Arup Called In To Help New Zealand Run Ports And Trains On Hydrogen
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Global Construction Review.
This is the first paragraph.
UK consulting engineer Arup has been brought in to help design and deliver a hydrogen factory for New Zealand’s second largest port. Ports of Auckland said it plans to build a production facility to make the gas from tap water, which it will use to fuel ships, trucks, buses, cars and trains.
It is all part of the aim of making the port of Auckland, zero-carbon by 2040.
I think we’ll see other large self-contained sites like ports, airports, rail container terminals and large industrial complexes using hydrogen, as it may offer advantages over batteries in terms of range, lifting capacity and vehicle size and weight.
There is also no problem with the regular replacement of batteries in equipment like mobile cranes, which in New Zealand’s case will mean importing new ones.
I suspect, hydrogen may be more affordable to run than batteries for Auckland.
Auckland Rows Back On Battery Train Plan
The title of this post is the same as this article on the International ailway Journal.
This is said.
Following approval by Auckland Council, the proposal went to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for final sign-off. However, in the run-up to New Zealand’s general election on September 23, a political consensus emerged in favour of bringing forward electrification of the Papakura – Pukekohe line, prompting the NZTA to reject the case for battery trains.
Can we assume the reason for the change of order is political?
Certainly, CAF, who are building the trains seem to have the required battery technology. This is also said.
CAF says the contract will include an option to equip the trains with battery packs at a later date if required.
I just wonder if battery trains are just too risky for politicians, who tend to be rather conservative and badly-informed about anything technological.
Auckland Mulls Battery-Electric Train Order
The title of this post is the title of this article on the International Railway Journal.
This is the first paragraph.
Auckland Council is expected to decide next week whether to proceed with an order for 17 battery-electric multiple units, which would replace DMUs on services on suburban services to Pukekohe.
The trains are being offered by CAF and are designed to work the Southern Line between Britomart Transport Centre in Auckland and Pukekohe.
The route is in two sections.
- From Britomart to Papakura is electrified at 25 KVAC.
- From Papakura to Pukekohe is run by a diesel shuttle.
The diesel shuttle runs over a distance of 18.38 km.
The plan would appear to be for the new trains to run as follows.
- To Papakura using the current electrification, charging the battery as they travelled.
- At Papakura they would switch to battery power for the shuttle to Pukekohe.
- On return to Papakura, they would switch back to the electrification and return to Auckland.
This would be a distance of 36.76 km. or just under twenty-three miles.
Conclusion
I think that this proposal is very significant.
CAF have put their money where their mouth is in this proposal, as if the trains couldn’t fulfil the requirements, it would be Spanish omelettes all over the place.
From the picture in the article on the International Railway Journal, it would appear that the offered trains are a version of the Civity train, which is being supplied to Northern as Class 331 trains.
A 23 mile battery range would be handy, as it could probably handle the Windermere Branch from Oxenholme.
The Anonymous Widower 