The Anonymous Widower

Mining Firms Turn To Renewables And Battery Storage In Bid To Ditch Diesel

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article from Reuters.

These four bullet points act as sub-headings.

  • Mining operations depend on diesel generators, far from electricity grids
  • Fortescue installs 250MWh BYD battery in West Australia to store energy from solar power
  • RheEnergise’s Devon plant supplying pumped hydro power to a kaolin mine
  • Sandvik offering miners a “battery-as-a-service” model to cut energy costs

These paragraphs introduce the article.

In Western Australia’s Pilbara region, a new feature is being added to an ancient landscape: rows of containerised batteries. Iron ore mining giant Fortescue took delivery of its first major battery energy storage system (BESS) from Chinese manufacturer BYD in December 2025. The 48 containers in this batch have a capacity of 250 megawatt hours (MWh). By 2030, the company plans to have up to 5 gigawatt hours (GWh) in place, the largest in Australia.

Fortescue says its plans for BESS may be vast in ambition, yet simple in execution.

“It’s literally dropping shipping containers on the ground and plugging them in,” says Dino Otranto, the company’s CEO ​for metals and operations. “There’s not much more complexity than that. You don’t have to build a billion-dollar power station, with all the complexity.”

Like the iron ore-rich Pilbara, major deposits of the world’s most important mineral resources lie in remote regions, far from national electricity ‌grids. That means mining companies typically rely on highly polluting and carbon-intensive diesel generators to power their operations.

It certainly seems, that Fortescue, who are one of the world’s largest mining groups,  are convinced of the value of batteries.

But another mining giant is involved in developing batteries. In UK Infrastructure Bank, Centrica & Partners Invest £300M in Highview Power Clean Energy Storage Programme To Boost UK’s Energy Security, this is said.

The £300 million funding round was led by the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and the British multinational energy and services company Centrica, alongside a syndicate of investors including Rio Tinto, Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI and Mosaic Capital.

Note.

  1. Highview Power’s CRYOBatteries use air in its liquid form as a storage medium. That surely must be very cool!
  2. Highview Power’s largest battery under development is 300 MW/3.2 GWh.
  3. KIRKBI is the private fund of the LEGO family.
  4. Goldman Sachs and Mosaic Capital must be good for a few quid.
  5. Rio Tinto is a UK-Listed mining company.

Out of curiosity, I asked Google AI, “Are Highview Power Developing Large Battery Applications For Mining?” and received this reply.

Yes, Highview Power is heavily investing in and developing large-scale, long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions—which they refer to as “liquid air batteries” (CRYOBattery™)—that are designed to support heavy industries, including potential applications for mining and remote industrial operations.

While their primary focus has been on grid-scale, long-duration energy storage, these systems are suitable for industrial sites that require high-power,, high-capacity, and dependable, dispatchable energy that typical chemical batteries (like Lithium-ion) cannot provide over long durations.

Key Aspects of Highview Power’s Development:
Technology: Highview’s CRYOBattery™ is a Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) system that uses renewable energy to turn air into liquid at -196°C, storing it, and then expanding it back to gas to drive turbines.

Scale and Scope: They are developing projects with a capacity range of 50 megawatts to hundreds of megawatts, providing energy for 8 to 24 hours.

Projects and Investment:
UK Projects: A 300 MWh facility in Carrington, Manchester, is currently being built and is scheduled to be operational by 2026.

Major Expansion: A 2.5 GWh facility, which will be the world’s largest, is being developed at Hunterston, Scotland, with plans to build four such large-scale facilities in the UK.

Australia & Japan: They are developing base-load renewable power projects in Australia—specifically in Gladstone, Townsville, and the Northern Territory (Darwin-Katherine)—which often include mining and high-load industrial sites.

Mining Sector Connections: Highview Power’s funding rounds have been backed by major mining and resources companies, including Rio Tinto and Sumitomo.

Suitability for Remote Mining: The system can be located anywhere (unlike pumped hydro), is modular, and uses proven off-the-shelf components, making it ideal for the high energy requirements of the mining industry.

Highview’s technology is designed to store excess energy from wind and solar over long periods and release it on demand, which is critical for making renewable energy as flexible as traditional fossil fuels in industrial contexts.

I further asked Google AI, “Where Are Highview Power Going To Build Their First Four Big Batteries In the UK”, and received this reply.

Highview Power is developing a multi-billion pound, long-duration energy storage programme in the UK, utilizing Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) technology, which acts as a “big battery” by storing excess renewable energy as liquid air.

The company has identified over 16 potential sites, with the first four major projects planned for the following locations:

Carrington, Manchester (Trafford Energy Park): Currently under construction, this is the flagship 50MW/300MWh commercial-scale plant. It is scheduled to be operational by early 2026.

Hunterston, North Ayrshire (Scotland): This is the first of the “Millennium Series” plants, announced as the first in a new second phase of four projects. The 2.5 GWh facility is set to have its stability island operational by 2027.

Killingholme, Lincolnshire: Named as another site eligible for the UK government’s Cap and Floor support scheme, which aids in financing these large-scale projects.

Fourth Site (TBD): Highview Power’s second phase includes two in Scotland and two in England (likely including Killingholme), bringing 10 GWh of new capacity online by 2030.

Key Project Details
Total Investment: Backed by over £500m in funding from the UK Infrastructure Bank and Centrica.

Purpose: These plants store surplus wind and solar power for up to several weeks, addressing grid congestion and allowing for the closure of fossil fuel power stations.

Technology: Unlike lithium-ion, LAES uses liquified air, providing long-duration storage (6+ hours) with a 50+ year plant life.

The Hunterston project is expected to support 1,000 jobs during construction.

My project management experience would lead me to expect, that building each project would lead to a number of jobs being created, during the construction phase. That can’t be bad!

How is the Sumitomo/Highview Power CRYOBattery Performing At Hiroshima?

I will finish by talking about the Sumitomo/Highview Power CRYOBattery, which I talked about in Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On Line At Hiroshima?

I asked Google AI, the question in the title  of this section and received this reply.

The Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) and Highview Power Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) plant in Hiroshima is officially operational and performing as a key commercial demonstration of long-duration energy storage. The plant, located at the Hiroshima Gas Hatsukaichi LNG Terminal, began operations on December 1, 2025, with a inauguration ceremony held shortly after.

Here is a breakdown of its performance and status:
Operational Role: The plant is functioning as the world’s first commercial-scale LAES plant integrated with LNG cold energy, delivering zero-carbon energy and providing grid stability for Japan’s power system.

Capacity and Technology: It operates with a 5 MW output and 4-hour storage (approx. 4 MW charging), utilizing waste cold from the adjacent Hiroshima Gas LNG terminal to increase efficiency.

Performance Objectives: The facility is designed to prove that LAES technology is a viable, scalable, and emission-free solution for grid storage.
Development: The project was delivered through a collaboration between Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Sumitomo SHI FW (SFW), and Highview Power.

The plant is considered a significant step in Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality strategy and confirms the potential of using cryogenic technology for long-duration energy storage.

Conclusion

Sumitomo, Highview Power and their partners now appear to be ready to go forth and multiply.

April 11, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Liquid Air Alternative To Fossil Fuels

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC Future Web Site.

It is also one of the best articles, I’ve read on the economics of liquid-air energy storage.

This is the sub-heading.

An overlooked technology for nearly 50 years, the world’s largest liquid air energy storage facility is finally set to power up in 2026. It’s hoping to compete with grid-scale lithium batteries and hydro to store clean power, and reduce the need to fall back on fossil fuels.

These three introductory paragraphs add detail to the project.

As the world’s use of renewable electricity soars, surpassing coal for the first time, the need to store that energy when the Sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing is growing in step. While some turn to grid-scale lithium batteries and others to pumped hydro, a small but growing industry is convinced there’s a better solution still: batteries that rely on air.

Near the village of Carrington in north-west England, the foundations are being laid for the world’s largest commercial-scale liquid air energy storage facility, one of the first of its kind. The site will eventually become an array of industrial machinery and a number of large storage tanks, filled with air that has been compressed and cooled so much it has become a liquid, using renewable energy surplus to demand. The stored energy can be discharged later when demand exceeds supply.

If the project succeeds, more will follow. The site’s developers Highview Power are confident that liquid air energy storage will make it easier for countries to replace fossil fuels with clean renewable energy – though at present, the technology is expensive. But as the need for clean energy storage surges, they’re betting the balance will tip in favour of liquid air.

The BBC article, seems to have been written with input from Shaylin Cetegen, a chemical engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who studies energy storage systems.

Topics discussed include.

  • The intermittency problem of renewables and how this gives problems for the stability of electricity grids.
  • The switchable nature of fossil-fuel power generation.
  • A big part of the solution is to store the surplus energy so that it can be released when it’s needed. Think of it like an electricity deposit account!
  • For decades, the main form of energy storage has been pumped hydro. In 2021, the world had 160 GW of pumped hydro capacity. The UK has a total of just 3 GW in Scotland and Wales! But more is on the way!
  • Recently, large-scale battery storage systems have risen to the challenge and installed capacity has risen from 55.7 GW in 2023 to 150 GW / 348 GWh in 2025.
  • The liquid air solution is then explained.
  • A grid-scale stop-gap, that is the 30 MW/300 MWh Manchester hybrid liquid-air battery, is then described.
  • In August 2026, the battery is set to begin operating.
  • An alternative way of stabilising the grid will be provided.
  • It will come online in two stages, says Highview Power CEO Richard Butland.
  • Then in 2027 the liquid air storage is expected to begin fully operating.

Highview Power will make money by trading electricity, as pumped storage operators do.

The penultimate section of the article looks at the bottom line and comes to these conclusions.

Instead, she says governments could support the technology. In her study, subsidising the initial capital costs to set up the systems “could be a viable approach to achieve economic viability in the short term”, she says.

Furthermore, faster uptake of renewables would increase energy price volatility, making energy storage more economically viable.

Cetegen makes a final point in favour of liquid air energy storage: it’s cheap. Energy storage technologies are often assessed using a metric called the “levelised cost of storage”, which estimates how much each unit of stored energy costs over the lifespan of the project. For liquid air, this can be as low as $45 (£34) per megawatt-hour – compared to $120 (£89) for pumped hydro and $175 (£130) for lithium-ion batteries.

“While none of these storage methods are likely economically viable right now without policy support, liquid air energy storage stands out as a particularly cost-effective option for large-scale storage,” Cotegen says.

Ultimately, Butland expects electricity grids to rely on a mix of storage technologies. Pumped hydro is extremely effective and works for decades, but it’s location-dependent because it needs a water supply. Meanwhile, batteries are highly efficient and can be placed anywhere, but need to be replaced after about 10 years. Liquid air has the advantage that it can store energy for longer than batteries, with minimal losses.

As any country enters the green transition, its electricity grid needs to be remodelled to cope. “We’re rebuilding all grids globally, based on new generation,” says Butland. And that could well mean a lot of liquid air energy storage.

 

March 21, 2026 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

NextEnergy Solar Fund To Shift To Energy Storage And Divest Solar in Strategic Overhaul

The title of this post is the same as that of this article on the Solar Power Portal.

This is the sub-heading.

As part of the reset, NextEnergy said it will increase its energy storage exposure up to 30% of its gross asset value, a significant increase on its current rate of 10%.

These two paragraphs give more of their reasoning.

NextEnergy Solar Fund has completed a “strategic reset” of its investment strategy which will see it focus on energy storage assets and increase project sales.

As part of the reset, NextEnergy said it will increase its energy storage exposure up to 30% of its gross asset value, a significant increase on its current rate of 10%. The company said the shift would “enhance the Company’s existing stable revenues generated by its operational solar assets and support future revenues”.

In Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On Line At Hiroshima?, I describe a power supply system developed by Sumitomo Heavy Industries to supply a stable 5 MW to a LNG Terminal, using these components.

  • A Cold Source
  • Solar Panels
  • A 5 MW/20 MWh Highview Power liquid-air CRYObattery.

Do Sumitomo Heavy Industries believe that a combination of energy and/or battery sources working together gives the quality of stable power, that is needed by today’s modern factories, facilities and buildings?

As a Graduate Control Engineer, I very much believe stable power supplies are a good thing and Sumitomo Heavy Industries obviously feel that Highview Power’s liquid air CRYObatteries are a good way to provide them.

The adding of a battery into a solar-powered renewable power supply, would surely, increase the amount of batteries that NextEnergy were financing.

 

 

March 12, 2026 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage, Finance & Investment | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Much Electricity Do You Need To Charge A Garage Full Of Electric Buses?

Consider.

I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this comprehensive answer.

Charging a full garage of electric buses requires massive amounts of electricity, with typical, non-optimized charging for a 100-bus depot capable of drawing nearly 10 megawatts (MW) of power. To put this into perspective, a 100-bus depot might require roughly 150 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy to recharge over an eight-hour night.

Key Factors and Energy Requirements

Energy Consumption per Bus: A typical electric bus has a battery capacity between 300-500 kWh. Energy consumption averages around 1.11 to 1.35 kWh/km, with higher consumption in winter or with heavy A/C use.

Total Depot Power: For a 100-bus depot, power requirements can reach 10 MW, equivalent to the power output of a small hydroelectric dam.

Optimal Charging: Using smart charging, a 100-bus depot can reduce its peak demand to around 4 MW.

Daily Usage: A single, large electric bus can consume up to 500 kWh per day, with daily demand ranging from 189 to 231 kWh for typical operations.

Infrastructure and Grid Considerations

Charging Infrastructure: Depots often use 40 kW to 250 kW chargers, with 100 kW common for overnight charging.

Grid Capacity: A 34-bus depot might require a new 1000kVA transformer to handle the load.

Voltage: 11,000 volts may be required to power new substations, which are then stepped down to 400 volts for charging.

Operational Factors Affecting Energy Need

Heating and Cooling: Cold weather can increase energy consumption by up to 45% (due to electric heating).

Driving Style: Inefficient driving can increase energy consumption by 0.24 kWh/km above average.

Regenerative Braking: This can recover 37–40% of energy for 40-60 ft buses.

Cost Implications

Energy Bills: A 100-bus depot can incur monthly energy bills between $112,000 and $515,000 without optimization.

Cost Savings: Electric buses are generally cheaper to fuel, costing ~£0.21/mile compared to £0.49/mile for diesel.

Could A System Based On The Sumitomo/Highview Power System At Hiroshima Charge Electric Buses?

The optimal charging figure for a 100-bus garage would appear to be in the region of 4-5 MW.

In Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On line At Hiroshima?, I state, that it looks like Highview Power’s CRYOBattery™ at the heart of the system has a capacity of 5 MW/20 MWh.

I also state in the post, that the Hiroshima facility is designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration.

Does this all mean that if you can install enough solar panels on the roof of the garage or perhaps a wind turbine nearby, that you can have buses substantially powered by the sun and wind.

Chicago would just love wind-powered buses!

 

March 3, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Energy Storage, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On Line At Hiroshima?

From some work I did at ICI in the 1970s on a PACE231R analog computer, I believe that Highview Power may have an extremely promising way of storing energy.

The Highview Power web site talks of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, who are building one of Highview’s batteries at Hiroshima in Japan.

So I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this comprehensive answer.

Yes, the Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) Highview Power liquid air energy storage (LAES) commercial demonstration plant in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, is operational, having commenced operations on December 1, 2025.

Key details about the plant:
Location: Within the Hiroshima Gas Hatsukaichi LNG Terminal.
Capacity: 5 MW output with 4-hour storage (4 MW charging).
Technology: Uses Highview Power’s CRYOBattery™ technology, specifically utilizing waste cold from the adjacent LNG terminal to improve efficiency.
Role: The facility is designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration.
A completion ceremony for the project was held on December 9, 2025. This news item from Sumitomo Heavy Industries gives more details.
This paragraph describes Liquid Air Energy Storage or (LAES).
In LAES, surplus power such as off-peak power and renewable energy is utilized to compress and cool air, liquefying it for storage in tanks. When electricity is needed, the liquefied air is pressurized, vaporized, and heated to drive a turbine generator and supply electricity. It is well-suited for long duration energy storage. It not only helps balance electricity supply and demand but also provides a constant, stable supply of inertia and reactive power, thereby contributing to grid stabilization. In combination with unstable renewable energy generation sources like solar power, it can replace thermal power plants.
Note.
  1. It looks like the battery has a capacity of 5 MW/20 MWh.
  2. As it talks about using waste cold, this looks to be a very professionally-designed specialist application.
  3. But surely, that would be expected from a company like Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
Some of the systems, I mathematical-modelled for ICI could certainly have benefited from Highview’s technology.
How Many LNG Terminals Are There In The World?
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this section and received this answer.
There are hundreds of LNG terminals globally, with significant growth driven by over 300 projects (roughly 177 import/regasification and 124 export/liquefaction) expected between 2025 and 2030. In 2023, there were 22 countries with active liquefaction (export) capacity, while Europe alone operates roughly 28 large-scale terminals, supplemented by a rapidly expanding fleet of FSRUs.
Export Capacity: In 2023, global liquefaction capacity was 472 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), with top exporters being Australia, the U.S., and Qatar.
Expansion: By 2027, 52 new liquefaction terminals are expected to commence operations.
Import Growth: European regasification capacity is expanding, with major terminals in Spain, France, Italy, and new additions in Germany and other nations.
U.S. Infrastructure: The U.S. alone has more than 170 LNG facilities performing various services.
There are a lot of LNG Terminals.
  • They are listed in this Wikipedia entry.
  • There are around thirty in Japan alone.
  • Will Centrica add a 5 MW /20 MWh Highview Power battery to their Grain LNG Terminal?
  • Each facility installed is claimed to be designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration, so the last part must cut carbon emissions.
It would appear, that Sumitomo could keep busy for many years improving the efficiency of LNG Terminals.
Are There Any Other Chemical Engineering Processes That Give Out Lots Of Waste Cold?
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this section and received this answer.
Yes, several major chemical engineering and industrial processes generate significant amounts of “waste cold” (low-grade thermal energy or cryogenic energy) that is often discarded. While the chemical industry conventionally focuses on recovering waste heat, recovering waste cold is becoming increasingly popular for improving energy efficiency, particularly in cryogenic processes.
Here are the primary chemical engineering processes that produce large amounts of waste cold:
  1. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification
  2. Cryogenic Air Separation Units (ASUs)
  3. Dry Ice and CO2 Liquefaction
  4. Liquid Nitrogen Vaporization
  5. Emerging: Cryogenic Carbon Capture
It seems to me that this could be a technology worth exploiting, which Sumitomo are already doing in the case of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification.
How Was This Page Created?
  1. Creation of this page was not difficult, but you have to get the tricks right.
  2. I used Google Chrome and Google AI.
  3. My blog is hosted in WordPress.
  4. All pages on this blog, where I have had help in their creation from Google AI are tagged as such.

I would be happy to help anybody, who wanted to use Artificial Intelligence to create blog pages.

 

February 28, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Computing, Design, Energy, Energy Storage, Environment | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Polanski And Farage Don’t Agree. But They Have More In Common Than You Might Think

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC, by Laura Kuenssberg.

It is very much a must read article comparing two of the most controversial party leaders in the UK.

This is the sub-heading.

One is a former stockbroker from the south who, by his own proud admission, loves smoking, drinking and women. The other’s a proud vegan, gay, northern former actor, who told me he’d never drunk a drop.

These first three paragraphs add detail to the story.

But the jubilant Zack Polanski and Nigel Farage have rather a lot in common.

Before you scream, burst out laughing, or think I have lost my marbles, of course, there are very big differences between them.

The Greens talk about a climate emergency. Reform UK calls the government green plans, “net stupid zero”.

This is Laura’s summing up of the Terrible Twins.

Their views on the cause of Britain’s pain vary wildly.

The Greens might point the finger at the super-rich, the “donor billionaires” they often cite. Reform often blames immigration, which they controversially characterise as an “invasion” of people arriving in the UK without permission.

But both parties feed off and stir up sentiment that’s felt by lots of the public: that Britain doesn’t work any more.

Whether it’s the new Green MP saying “working hard used to get you something” in her victory speech, or Nigel Farage repeatedly telling us “Britain is broken”, the same argument flows from both: that the country is in such a dreadful state that only new political saviours can fix it.

And both Reform and the Greens are willing to push the conventions of what traditional UK politicians would find acceptable – or what they believe would make them electable.

That’s not just about their image or the unstuffy ways they court publicity – Nigel Farage willingly going into the I’m A Celebrity jungle, or Zack Polanski being seen on a dance floor in campaign videos – but how they choose to focus on sensitive issues, where others might not choose to tread.

I would disagree that Britain is broken, but that it needs someone with sensible policies that everybody can get behind.

The Greens policies on the super-rich would drive anybody with ambition and money from this country and already countries like Canada are advertising for migrants.

With two immigrant lines, Farage is everything my father thought was bad about Oswald Mosley and his fascists in the 1930s. If a Reform UK Government started rounding up illegal immigrants on the streets, the violence would probable be enormous.

 

How Much Renewable Energy Will The UK Be Generating By 2030?

I have to admit, that whether you like the Tories or not, they have developed an energy generation policy and an energy relationship with Germany, that appears to be working and is allowing the current Government to do a bit of spending on defence and other needs.

I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this reply.

The UK government has set an ambitious target to reach 95% low-carbon electricity generation by 2030, aiming for a system driven by 43-50 GW of offshore wind, 27-29 GW of onshore wind, and 45-47 GW of solar power. This plan aims to dramatically reduce fossil fuel reliance, supported by 23-27 GW of battery capacity.

Key 2030 Renewable Energy Projections & Targets:

Total Clean Power Goal: The goal is 95% of electricity from low-carbon sources (renewables and nuclear) by 2030, up from roughly 74% in 2024.

Offshore Wind: Target of 43-50 GW, deemed crucial to powering the grid.

Onshore Wind: Target of 27-29 GW, with recent policy changes lifting bans to accelerate development.

Solar Power: Target of 45-47 GW, aiming to triple current capacity.

Flexibility: 23-27 GW of battery capacity and 4-6 GW of long-duration storage are needed to manage intermittency.

Challenges and Forecasts:

Shortfall Risks: While the government target is high, some projections suggest wind and solar may only account for 44% of generation by 2030, requiring significant acceleration to reach the 95% clean goal.

Investment Needs: Achieving these goals requires an estimated £48 billion in additional investment, on top of planned projects.

Progress: In 2024, renewable sources already hit a record of over 50% in certain quarters, with low-carbon sources overall (including nuclear) providing nearly 70% of generation.

My Thoughts

I will add some of my thoughts.

Electricity Demand: As I write, according to National Grid: Live it is 33.3 GW, which is met by with Production of 27.1 GW and Transfers of 6.2 GW.

Electricity Production: In 2030, I believe that if the UK has long-term battery capacity of something like 4 GW/40 GWh, that total UK electricity production could be upwards of 125 GW.

Hinckley Point C Power Station: This should add 1.6 GW in 2030 and 2031 to further boost UK electricity production.

Pumped Storage Hydro: In How Much Pumped Storage Hydro Will Be Operational In The UK By 2030?, I estimate that the Bank of England standard of energy storage, will add 5 GW of electricity production.

Highview Power: Highview Power are developing long duration liquid-air energy storage and have identified locations for sixteen 300 MW/3.2 GWh monsters.

Excess Electricity Production: This will be exported, either as electricity or after conversion to hydrogen. It will be a Magic Money Forest for the victor of the General Election in 2029.

If Hinckley Point C, the pumped storage hydro and Highview Power’s batteries work as their engineers hope, then the result of the next General Election will be predictable.

It is certainly, Kier Starmer’s to win, by getting the energy right!

Highview Power And The 2029 General Election

Every extra GWh added to energy storage has the following affect.

It will mean that more wind farms will not have to be switched in times of high wind and over production, as the electricity can be stored.

At the present time, there are four ways of storing energy.

  1. Turn it into hydrogen. But the Hindenberg did a good PR job for not using hydrogen.
  2. Store it in a pumped storage hydro system, but these have problems with their large land use.
  3. Store it in a large lithium battery, but these have problems  with fire risks and need a large amount of expensive lithium.
  4. Store it in one of Highview Power’s liquid air batteries.

I believe that Highview Power’s liquid-air long duration batteries, have several advantages.

  • They are built from readily available components.
  • They can be scaled to the need at the location, where they are installed.
  • A small one is 50 MW/300 MWh and a large one is 300 MW/3.2 GWh.
  • The batteries come with grid stabilisation and other features.
  • The batteries have a lifespan of greater than 50 years
  • The energy storage fluid, is captured from the air.
  • They are a product, that would be easy to finance in quantity.
  • Goldman Sachs is an investor.
  • A village with a power problem could fund a Highview Power battery and have a nice little earner, with perhaps a wind turbine on a nearby hill.
  • Centrica is an investor.

If a politician were to understand it, it could wind them the next General Election.

 

 

February 28, 2026 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage, World | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Global Investor Joining RWE On Two Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Projects, FID Expected in Summer

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.

This is the sub-heading.

Global investment firm KKR and RWE have signed an agreement under which KKR acquire a 50 per cent stake in each of RWE’s Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind projects, totalling 3.1 GW in installed capacity. The wind farms were just awarded Contracts for Difference (CfDs) in the UK’s seventh CfD allocation round (AR7).

These three paragraphs add a few more details.

The two Norfolk Vanguard projects, which RWE bought from Vattenfall in March 2024, have already secured seabed rights, grid connections, development consent orders (DCOs) and all other key permits.

On 14 January, RWE said it launched the process to raise non-recourse project finance debt for the projects and that it expects the closing of the partnership transaction and the project financing, as well as the final investment decision (FID), in the summer of 2026.

Located 50 to 80 kilometres off the coast of Norfolk, the two offshore wind farms are planned to be commissioned in 2029 (Norfolk Vanguard West) and 2030 (Norfolk Vanguard East).

RWE do seem to be lining up everything ready for that final investment decision in the summer of 2026.

  • I suspect that with KKR on board, that they have got the money ready and I wouldn’t be surprised to see these two projects quickly progress to a completion.
  • I also think it was significant that we have Goldman Sachs involved in Highview Power, who may have a solution to affordable energy storage and now we have KKR getting involved with one of the most professional offshore wind power developers in the world.
  • Are Goldman Sachs and KKR placing bets against Trump’s anti wind power stance?

The Germans will certainly need a lot of energy and British offshore wind power, would appear the only place, where it is available easily in quantity to the Germans.

I await the next few months with a lot of interest.

 

 

February 23, 2026 Posted by | Energy | , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Liquid Air Alternative To Fossil Fuels

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.

This is the sub-heading.

An overlooked technology for nearly 50 years, the first liquid air energy storage facility is finally set to power up in 2026. It’s hoping to compete with grid-scale lithium batteries and hydro to store clean power, and reduce the need to fall back on fossil fuels.

These three introductory paragraphs add more details.

s the world’s use of renewable electricity soars, surpassing coal for the first time, the need to store that energy when the Sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing is growing in step. While some turn to grid-scale lithium batteries and others to pumped hydro, a small but growing industry is convinced there’s a better solution still: batteries that rely on air.

Near the village of Carrington in north-west England, the foundations are being laid for the world’s first commercial-scale liquid air energy storage facility. The site will eventually become an array of industrial machinery and a number of large storage tanks, filled with air that has been compressed and cooled so much it has become a liquid, using renewable energy surplus to demand. The stored energy can be discharged later when demand exceeds supply.

If the project succeeds, more will follow. The site’s developers Highview Power are confident that liquid air energy storage will make it easier for countries to replace fossil fuels with clean renewable energy – though at present, the technology is expensive. But as the need for clean energy storage surges, they’re betting the balance will tip in favour of liquid air.

Where this article about Highview Power is different, as it gives various details on the efficiency, return and  of liquid air energy storage systems.

December 13, 2025 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , | Leave a comment

Centrica Energy And Exodus Sign Landmark LNG Agreement

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Centrica.

This is the sub-heading.

Centrica Energy has announced the signing of a long-term Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Exodus for Honduras, marking a new milestone in the country’s energy development.

These two paragraphs add more details.

Under the terms of the agreement, Centrica will deliver approximately six LNG cargoes per year to Exodus through a ship-to-ship operation into the Floating Storage Unit (FSU) Bilbao Knutsen, located in Puerto Cortes. The 15-year contract is expected to commence in 2026.

“This agreement reflects Centrica Energy’s commitment to expanding global LNG access through strategic partnerships,” said Arturo Gallego, Global Head of LNG at Centrica Energy. “By leveraging our global reach and operational expertise, we’re proud to support Exodus and Honduras in its journey toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.”

It looks a good deal for Centrica, that has been snatched from under the American’s noses.

I also asked Google AI, if Honduras produced any natural gas and received this reply.

No, Honduras does not produce natural gas, but it is importing it through a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement that begins in 2026. The country relies on imports to meet its energy needs, and this new deal aims to diversify its energy mix and provide cleaner energy for power generation.

That’s clear and it’s interesting that Honduras are looking to provide cleaner energy.

These two paragraphs from Centrica’s press release add details on power generation in Honduras.

The LNG will be transported to the Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant, an operating 150 MW thermal facility with its combined cycle under construction and set to reach 240 MW of power capacity, marking the first-ever import of natural gas for power generation in Honduras. This initiative represents a significant step toward diversifying the nation’s energy mix and reducing its reliance on less environmentally friendly fossil fuels.

Once operational, the FSU will serve as the backbone of LNG storage at a new terminal currently under construction on Honduras’ Caribbean coast. The project is designed to enhance energy security, improve generation efficiency, and support industrial growth.

This article on Riviera is entitled Honduras Turns To LNG To Meet Energy Needs and provides these points.

  • Honduras is grappling with a 250 MW power shortage.
  • Genesis Energías is spearheading efforts to introduce a reliable and cost-effective energy source by importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).
  • Hyundai, who are one of Centrica’s partners in HiiROC, are converting the Bilbao Knutsen for its new role as a Floating Storage Unit (FSU).

It would certainly help Honduras’s economy, if they had more power generation.

I asked Google AI, if Honduras was developing offshore wind power and received this reply.

While Honduras has been actively developing onshore wind power for over a decade, there is currently no information to suggest it is developing offshore wind power projects. The country’s wind energy development has focused exclusively on land-based projects, with a number of operational farms and more in the pipeline.

I also asked Google AI if Honduras was developing solar power and received this reply.

Yes, Honduras is actively and significantly developing its solar power capacity as a cornerstone of its national energy strategy. The country has been a regional leader in solar energy penetration and continues to invest heavily in new projects to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

But, whether its offshore wind, onshore wind or solar power, these renewals will need backup and the 240 MW Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant, will be a good start.

I have some further thoughts.

Does HiiROC Have A Part To Play?

If would be good, if the 240 MW Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant could be zero-carbon, so that Honduras could be more zero-carbon.

Consider.

  • Centrica own part of HiiROC, who can generate turquoise hydrogen efficiently from natural gas.
  • Honduras will from 2026, have plenty of natural gas.
  • In Hydrogen Milestone: UK’s First Hydrogen-to-Power Trial At Brigg Energy Park, I talked about how Centrica powered Brigg power station with a hydrogen blend.
  • If the Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant was reasonably-modern like Brigg, I suspect it could be run on hydrogen or a hydrogen-blend.
  • A reliable supply of hydrogen in Honduras would have its uses.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a HiiROC plant in Honduras to help decarbonise the country.

HiiROC Creates A Lot Of Carbon Black

When a HiiROC system produces turquoise hydrogen, it produces carbon black as a by-product.

I asked Google AI, if Honduras has a use for carbon black, and received this reply.

Honduras likely has a use for carbon black because the material is a vital component in the production of many common industrial and consumer goods that are used globally. The primary applications are universal across most countries, including those in Central America.

But carbon black can also be used to improve poor agricultural land.

So I asked, Google AI, if Honduras has a lot of land to improve and received this reply.

Yes, Honduras has significant land to improve, but this is complicated by issues like deforestation, land degradation, and a lack of clear land rights for many communities. There is a need to balance economic activities like coffee plantations with conservation, improve sustainable agriculture practices, and address illegal land occupation.

It seems to me, that a sensible hollistic approach could use some of the carbon black.

I also believe, that there are many universities, who could advise Honduras on land restoration.

Does Highview Power Have A Part To Play?

Consider.

  • Centrica are one of the backers of Highview Power, who are building their first two environmentally-friendly liquid air batteries in the UK.
  • Their flagship battery is a 300 MW/3.2 GWh monster that can incorporate a stability island, that controls the grid.
  • Highview Power’s batteries are zero-carbon, with a 40-50 year life.

As a Control Engineer, I believe that one of these batteries would be superb backup for the Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant and all those renewables.

Where Will Centrica Get Their LNG For Honduras?

I have already reported on two deals, where Centrica is purchasing LNG.

I can expect more deals like this around the world.

Also, as the Grain LNG Terminal has the ability to export LNG could we be seeing UK natural gas being exported by Centrica to Honduras and the other countries hinted at in the PTT purchase?

Are Centrica Proposing A Comprehensive Solution To A Nation’s Power Problem?

It certainly looks like they are.

And Honduras would be getting a zero-carbon energy system.

This could be repeated all around the world.

 

Conclusion

This certainly looks like a good deal for Centrica, that can be repeated in other places.

 

 

November 28, 2025 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Energy Storage, Environment, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Highview Surpasses Half A Billion Pounds Of Funding With Latest £130m Capital Raise For Phase One Of Long Duration Energy Storage Facility At Hunterston, Ayrshire

The title of this post, is the same as that of this news story from Highview Power.

Funding Round Enables Build Of “Stability Island” Which Will Deliver Crucial Grid Stability Services; Represents Phase One Of LDES Facility At Hunterston

These two paragraphs outline the funding raised and where it will initially be used.

Highview has secured £130 million in funding to commence work on the first stage of its planned 3.2GWh hybrid long-duration energy storage solution in Hunterston, Scotland. This brings the total raised to commercialise and roll out Highview’s long duration storage solutions to over £500 million.

This latest investment round, involving Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), the British multinational energy and services company Centrica, and investors including Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI and Mosaic Capital, will fund construction of the first phase of the Hunterston project, a “stability island”, which will provide system support to the electricity grid.

The Concept Of The Stability Island

This paragraph describes the concept of the Stability Island.This stability island is a key component of Highview’s LDES system. It can operate independently of the energy storage elements and will deliver critical inertia, short circuit and voltage support to the UK power grid. The asset will support the grid at a location that faces considerable stability challenges. In turn, this will enable more power to be transmitted from the point of generation in Scotland to areas of high demand, preventing curtailment of wind energy across Scotland

A large amount of energy will be routed through Hunterston from Scotland to England, Wales and the island of Ireland and the stability island will tightly control the flow of energy.

The Facility At Hunterston

These two paragraphs describe the facility at Hunterston.

As well as the stability island, the facility at Hunterston will also eventually incorporate a hybrid long duration energy storage system, combining both liquid air storage and lithium-ion batteries for greater operational performance. This means that the entire facility will be able to send more power to the grid for longer, in a flexible way, maximising the asset for the benefit of the system operator.

The energy storage element of the Hunterston facility received significant validation recently, when it was named as an eligible project for Ofgem’s Cap and Floor support scheme for long duration energy storage, along with a planned facility at Killingholme, Lincolnshire.

I suspect the Stability Island will actually distribute the energy to where it is needed.

November 19, 2025 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , , , | Leave a comment

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