UK’s Iconic Jodrell Bank Telescope Faces Axe In Science Cuts
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
The Jodrell Bank Observatory, which has housed the UK’s largest telescope for nearly 70 years, has lost its funding and could now close, the BBC understands.
These two paragraphs add more details.
The observatory and its network of telescopes have been pivotal to the country’s study of distant galaxies and training future astronomers. Scientists have described the decision as “heartbreaking” and “scientifically misguided”.
All scientific observations at Jodrell are expected to cease on the 1 April 2028 unless alternative funding can be found.
I consider the government decision to be vandalism of the highest order.
This Google Map shows the Jodrell Bank site.
Note.
- The radio telescope is indicated by a red arrow.
- Going across the North-West corner of the map is the West Coast Main Line between London and Manchester Piccadilly.
- The red dot, which is labelled SKAO indicates the SKA Observatory, which has this web site.
This is on the home page.
Building the two largest telescope arrays in the world, located in South Africa and Australia, made possible through a global collaboration.
Jodrell Bank is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I have some thoughts.
I Was A Keen Amateur Astronomer At School
I went to Minchenden Grammar School in North London, where the school had Prince Albert’s six-inch refracting telescope for observations.
I can also remember a smaller reflecting telescope being setup outside the cricket pavilion to observe a partial eclipse of the sun.
Google AI lists three partial solar eclipses in London in the 1960s.
February 15, 1961: A deep partial dawn eclipse showing 92% to 95% coverage of the Sun in Southern England. It featured early television coverage and coincided with the exact day the movie Barabbas filmed its crucifixion scene during totality in Southern Europe.
September 22, 1968: A daytime partial eclipse where about one-third of the Sun was blocked. Skies over London cleared after 11:00 a.m., prompting the Junior Astronomical Society to set up projection telescopes in St. James’s Park.
May 20, 1966: Another visible partial solar event tracked across the UK, though with lighter public observation in the capital.
As the eclipse wasn’t 92 % to 95 % coverage and I would have been in Liverpool in 1968, I suspect it was the eclipse of May 20, 1966.
I Was Of The Generation That Grew Up With Jodrell Bank
The iconic Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope opened in 1957, which would be about the time, I started Minchenden Grammar School and was able to have access to their optical telescope.
So I grew up with Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, although I’ve never visited.
I Feel Very Strongly That Jodrell Bank Needs A Convenient Rail Connection
This page on the Jodrell Bank web site, gives these instructions on how to get there by rail.
The most convenient station is at Macclesfield, which is on the West Coast Mainline from London Euston to Manchester. On arrival at Macclesfield you will then need to take a 20-minute taxi ride to the Jodrell Bank. The taxi rank is directly outside the main exit from Macclesfield station.
There is also a station in the nearby village of Goostrey, on the line between Manchester and Crewe. It is a 2.5 mile walk from there along narrow country lanes and so we advise booking a taxi for this part of the journey. Note, you’ll need to do this in advance as there is no taxi rank at the station.
The Wikipedia entry for Goostrey station says this about the train service at the station.
There is an hourly service between Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport and Crewe on Monday – Saturday, which is every two hours on Sunday.
I don’t know much about scheduling buses, but I don’t think it would be too difficult to have an electric shuttle bus, ferry visitors between Goostrey station and the telescope site.
If the rail route to the telescope proved popular, it might even be possible to arrange that the occasional express stopped at Goostrey station.
Could Jodrell Bank Be Developed Into An Astronomy Experience For The North?
Real Time Trains reveals that to and from Goostrey station, you can reach a range of stations including.
- Birmingham New Street
- Bournemouth
- Cardiff Central
- Crewe
- London Euston
- Manchester Airport
- Manchester Piccadilly
- Milford Haven
- Reading
- Shrewsbury
- Swansea
The hourly services to Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe add a lot more destinations with a single change.
I Suspect Jodrell Bank Creates Work For SMEs In The Area
It is my experience that universities, research organisations and scientific establishments create networks of SMEs around their location, to do specialist jobs, they feel are best done by specialist contractors.
Jodrell Bank is close to the three large cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield and I suspect, that most sub-contracts can be handled in the area.
Conclusion
I believe that with input from the Mayors and University Vice-Chancellors of the North, Jodrell Bank could be developed into an engine of growth for the North of England.
Comet Ridge Lands Gladstone Gas Deal
It is obviously Highview Power’s day, as this project in Queensland, Australia gets five mentions in my Google Alert for Highview Power.
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Industry Queensland.
This is the sub-heading.
Mahalo gas hub developer Comet Ridge has reached a deal with Highview Power to supply the large-scale electricity project it is planning to build at the Aldoga State Development area near Gladstone.
These four paragraphs give a summary of the project.
The volume of gas targeted is 3.6 PJ/a (10 TJ/d) for a minimum of five years.
Highview’s Central Queensland Energy Storage Project is to be constructed in two phases.
Phase 1 consists of a 400MW four-hour battery energy storage system, two 200MW open-cycle gas turbines, a 370MVA synchronous condenser, and associated substations and transmission lines.
Phase 2 will be the build-out of a 200MW 12-hour liquid air energy storage system.
It looks like Highview Power’s battery is one of their larger systems and is a 200 MW/2.4 GWh version.
On Highview Power’s Projects page, this is said under a header of Australia.
Highview is developing a series of base‑load renewable energy power stations in Australia, with planning now underway for three major programmes. In Gladstone, Central Queensland, and Townsville, North Queensland, we are progressing large scale projects combining LDES and short-term battery storage. On the Darwin–Katherine network in the Northern Territory, plans are advancing for an integrated scheme incorporating solar generation, LDES and battery. Together, these initial developments will help Australia meet its target of halving carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
Gladstone is named in this story and on Highview Power’s web site.
Could Highview Power be making a breakthrough in process engineering after Sumitomo’s success at the LNG Terminal at Hiroshima.
Toyota Shock Admission: Electric HiLux And 4WDs Won’t Suit Mainstream Buyers Until Battery Tech Leaps Forward
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on EVCentral.
These are the three introductory paragraphs.
Toyota says electric utes and 4WDs are still years away from suiting mainstream, consumer-facing applications like touring and towing.
The admission came from Toyota Australia’s engineering team, speaking at the recent HiLux BEV and LandCruiser 300 Performance Hybrid briefing.
Toyota Australia’s product planning chief Ray Munday said battery energy density remains the single biggest obstacle standing between today’s electric utes and something capable of doing what a diesel HiLux or LandCruiser can do.
EVCentral also has an article entitled Toyota boss exults in Australian launch of new HiLux EV in 2026, hydrogen HiLux coming in 2028.
I hope, I’m still here in 2028, so I can have a ride in a hydrogen HiLux.
Wrightbus Launches In Australia With Battery And Hydrogen Buses On Show
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Fuel Cell Works.
These two bullet points, act as sub-headings.
- Wrightbus has officially launched its Australian expansion, introducing a range of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses backed by local sales, service and long-term support
- The move strengthens the company’s international growth strategy as Australia increases investment in zero-emission public transport and heavy-duty decarbonization
This first paragraph adds more details.
Wrightbus has officially entered the Australian market, marking a significant milestone in the Northern Ireland manufacturer’s international growth strategy. The company unveiled its expansion during the Australasia Bus & Coach Expo in Sydney, where it presented its battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell bus portfolio to operators, government agencies and transport stakeholders. The launch will be led locally by a dedicated Australian team and is supported by a long-term commitment to aftersales service, technical support and partnerships with Australian industry.
I believe that this is the start of something big.
- Wrightbus know how to sell large numbers of buses to conurbations like London, Manchester and Leeds.
- An operator can decarbonise their network in a way that suits them.
- In the Ultroliner, Wrightbus have a bus that can be introduced as a diesel and then converted to hydrogen or electric, when the operator has sorted the fuel.
- Australia must surely be a big market for Wrightbus’s hydrogen-powered coach, with a 1,000 km range on one fill-up.
- It should be born in mind, that the average Wrightbus zero-carbon bus, makes the competition from China look like junks.
Will Wrightbus manufacture the buses and coaches in Ballymena, Malaysia or Australia?
Cummins To Cease New Electrolyser Activity Amid Worsening Market
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Renewables Now.
These are the first three paragraphs.
Cummins Inc has decided to stop new commercial activity in the electrolysers space following a strategic review of the segment launched last year, citing deteriorating market conditions and weakening customer demand.
The decision is linked to USD 458 million (EUR 388.4m) of charges for the full-year 2025 related to the electrolyser business within the company’s zero-emission technologies arm, Accelera, of which USD 415 million were non-cash charges.
The company noted that it will continue to fulfil existing customer commitments before winding down new commercial activity in the segment.
Although, I am in favour of using hydrogen as a fuel, I recognise, that traditional electrolysis is not the most efficient process.
These methods are more efficient.
HiiROC
- HiiROC use a process, that they call Thermal Plasma Electrolysis to split any hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen and carbon black.
- HiiROC originated in the University of Hull.
- Typical gases that can be used are chemical plant off-gas, biomethane and methane.
- I like the ability to use chemical plant off-gas, as some of this is particularly nasty and HiiROC may offer safe disposal.
But the big advantage is that the HiiROC process is five times more energy efficient than traditional electrolysis.
The carbon black is no useless by-product, but has several valuable uses in its own right, which are detailed in its Wikipedia entry.
These two paragraphs from Wikipedia, give a summary of the more common uses of carbon black.
The most common use (70%) of carbon black is as a reinforcing phase in automobile tires. Carbon black also helps conduct heat away from the tread and belt area of the tire, reducing thermal damage and increasing tire life. Its low cost makes it a common addition to cathodes and anodes and is considered a safe replacement to lithium metal in lithium-ion batteries. About 20% of world production goes into belts, hoses, and other non-tire rubber goods. The remaining 10% use of carbon black comes from pigment in inks, coatings, and plastics, as well as being used as a conductive additive in lithium-ion batteries.
Carbon black is added to polypropylene because it absorbs ultraviolet radiation, which otherwise causes the material to degrade. Carbon black particles are also employed in some radar absorbent materials, in photocopier and laser printer toner, and in other inks and paints. The high tinting strength and stability of carbon black has also provided use in coloring of resins and films. Carbon black has been used in various applications for electronics. A good conductor of electricity, carbon black is used as a filler mixed in plastics, elastomer, films, adhesives, and paints. It is used as an antistatic additive agent in automobile fuel caps and pipes.
It can also be used as a soil improver in agriculture.
HiiROC would appear to be five times more energy efficient than traditional electrolysis.
I would also rate the range of their investors as a particular strength.
Google AI lists these companies as investors.
HiiROC, a UK-based developer of plasma torch technology for “turquoise” hydrogen production, is backed by a consortium of industrial and strategic investors. Key investors include Centrica, Melrose Industries, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, HydrogenOne Capital, CEMEX Ventures, Wintershall Dea, and VNG.
Note.
- CEMEX must be going to decarbonise cement making.
- Melrose describe themselves as an industry-leading aerospace technology provider.
- Will we be seeing hydrogen cars from Korean manufacturers?
- Wintershall Dea is Europe’s leading independent gas and oil company.
HiiROC has an impressive list of investors.
Bloom Energy
I wrote about Bloom Energy’s process in Westinghouse And Bloom Energy To Team Up For Pink Hydrogen.
This method also looks promising.
- Westinghouse Electric Company is an American builder of nuclear power stations.
- Bloom Energy Corporation make a solid-oxide electrolyser.
- Pink hydrogen is green hydrogen produced using nuclear power.
It uses electrolysis at a higher temperature, which speeds it up.
Desert Bloom
This is an Australian process, that I wrote about in 10GW Green Hydrogen Project Aims To Electrolyze Water Drawn From Desert Air.
Conclusion
You can understand, why Cummins are getting jumpy!
But you have to remember that when I worked in a hydrogen plant in the 1960s, the hydrogen was an unwanted by-product and it was mixed with coal gas and sent down the power station to raise steam, so that it could be used to do something useful.
E.ON Invests £4 million In Allume Energy To Boost Solar Rollout For Flats
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Solar Power Portal.
These three paragraphs explain the deal and say a small amount about Alume’s SolShare system.
Energy supplier E.ON UK has today (17 June) announced that it has signed a strategic investment agreement with Australian firm Allume Energy to help the firm expand into the UK.
E.ON UK has invested £4 million into Allume Energy to enable Allume to expand the reach of its SolShare technology within the UK market. SolShare allows solar energy from a single rooftop solar PV installation to be fairly shared amongst multiple homes in the same building in order to allow residents of flats to access solar PV energy.
Residents are supplied their energy when they are using by a pre-determined allocation, allowing them to lower their energy bills. Many blocks of flats that do have solar panels fitted currently only use this energy to power the common areas of the building while residents still pay their full electricity bill. According to Allume, a shared rooftop solar PV system can reduce resident energy bills by between 30% and 60%.
I must say, that when I read this article, it had something of the too-good-to-be-true about it.
But.
- My solar installation on a fair-sized roof cost me about £6,000 and I am constantly surprised at how much electricity it provides.
- If you have fifty flats, they all won’t do their weekly washing at the same time each week.
- I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big battery somewhere or a small battery in each flat.
- The batteries could soak up any excess electricity or charge on cheap-rate overnight electricity.
- Do Allume’s engineers go through every flat and make suggestions about saving energy?
- Is the pattern of electricity usage in a block of flats predictable from past usage and factors like weather, the time of the year and what’s on television?
- I wouldn’t be surprised that Allume have performed extensive mathematical modelling on blocks of flats.
I think this deal could be a winner foe E.ON, Allume and their customers.
I have some ideas about the use of the system.
Would It Work On A Small Housing Estate?
A small housing estate would be a number of solar roofs feeding a number of houses, whereas with flats it will be one roof feeding a number of dwellings.
I suspect that with a well-designed sharing and pooling system, a lot of features of the flat-powering system could be used to power houses.
How Does The System Handle Electric Vehicles?
The system could use these to store electricity, so that they are always charged at the cheapest rate.
And when there is a shortage of electricity, the electricity could be borrowed by the Allume system.
Conclusion
If you have community sharing their own source of electricity, you can probably make ideas work, that wouldn’t in a single application.
My nose says Allume’s idea has legs.
Cummins Unveils Integrated Powertrain
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Big Rigs.
These four paragraphs, describe what Cummins can offer to the world’s builders of large trucks.
In recent years, Cummins has gone through a remarkable transformation, becoming a genuine powertrain supplier – from engine to transmission to axles and brakes.
Now for the first time, Cummins will showcase its new integrated powertrain at the upcoming Brisbane Truck Show next month.
This world-first display will feature the integration of a Cummins X15 engine, Eaton Cummins 18-speed Endurant speed transmission, and Meritor driveline and axles.
Cummins’ acquisition of Meritor in 2022 was a critical step for the company to be able to roll out a completely integrated powertrain.
Note that the X15 engine has a hydrogen version numbered as X15H.
The Empires Strike Back
The theme of this post was suggested by this article in The Times by Gerard Baker, which is entitled Karma has come for Mark Carney — and Canada.
This is the sub-heading.
This embodiment of globalism finds himself championing national sovereignty just as Trump eyes a North American union
These are the two introductory paragraphs.
Mark Carney is the very embodiment of the globalist ideal that ruled the world for a quarter-century after the end of the Cold War. Born in the mid-1960s in the far Northwest Territories, he grew up in Alberta in the kind of place previous generations would never have left. But the brilliant kid from a large Catholic family won a scholarship to Harvard and then took a masters and doctorate at Oxford.
Marked out as a member of the intellectual elite of his generation, he followed their well-worn path and joined Goldman Sachs, working in the US, the UK and Japan. As international borders came down, goods and capital flowed around the world like water, and rootless young men and women feasted on the pot of gold at the End of History, Carney jetted from capital to capital, developing bond issuance strategies in post-apartheid South Africa and helping deal with the consequences of the Russian debt crisis of 1998.
Mark Carney has done very well!
I have a few thoughts.
Energy Production In Canada And The UK
I have just looked up how Canada produces its electricity.
- 17.5 % -Fossil fuel
- 14.6 % – Nuclear
- 8 % – Renewables
So how does Canada produce the other sixty percent?
Hydro! Wow!
As I write, the UK is producing electricity as follows.
- 10.7 % – Fossil fuel
- 37.7 % – Low-carbon
- 51.6 % – Renewables
Changes To Energy Use In The Next Ten Years
Three things will happen to energy generation and use in the next ten years.
- Our use of renewable and non-zero carbon sources will converge with Canada’s at about 75 %.
- The use of energy storage will grow dramatically in Canada and the UK.
- Green hydrogen production will increase dramatically to decarbonise difficult and expensive-to-decarbonise industries like aviation, cement, chemicals, glass, heavy transport, refining and steel.
Canada and the UK, together with a few other sun-, water- or wind-blessed countries, like Australia, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Iceland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Norway, who share a lot of our values, will be in the prime position to produce all this green hydrogen.
Conclusion
It does look like all the old empires of the Middle Ages are reasserting themselves.
Hence the title of this post!
Mark Carney is now in the right position to use Canada’s and a few other countries hydrogen muscles to power the world to net-zero.
Thoughts On The Washington National Air Tragedy
I flew light aircraft for over twenty years as a hobby and to get about on business. I flew mainly in the UK, but flew for perhaps fifty to a hundred hours in Australia, France, Ireland, Italy and the United States. I flew planes on to islands like the Scillies in the UK, the Lido in Venice and the Barrier Reef in Australia. It was great fun and I enjoyed it immensely.
I had a friend, who had been an RAF Air Traffic Controller, who would be horrified at Trump’s remarks on diversity, as although he was white, he had been born in Tobago and had many ATC colleagues who were not white.
Flying around the world, most ATC personnel, try to smooth you on your way, even in France and Italy. But American ATC seems to work under unnecessary pressure because they allow planes to where British, French and Australian ATC wouldn’t.
I was told in the 1970s, that aviation experts, wanted to close National Airport, but the politicians wouldn’t allow it.
If I was Trump, I would bring in outside experts from somewhere like Australia, where in my opinion, they do ATC so much better than the Americans.
The Anonymous Widower 