Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures
The title for this post was inspired by this article on the BBC, which is entitled Water Scheme Kicks In To Boost Severn Amid Drought.
This is the sub-heading.
A groundwater scheme in Shropshire that pumps additional water into the River Severn has been switched on
These are the first three paragraphs, which add more detail.
It comes after the Environment Agency (EA) last month declared drought status for the West Midlands, following the driest spring in 132 years.
The scheme, owned and operated by the agency, pumps groundwater stored naturally in sandstone underneath much of north Shropshire, and delivers it through an underground network of pipes into the Severn.
The scheme pumps almost 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools of fresh water every day into the river, with a total of 49 pumps and 53km (32.9m) of underground pipes.
It looks a good scheme to me, but I suspect, those pumps and pipes didn’t come cheap.
These two further paragraphs, explain how it works.
Two reservoirs in Wales – Clywedog and Vyrnwy – are the first resources used to top up the river during dry weather.
The groundwater scheme is the last option to be brought into operation during dry conditions, because of how resource-intensive it is.
I suspect politicians like Trump and Farage would not have sanctioned a scheme like this, as it only protects a river.
This page on the Environment Agency blog gives more details of the scheme.
I looked up the title, that I’ve used for this post on Google AI and received this answer.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures” is an idiom suggesting that unusual problems or difficult circumstances may require unconventional or extreme solutions that would not normally be considered. The phrase originated from an ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, who wrote about extreme diseases needing extreme methods of cure. The saying acknowledges that when faced with significant challenges, bold or drastic decisions may be necessary for survival or success.
As it seems the scheme is working well, I feel that the decision to build it, was the right one.
Trump Wants National Guard To Dump Homeless ‘Far From Washington’
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on The Times.
On reading that title, I asked Google, what Adolf Hitler did with the homeless.
Wikipedia gave this answer.
In 1933, the Nazi Party passed a Law “against Habitual and Dangerous Criminals”, which allowed for the relocation of beggars, homeless, and the unemployed to concentration camps.
I know Trump has German ancestry, but!
Global Offshore Wind Capacity Reaches 83 GW, 100 GW More To Be Awarded in 2025-2026, New Report Says
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
According to a new market report from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), there are now 83 GW of offshore wind capacity installed globally, with 48 GW more in the construction phase worldwide as of May this year.
The first paragraph is a quote from Rebecca Williams, Deputy CEO at GWEC.
Our report finds that there is now already 83 GW of offshore wind installed worldwide, keeping the lights on for 73 million households, and powering countries’ economic development. There is currently a further 48 GW of offshore wind [under] construction worldwide. With its unique position in the marine space, and ability to produce large amounts of reliable, homegrown power, nations around the world are pushing forward the technology to enhance their energy independence and autonomy
I doubt Ms. Williams will be on the Donald Trump’s Christmas card list.
The article is worth a full read, as it contains some interesting statistics.
This is the last paragraph of the article.
Global Wind Energy Council’s 2024 global offshore wind outlook for total additions in the 2025-2029 period was 156.72 GW, which has now been downgraded to 118.56 GW.
These are my estimates for the amount of offshore wind in the UK.
- Currently Installed – 16, 035 MW
- To Be Installed in 2025 – 1,235 MW
- To Be Installed in 2026 – 4,907 MW
- To Be Installed in 2027 – 5,750 MW
- To Be Installed in 2028 – 480 MW
- To Be Installed in 2029 – 1,363 MW
The UK should be installing 13,735 MW, which would.
- Lift total offshore wind capacity to 29.8 GW.
- This is an 86 % increase in capacity from July 2025.
- As I write this, we are using 29.3 GW.
- We would be adding 11.6 % of the global additions for 2025-2029, which isn’t bad for such a small country.
All this wind will need to be backed up, for when the wind doesn’t blow.
So I asked Google AI how much electricity storage we will have by 2029 and got this AI Overview.
In 2029, the UK is expected to have a significant amount of battery energy storage capacity, with estimates ranging from 27 to 29 GW, according to the House of Commons Library and Cornwall Insight. This capacity is crucial for supporting the UK’s transition to a clean energy system and ensuring a stable electricity supply.
Obviously, Google AI isn’t that intelligent, as it made the mistake made by many electricity storage companies of just giving the output of the battery, as it sounds better, rather than both the output and the storage capacity.
Consider.
- Most Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can provide two hours of output.
- Highview Power’s big batteries are 200 MW/2.5 GWh, so will provide 12.5 hours of output.
If I assume that the average storage is just two hours, that means the available storage will be at least 54 GWh.
Given that we also had 16 GW of solar power in June 2024 and if this increases at a similar rate to offshore wind power, it will certainly be able to help fill the energy storage, I think we’ll have enough renewable energy to play a big part in the next election.
About The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
I asked Google AI for a summary about GWEC and got this AI Overview.
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has its global headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal. Additionally, they have offices in Brussels, Belgium; Singapore; and London, UK.
GWEC’s presence is not limited to these locations, as they have a global network of experts working across different continents, according to the organization’s website. Their flagship report, the Global Wind Report, is launched annually in London. For example, the 2025 report launch took place in London.
Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t mention an office in the United States.
The report, which forms the basis of this post, can be downloaded from the GWEC web site.
Do Vitamin B12 Injections Make You Drowsy?
For the last couple of days I’ve been feeling a bit drowsy.
- The physio at my fitness class possibly noticed it on Friday.
- I certainly had a good siesta on Friday afternoon.
- This morning I went back to bed after the Ocado delivery at 06:30 and slept for an hour.
Google AI gave this answer to my question.
Cyanocobalamin is a form of vitamin B12 that is used to increase vitamin B12 levels. It is available in a variety of forms over the counter as a supplement and by prescription as an injection or nasal spray. Some common side effects may include headache, feeling weak or tired, and nausea.
I certainly didn’t have any headache or nausea. But then I rarely have the first and only have the second, when I see Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin on the television.
According to the BBC, we have been having unusually low atmospheric pressure for this time of year.
So I also asked Google AI if low atmospheric pressure can make you drowsy.
Google AI gave this answer to my question.
Yes, low atmospheric pressure can make you drowsy. This is because low pressure systems, often associated with stormy or cloudy weather, can lead to decreased sunlight exposure, which can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) and increase melatonin production, the hormone that promotes sleep. Additionally, low pressure can reduce oxygen saturation, potentially causing fatigue.
As my now-retired GP felt I was badly affected by low atmospheric pressure, I’ll go along with that!
As that GP and myself felt that low atmospheric pressure drew water out of my body and made me dehydrated, I asked Google a supplementary question – Does dehydration make you drowsy?
Google AI gave this answer to my question.
Yes, dehydration can definitely make you feel drowsy. When your body is dehydrated, it doesn’t have enough fluids to function optimally, which can lead to fatigue and drowsiness. Dehydration can also cause a drop in blood pressure, which can reduce blood flow to the brain, further contributing to feelings of tiredness and sleepiness, according to A.Vogel UK.
I’ll go along with that.
Conclusion
Did the combination of the B12 injection and the low atmospheric pressure combine to make me unusually drowsy?
It’s certainly a possibility.
The more I ask Dr. Google questions, that he passes to his computerised assistant, the more I like and trust the system.
Reform Declares War On County’s Net-Zero Projects
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Reform UK leaders in Lincolnshire say they have “declared war” on green energy projects.
These three paragraphs outline their policies.
Boston and Skegness MP Richard Tice, Greater Lincolnshire’s mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Councillor Sean Matthews, who leads the county council, launched a campaign at a press conference held in Boston earlier.
They said they opposed wind and solar farms and battery storage facilities, with Tice adding: “It is an absolute outrage what the madness of net stupid zero is doing to our county, as well as to our country.”
The government said green energy was vital in delivering energy security, while Labour MP Melanie Onn argued Reform’s stance posed a risk to thousands of jobs.
It should be noted that Lincolnshire has a lot of projects, that will be concerned with renewable energy.
Lincolnshire is one of the UK counties, with the highest level of wind power.
- There are over 7 GW of wind farms, that already do or will land their electricity in the county including 5.5 GW from the world’s largest offshore wind farm; Hornsea.
- There is approaching 300 MW of onshore wind in the county, which includes England’s largest onshore wind farm at Keadby, which is 68 MW.
I asked Google how much solar there was in the county and I got this AI Overview.
Lincolnshire has a significant amount of solar power capacity, with several large solar farms and numerous smaller installations. The county is a major location for solar energy development, with some projects aiming to power tens or even hundreds of thousands of homes.
In the real world of wind and solar energy, all of this renewable energy will need backup and the county has it in hundreds of megawatts.
- Keadby One is a 732 MW gas-fired power station owned by SSE Thermal.
- Keadby Two is a 849 MW gas-fired power station owned by SSE Thermal.
- Keadby Three will be a 910 gas-fired power station, fitted with carbon capture, that is being developed by SSE Thermal.
- Keadby Next Generation Power Station is a 1800 MW hydrogen-powered power station, that is being developed by Equinor and SSE Thermal. I wrote about it in Consultation On Plans For Keadby Hydrogen Power Station To Begin and it will generate 900 MW of zero-carbon electricity.
Now that it what I call backup.
Conclusion
Lincolnshire generates a lot of renewable energy and Reform UK want to throw it all away.
As I showed in US Gov’t Withdraws All Offshore Wind Energy Areas, Trump’s policies against renewable energy and wind in particular are not good for investment and employment.
We don’t want Trump’s policies in the UK.
And especially in Lincolnshire, where all this energy can attract jobs.
US Gov’t Withdraws All Offshore Wind Energy Areas
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has rescinded and de-designated all Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) on the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The WEAs are areas in the US federal waters that BOEM previously identified as suitable for wind energy development and, following a multi-stage process, designated Wind Energy Areas for which a lease sale may be proposed.
This first paragraph adds more details.
“By rescinding WEAs, BOEM is ending the federal practice of designating large areas of the OCS for speculative wind development, and is de-designating over 3.5 million acres of unleased federal waters previously targeted for offshore wind development across the Gulf of America, Gulf of Maine, the New York Bight, California, Oregon, and the Central Atlantic”, the US agency said on 30 July.
Trump may not be able to do anything about windmills in Scotland, but he has certainly killed them off in the seas around the United States.
The last paragraph of the article contains the words of Stephanie Francoeur, SVP of Communications & External Affairs at Oceantic Network, who are a US offshore renewable energy industry organisation.
“This will result in even higher energy costs, increased blackouts, job loss, and billions of dollars in stranded investments, further delaying shovel-ready projects supported by a domestic heavy manufacturing supply chain renaissance that spans 40 states. Crippling affordable and reliable wind energy makes no economic sense and undermines the administration’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. We urge the Department to adopt policies which put all sources of American energy on an even playing field.”
Donald! The lady has warned you! And she seems angry!
Could This Decision Be Beneficial To Other Wind Projects Around The World?
I wouldn’t be surprised, as there will now be a lot of quality resources and assets in the United States, that will be looking for work.
Inside A Class 99 – The UK’s Most Powerful Locomotive
The title of this post, is the same as the title of this YouTube video.
This locomotive and its siblings, which can run on both electrification and diesel is the future of rail freight in the UK and GB Railfreight have ordered thirty of them.
Hopefully, by the end of the year, I’ll see one of these locomotives running along the North London Line, through Highbury & Islington and Dalston Kingsland stations.
At the present time, there are 480 Class 66 diesel freight locomotives in the UK. A substantial amount of carbon emissions would be saved, if as many as possible of Class 66 locomotives as possible were replaced by Class 99 locomotives.
These Class 99 locomotives will literally turn the rail freight business upside down.
Can These Locomotives Be Converted from Diesel To Hydrogen Power?
Stadler or Cummins have not said, but Cummins are decarbonising the company.
Already, large American trucks fitted with the latest Cummins engines can be converted to hydrogen. I write about this in Cummins Debuts Integrated HELM Drivetrain At IAA.
Cummins are also supplying Wrightbus with engines for the next generation of low-emission bus, as I wrote about in Wrightbus StreetDeck Ultroliner Next-Gen To Get Cummins Power.
Did Stadler fit a Cummins diesel engine in a Class 99 locomotive, as they know that every Class 99 locomotive or similar locomotives for other markets can be converted to hydrogen?
It is strange but very heartening, that when we have an American President, who thinks that climate change is fake news, one of the United States, largest and most iconic companies is leading the charge to decarbonisation.
A Message From Trump
Donald Trump published this last night, according to a reader’s comment in The Times.
Trump Fragrances are here. They’re called “Victory 45-47” because they’re all about Winning, Strength, and Success For men and women. Get yourself a bottle, and don’t forget to get one for your loved ones too. Enjoy, have fun, and keep winning!
Roll up folks, you too can smell like Trump for a very reasonable $249!
I used to have a basset hound, who farts probably smelled better than anything produced by the world’s number one confidence trickster.
I must say, that the more, I read about Trump, the more it gets like a Tom Sharpe novel!
All Trump’s life needs is a good dose of rubber fetishism! He’d certainly look ridiculous in a rubber cat-suit.
Trump’s Tax Bill To Cost 830,000 Jobs And Drive Up Bills And Pollution Emissions, Experts Warn
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on The Guardian.
This is the sub-heading.
Bill will unleash millions more tonnes of planet-heating pollution and couldn’t come at a worse time, say experts
This first paragraph adds a bit more detail.
A Republican push to dismantle clean energy incentives threatens to reverberate across the US by costing more than 830,000 jobs, raising energy bills for US households and threatening to unleash millions more tonnes of the planet-heating pollution that is causing the climate crisis, experts have warned.
After that the news gets worse for the planet and the sooner Tamworth retires or is retired, the better!
Equinor May Ditch Empire Wind 1 ‘In Coming Days’ Unless Stop-Work Order Lifted – Reports
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Equinor could abandon the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project “in the coming days” if the stop-work order, issued by the US government soon after the project started offshore construction work, is not lifted, president of Equinor Renewables Americas, Molly Morris, recently shared in an interview.
These are the first three paragraphs.
Morris told Politico that the standstill was costing the company millions each day and USD 50 million (around EUR 45 million) per week but that a lawsuit would take too long as the work offshore needs to get off the ground again soon.
Last month, Anders Opedal, CEO and President of Equinor, called the US government’s order to stop construction activities on Empire Wind 1 “unlawful” and said the company was seeking to engage directly with the US administration to clarify the matter and was considering its legal options.
AP reports that Morris said the project was now at risk of missing the summer construction window as it began this month and would be set back a year if that happens. This is why the company is pushing for the order to be lifted by the government as that would allow for the work to be resumed while legal action could get the project tied up in courts, according to AP’s report.
When this project is late and inevitably loses money, it will be Trump’s fault.
I’ve seen it all before with housing and railway projects in the UK and other countries.
But Trump is bringing pointless political interference for a whole new stupid level.
How
The Anonymous Widower 