Upcycling A Truck
Whilst walking through the City of London this morning, I came across this truck.
It’s even got its own web page on the Refuse Vehicle Solutions web site.
This is the first paragraph.
Paper Round, part of BPR Group, has received its very own fully electric-conversion vehicle from Refuse Vehicle Solution (RVS) this week. The company is committed to transforming the future of resource management and the switch to electric is a major step in achieving this goal.
And this paragraph describes the conversion.
We have converted a Mercedes Econic 2630, 6×2 RS with a MOL VDK body and bin lift into a fully electric truck. It was being used by Paper Round as part of their commercial waste and recycling collection services in London. The RCV was converted from a diesel euro 5 engine to electric at RVS’s headquarters in Berkeley using the innovative EMOSS technology. With zero emissions, this new addition will contribute towards reducing Paper Round’s carbon footprint.
The performance seems impressive with a top speed of 56 mph and a range of around 250 km.
The economics of the truck indicate, that it is cheaper to go electric by converting an existing vehicle, rather than buying a new one.
Hence the title of this post.
Freightliner Continue Trials On New Low Carbon Fuel
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
This is the first paragraph.
As part of their commitment to carbon reduction Freightliner will conduct operational trials of a new low carbon fuel supplied by Green Biofuels Ltd (GBF).
And this paragraph described the fuel.
GBF are the UK’s leading provider of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and the new fuel consists of 55% Shell GTL (gas to liquids) Fuel and 45% Gd+ HVO.
It does appear that hydrotreated vegetable oil or HVO, could be becoming an intermediate step on the route to decarbonisation, as I’ve posted about the fuel before in Powered By HVO.
The other promising route to decarbonisation must surely be that of producing fuel from waste, as pioneered by Velocys and others.
But they are only intermediate steps before hydrogen becomes the preferred zero-carbon fuel for rail freight services.
‘Box Structure’ Flyover Saves £70m And Six Months For East West Rail
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release on Network Rail.
This is the first paragraph.
Engineers have saved £70m of taxpayers’ money by using creative new methods to build a railway flyover as part of the East West Rail project.
This Network Rail picture shows how the new flyover rests on a concrete box, that spans the West Coast Main Line (WCML).
Note that the press release contains a video that explains how the flyover was replaced and why the method of construction saved all the money and time.
The main cost savings came about because of the following.
- Construction could go on above the WCML without having to stop the trains.
- Components for the flyover were made in a factory, with subsequent cost reductions and quality increases.
Anybody, who’s ever poured a concrete slab in typical British weather will understand the second point.
According to the press release, the method of construction gives a hundred and twenty year life span for the structure.
For comparison, this 3D Google Map visualisation shows the Hitchin flyover, which was opened in 2013.
Note the columns supporting the single-track railway.
If this was being built today, would a box be used as at Bletchley?
Order! Order! It’s A Bus-y Time For Wrightbus
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Ballymena Times.
This is the first paragraph.
The Wrightbus order book continues to be busy. The Go-Ahead Group has signed a contract to buy its first hydrogen powered buses, as part of a deal which could become the largest of its kind in Europe.
Let’s hope that this is the start of something big!
Night Train To Return In South East London From Mid-December
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on the South London Press.
This is the first two paragraphs.
Southeastern is set to reintroduce night trains from Charing Cross to South East London for the first time since March 2020.
The railway company say they want to boost the night time economy and encourage people to leave their cars at home.
We certainly need more late trains like these, which will run from Charing Cross to Woolwich Arsenal, Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Orpington until one in the morning.
My Cataract Operation
It was all very simple and painless.
After the procedures, where they checked that they had the right patient and that everything else was in order, after some local anaesthetic was put in my left eye, I just laid on my back with my head in a rest.
A cloth shield was put over my face and my right eye and my left eye, from which the cataract would be removed was left looking through a hole in the shield.
I was asked to focus on a bright light and I held it there for what must have been about ten minutes.
I held my head and eye still and I felt nothing.
Then the shield was removed, I was told it was all over and I was led out of the operating theatre.
I was in no pain and the only difference in my appearance was the shield taped over my left eye.
How many people hold off their cataract operation because they think it will be painful?
I left the hospital within two-and-a-half hours of my arrival at nine o’clock this morning.
It is now over twelve hours since the operation and I can honestly say, I have had no serious pain. Although for some reason my right eye has developed an itch in sympathy.
Conclusion
If you are told you need a cataract operation, get it done sooner rather than later.
Chile Wants To Export Solar Energy To Asia Via 15,000km Submarine Cable
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on pv magazine.
You can’t fault the Chileans for ambition, especially as the Atacama Desert is the sunniest area in the world.
But I do think, that it might be cheaper to build a giant electrolyser in Chile and export the hydrogen by ship to Japan and South Korea.
I do wonder, if Chile is a country, that needs to talk to Andrew Forrest of Fortescue Future Industries.
Back Home After The Operation
I’m back home and now wearing a fetching eye-shield.
But why are both eyes and my nose running so much?
I’m not in any pain, but the right eye seems to be the most uncomfortable and that wasn’t touched.
But then my left eye was always the most sensitive and every time, I get a fly in it, it is always a visit to A & E.
I seem to have calmed things down a bit, by drinking lots of tea and eating M & S gluten-free ginger biscuits dunked in the tea.
But then as a child, I was always dunking ginger biscuits in tea.
Whilst I was married I didn’t, as C thought it was a bad habit.
I’m Having My First Cataract Operation Tomorrow
I’m having my first cataract operation on my left eye tomorrow.
So posts might dry up for a few days!
The Anonymous Widower 