electrification with all the wires?
- Would the train operating companies, accept battery power with long waits for charging?
- Would hydrogen be viable on the numerous branch lines in Devon and Cornwall, with some difficult access to depots by road. Especially, if the hydrogen had to be brought from say Bristol or Southampton!
But various engineering solutions are emerging.
Biodiesel
This is probably the simplest solution and I suspect most modern engines can run on biodiesel with simple modifications. InterCity 125s have modern engines from German firm and Rolls-Royce subsidiary; MTU, so they probably have a solution in their tool-box.
Computerisation
I have never built a computer control system for anything, but I did work with the first engineers in the world, who computerised a chemical plant.
They always emphasised, if you could nudge the plant into the best area of operation, you’d have a much more efficient plant, that produced more product from the same amount of feedstock.
At about the same time, aircraft engine manufacturers were developing FADEC or Full Authority Digital Engine Control, which effectively let the engine’s control system take over the engine and do what the pilot had requested. The pilot can take back control, but if FADEC fails, the engine is dead.
But judging by the numbers of jet aircraft, that have engine failures, this scenario can’t be very common, as otherwise the tabloids would be screaming as they did recently over the 737 MAX.
Now, I don’t know whether the MTU 16V4000 R41R engines fitted to the InterCity 125, have an intelligent FADEC to improve their performance or whether they are of an older design.
If you worry about FADEC, when you fly, then read or note these points.
- Read the FADEC’s Wikipedia entry.
- Your car is likely to be heavily computerised.
- If you took a modern train or bus to the airport, that certainly will have been heavily computerised.
You could be more likely to meet someone with COVID-19 on a flight, than suffer an air-crash, depending on where you travel.
Rolls-Royce’s Staggering Development
Staggering is not my word, but that of Paul Stein, who is Rolls-Royce’s Chief Technology Officer.
He used the word in a press release, which I discuss in Our Sustainability Journey.
To electrify aviation, Rolls-Royce has developed a 2.5 MW generator, based on a small gas-turbine engine, which Paul Stein describes like this.
Amongst the many great achievements from E-Fan X has been the generator – about the same size as a beer keg – but producing a staggering 2.5 MW. That’s enough power to supply 2,500 homes and fully represents the pioneering spirit on this project.
This generator is designed for flight and the data sheet for the gas-turbine engine is available on the Internet.
- It has a weight of under a couple of tonnes compared to the thirteen tonnes of the diesel engine and generator in a Class 68 locomotive.
- It is also more powerful than the diesel.
- It looks to be as frugal, if not more so!
- Rolls-Royce haven’t said if this gas-turbine can run on aviation biofuel, but as many of Rolls-Royce’s large engines can, I would be very surprised if it couldn’t!
Rolls-Royce’s German subsidiary is a large producer of rail and maritime diesel engines, so the company has the expertise to customise the generator for rail applications.
Conclusion
I think it is possible, that the Class 43 power-cars can be re-engined to make them carbon-neutral.
Why Did WordPress Do That?
I was happily editing a post, when in the middle of typing a sentence, WordPress swapped me to the awful block editor.
How do I get rid of this load of crap?
I downloaded the classic editor plugin. How do I install it?
I thought the covids were worse, but this is much worse. All my posts are now unable to be edited.
BP And Microsoft Form Strategic Partnership To Drive Digital Energy Innovation And Advance Net Zero Goals
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Authority.
This is the introductory paragraph.
The companies intend to work together to develop new technology innovations and digital solutions to help meet their sustainability aims, including reducing energy use and carbon emissions.
I find this an interesting and possibly very important partnership.
It is an article that is well worth a read.
Conclusion
Strategic partnerships like this might be one of the moves, that will improve the world.
Google Going “Carbon Free” By 2030
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Houston Chronicle.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Tech giant Google is committing to using no form of energy that emits carbon dioxide by the end of this decade, ramping up its commitment to fighting climate change.
This looks like a good thing to me, as all those servers use a lot of electricity.
There have also been similar pledges from Microsoft and Apple.
ARM: Can ‘Crown Jewel’ Of UK Technology Be Protected?
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
These are the introductory paragraphs.
The UK government is “looking at options” to protect and ensure future investment in Cambridge-based ARM Holdings, which is being bought by US tech giant Nvidia from Japan’s Softbank.
This is a much more relaxed attitude than the government took when Softbank bought the world-leading chip designer in July 2016. At that time, Softbank announced it had agreed to legally binding commitments to increase investment, headcount and preserve its headquarters in the UK.
It is not too late for the government to impose conditions, but conversations on whether to impose them or what they might be have not even started.
Some of the original founders of ARM Holdings, would appear to be not very happy.
I have followed the company for a number of years, as I was in the same class at Liverpool University with Robin Saxby, who was ARM’s first CEO.
At great surprise to myself, I made a nice sum of money by investing in the shares at the right time.
I am less unhappy, as I think two opposite outcomes would be good for the UK.
- It all goes pear-shaped and large numbers of talented engineers in Cambridge create several children of ARM.
- Nvidia decides that the ARM model and location is better and moves the headquarters of the group to the UK. Trump and his policies could make this likely, by picking fights with countries where Nvidia and ARM have large markets.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
Bucks Council Supports New Internet Lines
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Mix96.
Buckinghamshire County Council are proposing to use the construction of the new East West Railway, as a route for extra Internet connectivity.
How sensible!
Are East West Railway and Buckinghamshire County Council talking to Hive Composites, about their next generation composite poles for a 5G-enabled railway, that won funding in the latest round of first-of-a-kind funding from Innovate UK?
Will other councils and companies be using other rail construction to advantage?
How To Get Rid Of The “Microsoft Account Problem” Notification
I get the occasional one of these notifications on my new Windows 10 computer. I just ignore them, like I do all notifications, as this is a load of rubbish, that I didn’t have to put up with on my previous Windows 7 computer, that is sadly on its last legs.
I searched the internet and found this good explanation of what to do with them. If you want the one-word answer it’s Ignore!!!
The Anonymous Widower 