The Anonymous Widower

Vestas and Vattenfall Sign 1.4 GW Preferred Supplier Agreement For UK Offshore Wind Project And Exclusivity Agreements For 2.8 GW For Two Other UK Projects

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

These are the first two paragraphs.

Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest producers and retailers of electricity and heat, and Vestas have signed agreements to elevate the partnership between the two companies and their offshore wind business towards 2030. The agreements are another step in the right direction for offshore wind energy in the UK and follow the UK Government’s recent announcement about the parameters for the next Contracts for Difference Auction round, which sent a very positive signal to renewable energy investors.

The agreements for the three projects include a preferred supplier agreement (PSA) for the 1,380 MW Norfolk Vanguard West project, comprising 92 of Vestas’ V236-15 MW offshore wind turbine. Vattenfall and Vestas have further signed exclusivity agreements for the Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Boreas projects with a total installed capacity of 2,760 MW. The two latter projects will potentially feature up to 184 V236-15 MW turbines. Once installed, the agreements also include that Vestas will service the projects under long-term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service contracts. The agreements are another step forward for what will be one of the largest offshore wind zones in the world, with a capacity to power over 4 million UK homes.

It looks like Norfolk Boreas is back on Vattenfall’s list of active projects.

Vattenfall’s Norfolk zone now includes the following.

  • Norfolk Vanguard West – 92 x V236-15 MW – 1380 MW
  • Norfolk Vanguard East – 92 x V236-15 MW – 1380 MW
  • Norfolk Boreas – 92 x V236-15 MW – 1380 MW

Note.

  1. All turbines appear identical.
  2. The deal includes long-term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service contracts.
  3. 276 identical turbines plus service contracts looks like a good deal for Vestas.

Since I wrote Vattenfall Stops Developing Major Wind Farm Offshore UK, Will Review Entire 4.2 GW Zone in July 2023, which has this sub-heading.

Vattenfall has stopped the development of the Norfolk Boreas offshore wind power project in the UK and will review the way forward for the entire 4.2 GW Norfolk Zone, the Swedish energy company revealed in its interim report.

I have written the following posts.

It appears that with the deal announced with Vestas, Vattenfall now have everything they need to develop 4.2 GW of offshore wind.

  • The O & M base will be Great Yarmouth.
  • SeAH will build the monopile foundations on Teesside. Will all monopiles be identical?
  • An energy price rise could change the cash flow of the project.
  • Aker Solutions will build the offshore substations.Will all sub-stations be identical?
  • Vestas will build the wind turbines.Will all turbines be identical?

Nothing has been said since July 2023 about how the power will be brought ashore.

In February 2022, I wrote Norfolk Wind Farms Offer ‘Significant Benefit’ For Local Economy, where I published this map from Vattenfall, which shows the position of the farms and the route of the cable to the shore.

Note.

  1. The purple line appears to be the UK’s ten mile limit.
  2. Norfolk Boreas is outlined in blue.
  3. Norfolk Vanguard West and  Norfolk Vanguard East are outlined in orange.
  4. Cables will be run in the grey areas.
  5. Cables to deliver 4.1 GW across Norfolk to the National Grid, will bring out the Nimbys in droves.

Landfall of the cables will be just a few miles to the South of the Bacton gas terminal.

In SeAH To Deliver Monopiles For Vattenfall’s 2.8 GW Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Project, I asked if there could be an alternative approach.

Consider.

  • If Vattenfall develop all three wind farms; Boreas, Vanguard East and Vanguard West, they will have 4.2 GW of capacity, when the wind co-operates.
  • But East Norfolk is not noted for industries that need a large amount of electricity.
  • I also feel, that the locals would object to a steelworks or an aluminium smelter, just like they object to electricity cables.

But would they object to a 4 GW electrolyser?

Could this be Vattenfall’s alternative approach?

  • A giant electrolyser is built close to the landfall of the cable to the wind farms.
  • The hydrogen could be piped to Bacton, where it could be blended with the UK’s natural gas.
  • Bacton also has gas interconnectors to Balgzand in the Netherlands and Zeebrugge in Belgium. Could these interconnectors be used to export hydrogen to Europe?
  • The hydrogen could be piped to Yarmouth, where it could be exported by tanker to Europe.

There would be only a small amount of onshore development and no overhead transmission lines to connect the wind farms to the National Grid.

There would be even less onshore development, if the electrolyser was offshore.

From their decisions, Vattenfall seem to have a new plan.

 

December 20, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Thousands Pay More Tax In ‘Chaotic’ Yousaf Budget

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.

It has this sub-heading.

Efforts to plug £1.5bn funding hole put Scotland at a disadvantage, say business leaders

I have a feeling that the rise in  income tax will have unintended consequences.

The UK’s Current Hydrogen Plans

Last week, the UK Government announced grants for eleven big hydrogen projects, around the UK, with two in Scotland. The new Scottish electrolysers will be playing a large part in decarbonising the Scotch whisky industry and HGVs.

I wrote Major Boost For Hydrogen As UK Unlocks New Investment And Jobs to describe the investments scope and benefits.

The Government estimated that these grants will create 700 jobs, across the UK.

How many quality high-paid jobs will this funding create in Scotland? As two of the eleven projects are based in Scotland, it could be around 127 quality jobs.

More UK Hydrogen Plans Are On The Way

The Government also indicated that this was only the first stage of bringing hydrogen production to the UK, so I will expect more high-paid quality jobs will be created.

Projected UK Offshore Wind Power

This Wikipedia entry is a list of all installed, under-construction and proposed offshore wind farms in the UK.

Aggregating the new unbuilt wind farms says the following capacity will very likely be installed in the UK in the next few years.

  • Scotland – 32, 750 MW.
  • England – 25,558 MW
  • Wales – 700 MW

As more proposals have been called for, particularly in the Celtic Sea, I don’t think it would be unreasonable to add perhaps another 10,000 MW.

Wind farms are also proposed for around the island of Ireland and in the waters of the Channel Islands.

Upgrading Of The National Grid

These three posts could well be forerunners of other posts, I will write in the next few months.

National Grid is increasing its capacity at a fast pace and will need a large number of quality engineers.

Crossrail And Electrical Engineers/Electricians

I suspect we’ll find, that when a report on the late delivery of Crossrail is published, an electrician shortage will get some of the blame.

I have friends, who are electricians. Because of the shortage of trained electricians, they were offered fortunes to work on Crossrail.

Do We Have Enough Engineers?

For all the reasons I have outlined, our path to net-zero will need a lot of trained electrical engineers and electricians and just as Crossrail showed, when there is a shortage of labour in a particular area, remuneration rises.

Electrical engineers and electricians in the British Isles will be able to pick and choose the jobs they take, just as they did with Crossrail and the other major projects being built at the same time.

Effects On Scotland

If you were an engineer, who had skills and could work on these projects, would you prefer to work on a project, where the tax rate was lower?

Scotland’s tax rise will harm their decarbonisation ambitions.

Surely, the Greens should have vetoed a tax increase, which will inevitably slow their progress to net-zero?

Or are Greens a tad short of the grey matter?

Conclusion

I believe the Scottish government has shot itself in the foot.

 

December 20, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Finance & Investment, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Major Boost For Hydrogen As UK Unlocks New Investment And Jobs

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

These three bullet points, act as sub-headings.

  • Eleven new production projects will invest around £400 million up front over the next 3 years, growing the UK’s green economy

  • More than 700 jobs to be created, representing the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe

  • New certainty for industry as government sets out hydrogen ambitions, including future production, transport and storage rounds

These two paragraphs outline the investment.

Over 700 jobs will be created across the UK in a world-leading hydrogen industry from the South West of England to the Highlands of Scotland, backed by £2 billion in government funding over the next 15 years.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho today (Thursday 14 December) announced backing for 11 major projects to produce green hydrogen – through a process known as electrolysis – and confirmed suppliers will receive a guaranteed price from the government for the clean energy they supply.

Note.

  1. This represents the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe.
  2. It is green hydrogen produced by electrolysis.
  3. The projects appear to be distributed around the UK.
  4. 125 MW of new hydrogen for businesses will be delivered.

I detailed the shortlist in Hydrogen Business Model / Net Zero Hydrogen Fund: Shortlisted Projects Allocation Round 2022, which used this press release from the Government as source.

Projects And Topics

This notice from the Government lists the eleven successful projects.

Projects and topics mentioned in the notice include.

Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen

I was very impressed, when I went to see the public exhibition of this project.

  • One of the reasons for building the electrolyser, is that Bradford has too many steep hills for electric buses, so will have to use more powerful hydrogen buses.
  • I also got talking to a Bradford councillor, who said that they were going to use hydrogen to attract businesses to the city.
  • It’s also rather large with a capacity of 24.5 MW.

The press release also gives this comment from Gareth Mills, Managing Director at N-Gen who said.

This is an important and exciting project, not just for Bradford, but also for the wider area and the community that lives here, so we are delighted to now have financial backing from government to allow us to start work on the site.

Bradford Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and we believe this facility will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions.

We know hydrogen can support decarbonising all energy types including transport, and producing green hydrogen is central to this, so we’re really excited to work with Hygen to deliver this development.

I very much feel that other large towns and cities will follow Bradford’s example.

Carlton Power

Carlton Power is a developer, who have been successful with bids for three hydrogen production projects.

The links go to the respective web sites.

The press release also gives this comment from Eric Adams, Carlton Power’s Hydrogen Projects Director who said.

We are delighted with today’s announcement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).  Securing contracts for each project – totalling 55MW of capacity and an investment of c£100 million, and each with planning consent – is a major achievement and places Carlton Power among the leading British companies that are helping to build the hydrogen economy in the UK.

The press release also gives this comment from Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power who said.

We are supporting UK industry to decarbonise their operations, supporting the UK’s efforts to reach net zero and we are a catalyst for green investment and jobs into the UK regions.  Working with our financial partners, Schroders Greencoat, we can now work towards Final Investment Decisions for each scheme in the early part of next year and thereafter work to have the 3 enter commercial operation within 2 years.

Carlton Power seem pleased, they got all the projects, they wanted.

Cromarty Hydrogen Project

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project has a web site, where this is said about the background of the project.

This Proposed Development would form part of the North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme recognised in the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan1 The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme is a strategic programme in line with the Scottish Government’s resolve to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045 and the UK Government’s ambition by 2050. The programme is aimed at developing hydrogen production hubs across the North of Scotland to supply hydrogen, initially to meet industrial and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) transport demand in the near term and then expand to cater to additional hydrogen demands in the future.

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project is the first project in the Scotland Hydrogen Programme. It originated from a collaboration between the Port of Cromarty Firth, ScottishPower, Glenmorangie, Whyte & Mackay and Diageo and the project originator, Storegga during the feasibility stage. This project is looking to develop a green hydrogen production hub in the Cromarty Firth region and revolves around the local distilleries forming the baseload demand for early phases of the project, which would enable them to decarbonise in line with their own ambitions and sector targets.

Note.

  1. In Cromarty Firth And Forth To Host First Green Freeports, I talk about how Cromarty Firth is going to be a green freeport.
  2. The electrolyser is a medium-sized one at 10.6 MW.
  3. Initially HGVs will take a large part of the output.

The distillers seem to be playing a large part. I assume it it’s because distilling needs a lot of heat to boil off all the water from a spirit.

The press release also gives this comment from Sarah Potts, Storegga’s Hydrogen Managing Director, who said.

After a lot of hard work by the integrated Storegga and ScottishPower project team, particularly over the past 18 months since the UK government launch of HAR1, I’m delighted that Cromarty has been selected by the UK government Department of Energy Security and Net Zero as one of 11 projects to be awarded a funding support contract. As an SME originating from North East Scotland, I believe Storegga is able to bring a unique perspective and ambition to deliver decarbonisation solutions for Scottish industry. We look forward to now being able to take the project forward to a final investment decision in 2024, with first production in 2026 and continuing to grow our hydrogen investments in the region.

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project appears to be a local project developed to satisfy a local need, but within Government policy.

Green Hydrogen 3

I wrote about this project in Government Hydrogen Boost To Help Power Kimberly-Clark Towards 100% Green Energy Target.

It is being developed by HYRO at Northfleet for Kimberly-Clark.

The press release also gives this comment from Alex Brierley, co-head of Octopus Energy Generation’s fund management team, who said.

This is a major milestone as this funding will enable HYRO to roll out green hydrogen projects at scale in hard-to-electrify industrial processes. Our first project will be working with Kimberly-Clark to flush away fossil fuels when manufacturing Andrex and Kleenex. We’ve got a big pipeline of projects to help even more industrial businesses decarbonise – and we’re on track to invest billions in this sector.

Note.

  1. Will Andrex become the bog-roll of choice for the supporters of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil?
  2. Octopus Energy seem to be getting their fingers into lots of projects.
  3. I suspect that Octopus Energy will need billions.

I very much like the way that Kimberly-Clark are going and it will be interesting, if they bring out a sales philosophy based on low-carbon manufacture.

Hydrogen Blending

The press release talks of hydrogen blending.

Ministers have also announced their decision to support hydrogen blending in certain scenarios – subject to an assessment of safety evidence and final agreement.

Currently, less than 1% of the gas in distribution networks is hydrogen. Under proposals, hydrogen could be blended with other gases in the network as an offtaker of last resort, working to reduce costs in the hydrogen sector by helping producers, and to support the wider energy system.

Hydrogen blending may help achieve the UK’s net zero ambitions, but would have a limited and temporary role as the UK moves away from the use of natural gas.

When I was a wet-behind-the-ears young engineer working on ICI’s hydrogen plant at Runcorn in the 1960s, one of the topics over coffee was how can ICI find more markets for the hydrogen they produce. I suspect a lot of the excess hydrogen went to raise steam in ICI’s power station. That wasn’t very efficient or profitable.

But suppose it is deemed safe to have up to 5 % of hydrogen in the natural gas supply. Then an electrolyser operator, would know they have an offtaker of last resort, which would in effect set a minimum price for the hydrogen.

  • I believe this could help their sales of hydrogen to heavy gas users, within easy reach by pipeline or truck of the electrolyser.
  • It might also attract businesses with a heavy energy usage or large carbon emissions to relocate close to an electrolyser.

Allowing hydrogen blending will also mean that no expensive hydrogen is wasted.

The government’s proposal on hydrogen blending is very sensible.

Hydrogen In Home Heating

The press release says this about using hydrogen for home heating.

Ministers have decided not to proceed with a hydrogen trial in Redcar, as the main source of hydrogen will not be available. The government recognises the potential role of hydrogen in home heating and will assess evidence from the neighbourhood trial in Fife, as well as similar schemes across Europe, to decide in 2026 whether and how hydrogen could help households in the journey to net zero.

I believe the ideal way to heat homes and other buildings depends on what is available at the building’s location.

Promising ideas are coming through, but I haven’t seen one that will suit my circumstances.

But something will come through and my engineering instinct says it will be powered by natural gas and the carbon will be captured. The system would probably work on a district-wide basis.

HyMarnham

HyMarnham is probably the most unusual of the projects.

It is a collaboration between J G Pears and GeoPura.

J G Pears describe themselves like this on their web site.

JG Pears is one of the UK’s leading processors of animal by-products and food waste. Pioneering environmentally-aware practices since we started out in 1972, we play a vital role in the agricultural and food industries.

GeoPura has this mission statement on their web site.

GeoPura has a totally zero-emissions answer to how we’re going to generate, store and distribute the vast amount of energy required to decarbonise our global economies. Clean fuels. Green fuels. We believe that renewable energy is the future.

It appears that a 9.3 MW electrolyser will be built on the site of the demolished High Marnham coal-fired power station, which is shown on this Google Map.

Note.

  1. The River Trent runs North-South across the map.
  2. There are two villages of High and Low Marnham in the middle of the map.
  3. The circles at the top of the map indicate the cooling towers of the demolished High Marnham power station.
  4. The High Marnham power station site is now owned by J G Pears.
  5. J G Pears Newark site is to the West of Low Marnham village.
  6. In the North-East corner of the map is the Fledborough viaduct, which crosses the River Trent.
  7. Network Rail’s High Marnham Test Track runs East-West across the map and uses the Fledborough viaduct to cross the Trent.

This second Google Map shows a close up of the former power station site.

Note.

  1. Network Rail’s High Marnham Test Track runs East-West across the map at the top.
  2. The remains of High Marnham power station can be clearly seen.
  3. The sub-stations that connected the power station to the grid are still in place.

This article on Energy-Pedia is entitled UK: HyMarnham Power’s Green Hydrogen Project Shortlisted for UK’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and contains this paragraph.

Harnessing the expertise of GeoPura and JG Pears, the site will be powered by 43 MW of new solar energy and utilises 8MW of electrolysers; establishing a long-term supply of low carbon hydrogen in the region.

Note that the electrolysers are now sized at 9.3 MW.

It looks to me like one or both companies wanted an electrolyser and J G Pears had the site, so engineers and executives of the two companies got together in a decent real ale pub, started thinking and the result is HyMarnham.

  • Electricity can come from the solar panels or the National Grid.
  • Excess solar electricity can be exported through the National Grid.
  • There is plenty of space on the site for a hydrogen filling station for vehicles.
  • There could even be a filling point for refueling hydrogen-powered trains on the High Marnham Test Track.

The Energy-Pedia article indicates that GeoPura and JG Pears would like to get started this year.

Could the partners install a small electrolyser linked to the National Grid, initially, so that Network Rail has the ability to test hydrogen trains?

InchDairnie Distillery In Scotland

I have just looked at the InchDairnie Distillery web site.

  • It looks a high class product.
  • The company is best described as Scotch Whisky Reimagined.
  • The company is based in Fife near Glenrothes.
  • They appear to have just launched a rye whisky, which they are aiming to export to Canada, Japan and Taiwan.

The press release says this about InchDairnie.

InchDairnie Distillery in Scotland, who plan to run a boiler on 100% hydrogen for use in their distilling process.

That would fit nicely with the image of the distillery.

I suspect the hydrogen will be brought in by truck.

But would a zero-carbon whisky be a hit at Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil parties?

PD Ports In Teesside

The press release says this about PD Ports.

PD Ports in Teesside, who will use hydrogen to replace diesel in their vehicle fleet, decarbonising port operations from 2026

I’ve felt for some time, that ports and freight interchanges, where you have lots of cranes, trucks and other diesel-powered equipment running hither and thither, is a good application for hydrogen, as not only does it cut carbon-emissions, but it also provides cleaner air for the workforce.

PD Ports have a Wikipedia entry, where this is said about their operations.

As of 2013 PD Ports owns and operates the Ports of Tees and Hartlepool under the name Teesport. The company also operates the Hull Container Terminal at the Port of Hull, and provides stevedoring and warehousing services at the Port of Immingham; logistics and warehousing at the Port of Felixstowe, Scunthorpe, and Billingham; and operates a wharf on the Isle of Wight. The company also owns the short sea ports in Scunthorpe (Groveport), Howden (Howdendyke, River Ouse, Yorkshire), and Keadby (River Trent).

The company appears to be bigger, than just Teesport and this project could grow.

The hydrogen for this project in Teesport appears to come from Tees Green Hydrogen, which will be a 5.2 MW facility developed by EDF Renewables Hydrogen.

The press release also gives this comment from Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer Hydrogen RWE Generation, who said.

Today’s announcements on the first 2 hydrogen allocation rounds mark a significant milestone in the development of the UK hydrogen economy. They represent a shift from policy development to project delivery, giving industry more clarity on the route to final investment decisions. Alongside the wider policy publications, this demonstrates that the UK wants to be a leader in delivering the clean energy transition.

These early projects are vital not only in driving the production of electrolytic hydrogen but also in signalling the need to build-out the T&S infrastructure for its wider distribution.

As a company with ambitions to develop approximately 2 gigawatts of green hydrogen projects across all our markets, and to invest around 8 billion euros net in green technologies in the UK between 2024-2030, RWE looks forward to being part of building a thriving hydrogen ecosystem in the UK.

These are positive words from the German energy company; RWE.

Sofidel In South Wales

The press release says this about Sofidel.

Sofidel in South Wales, who will replace 50% of their current gas boiler consumption with hydrogen at their Port Talbot paper mill.

The Wikipedia entry for the Sofidel Group has this first paragraph.

Sofidel is an Italian multinational producer of tissue paper for sanitary and domestic use. The Sofidel Group was founded in 1966. It is one of the world leaders in the tissue paper market and the second largest producer in Europe behind Essity. The privately held company is owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, has subsidiaries in 13 countries and more than 6,600 employees.

Note.

  1. From the Wikipedia entry, it looks like the company has a good record on sustainability and has set itself good objectives.
  2. Sofidel are nor far from Tata Steel, who could be another large hydrogen user.
  3. Port Talbot will be a support port for the wind farms in the Celtic Sea.
  4. This is a typical hydrogen application, which reduces emission of carbon dioxide.
  5. But like me, have the Italian owners of the company been impressed with some of the Italian food, I’ve eaten in South Wales?
  6. Are British sweeteners better than Italian ones?
  7. The hydrogen for this project appears to come from HyBont Bridgend, which will be a 5.2 MW facility developed by Marubeni Europower.

The press release also gives this comment from Mr Tomoki Nishino, President and CEO of Marubeni Europower Ltd, who said.

Marubeni team is very honoured to be selected as a recipient of Hydrogen Allocation Round 1. Recently in October 2023, Marubeni signed an MoU with the UK government whereby we have shown our plan to invest £10 billion (along with our partners) into UK green business. We truly hope that a combination of HAR1 funding and Marubeni’s investment help decarbonize UK through HyBont, especially in the South Wales region.

It all seems to be happening in Port Talbot.

Tees Green Hydrogen

Tees Green Hydrogen is a 5.2 MW project being developed by EDF Renewables on Teesside.

The project has a web site, which has this project description on the home page.

Tees Green Hydrogen, will be a pioneering project, using the green electricity from nearby Teesside Offshore Wind Farm along with a new solar farm, which EDF Renewables UK intends to construct near Redcar, to power its hydrogen electrolyser.

The press release also gives this comment from Tristan Zipfel, Director of Strategy and Analysis at EDF Renewables UK, who said.

Today’s announcement is a huge leap forward for green hydrogen innovation which has the capacity to guarantee the long-term sustainability of industry in the North East. We are delighted that the government has given this vote of confidence in both EDF Renewables UK, Hynamics and the capacity of the region to be a world-leader in green technology and innovation.

The press release also gives this comment from Pierre de Raphelis-Soissan, CEO at Hynamics UK, who said.

This is a very important step towards realising the potential of Tees Green Hydrogen and making a ground breaking contribution to decarbonisation in the Tees Valley. The project is uniquely placed to be scalable in order that future demand can be met as hydrogen-based technology becomes the industrial norm.

Note.

  1. The project will be powered by both wind and solar.
  2. Hynamics is a subsidiary of EDF.
  3. I suspect that this project will supply PD Ports with hydrogen.

This project looks like it could be just a starter for 5.2 MW.

West Wales Hydrogen

West Wales Hydrogen is a 14.2 MW project being developed by H2 Energy and Trafigura in West Wales.

The best source of information is this must-watch Youtube video.

  • The company appears to be able to lease you a hydrogen truck on a pay per mile basis, at the same price as a diesel truck.
  • Get the finance right for your customers and yourself and everybody will be happy.

I know it will work, as I used to own half a company that leased a lot of trucks in Ipswich.

  • My experience, also says the model would work with taxis, Transit-sized vans, company cars and vehicles like Defenders.
  • It would also work very well around Ipswich, like my company did.

The press release also gives this comment from Julien Rolland, CEO of H2 Energy Europe, who said.

We are very grateful for the support that the UK government has announced for our 20MW electrolytic hydrogen production facility, marking a significant milestone in our journey to develop South Wales’s first large-scale green hydrogen production plant. The facility will enable industry in South Wales to transition to using green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.

The green hydrogen produced at Milford Haven will be used to displace natural gas and other fossil fuels in industrial and chemical processes and contribute to the decarbonisation of the local industry. The interest that we’ve already received from local industry means we are already reviewing the opportunity to scale up the facility.

I can see this model being applied all over the UK.

Whitelee Green Hydrogen

Whitelee Green Hydrogen is a 7.1 MW project being developed by Scottish Power close to the Whitelee Wind Farm.

The Whitelee Wind Farm has a comprehensive Wikipedia entry, where this is said about the future of the wind farm.

In May 2009, the Scottish Government granted permission for an extension to the wind farm to produce up to a further 130 megawatts of power, which would increase the total generating capacity of Whitelee to 452 MW.

In 2010 a 75 turbine extension commenced, adding an additional 217 MW of capacity, enough to power the equivalent of over 124,000 homes. This brought the total generating capacity of the wind farm up to 539 MW. Additionally, the extension added a further 44 km of trails to the site. John Sisk and Son Limited and Roadbridge were jointly appointed as Principal Contractors for the site during construction with Alstom Limited erecting and commissioning the wind turbines. 

In August 2012 Scottish Power announced that it was applying for a further small extension of five turbines on the west of the existing site, adding 12 MW of capacity. This was refused by the DPEA on 19 Oct 2016.

A £21 million (US$29.35 million) 50MW/50MWh grid battery is being added to improve resource utilization, with plans for a 40 MW solar farm and a 20 MW hydrogen electrolyzer.

The press release also gives this comment from Peter Jones, Director of ScottishPower Green Hydrogen Business, who said.

The first wave of production facilities like Whitelee and Cromarty will demonstrate that zero-emission hydrogen can be delivered at commercial scale and drive the development of a viable market for the green fuel. 

It will also create highly skilled green jobs across the UK and quickly support a world leading supply chain.

It’s early days for this burgeoning market and government support is to be welcomed to help deliver a future green hydrogen economy.

With 539 MW of wind, 40 MW of solar and a 50MW/50MWh grid battery to drive a 7.1 MW electrolyser, this should prove to be a reliable source of green hydrogen.

My Thoughts

I have a few extra thoughts.

Coverage Is Rather Patchy

Some areas of the UK don’t seem to be well-served with green hydrogen from this funding.

  • East Suffolk with all those trucks going to and from the Port of Felixstowe. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
  • Humberside with all its energy-hungry industries. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
  • Hampshire with all those trucks going to and from the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. But there is a lack of renewable energy.
  • Lincolnshire with all those trucks going to and from Immingham. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
  • London with all those local trucks delivering building materials to sites all over the capital. But then the current Mayor doesn’t have a hydrogen policy.

I would assume, that some of these areas will be funded for hydrogen in the second round.

 

December 20, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Finance & Investment, Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Northumberland Council To Campaign For Better Rural Train Services

The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Rail Advent.

These are the first three paragraphs.

In response to the reduction in the number of trains serving Morpeth and Berwick in the new East Coast Main Line timetable, Northumberland County Council has pledged to continue campaigning hard for improved rail services for communities along the line and beyond.

Councillor Glen Sanderson said the new timetable “Sacrifices the North east’s rail connectivity in order to improve it for the rest of the country.”

The new timetable was due to be introduced last May 2023, but was deferred after the North East Joint Transport Committee said that it was wholly unacceptable. However, the new timetable shows very little improvement from the original. Although more frequent trains will operate between London and Edinburgh, not all of them will stop at Morpeth or Berwick, which are the services the council has been fighting hard for as they are key population centres.

The problems are that between Newcastle and Edinburgh are.

  • The railway is only double-track all of the way, with a passing loop South of Berwick.
  • The maximum speed is 125 mph for about 40 % of the track, 100/110 mph for another 30 %, with the rest slower.
  • Berwick, Morpeth and the new stations at East Linton and Reston are only two platform stations.

The capacity needs to be increased, so that more trains can use the line.

These are my thoughts.

Install Digital Signalling

It has been claimed that digital signalling will add another train per hour (tph) between Stevenage and Doncaster.

So if it was able to do the same between Newcastle and Edinburgh, it might be the first solution to try.

All Passenger Trains Capable Of Running At 125 mph

In Call For ETCS On King’s Lynn Route, I outlined the problem with fast services to Cambridge, Ely and Kings Lynn, where the rains will need 125 mph capability to keep out of the way of LNER’s Azumas on the East Coast Main Line.

There will be a similar problem between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Improve The Tracks

This would improve more sections of 125 mph running and perhaps better turnbacks at Morpeth and Berwick.

Conclusion

Quite a bit of work will need to be done to get the timetable to the standard the customers require.

 

 

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , | 5 Comments

National Grid Fast-Tracks Overhead Line Upgrade Project To Help Accelerate Connection Dates Of 175 Clean Energy Projects

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

These four bullet points, act as sub-headings.

  • £90 million upgrade of 82km of overhead power line between Bramley in Hampshire and Melksham in Wiltshire brought forward by a year
  • Replacing the conductors (wires) between transmission towers (pylons) will allow them to operate at a higher temperature and therefore carry more electricity
  • Increased capacity could help to accelerate the grid connection of 175 clean energy projects in South West England and Wales
  • Project forms part of a series of National Grid measures to help speed up connections to the electricity network, including working with the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and industry to reform the connections process

These are the two opening paragraphs.

National Grid has accelerated engineering works to address a bottleneck in connecting low carbon projects to the electricity network in South West England and Wales.

The 82km upgrade of one its high voltage overhead electricity lines, between Bramley in Hampshire and Melksham in Wiltshire, has been brought forward to help accelerate the connection of 175 clean energy projects to the grid.

I am rather surprised that upgrading of just 82 km. of overhead power line will enable the connection of 175 clean energy projects.

  • So perhaps, National Grid are upgrading this line first, as it is the best value.
  • I have followed the line of pylons on a map and it connects two large sub-stations at Bramley and Melksham.
  • It will be interesting to see how the 175 projects connect to the grid.

There is also this paragraph.

This upgrade follows National Grid’s recent announcement of accelerating up to 20GW of grid connections across its transmission and distribution networks (the equivalent capacity of six Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations), including accelerating 10GW of battery storage projects by up to four years.

I wrote about this announcement in National Grid To Accelerate Up To 20GW Of Grid Connections Across Its Transmission And Distribution Networks.

Conclusion

National Grid seem to have made a start like like a hare and I suspect we’ll see the announcement of more projects in the near future.

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Transport/Travel | | 4 Comments

InterGen’s Two Huge Batteries

InterGen are developing two huge lithium-ion batteries, which seem to be rather under the radar of the mainstream media.

InterGen are an energy company, of which few people have heard.

On the About InterGen page, this is the sub-heading of a section describing their business.

InterGen is a uniquely independent energy company. We support the journey to a stable, dependable, net zero energy system through delivering the flexible electricity solutions that underpin it.

These four paragraphs introduce the business.

Founded in 1995, we have decades of experience in the GB market.

Our power stations provide secure, flexible energy to consumers, and help the grid to take on more and more renewables.

Our expert trading team in Edinburgh sells electricity and services to help utilities, system operators and the wider energy market deliver secure power to homes and businesses across the country, whilst our pipeline of new developments includes some of the world’s largest battery storage assets, an essential component in the future energy system.

The world is changing, and we’re proud to be playing an active role in the unfolding energy story for generations to come.

Batteries are very much for generations to come.

These four paragraphs on this page says this about their batteries.

Developing a large-scale energy storage capability will help to resolve the challenge of the intermittency of renewable generation. At InterGen, we’re managing the delivery of one of Europe’s largest battery storage portfolios, with over 2GW of grid scale projects, having dedicated grid connections and proceeding through the permitting process.

The share of wind and solar power is increasing in the UK’s energy mix, but these sources only generate power when the wind blows or the sun shines. The use of batteries to store the excess power generated can help provide low carbon power to balance supply and demand with renewable power during periods of low output.

InterGen’s UK battery projects are world-leading in this kind of technology deployment. The facilities will use proven lithium-ion technology which has zero emissions, has superior flexibility, and will complement the increasing amounts of renewable energy generation in the UK.

In Essex, our project at London Gateway Port to create up to 900MWh of energy received planning permission in January 2023, and when complete will be large enough to provide power for up to 450,000 homes. At Spalding, we have consent to develop up to 1.1GWh of storage capability, adjacent to our existing operational CCGT and OCGT plants. Both of these developments are world-class in terms of size. It’s all part of our goal to support the transition to low carbon generation through the provision of flexible capacity.

Gateway Energy Centre

This page describes the Gateway Energy Centre, where this is said.

InterGen is in late stage development of a world leading battery storage project in the London Gateway Logistics Park, next to the DP World London Gateway Port on the north bank of the River Thames in Essex. InterGen built and continues to operate the existing 800 MW Coryton gas-fired combined cycle power station which is located approximately one kilometre from the proposed Gateway Energy Centre site.

The Gateway project will consist of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a rated electrical output of up to 900MWh (up to 450MW).

InterGen received Town and Country Planning Permission in January 2023, making the Gateway project the largest battery in the UK once operational. The £300m project will provide power for over 450,000 homes once fully complete.

Note.

  1. I assume they mean this battery is a 450 MW/900 MWh battery, that will provide 450 MW for two hours.
  2. It is close to the 732 MW Coryton gas-fired combined cycle power station.

I would assume that one of its tasks will be to make sure the London Gateway complex gets rnough reliable power.

Spalding Energy Park

This page describes the Spalding Energy Park, where this is said.

The Spalding Energy Park, adjacent to InterGen’s existing combined and open cycle gas plants at Spalding, has received Town and Country Planning Permission in June 2023 for one of Europe’s largest battery storage projects. The battery development could deliver up to 1,100MWh of electricity once operational, providing power for up to 500,000 homes.

Spalding Energy Park received planning consent in January 2018 from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The project is carbon capture ready.

As at Gateway Energy Centre, the battery is located close to a large 860 MW gas-fired power station.

Co-location of a gas-fired power station and a battery must make the grid connection simpler.

Conclusion

A total of 2 GWh of storage is a good start and I’ll suspect we’ll hear more about these two batteries in the next couple of years.

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Airport Of The Future

I am fairly sure, that in ten years, there will be a lot of zero-carbon aircraft flying short haul routes. I have been particularly impressed by some of the ideas from Airbus, although Boeing seem to be very quiet on the subject. Perhaps it’s the difference between visionaries and engineers, and accountants.

But you rarely read anything about how airports are preparing for even a low-carbon future.

  • Some long-stay car-parks could be made electric vehicles only, so they would become massive grid batteries, whilst owners are travelling.
  • Airside vehicles can all be made zero-carbon.
  • Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) shouldn’t be a problem, as it would be handled like jet fuel.
  • Do airports have a large enough grid connection for all the electrification of vehicles and some planes?
  • Do airports have a plan for hydrogen?

The last two points, probably mean we should have built Maplin.

  • It could have a cable and a hydrogen pipeline from wind farms and co-located hydrogen electrolysers in the Thames Estuary.
  • The Elizabeth Line or a new line could easily be extended or built to the airport, to give a 125 mph connection.

But that enemy of the planet; Harold Wilson cancelled it.

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Breakthrough’ Blood Test For Sepsis To Save Lives

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in the Sunday Times.

This is the sub-heading.

If the trial is a success it could allow speedy diagnosis for a condition that kills 48,000 people a year

These two paragraphs introduce the story.

A blood test is being trialled that can rapidly detect whether a patient has sepsis, in what could be a breakthrough for a condition that is notoriously difficult to diagnose.

Sepsis, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection, kills about 48,000 people each year in the UK. More people die of it annually than of breast, prostate and bowel cancer put together. In severe cases, it can kill within hours.

A friend had sepsis and it nearly killed her. A test like this would probably have shortened her time in hospital.

I am coeliac and also a mathematical modeller and statistician.

  • If you are coeliac and stick to your gluten-free diet, which now includes delicious real ale, you are 25 % less likely to suffer from cancer than the general population, according to research at Nottingham University.
  • The reverse of this means that an undiagnosed coeliac living a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle with lots of smoking, cannabis and a diet of gluten-rich junk food, you will have a higher chance of contracting cancer. Just as my undiagnosed coeliac son did, who died of pancreatic cancer at just 37.
  • Coeliac testing was difficult until around 1960, when a method using endoscopy was developed. Then in the 1990s, a general test using blood was developed.

I have analysed NHS cancer statistics and there is a step-reduction in cancer rate for those born after 1960 and 1990.

A simple blood test for coeliac disease has found a lot more coeliacs and saved a lot of lives.

My analysis is shown in detail in Hospital Pioneers Cancer Service For Over 70s That Saves Lives And Money.

For that reason, I believe that this new sepsis test could also save a lot of lives.

Coeliac Disease And Risk Of Sepsis

The title of this section, is the same as that of this paper on the British Medical Journal.

This is the conclusion of the paper.

This study showed a modestly increased risk of sepsis in patients with coeliac disease with the highest risk for pneumococcal sepsis. This risk increase was limited to those with coeliac disease diagnosed in adulthood. Potential explanations include hyposplenism, increased mucosal permeability and an altered composition of the intestinal glycocalyx in individuals with coeliac disease.

Perhaps anyone, who goes into hospital, should also be tested for coeliac disease?

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Health | , , , , | Leave a comment

Derby Station – 15th December 2023

I took these pictures of Derby station, when I changed trains.

It’s the first time, that I’ve been in the station since it has been extended.

This Google Map shows the current station layout.

Note.

  1. There are now seven platforms.
  2. Platforms are numbered from the West.
  3. There is a bridge with lifts giving access to all platforms from both sides of the tracks.

Although, the station will be electrified, there is no sign of any pre-electrification works.

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , | Leave a comment

We Don’t Make Them Like This Anymore

There was an article in The Times today about the Panama Canal and how its water system needs to be made larger.

It got me thinking about draglines and one in particular; Big Geordie.

I found these two videos of Big Geordie on YouTube.

Big Geordie had been built in Ipswich by Ransomes & Rapier in the 1950s.

This video from the 1930s shows Ransomes and Rapier’s excavators of the period.

 

 

December 16, 2023 Posted by | World | , , , , | 1 Comment

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