Hydrogen Mobility: Coming Soon to a Bus or Truck Near You?
The title of this post is the same as that as this article on Green Tech Media.
The article is a must-read and makes these points.
- Hydrogen could have a significant impact on the transportation sector, even though sales of fuel-cell cars have been minuscule to date.
- More than nine million passenger fuel-cell vehicles could be built.
- In the short term hydrogen could be used for buses and heavy trucks.
- There are only 17,000 hydrogen vehicles worldwide.
- In 2019, there was a 246 percent increase in hydrogen vehicles.
- Hydrogen-powered garbage trucks are being tested in Germany, The Netherlands and the UK.
Overall there seems to be a lot of growth and enthusiasm for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Developments At Mill Hill East Station
This Google Map shows the area around the least-used station on the Northern Line; Mill Hill East station.
I’d never knowlingly been to the station, but I went yesterday and took these pictures.
Note.
- The short line with Dollis Brook Viaduct between Finchley Central and Mill Hill East stations.
- The Council Depot shown on the Google Map appears to be being developed as housing called MillBrook Park.
- Mill Hill station now has a lift, to the single platform.
It looks that there are major ongoing improvements.
Will The Station Be Able To Handle The Extra Passengers?
Wikipedia says this about train frequency at Hill Hill East station.
Train frequencies vary throughout the day, but are generally every 11–15 minutes between 05:44 and 00:56 to Finchley Central, Kennington or East Finchley. During peak times train services are extended to Morden.
This map from carto.metro.free.fr, shows the track layout of the track between Mill Hill East and Finchley Central stations.
Note.
- Although according to Wikipedia, the branch was built with space for a double-track, much of the route is only single-track.
- The track layout at Finchley Central station appears comprehensive.
- With the right track-layout, signalling and well-drilled drivers, there are places in the UK rail network, where six trains per hour (tph) can work from a single platform.
I am fairly sure, that with the right systems, if it were to be required, that six tph can be run all day on the branch.
Alstom’s Hydrogen-Powered Train Undergoes Tests On Dutch Tracks
The title of this post is the same as that on this article of Renewables Now.
Hydrogen trains are certainly coming to Europe.
Novel Long-Duration Energy Storage System Installed At World’s Largest CSP Plant
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Recharge.
This is the sub-title.
Technology that stores power in molten aluminium inaugurated at 580MW Noor Ouarzazate solar complex in Morocco.
Other points from the original article.
- The idea is from Swedish start-up; Azelio.
- The the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex is rated at 580MW
- Noor is Arabic for light.
- Energy is stored as heat in molten recycled aluminium at 600 °C.
- When energy is needed, a Stirling engine is used to generate energy.
- Waste heat can also be captured and used to heat buildings.
- The system has a 90 % round-trip efficiency.
I feel this could be a winner in the long term.
Blackstone Acquires Battery Energy Storage Firm NRStor
The title of this post is the same as that as this article in IPE Real Assets.
The Blackstone Group is on of the largest alternative investment firms in the world, so the title of the post says it all.
I believe that we need masses of energy storage to fight global warming and it looks like Blackstone are building a portfolio.
Daily Bulletin – March 7th, 2020
I seem to be getting weaker in my left leg every morning.
Look at this picture of my left toes.
They are all dry with the nails in a bad way.
This second picture shows how the left foot is redder than the right.
I’ve noticed this before in my life and I certainly have a problem with my left knee, which I told my doctor about three months ago. As he suggested it, I now wear a support bandage, which doesn’t seem to help much.
Could it be that the reason I fell last Friday night was that the knee just gave up?
Blood Pressure
I’ve just measured it at 08:10. It was 132/47/75.
An Aside On My Physical Health
Every morning and evening until I had the fall, I used to do twelve sets of physical exercises; including press-ups, Superman stretches and arm openings. I used to finish by standing for twenty seconds straight on each leg.
I can still do the right leg for twenty seconds, but I can’t do more than a few on the left without support.
Is The COVID-19 Having An Affect On Lending At Zopa?
I lend money on Zopa and at the moment no-one seems to be borrowing any money.
I put some of my pension in my lending pot into the peer-to-peer lender each month and it’s still there sitting safely in the queue for a borrower.
Perhaps everybody is being cautious because of the COVID-19 alert
Another Space To Be Filled
This Google Map shows the City of London North of Moorgate station.
Note the crossroads, where South Place goes East from the A501, which has LEON and Boots on the West side and Barclays Bank on the East.
The South-East corner of the crossroads has been redeveloped and now it the time for the North-West corner to be redeveloped.
The pictures show that the site has been cleared.
- At appears that the site will be a development called 20 Ropemaker Street.
- It will be up to 27 stories high.
- It will be 457,000 square feet of offices.
- There will be retail premises along Finsbury Pavement opposite Gap and Marks & Spencer.
- The building will be the new London headquarters for Linklakers LLP.
There are also hints on the Internet, that the main entrance will be opposite the entrance for Moorgate station, with all its connections to the following.
Circle Line
- Crossrail
- Hammersmith & City Line
- Metropolitan Line
- Northern Line
- Northern City Line
It looks to me that the developers are taking advantage of the transport developments.
‘World-First’ As Bunhill 2 Launches Using Tube Heat To Warm 1,350 Homes
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on the Islington Gazette.
This is the introductory paragraph.
A new energy centre using heat from Northern Line Tube tunnels can now provide warmth and hot water to 1,350 Islington homes.
These are some of my pictures of the centre.
If you want to go and see the Bunhill 2 Centre, walk down City Road from the Angel.
Lightweight Trains And No Taboos In French Secondary Line Rescue Package
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette International.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Development of lightweight rolling stock is one of several proposals put forward by the government to try and ensure the survival of much of the remaining network of secondary lines, many of which carry very limited traffic.
This problem of secondary lines exists in other countries, like Germany, Italy and to a certain extent the UK.
I will argue that Vivarail, with their Class 230 train are following a similar plan to that proposed for France.
- Lightweight well-proven design.
- Battery-powered.
- Modern interior.
- Designed for short branch lines and secondary routes.
Will Vivarail be talking to the French? Probably not, as using old London Underground stock in rural France would see a large clash of national egos.
But the philosophy could be transplanted across the Channel.
Perhaps some smaller British designs like an Aventra could also be used on French rural routes, that are electrified?
The Anonymous Widower 