Buccleuch Group Submits Plans For 39MW Solar, 10MW Storage Development
These are the two introductory paragraphs.
Solar and storage developer Buccleuch Group has submitted a planning application for a new solar plus storage development near Kettering, Northamptonshire.
The Oakley Bush solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project is a proposed 39MW solar development, with a 10MW BESS proposed for the site. The application area, which covers 150 hectares of land on the Boughton Estate, could play host to as many as 130,000 ground-mounted solar modules, positioned around 3.5 metres above the ground.
The development is interesting for two reasons.
It Is Being Built With Both Solar Panels And A BESS
As a Control Engineer, I believe renewable power systems should have a battery, to even out the power.
The Batteries Could Be Vanadian Flow Batteries
The article says this about, the use of vanadium flow batteries.
According to the application documentation provided to Kettering District Council, two BESS technologies are being considered for use on-site: lithium-ion batteries or vanadium flow batteries. If vanadium flow batteries are used, the site could have an energy capacity of up to 50MWh, although this will be lower if lithium-ion batteries are used.
In a presentation given at a public information event for the project earlier this year, the developers noted that vanadium flow battery technology is being considered due to its significantly lower fire risk and longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries. An operational lifespan of 40 years is expected for the site, with construction expected to take 18 months if planning consent is granted.
Note.
- Vanadium flow batteries appear to be larger.
- Vanadium flow batteries have a lower fire risk.
- Vanadium flow batteries have a longer life span, than lithium-ion.
With other batterers coming through, I wouldn’t be surprised to see costs, performance and reliability of batteries improve.
BP’s Morven Wind Farm At Risk Of Missing Start Date
The title of this post, is the same as that as this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
A lengthening queue for grid connection could scupper plans to provide energy for three million homes from a development in the North Sea by the end of the decade
These two paragraphs introduce the article.
One of the largest wind farms in the UK risks missing its 2030 target to start generating power, due to lengthy grid connection queues and supply chain shortages.
The Morven Wind Farm being developed by BP, which is to be located 38 miles off the coast of Aberdeen, will have capacity of 2.9 gigawatts, which is expected to be capable of powering three million homes in Britain.
The delays in getting a grid connection and obtaining various electrical parts could derail BP’s plans.
The Morven wind farm is one of three being developed by a partnership of BP and a German company, which is outlined in this paragraph.
Morven is one of three UK wind farms being built by BP in a joint venture with Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), the German energy company. The other two, Mona and Morgan, are being developed in the Irish Sea and have already secured grid connections.
These are my thoughts on the problems with the Morven Wind Farm.
Everybody is assuming that there will be a large cable to bring the 2.9 GW of electricity to the Scottish coast somewhere near Aberdeen.
Cables can be a problem as the article indicates, with connection to the grid and the erection of large numbers of pylons being major ones.
But the energy from Morven doesn’t necessarily need to go to Scotland.
It can be converted into hydrogen using an offshore electrolyser and sent to where it is needed by pipeline or a tanker ship.
I have also noted that BP’s partners are German and Germany has a massive need for zero-carbon energy to replace the large amount of coal they burn.
The Germans are building a massive pipeline called AquaVentus, from their North-West coast to the Dogger Bank, to collect hydrogen created by up to 10 GW of offshore wind farms in the German Ocean or their part of the North Sea to the shore.
I introduced AquaVentus in this post called AquaVentus.
This video shows the structure of AquaVentus.
I clipped this map from the video.
Note.
- The thick white line running North-West/South-East is the spine of AquaVentus, that will deliver hydrogen to Germany.
- There is a link to Esbjerg in Denmark, that is marked DK.
- There appears to be an undeveloped link to Norway, which goes North,
- There appears to be an undeveloped link to Peterhead in Scotland, that is marked UK.
- There appears to be a link to just North of the Humber in England, that is marked UK.
- Just North of the Humber are the two massive gas storage sites of Aldbrough owned by SSE and Brough owned by Centrica.
- Aldbrough and Rough gas storage sites are being converted into two of the largest hydrogen storage sites in the world!
- There appear to be small ships sailing up and down the East Coast of the UK. Are these small coastal tankers, that are distributing the hydrogen to where it is needed?
When it is completed, AquaVentus will be a very comprehensive hydrogen network.
- Pipelines from Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands and the UK will feed directly into AquaVentus.
- Will enBW and BP build a giant offshore electrolyser at Morven and send the hydrogen to Germany via the spine of AquaVentus?
- Will AquaVentus use the vast hydrogen storage North of Hull to store excess hydrogen?
- Will connections be built between AquaVentus and the UK’s Northern gas terminals at St Fergus and Easington?
If AquaVentus works as intended, Germany’s Russian gas will be replaced by zero-carbon hydrogen, a large proportion of which will come from the UK’s waters.
Where Will We Get Our Electricity From?
If the energy from Morven is sold to the Germans as hydrogen, where will we get the energy we need?
Morven is just one of several large wind farms and being developed around the North of Scotland and we’ll probably use the energy from another wind farm.
- Wind farms that can best send their energy to the grid, will do so.
- Wind farms that can best send their energy to one or more of the large Scottish pumped storage hydro-electric power-stations, will do so.
- Wind farms that can best send their energy to Germany as hydrogen, will do so.
- Wind farms that can best send their energy to Scotland or another country as hydrogen, will do so.
The hydrogen will get distributed to those who need it and can pay the appropriate price.
Where Will The Turbines And the Electrical Gubbins Come From?
I’m sure that if Morven was sending a couple of GW of hydrogen to Germany, Siemens could build the turbines and the associated electrical gubbins needed at a favourable price, with an acceptable delivery date.
Conclusion
Germany will likely be pleased, in that they will be able to close a lot of very dirty coal-fired power stations, by replacing coal with green hydrogen.
The UK should be pleased, as the Germans will pay us for the hydrogen.
As for Putin, who knows, what the mad Russian will do?
The Incredible £7m Hydrogen Train To Be introduced In ‘Fastest Growing’ Country
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in the Express.
This is the sub-heading.
Each hydrogen train is priced at £7 million and can run up to 621 miles (1,000km) on a single tank, reaching speeds of 87mph (140 km/h).
These two paragraphs add more details.
India is the fastest-growing economy among G20 nations and is set to launch its first hydrogen-powered train this December.
The groundbreaking train will debut on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana and will mark a massive step toward eco-friendly rail travel.
If you look at the article, there is an impressive looking picture, but it may be a visualisation.
This page on etnow.in has an interesting paragraph.
- In this context, the launch of Hydrogen trains deserves special mention. The national transporter has envisaged running 35 Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” on various heritage and hill routes.
Does that mean that Indian Railways are using hydrogen-powered trains to avoid spoiling the scenery with overhead wires?
Hydrogen-powered trains in India could be a story to watch.
Do Coeliacs Like Ocado?
I have been doing most of my food and grocery shopping with Ocado for a few months now!
My first shop was on the 16th of August this year and I have now done a total of fourteen shops.
What is interesting, is that all substitutions made by Ocado has involved products that are gluten-free.
So do coelics and those on a gluten-free diet use Ocado a lot?
That would explain why gluten-free products run out more often. This also applies to products that don’t have a gluten-free label, but are known to be gluten-free from the ingredients.
Drinking And Me
Today, I got up at five and was able to drink my morning cup of tea very quickly.
In fact, I’ve been drinking cups of tea all day at a fast speed.
I’ve also drunk two bottles of Adnams 2.5 % alcohol Ghost Ship beer at a fast pace.
But on other days, I pour a lot away, as I just can’t force it down.
Is it the weather, as it is rather unusual today?
The Americans Who Think RFK Can Make Them Healthy Again
The title of this post, is the same as that as this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
They are poor, sick, jobless and trust no one. But people in one of the most deprived parts of the US are putting their faith in a man who doesn’t believe in vaccines
These three paragraphs introduce the article.
The phone signal vanishes as you drive over the ridge into the purple valley and down to the town of Paw Paw, West Virginia, population 410.
Being born here deals a person a certain hand. A life six years shorter on average than those from California. A likelihood that you’ll be poor and suffer from disease (one in three adults here have a disability).
A high chance of addiction from the opioid epidemic that was brought here by rapacious pharmaceutical companies that has left the valley peppered with children brought up by grandparents.
It is a powerful piece from Louise Callaghan.
These are my thoughts.
As a coeliac myself, I do wonder if there is an epidemic of coeliac disease in Paw Paw.
Coeliac disease is genetic, so once it gets in a close community, it can spread through marriage and childbirth.
My coeliac disease came from my father, who was never diagnosed, but he got it through the generations from his great-great-grandfather, who was a tailor from Konigsberg in East Prussia.
If a coeliac is going to a country, where gluten-free foods are unavailable, they are advised by doctors to take steroids like Dexamethasone. American doctors regularly prescribe this steroid to coeliac patients, as it does work to a certain extent.
Everybody in Paw Paw should be tested for coeliac disease and those with the disease should go on a gluten-free diet.
But I suspect a plan like this wouldn’t go down well in Paw Paw.
‘No Constraints’ On Clapham Junction Tube Extension
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
There are no physical restrictions to extending the Northern line to Clapham Junction, an investigation has found.
These are the first three introductory paragraphs.
In a new report, Wandsworth council said there were “no engineering or geological constraints” that would prevent an extension.
The council is now carrying out a public consultation to see whether there is strong local support for the extension.
Clapham Junction, one of London’s busiest stations, is home to the Overground and National Rail services.
The Current State According To Wikipedia
This Wikipedia section, says this about the current state of the extension to Clapham Junction station.
Provision has been made for a future extension of the Northern line to Clapham Junction station, with a reserved course underneath Battersea Park. During the public inquiry into the extension in 2014, the inspector noted that although an extension to Clapham Junction would be desirable, it was unnecessary to meet the needs of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea regeneration area. Additionally, it was noted that an extension to Clapham Junction could overwhelm the extension, due to the high demand.
As part of consultations into Crossrail 2 in 2014, the developer of the Battersea Power Station site suggested that Battersea could be the location of a station instead of at King’s Road Chelsea. This would provide a link between the area and Clapham Junction station. Despite the proposal for the future Crossrail 2 project to serve the station, local residents and politicians have continued to request a future extension of the Northern line to Clapham Junction. In March 2023, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated that the “case for an extension is not readily apparent, given Clapham Junction’s existing high levels of connectivity”.
This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways that lie between Battersea Power Station and Clapham Junction stations going via Battersea Park.
Note.
- Battersea Power Station station is in the North-East corner of the map.
- Clapham Junction station is in the South-West corner of the map.
- The rounded D-shape by the river is the Children’s Zoo in Battersea Park.
Going via Battersea Park is a rather roundabout and long route.
High Speed One and High Speed Two tunnels have and are being bored under existing railways.
This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways that lie between Battersea Power Station and Clapham Junction stations.
Note.
- Battersea Power Station station is in the North-East corner of the map.
- Clapham Junction station is in the South-West corner of the map.
- The main line between Waterloo and Clapham Junction stations runs diagonally across the map.
- Branching North from this line is the line between Victoria and Clapham Junction stations.
Could an Underground sized railway be bored between Battersea Power Station and Clapham Junction stations?
This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways around Battersea Power Station station.
Note.
- Battersea Power Station station is in the North-East corner of the map.
- The orange line going North-South is the line between Victoria and Clapham Junction stations.
I suspect if they used the Irish Tunnelling Method or hand digging, as was used recently at Bank, twin tunnels could be dug from Battersea Power Station station to deep under the Waterloo and Clapham Junction line.
This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways around Clapham Junction station.
Note.
- Clapham Junction station is in the South-West corner of the map.
- Two deep underground platforms for the Northern Line would be built to the North-East of Clapham Junction station.
- Escalators and lifts would transfer passengers to and from the existing platforms.
- I suspect the Victorian infrastructure is fairly simple and elegant escalators can be threaded through, as they have been at London Bridge station.
I believe that a modern spectacular interchange can be built at Clapham Junction station to connect the National Rail lines with the Northern Line extension at Battersea Power Station station.
Large Scale Hydrogen Storage Sites Could Reduce Customer Energy Costs By £1bn Per Year
The title of this post, is the same as this press release from Centrica.
These four paragraphs summarise the report.
Centrica and FTI report finds that hydrogen storage would help balance the UK’s energy system and reduce bills.
A net zero scenario including large scale hydrogen storage – specifically, a redeveloped Rough gas storage facility – would reduce energy costs by an additional £1bn per year by 2050.
Report also finds that a UK energy system focused on renewable generation risks high levels of intermittency without an established hydrogen market. By 2050, electricity generation from renewables could exceed total demand around 15% of the time.
Electricity generation from renewables could also rise or fall by as much as 100GW over the course of a single day. More than twice current levels of peak demand on winter evenings and the equivalent energy output from over 30 Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations.
Note.
- Hydrogen Central entitles their article about the Centrica press release Centrica Says Hydrogen Can Reduce Household Bills by £35 a Year. That’s almost a bottle of my favourite Adnams beer a week!
- I talked about the redevelopment of the Rough facility into hydrogen storage in Aberdeen’s Exceed Secures Centrica Rough Contract.
- Generating hydrogen from excess electricity and storing it until it is needed, must be an efficient way of storing electricity or powering industrial processes that need a lot of energy, if storing hydrogen makes £1bn per year!
- It should be noted that Centrica have a large interest in HiiROC, who are developing an efficient way to generate hydrogen from any hydrocarbon gas from chemical plant off-gas through biomethane to natural gas. In a perfect world a HiiROC system in a sewage works could capture the biomethane and split it into hydrogen and carbon black. The hydrogen could be used to refuel vehicles and the carbon black would be taken away to someone, who has need of it.
In some ways, it is surely sensible to have enough energy in a store, if the renewables fail. As Rough is already there and functioning, it is surely one of the easiest routes to redevelop Rough, so that it is in top-quality condition.
It should also be noted, that Rough is not far from the Aldbrough Gas Storage, which SSE are converting to a second massive hydrogen store.
So Humberside will have two of the largest hydrogen stores in the world, which Centrica and SSE will use to maxise energy security in the wider Humberside and East Yorkshire area, and I suspect to maximise their profits as well.
This video shows the structure of AquaVentus, which is a pipeline system, that the Germans are building to bring much-needed hydrogen to German industry from electrolysers in the North Sea and other countries like Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK.
I clipped this map from the video.
Note how a branch of AquaVentus makes landfall around the Humber estuary at a UK label.
Will Centrica and SSE be trading hydrogen from Rough and Aldbrough with the Germans through AquaVentus? You bet they will, as the Germans are short of both hydrogen and hydrogen storage.
An Unusual Advert
I clipped this advert from my on-line copy of The Times today.
It looks to me to be an advert placed by Heathrow Airport, that is telling Heathrow passengers to use the Elizabeth Line to get to the Airport.
This could be considered strange, as Heathrow Airport has an interest in Heathrow Express.
So why would the airport be urging passengers to use a competitive service?
Could it be because there has been engineering works on Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth Line to the airport in recent days and they wanted to assure travellers, that they wouldn’t have to use the Piccadilly Line on an airport bus?
It does look like services to Heathrow Airport are normal tomorrow.
Shoppers Slam ‘Joke Prices’ At Trafford Centre’s First Paid-For Car Park
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Liverpool Echo.
This is the sub-heading.
The new ‘Premium Parking’ zone will go live later this month as Christmas shoppers descend on the centre
These two paragraphs add more details.
Trafford Centre shoppers have been left fuming as the mall’s bosses confirm the pricing for its brand-new “Premium Parking” zone. The popular shopping destination has cordoned off a section of the car park, adjacent to Selfridges, to introduce its first-ever paid parking area with larger bays.
It’s been revealed that this Premium Parking will open for business on Wednesday, November 27, and the full price list has certainly turned heads among MEN readers. Weekday rates start at £4 per hour, while weekend parking will set you back at least £7 an hour at the Trafford Centre.
Note.
- Parking does seem expensive to me, at upwards of £4 per hour, but then I use a bus or the Underground for free with my Freedom Pass, when I go shopping.
- Doesn’t Manchester have a pass system for older people?
- By the way, MEN is a reference to the Manchester Evening News, from where the article was taken. Surely, the Echo can generate its own copy!
- But then shopping is such a chore anyway.
I must admit, that I now prefer to my food shopping on Ocado, as it is reliable and it is all done by 07:30 on Friday.
The Anonymous Widower 