East-West Rail: Bedford’s Mayoral Candidates Split On Rail Project
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the first sentence.
Part of the route of the controversial East-West Rail project will not be decided before we know the winner of Bedford’s mayoral elections.
Unfortunately, the four candidates for Mayor all seem to have different ideas for East-West Railway through the town.
I have a few thoughts and observations.
Thameslink
Thameslink has the following connections to the East West Railway.
- Four tph at Bedford.
- Three tph at Cambridge.
Note.
- tph is trains per hour.
- All Bedford trains terminate at Bedford.
- The half-hourly Luton Airport Express between London St. Pancras and Corby stops at Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough and Kettering.
- Cambridge trains may extend to Cambridge North station.
- Cambridge has additional through services between London King’s Cross and Ely and/or King’s Lynn.
Both Bedford and Cambridge will be busy stations.
Extra Tracks At Bedford
Bedford station has four tracks; two which are generally used by Thameslink services and two main lines used by through trains.
- The fast lines must accommodate the following trains.
- East Midlands Railway – 6 tph in both directions. Two tph stop in Bedford station.
- Freight Trains – 2 tph in both directions.
- East West Railway – 2 tph in both directions. All trains will stop in Bedford station.
It strikes me, that the station may need at least one and possibly two extra tracks.
If there are extra tracks, there will need to be some demolition of houses.
Freight Trains
In Roaming Around East Anglia – Newmarket Station, I wrote this about the plans of the East West Rail Consortium in the area.
In this document on the East-West Rail Consortium web site, this is said.
Note that doubling of Warren Hill Tunnel at Newmarket and
redoubling between Coldham Lane Junction and Chippenham Junction is included
in the infrastructure requirements. It is assumed that most freight would operate
via Newmarket, with a new north chord at Coldham Lane Junction, rather than
pursuing further doubling of the route via Soham.
So would it be possible to create a double-track railway through Newmarket station?
In the related post, I came to this conclusion.
Newmarket can benefit from East West Rail, but the two parties must agree objectives that don’t cause problems for the other.
But I do think, that Newmarket will not welcome the building of a double-track railway through the town.
I do wonder, if the East West Rail Consortium plan to run freight trains between Felixstowe and South Wales and the West of England through Bedford and Oxford.
Four freight tph, through Bedford would certainly need extra tracks and the demolition of houses in the centre of Bedford.
Electrification
Two of the candidates for Bedford’s mayor, think that the line needs to be electrified.
As the route is full or partially-electrified at Didcot, Bletchley, Bedford and Cambridge, I believe that battery-electric trains could handle the route.
But then there are no plans to purchase any passenger trains of this type.
Freight trains would still need to be diesel hauled, unless more progress is made fairly quickly in the development of hydrogen-powered freight locomotives.
The Cambridge Effect
Cambridge is one of the most important cities in the world, because of its strength in innovation in high technology industries.
But Cambridge is bursting at the seams and needs more space for laboratories, advanced manufacturing and housing.
A fully-developed double-track and electrified East West Railway would open up Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich to act as satellites to help Cambridge build a shared and successful future.
The Felixstowe Effect
If Cambridge will stimulate the growth of passenger traffic, then Felixstowe will promote the growth of East-West freight traffic.
Conclusion
It may not be initially built that way, but probably by 2040, the East West Railway will be a fully-electrified double-track railway between Didcot and Felixstowe.
Extra tracks will also be needed through Bedford. This will mean demolition of houses.
Hoerbiger And HD Hyundai Infracore Cooperate On Hydrogen-Powered Combustion Engine
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Central.
These two paragraphs outline the story.
This year’s ConExpo in Las Vegas was full of surprises and amazing news. Among the stars of the exhibition was the hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) from HD Hyundai Infracore equipped with H2PFI injectors made by HOERBIGER.
This hydrogen-powered ICE can produce a power output of 300 kW (402 HP) and will see mass production in 2025. It will be installed on buses, trucks and construction equipment. While meeting Zero CO2 and Zero Impact Emission requirements it is also 25-30% more economical than battery packs or fuel cells when vehicle price and maintenance costs are considered. One fueling of 10 minutes allows the vehicle to drive for a distance of up to 500 km (310.6 miles).
The more of these stories I read about hydrogen internal combustion engines, the more they convince me, that this is the way to go.
These advantages keep repeating themselves.
- Large range.
- Quick refuelling times.
- Understandable technology.
- Suitable for heavy applications.
- Similar manufacturing to current diesel and petrol engines.
- Less exotic rare earths and metals.
- Lower environmental footprint.
- Can be converted from existing diesels.
The one thing they all need is different lean-burn fuel injection. Hence Hyundai’s tie-up with HOERBIGER.
3GW Green Hydrogen Project To Power Heavy Industry With Surplus Scottish Wind Energy
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Institute of Mechanical Engineers web site.
I have covered the Kintore Electrolyser before, but this is a professional description of the project from a respected institution, who should know what they are talking about.
I can see several other giant electrolysers being built, in places like Humberside, Merseyside, Teesside, where there are large amounts of wind power and heavy energy users in the cement, chemicals and steel industries.
There could also be one in Norfolk or Suffolk to use the masses of offshore wind power being developed.
Could The Bombardier Voyagers Be Converted To Hydrogen Power?
Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains all run versions of Bombardier Voyager trains.
- There are 103 sets in service.
- Lengths are four, five and seven cars.
- They are 125 mph trains.
- They are powered by one Cummins QSK19 diesel engine in each car.
Given Cummins’s enthusiasm for hydrogen could these diesel engines be converted to hydrogen power, so the trains could run long distance routes on zero-carbon power?
If there is no need for them in the UK, there are probably lots of places in the world that would like them!
Centrica Plan Green Energy Hub At Former Gas Power Plant
The title of this post, is the same as that of this news item from Centrica.
These three paragraphs outline the project.
A former gas fired power plant in North Yorkshire is to be turned in to a green energy hub under ambitious plans by Centrica.
The energy company has acquired the four-acre former Knapton Generating Station from Third Energy and plans to develop a 28MW battery on the site.
In addition, Centrica is exploring how Knapton could be used for off-grid hydrogen production, as well as the possibility for solar energy in the surrounding area.
Over the last few months, I’ve written about other small projects from Centrica.
- Centrica Business Solutions Begins Work On 20MW Hydrogen-Ready Peaker In Redditch
- Centrica And HiiROC To Inject Hydrogen At Brigg Gas-Fired Power Station In UK First Project
The company has also announced links with other companies.
- Centrica Announces Hydrogen Ready Combined Heat And Power Partnership With 2G
- Lhyfe And Centrica To Develop Offshore Renewable Green Hydrogen In The UK
- Centrica And Ryze Agree To Develop Hydrogen Pathway
Note, that the first concerns generators and the others concern hydrogen.
The Centrica news item about the Knapton generating station has this fourth paragraph.
The multi-million pound deal is part of Centrica Business Solutions strategic plan to create a 900MW portfolio of solar and battery assets by 2026.
It seems obvious to me that the Brigg, Knapton and Redditch projects fit this Centrica Business Solutions strategic plan, with sizes as follows.
- Brigg – 49 MW
- Knapton – 41.5 MW
- Redditch – 20 MW
I would expect to see Centrica behind several more of these smaller energy projects.
For that reason I have tagged all articles dealing with these projects as Centrica Small Energy Projects.
These are my thoughts about the Knapton generating station.
Third Energy
Third energy’s web site defines Third Energy as an unusual fossil energy company.
- The History page says that Knapton Generating Station was producing electricity using gas from the Vale of Pickering for over 25 years.
- The Net Zero Rise page describes their involvement in the Net Zero RISE consortium with Durham, Leicester and Oxford Universities.
- The Plug & Abandon and Geothermal pages are very much worth a read.
According to the Centrica news item, Third Energy will retain the ownership of the 12 well-sites and associated gas pipeline network.
I shall be watching this company and their developing relationship with Centrica.
The Net Zero RISE Consortium
The Net Zero RISE Consortium has a home page on the Newcastle University web site.
The page has this sub-heading.
Research Infrastructure for Subsurface Energy: an academic-industry partnership to deliver the UK’s first deep test sites.
This is said under a heading of Our Ambition.
This is the most cost-effective way of developing the UK’s first deep test site onshore.
Repurposing wells leverages previous capital investment. Using an onshore site with existing wells and geophysical data:
- eliminates the major cost of drilling and engineering
- reduces uncertainty by drawing on knowledge of the well and surrounding geological conditions
- is safer and easier access than offshore locations
We propose developing three test sites: CO2 storage; H2 storage and geothermal.
This seems to be a very sensible research collaboration and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more companies and universities join.
The Battery
The Centrica news item says this about the battery.
The first project at the site near Malton will be a 56MWh battery which will utilise some of the 41.5MW export capability of the existing grid connection. It’s anticipated the battery would be able to power around 14,000 homes for two hours.
This paragraph would indicate that the battery is supplying just 2 kWh per hour.
A common figure on the Internet is that the average house uses 8 kWh per day, which is 0.33 kWh per hour.
I have a feeling that the figures need correcting somewhere.
Solar Power
The third paragraph of the Centrica news item mentions solar energy.
In addition, Centrica is exploring how Knapton could be used for off-grid hydrogen production, as well as the possibility for solar energy in the surrounding area.
This Google Map shows the site.
It appears to be several hundred metres to the nearest house.
I have read a very simple rule, that says a hectare, which is about the size of a full-size football pitch can accommodate a MW of panels. Obviously Centrica will have accurate calculations.
Off-Grid Hydrogen Production
The third paragraph of the Centrica news item mentions off-grid hydrogen production.
In addition, Centrica is exploring how Knapton could be used for off-grid hydrogen production, as well as the possibility for solar energy in the surrounding area.
Consider these points about the Knapton site.
- It has been handling gas for at least twenty-five years.
- It is connected to the electricity and gas grids.
- It has connections to a dozen gas wells.
- There would be space for a smaller electrolyser.
- Hydrogen could be exported from the site, by blending into the natural gas grid.
If Third Energy and the Net Zero RISE Consortium develop Knapton as a site for their H2 Storage test well, Centrica and an off-grid hydrogen production facility would be ideal partners.
Centrica could even use the site to try out new ideas.
This appears to be one of those engineering projects, that has been thought through whilst drinking several pints of real ale in a welcoming hostelry nearby.
Geothermal Engineering
This site could be used for experiments with geothermal engineering, but there doesn’t seem many places nearby, that would need a good supply of hot water.
Conclusion
There’s more to this deal, than meets the eye.
Centrica Business Solutions Begins Work On 20MW Hydrogen-Ready Peaker In Redditch
The title of this post, is the same as that as this news item from Centrica Business Systems.
This is the sub-heading.
Centrica Business Solutions has started work on a 20MW hydrogen-ready gas-fired peaking plant in Worcestershire, as it continues to expand its portfolio of energy assets.
These three paragraphs outline the project.
Centrica has purchased a previously decommissioned power plant in Redditch, and is set to install eight UK assembled containerised engines to burn natural gas.
Expected to be fully operational later this year, the peaking power plant will run only when there is high or peak demand for electricity, or when generation from renewables is low. The Redditch project will have the capacity to power the equivalent of 2,000 homes for a full day when required, helping to maintain stability and reliability on the grid.
The engines will also be capable of burning a blend of natural gas and hydrogen, futureproofing the site and helping the UK transition towards a decarbonised energy system.
- The original power station had Rolls-Royce generators.
- Cummins and Rolls-Royce mtu and possibly other companies can probably supply the dual fuel generators.
- Cummins have received UK Government funding to develop hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines.
- This press release from Cummins, which is entitled Dawn Of A New Chapter From Darlington, gives more details on Cummins’ plans for the Darlington factory and hydrogen.
Given that Cummins manufactured sixty-six thousand engines in Darlington in 2021 and it is stated that these containerised engines will be assembled in the UK, I feel, that these engines may be from Cummins.
Centrica’s Plans
This paragraph in the Centrica Business Systems news item, outlines their plans.
The Redditch peaking plant is part of Centrica’s plans to deliver around 1GW of flexible energy assets, that includes the redevelopment of several legacy-owned power stations, including the transformation of the former Brigg Power Station in Lincolnshire into a battery storage asset and the first plant in the UK to be part fuelled by hydrogen.
As Redditch power station is only 20 MW, Centrica could be thinking of around fifty assets of a similar size.
Brigg Power Station
The Wikipedia entry for Brigg Power station gives these details of the station.
- The station was built in 1993.
- It is a combined cycle gas turbine power station.
- The primary fuel is natural gas, but it can also run on diesel.
- It has a nameplate capacity of 240 MW.
Brigg power station is also to be used as a test site for hydrogen firing.
This news item from Centrica is entitled Centrica And HiiROC To Inject Hydrogen At Brigg Gas-Fired Power Station In UK First Project.
These paragraphs from the news item explains the process.
The 49MW gas fired plant at Brigg is designed to meet demand during peak times or when generation from renewables is low, typically operating for less than three hours a day. Mixing hydrogen in with natural gas reduces the overall carbon intensity.
It’s anticipated that during the trial, getting underway in Q3 2023, no more than three per cent of the gas mix could be hydrogen, increasing to 20% incrementally after the project. Longer term, the vision is to move towards 100% hydrogen and to deploy similar technology across all gas-fired peaking plant.
HiiROC’s proprietary technology converts biomethane, flare gas or natural gas into clean hydrogen and carbon black, through an innovative Thermal Plasma Electrolysis process. This results in a low carbon, or potentially negative carbon, ‘emerald hydrogen’.
Because the byproduct comes in the form of a valuable, solid, pure carbon it can be easily captured and used in applications ranging from tyres, rubbers and toners, and in new use cases like building materials and even as a soil enhancer.
It looks to me, that HiiROC are using an updated version of a process called pyrolysis, which is fully and well-described in this Wikipedia entry. This is the first paragraph.
The pyrolysis (or devolatilization) process is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures, often in an inert atmosphere. It involves a change of chemical composition. The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro “fire”, “heat”, “fever” and lysis “separating”.
Pyrolysis is more common than you think and is even used in cooking to do things like caramelise onions. This is a video of a chef giving a demonstration of caramelising onions.
On an industrial scale, pyrolysis is used to make coke and charcoal.
I came across pyrolysis in my first job after graduating, when I worked at ICI Runcorn.
ICI were trying to make acetylene in a process plant they had bought from BASF. Ethylene was burned in an atmosphere, that didn’t have much oxygen and then quenched in naphtha. This should have produced acetylene , but all it produced was tonnes of black soot, that it spread all over Runcorn.
I shared an office with a guy, who was using a purpose-built instrument to measure acetylene in the off-gas from the burners.
When he discovered that the gas could be in explosive limits, ICI shut the plant down. The Germans didn’t believe this and said, that anyway it was impossible to do the measurement.
ICI gave up on the process and demolished their plant, but sadly the German plant blew up.
It does look like HiiROC have tamed the process to be able to put hydrocarbons in one end and get hydrogen and carbon black out the other.
I wonder how many old and possibly dangerous chemical processes can be reimagined using modern technology.
It certainly appears that Centrica are not holding back on innovation.
Conclusion
I’ve never run a large electricity network. Not even a simulated one.
But I’m fairly sure that having a large number of assets of different sizes, that can be optimised to the load and the fuel available, creates a more reliable and efficient network.
Heavy energy users may even have their own small efficient power station, that is powered by gases piped from the local landfill.
Angus Peter Campbell: I’m In Two Minds About The Renewable Energy Revolution
The title of the post, is the same as that of this article in the Aberdeen Press and Journal.
This is the sub-heading.
The debate (argument) between development and environmentalism is as old as the hills.
In the article, Campbell puts all sides of the arguments over the Coire Glas pumped storage hydro-electric scheme, and the article is very much a must read.
I feel that this 1500 MW/30 GWh scheme should be built, as like Hinckley Point C and Sizewell C, it takes a large bite out of the new energy storage capacity that is needed.
But if we do build this large project, we should think very hard about how we do it.
These are a few thoughts.
Low Carbon, Disturbance And Noise During Construction
High Speed Two are doing this and I wrote about it in HS2 Smashes Carbon Target.
I do subject though, that increasingly large construction projects can go this way.
Electric Trucks, Cranes And Other Equipment
High Speed Two and big mining companies are increasingly using electric mining trucks, cranes and other equipment.
As this sort of equipment, also provides a better environment for workers, I suspect we’ll see more electric equipment.
Hydrogen Trucks And Construction Equipment
Hydrogen could play a big part and rightly so.
It is ideal for heavier equipment and one of its biggest advocates and developers is JCB.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a decision about an onsite electrolyser being made soon.
Low Carbon Concrete
There are various methods of making low- and zero-carbon concrete, some of which incorporate carbon dioxide into the material.
Use Of Loch Lochy And The Caledonian Canal
I wouldn’t be surprised if just as the Thames in London was used in the construction of Crossrail and the Northern Line extension, Loch Lochy and The Caledonian Canal will be used to take out construction spoil.
There’s certainly a lot of ways to be innovative in the movement of men and materials.
Conclusion
The construction of Coire Glas will make an epic documentary.
SSE Thermal Secures 10-year Contracts For Two New Low-Carbon Power Stations In Ireland
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from SSE.
These first two paragraphs outline the two projects.
SSE Thermal, as part of SSE plc, has provisionally secured 10-year capacity agreements for its two proposed new-build power stations in Ireland which would run on sustainable biofuel.
The proposed low-carbon units at Tarbert in Co. Kerry and Platin in Co. Meath received the contracts in the T-4 Capacity Auction to commence in the 2026/27 delivery year.
Note.
- Both plants would help to protect security of supply and provide flexible backup to Ireland’s growing renewables sector.
- This Wikipedia entry is entitled Renewable Entry In Ireland and states that by the end of 2021, Ireland had 4.4 GW of onshore wind, with the intention of adding 5 GW of offshore wind, by 2030.
- The proposed units will initially run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (or HVO), which is produced by processing waste oils to create a fossil-free alternative to diesel in accordance with EU sustainability standards.
- It looks like the two new-build HVO-powered station will back up the renewables.
- It is intended that the two new power stations will be in operation in 2026.
The two new power stations will be convertible to hydrogen in the future.
As at Keadby in Lincolnshire, which I wrote about in SSE Thermal Charts Path To Green Hydrogen Future With First-Of-A-Kind Project. it looks like SSE have developed a comprehensive plan to keep the electricity at full power, even when the wind isn’t blowing.
Conclusion
SSE Thermal are showing that in addition to gas, nuclear and pumped storage hydroelectric, renewables can also be backed up by biomass.
First Demonstration Of Low-Cost Green Hydrogen Tech Launched By Advanced Ionics
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Fuel News.
Advanced Ionics has announced its Early Access Program, sponsored by the Repsol Foundation. This program will be a paid pilot study. Their low-cost green hydrogen production processes are powered by the Symbion electrolyzer technology, which uses process waste heat and is up to 50% more efficient than other technologies. Through the Early Access Program, Advanced Ionics hopes to provide customers with confidence in the potential of its technology. The program is part of an effort from the foundation to support entrepreneurships spearheading industrial decarbonization tech.
Note.
- At a first glance this looks promising.
- Electrolysis and waste heat is suggesting high temperature electrolysis, which appears to be more efficient.
- I suspect that the Repsol Foundation has plenty of funds.
- Advanced Ionics have a comprehensive web site.
I shall add this to my list of electrolyser technology to watch.
NI Green Hydrogen Projects Win Government Grants
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Two green hydrogen projects in Northern Ireland have won government grants in the first round of the UK Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.
These three paragraphs outline the projects.
Green hydrogen is made by using renewable electricity to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen – a process called electrolysis.
The grants will be used to help fund the construction of electrolysers.
One will be at the Mannok cement plant in Fermanagh, the other at Wrightbus in Ballymena.
I talked about the Wrightbus project in Ballymena: Wrightbus To Develop Hydrogen Production Facility.
The Anonymous Widower 