The Anonymous Widower

Rolls-Royce To Be A Partner In Zero-Carbon Gas-Fired Power Station In Rhodesia

This press release from Rolls-Royce is entitled Rolls-Royce, Landmark And ASCO Collaborate On CO2 Recovery Power Generation Solutions.

These three bullet points serve as sub-headings.

  • Cooperation plans to develop solutions for clean power generation with carbon capture from gas reciprocating engines
  • Captured CO2 will be available for use in industries such as food, Efuels, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), cement and plastic production
  • First of-its-kind flexible power generation and carbon capture plant currently under construction in Nottinghamshire, UK

This image shows a Rolls-Royce mtu Series 4000 gas genset.

Note.

  1. Power is up to 2.5 MW.
  2. The engine is labelled H2-ready on its web page.

These two paragraphs add some detail to the project.

Rolls-Royce, ASCO Carbon Dioxide Ltd (ASCO), and Landmark Power Holdings Limited (LMPH), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing scalable solutions for clean power generation with carbon capture from mtu gas reciprocating engines. This strategic partnership will help enable power generation customers to achieve their net zero ambitions and marks a significant step towards addressing climate change.

“Power generation is a highly attractive, growing market segment and an area of strategic focus for Rolls-Royce, where partnerships can help further grow market position and broaden its power generation offering, as set out at last November’s Capital Markets Day”, said Tobias Ostermaier, President Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. Rolls-Royce is committed to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and supporting customers to do the same.

These are my thoughts.

Uses Of Carbon Dioxide

The press release from Rolls-Royce lists a few uses of carbon dioxide.

The plan is to make the captured CO2 available (utilisation) for use in various industries such as food production, Efuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), cement and plastic production (utilisation). The captured CO2 will also be ready for transportation should permanent sequestration be preferred (storage).

Carbon dioxide can also be added to the air in greenhouses, that are producing flowers, herbs, salad vegetables, soft fruit and tomatoes.

ASCO Carbon Dioxide

ASCO Carbon Dioxide is a subsidiary of French company; Schneider Electric.

The home page on their web site, describes ASCO Carbon Dioxide like this.

The Swiss ASCO CARBON DIOXIDE LTD is a globally operating company that offers complete solutions for CO2 and dry ice. The range of services includes carbon capture plants, CO2 recovery systems, ASCOJET dry ice blasting machines, dry ice production machines, CO2 cylinder filling systems, CO2 vaporisers, CO2 storage tanks, CO2 dosing systems for water neutralization and various other CO2 and dry ice equipment.

Thanks to this broad product range and more than 130 years of practical experience in the comprehensive CO2 and dry ice sector, the customer benefits from individual, complete CO2 solutions from a single source. ASCO has been part of the international industrial gases company Messer Group since 2007 and is its centre of competence for CO2.

In other words, the world and especially the climate change activists may hate carbon dioxide with a vengeance, but ASCO Carbon Dioxide see it as a way to make money and something that needs love.

It also seems, that if you want to do something with or to carbon dioxide, then ASCO Carbon Dioxide could be one of the first companies that you call.

Landmark Power Holdings Limited

The About page on their web site, describes the mission of Landmark Power Holdings Limited like this.

LMPH was established in 2019 with the purpose to help to build a circular economy, by applying new methodologies to proven technologies in energy production.

We support the transition to net zero by supplying dispatchable, low carbon energy that enables more renewable energy production while contributing to a circular economy, by eliminating inefficiencies in production, ensuring that every input is used to its maximum potential and treating all production waste as a profitable resource.

This Solutions page on their web site, describes their FlexPower Plus system.

These are the two introductory paragraphs.

FLEXPOWER PLUS® is LMPH’s modular approach to optimising the generation of clean flexible power. It is a combination of High Efficiency Flexible Power Generation modules and Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) modules.

Each of the modules can be added to the production processes depending on the site and production needs.

This last paragraph describes the result.

When you combine the the High Efficiency Flexible Power Generation modules with the Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) modules, the power generation is classified as low carbon and considered to be as clean as wind power but with the capacity to provide baseload power.

They certainly sound like my kind of company, as I was simulating processes like this for ICI in the 1970s.

ICI taught me that only four things should leave a chemical or other process plant.

  • Product, that is sold at an advantageous price.
  • Pure water
  • Clean air
  • Everybody who worked there.

It appears a FlexPower Plus system produces three valuable products; electricity, heat and pure food-grade carbon-dioxide.

The Rhodesia Project

The Rhodesia project has its own page on the Landmark Power Holdings web site, where these four paragraphs describe the project.

The Rhodesia project is a joint venture with Victory Hill, a specialist investment firm targeting direct investments in global energy infrastructure that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Rhodesia project is located in north Nottinghamshire near Worksop and has an electrical capacity of 10MW.

Additional capacity is to be sold through a private wire power supply for local businesses with the intent to facilitate vehicle charging stations.

Construction started in March 2022 and the start of power production is projected for Q3 2024 with the full CO2 capture from Q4 2024.

There is also this paragraph, that lists the partners in the Rhodesia project.

For the development of the Rhodesia project LMPH and Victory Hill have partnered with global industrial groups such as Mitsubishi Turboden S.p.A., MTU Rolls-Royce Solutions UK, ASCO CARBON DIOXIDE LTD, Climeon.

With three of the world’s largest companies amongst the partners, this partnership must have a high chance of success.

Victory Hill Capital Hill Partners

Victory Hill Capital Partners are partners in the Rhodesia project.

Their joint philosophy with Landmark Power Holdings is summed up on this video.

Working Together

The press release from Rolls-Royce says this about the partnership.

Rolls-Royce is contributing its extensive experience and global network in the field of decentralized power generation to the cooperation through its Power Systems division with the mtu product portfolio. The contribution of LMPH, a developer of high-efficiency Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects, is its patented FLEXPOWER PLUS® concept, combined with technical expertise and patented technologies. ASCO has over 50 years of experience in developing and building carbon capture (or CO2-Recovery) plants and will be providing valuable insights and solutions from the carbon capture industry.

There is also this diagram of the system.

 

Note.

  1. The 4000 gas genset is in the bottom-left corner.
  2. The HT PRC and LT ORC are two Mitsubishi turbo-generators generating electricity from waste heat.
  3. The ASCO carbon capture system is in the top-left corner.
  4. Carbon dioxide can either be stored or used.

This system should be zero-carbon, once the design is fully tested.

A View From The Top

This paragraph from the Rolls-Royce press release gives the view of the President Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Tobias Ostermaier, President Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “We are convinced that CO2 capture and storage systems in combination with our mtu gas gensets are an important building block on the way to Net Zero. As a complement to renewable energy sources, internal combustion engines can already provide clean, cost-effective and extremely reliable power generation.”

I suspect he’s rather pleased.

 

April 12, 2024 Posted by | Energy | , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Application Of Control Engineering Principles To The Calculation Of Pharmaceutical Drug Doses

Today, I was asked by an eminent cardiologist to give my opinion on this scientific paper in the Journal of the American Heart Association, which was entitled Personalized Antihypertensive Treatment Optimization With Smartphone‐Enabled Remote Precision Dosing of Amlodipine During the COVID‐19 Pandemic (PERSONAL‐CovidBP Trial).

This was the background to the study.

The objective of the PERSONAL‐CovidBP (Personalised Electronic Record Supported Optimisation When Alone for Patients With Hypertension: Pilot Study for Remote Medical Management of Hypertension During the COVID‐19 Pandemic) trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of smartphone‐enabled remote precision dosing of amlodipine to control blood pressure (BP) in participants with primary hypertension during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

These were the methods and the results.

This was an open‐label, remote, dose titration trial using daily home self‐monitoring of BP, drug dose, and side effects with linked smartphone app and telemonitoring. Participants aged ≥18 years with uncontrolled hypertension (5–7 day baseline mean ≥135 mm Hg systolic BP or ≥85 mm Hg diastolic BP) received personalized amlodipine dose titration using novel (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 mg) and standard (5 and 10 mg) doses daily over 14 weeks. The primary outcome of the trial was mean change in systolic BP from baseline to end of treatment. A total of 205 participants were enrolled and mean BP fell from 142/87 (systolic BP/diastolic BP) to 131/81 mm Hg (a reduction of 11 (95% CI, 10–12)/7 (95% CI, 6–7) mm Hg, P<0.001). The majority of participants achieved BP control on novel doses (84%); of those participants, 35% were controlled by 1 mg daily. The majority (88%) controlled on novel doses had no peripheral edema. Adherence to BP recording and reported adherence to medication was 84% and 94%, respectively. Patient retention was 96% (196/205). Treatment was well tolerated with no withdrawals from adverse events.

These were the conclusions.

Personalized dose titration with amlodipine was safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in treating primary hypertension. The majority of participants achieved BP control on novel doses, and with personalization of dose there were no trial discontinuations due to drug intolerance. App‐assisted remote clinician dose titration may better balance BP control and adverse effects and help optimize long‐term care.

About Myself

I am a Graduate Control Engineer, who graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1968.

I then worked at ICI in Runcorn for eighteen months, before moving to ICI Plastics Division, because of the untimely death of my father-in-law.

One of my tasks at Welwyn, was to look at control algorithms for chemical plants. For this I often used a PACE 231-R analogue computer.

Note.

  1. These computers could solve up to a hundred simultaneous differential equations at one time.
  2. They were programmed by wiring the various amplifiers and potentiometers together to simulate the equations.
  3. There were only a few transistors in these powerful machines, as all electronics were thermionic valves.
  4. Two of these machines wired together, were used to calculate the trajectories of the Apollo missions.

They were the unsung heroes of bringing Jim Lovell and Apollo 13 home safely.

Determining Control Algorithms

In a typical problem, I would model the a section of a chemical plant and the control system around it.

This would then lead to recommendations, as to the design and operation of the plant, so that it performed as required.

It could be argued that the body of an animal, is a very complicated integrated chemical plant, with a sophisticated control system.

For instance, if sensors around the body, say you are slightly low on fluids, your brain determines you should have a drink.

Many control loops on a chemical plant are controlled by proportional–integral–derivative controllers, which are commonly known as three-term controllers.

This is the first two paragraphs of the Wikipedia entry for three-term controllers.

A proportional–integral–derivative controller (PID controller or three-term controller) is a control loop mechanism employing feedback that is widely used in industrial control systems and a variety of other applications requiring continuously modulated control. A PID controller continuously calculates an error value

PID systems automatically apply accurate and responsive correction to a control function. An everyday example is the cruise control on a car, where ascending a hill would lower speed if constant engine power were applied. The controller’s PID algorithm restores the measured speed to the desired speed with minimal delay and overshoot by increasing the power output of the engine in a controlled manner.

I wouldn’t be surprised that the app in the smartphone used in the PERSONAL‐CovidBP Trial contained a form of three-term controller.

These are some points about three-term control algorithms.

Changing Of External Factors

One that was the villain in a problem, I dealt with, also affects my body – the weather.

I was asked to look at the problem of a chemical reaction, that overheated in hot weather. But the plant operators solved it by better insulation and ventilation of the plant and the standard three-term controller adjusted itself automatically to the new conditions.

After my stroke, I am on Warfarin for life. I test my own INR with a Roche meter and I have noticed that atmospheric pressure affects my INR. I change my deose accordingly, using a simple algorithm, of my own design.

The More You Test The More Precise The Control

If you take the cruise control example used by Wikipedia, speed is monitored continuously, as I hope, it would be if you were driving yourself.

But obviously, in many systems, where you are using an input with discrete values to control a system, you can’t be as precise as the data you collect.

When my son was dying from pancreatic cancer, he was fitted with a morphine pump, that he could adjust himself to dull the immense pain he was enduring.

  • His nerves and his brain ascertained the pain level.
  • He then adjusted the morphine level.
  • He could get very precise control of his pain, because he was measuring it continuously.

But he was only using simple one-term control (proportional).

Derivative Control Can Be Difficult To Get Right And Can Even Go Unstable

Derivative control is mainly to stop overshoot, but sometimes you will find that it can go unstable, so two-term(proportional+integral) controllers will be used.

How I Control My INR

As I said earlier, I am on Warfarin for life and test my INR with a Roche meter.

The NHS typically tests patients about once every six weeks, which in my opinion as a Control Engineer is too infrequent.

I usually test myself a couple of times a week.

But every so often, I evaluate what daily dose gives me an equilibrium INR level of 2.5.

For the last three years, I have found a dose of 3.75 mg keeps me more or less on 2.5.

  • As Warfarin comes in 1, 3, 5 and 10 mg. tablets, I alternate 3.5 and 4 mg.
  • Warfarin tablets are easily cut in half using a sharp knife.
  • I record INR and dose in a spreadsheet.

I have been doing this now for over ten years.

Is This A Unique Property Of Warfarin?

In this time, I have had five medical procedures, where surgeons were worried, that as I was on Warfarin, I might bleed too much.

For the first, which was to remove a lump from my mouth, the private surgeon wanted to charge extra for an anaesthetist. In the end, I asked what INR he wanted and he said 2.1 should be OK!

  • So I reduced the Warfarin level and tested every day.
  • I judged it correctly and had an INR of 2.1 on the day of the operation.
  • The operation went incredibly well and I went home on public transport.
  • The lump turned out to be benign.
  • I’ve not had another lump.

After the operation, I increased the Warfarin level and tested every day, until it regained a level of 2.5.

On analysing my doses through the date of the operation, I found that the total amount of Warfarin, I didn’t take to reduce my INR to 2.1, was the same as I took to bring it back up again to 2.5.

Is this a unique property of Warfarin?

Since then I’ve had two cataract operations performed in a private hospital, where the NHS paid. Interestingly, they wouldn’t trust my own INR readings, so I had to get my GP to take the measurement.

I’ve also had gallstones removed by endoscopy at the local Homerton NHS hospital.

  • For cases like mine, the hospital hire in a surgeon from the posh Wellington private hospital for one day a week, who brings the specialist tools needed.
  • I wrote about this in Goodbye To My Gallstones.
  • As it was a more serious procedure, I reduced my INR to a requested 1.0.

Interestingly, I still have my gall bladder, but the surgeon put it on notice to behave.

Conclusion

I would totally agree with the conclusion given in the PERSONAL‐CovidBP Trial.

Personalized dose titration with amlodipine was safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in treating primary hypertension. The majority of participants achieved BP control on novel doses, and with personalization of dose there were no trial discontinuations due to drug intolerance. App‐assisted remote clinician dose titration may better balance BP control and adverse effects and help optimize long‐term care.

I would add some conclusions of my own.

  • The app used in the PERSONAL‐CovidBP Trial, seems to have had a good algorithm.
  • I suspect the app could also be Internet-based.

These are some general conclusions.

  • If you are on Warfarin and have access to a Roche meter, it is possible to lower your INR to the value required by a surgeon for an operation or a procedure.
  • Since starting to take Warfarin, I have had four operations or procedures, where others would have had anaesthetic or a sedative.
  • In those four operations, I was able to go home on public transport. If I still drove a car, I could have driven home afterwards.
  • Private hospitals like to use an anesthetist, as it pumps up the bill.
  • Avoiding anaesthesia must save hospitals money.

Well designed apps, based on Control Engineering principles, that help the patient take the best dose of a drug will become more common.

 

 

 

 

April 3, 2024 Posted by | Health | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thoughts On Alstom At Derby

In the 1970s, I worked at ICI Plastics in Welwyn Garden City in a section called Computer Techniques.

We had a unique mandate from the Divisional Board, that allowed us to stick our nose into anybody’s business.

We certainly weren’t short of computing power, as in addition to the Division’s IBM 360 and dial-up services to GEISco, we had one of the handful of PACE 231R analogue computers in the UK.

Note.

  1. These machines didn’t use many semiconductors.
  2. These beasts could solve up to a hundred simultaneous differential equations and display the answers as graphs on the printers.
  3. Other UK companies and institutions with a PACE 231 R, included BMC, British Rail Research and Cambridge University.
  4. Two were linked together and these did the calculations for the Apollo flights.
  5. Their finest hour would surely have been to use their flexibility and power to bring home the stricken Apollo 13.

I got an interesting introduction to the industrial world in my three years at Welwyn.

One of our problems, was recruiting enough specialist engineers and programming staff.

So in the end, at one of our Monday morning meetings, we wrote our own advert for the Sunday Times.

We got all the staff we needed, but they weren’t the sort of recruits, you’d normally expect in the 1970s. Two were Indian and two were American, but all were recent immigrants. But they were certainly good enough to solve our problems.

I don’t think the Personnel Department were amused at our independent recruitment exercise.

I sometimes wonder if Bombardier (now Alstom) in Derby has a similar recruitment problem.

I am a Control Engineer and all these hybrid systems, that will power the transport of the future, be they trains, planes or automobiles, need lots of engineers with similar skills to myself and those of computer programmers. So do local companies; Rolls-Royce, JCB and Toyota, who probably have their own skill shortages in these areas,  nick the best from Alstom.

It should be noted that in the railway press, it has been said that the Aventras from Derby were late because of software problems.

March 30, 2024 Posted by | Computing, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Crews Bracing Themselves For A Rise In Electric Car Fires

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

This is the sub-heading.

Each year, Essex Fire and Rescue Service focuses on one area of “top-up” training for its crews. In recent years, this has included sessions on firefighting at height and managing hazardous materials. This year, a new course is being introduced: How to deal with electric vehicle fires. Why?

These are the first three paragraphs.

Station manager Terry Maher has recently taken on a new role within the fire service.

A hazardous material expert, he is now the service’s lead officer on tackling lithium-ion battery fires.

His new responsibility comes as the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads hits more than 540,000. And the number is rising fast.

The article certainly worried me.

Most of the views expressed are by a fire officer, who is also a hazard materials expert.

It should be remembered that I have had serious fire training both as a Scout with the London Fire Brigade and a few years later at both Enfield Rolling Mills and at ICI.

These are a few points from the article.

  • Dealing with a petrol or diesel car fire would normally take about 30 minutes. With an EV fire we’re looking at four or five hours or longer, if we’ve used water.
  • As more and more people use electric vehicles we can expect more and more electric vehicle fires.
  • The results of text searches show there were 59 electric vehicle fire references in 2022-23 across England – up from 30 the previous year.

We are dealing with dangerous vehicles and must handle with care.

 

These are my thoughts.

Car Insurance Rates For Electric Vehicles Will Rise

The worse the risk, the more you will have to pay.

A Full Safety Assessment Should Be Done Before Buying An Electric Vehicle

For instance, I have an integral garage in my house and wouldn’t feel safe at night, if an electric car or bicycle was in there on charge.

I certainly wouldn’t buy an electric car with a plastic body. Although I did own a Lotus Elan for over twenty years.

Conclusion

Everybody, who is thinking of buying an electric car or bicycle, should read the BBC article first.

March 30, 2024 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cure For White Coat Hypertension

At one of my previous GP practices the two excellent nurses had banned my GP from taking blood pressure as she always raised the patient’s blood pressure, by the way she took the pressure.

This page on a blog at the London Cadiovascular Clinic is entitled White Coat Hypertension, gives this definition.

White coat syndrome, also known as white coat hypertension is a phenomenon in which your blood pressure is artificially raised due to the stress of being in a clinic, hospital, or even just taking your own blood pressure. This usually happens due to the stress and anxiety associated with having medical investigations done. Your reading will be higher than it would be if you measured it at home.

A week ago, I had a message from my GP practice to come in and measure my blood pressure in their machine in the waiting room.

So I went in and took my blood pressure about an hour ago.

I just put my hand in the hole at the front, shook hands with the machine, pressed the green button on top and it inflated a glove around my hand and lower arm to take the pressure.

Ears Are A Black Body

When I worked for ICI in Runcorn in 1968, one of my colleagues; John Baxendale developed or acquired one of the first remote infra-red thermometers.

ICI needed one for taking the temperature of hot vessels , pipes and reactors on chemical plants and in laboratories. John’s thermometer solved the problem, by measuring the black body radiation of the object.

John found that to calibrate his instrument he could point it at a colleague’s ear. As the ears emit black body radiation, the device should have read 36.9°C, as it generally did.

These so-called tympanic thermometers are now in regular use and cost about twenty pounds.

John is one of those people that has stuck in my mind from all those years in the past. He was a surfer and probably the only one, I’ve ever met in my life. I remember some weekends, he used to take his Morris Minor Traveller all the way to the North of Scotland to go surfing. Visiting that area has been on my bucket list for years. The closest I got, was to fly in my Cessna 340A to the Orkneys.

January 26, 2024 Posted by | Health | , , , , | Leave a comment

RWE Acquires 4.2-Gigawatt UK Offshore Wind Development Portfolio From Vattenfall

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

These three bullet points, act as sub-headings.

  • Highly attractive portfolio of three projects at a late stage of development, with grid connections and permits secured, as well as advanced procurement of key components
  • Delivery of the three Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone projects off the UK’s East Anglia coast will be part of RWE’s Growing Green investment and growth plans
  • Agreed purchase price corresponds to an enterprise value of £963 million

These two paragraphs outline the deal.

RWE, one of the world’s leading offshore wind companies, will acquire the UK Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone portfolio from Vattenfall. The portfolio comprises three offshore wind development projects off the east coast of England – Norfolk Vanguard West, Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Boreas.

The three projects, each with a planned capacity of 1.4 gigawatts (GW), are located 50 to 80 kilometres off the coast of Norfolk in East Anglia. This area is one of the world’s largest and most attractive areas for offshore wind. After 13 years of development, the three development projects have already secured seabed rights, grid connections, Development Consent Orders and all other key permits. The Norfolk Vanguard West and Norfolk Vanguard East projects are most advanced, having secured the procurement of most key components. The next milestone in the development of these two projects is to secure a Contract for Difference (CfD) in one of the upcoming auction rounds. RWE will resume the development of the Norfolk Boreas project, which was previously halted. All three Norfolk projects are expected to be commissioned in this decade.

There is also this handy map, which shows the location of the wind farms.

Note that there are a series of assets along the East Anglian coast, that will be useful to RWE’s Norfolk Zone development.

  1. In Vattenfall Selects Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone O&M Base, I talked about how the Port of Great Yarmouth will be the operational base for the Norfolk Zone wind farms.
  2. Bacton gas terminal has gas interconnectors to Belgium and the Netherlands lies between Cromer and Great Yarmouth.
  3. The cable to the Norfolk Zone wind farms is planned to make landfall between Bacton and Great Yarmouth.
  4. Sizewell is South of Lowestoft and has the 1.25 GW Sizewell B nuclear power station, with the 3.2 GW Sizewell C on its way, for more than adequate backup.
  5. Dotted around the Norfolk and Suffolk coast are 3.3 GW of earlier generations of wind farms, of which 1.2 GW have connections to RWE.
  6. The LionLink multipurpose 1.8 GW interconnector will make landfall to the North of Southwold
  7. There is also the East Anglian Array, which currently looks to be about 3.6 GW, that connects to the shore at Bawdsey to the South of Aldeburgh.
  8. For recreation, there’s Southwold.
  9. I can also see more wind farms squeezed in along the coast. For example, according to Wikipedia, the East Anglian Array could be increased in size to 7.2 GW.

It appears that a 15.5 GW hybrid wind/nuclear power station is being created on the North-Eastern coast of East Anglia.

The big problem is that East Anglia doesn’t really have any large use for electricity.

But the other large asset in the area is the sea.

A proportion of Russian gas in Europe, will have been replaced by Norfolk wind power and hydrogen, which will be given a high level of reliability from Suffolk nuclear power.

I have some other thoughts.

Would Hydrogen Be Easier To Distribute From Norfolk?

A GW-range electrolyser would be feasible but expensive and it would be a substantial piece of infrastructure.

I also feel, that placed next to Bacton or even offshore, there would not be too many objections from the Norfolk Nimbys.

Hydrogen could be distributed from the site in one of these ways.

  • By road transport, as ICI did, when I worked in their hydrogen plant at Runcorn.
  • I suspect, a rail link could be arranged, if there was a will.
  • By tanker from the Port of Great Yarmouth.
  • By existing gas interconnectors to Belgium and the Netherlands.

As a last resort it could be blended into the natural gas pipeline at Bacton.

In Major Boost For Hydrogen As UK Unlocks New Investment And Jobs, I talked about using the gas grid as an offtaker of last resort. Any spare hydrogen would be fed into the gas network, provided safety criteria weren’t breached.

I remember a tale from ICI, who from their refinery got a substantial amount of petrol, which was sold to independent petrol retailers around the North of England.

But sometimes they had a problem, in that the refinery produced a lot more 5-star petrol than 2-star. So sometimes if you bought 2-star, you were getting 5-star.

On occasions, it was rumoured that other legal hydrocarbons were disposed of in the petrol. I was once told that it was discussed that used diluent oil from polypropylene plants could be disposed of in this way. But in the end it wasn’t!

If hydrogen were to be used to distribute all or some of the energy, there would be less need for pylons to march across Norfolk.

Could A Rail Connection Be Built To The Bacton Gas Terminal

This Google Map shows the area between North Walsham and the coast.

Note.

  1. North Walsham is in the South-Western corner of the map.
  2. North Walsham station on the Bittern Line is indicated by the red icon.
  3. The Bacton gas terminal is the trapezoidal-shaped area on the coast, at the top of the map.

ThisOpenRailwayMap shows the current and former rail lines in the same area as the previous Google Map.

Note.

  1. North Walsham station is in the South-West corner of the map.
  2. The yellow track going through North Walsham station is the Bittern Line to Cromer and Sheringham.
  3. The Bacton gas terminal is on the coast in the North-East corner of the map.

I believe it would be possible to build a small rail terminal in the area with a short pipeline connection to Bacton, so that hydrogen could be distributed by train.

There used to be a branch line from North Walsham station to Cromer Beach station, that closed in 1953.

Until 1964 it was possible to get trains to Mundesley-on-Sea station.

So would it be possible to build a rail spur to the Bacton gas terminal along the old branch line?

In the Wikipedia entry for the Bittern Line this is said.

The line is also used by freight trains which are operated by GB Railfreight. Some trains carry gas condensate from a terminal at North Walsham to Harwich International Port.

The rail spur could have four main uses.

  • Taking passengers to and from Mundesley-on-Sea and Bacton.
  • Collecting gas condensate from the Bacton gas terminal.
  • Collecting hydrogen from the Bacton gas terminal.
  • Bringing in heavy equipment for the Bacton gas terminal.

It looks like another case of one of Dr. Beeching’s closures coming back to take a large chunk out of rail efficiency.

Claire Coutinho And Robert Habeck’s Tete-a-Tete

I wrote about their meeting in Downing Street in UK And Germany Boost Offshore Renewables Ties.

  • Did Habeck run the RWE/Vattenfall deal past Coutinho to see it was acceptable to the UK Government?
  • Did Coutinho lobby for SeAH to get the contract for the monopile foundations for the Norfolk Zone wind farms?
  • Did Coutinho have a word for other British suppliers like iTMPower.

Note.

  1. I think we’d have heard and/or the deal wouldn’t have happened, if there had been any objections to it from the UK Government.
  2. In SeAH To Deliver Monopiles For Vattenfall’s 2.8 GW Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Project, I detailed how SeAH have got the important first contract they needed.

So it appears so far so good.

Rackheath Station And Eco-Town

According to the Wikipedia entry for the Bittern Line, there are also plans for a new station at Rackheath to serve a new eco-town.

This is said.

A new station is proposed as part of the Rackheath eco-town. The building of the town may also mean a short freight spur being built to transport fuel to fire an on-site power station. The plans for the settlement received approval from the government in 2009.

The eco-town has a Wikipedia entry, which has a large map and a lot of useful information.

But the development does seem to have been ensnared in the planning process by the Norfolk Nimbys.

The Wikipedia entry for the Rackheath eco-town says this about the rail arrangements for the new development.

The current rail service does not allow room for an extra station to be added to the line, due to the length of single track along the line and the current signalling network. The current service at Salhouse is only hourly during peak hours and two-hourly during off-peak hours, as not all trains are able to stop due to these problems. Fitting additional trains to this very tight network would not be possible without disrupting the entire network, as the length of the service would increase, missing the connections to the mainline services. This would mean that a new 15-minute shuttle service between Norwich and Rackheath would have to be created; however, this would interrupt the main service and cause additional platforming problems. Finding extra trains to run this service and finding extra space on the platforms at Norwich railway station to house these extra trains poses additional problems, as during peak hours all platforms are currently used.

In addition, the plans to the site show that both the existing and the new rail station, which is being built 300m away from the existing station, will remain open.

. As the trains cannot stop at both stations, changing between the two services would be difficult and confusing, as this would involve changing stations.

I feel that this eco-town is unlikely to go ahead.

Did RWE Buy Vattenfall’s Norfolk Zone To Create Green Hydrogen For Europe?

Consider.

  • Vattenfall’s Norfolk Zone is a 4.2 GW group of wind farms, which have all the requisite permissions and are shovel ready.
  • Bacton Gas terminal has gas pipelines to Europe.
  • Sizewell’s nuclear power stations will add security of supply.
  • Extra wind farms could be added to the Norfolk Zone.
  • Europe and especially Germany has a massive need for zero-carbon energy.

The only extra infrastructure needing to be built is the giant electrolyser.

I wouldn’t be surprised if RWE built a large electrolyser to supply Europe with hydrogen.

 

 

 

December 23, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Would You Buy A Battery Energy Storage System From Rolls-Royce?

I don’t often click on adverts that appear in web pages.

But I had to click on one from Rolls-Royce mtu, which advertised Battery Energy Storage Systems.

I wonder what the Honourable Charles Rolls would have thought of adverts on the Internet for the company he jointly founded?

I suspect he would have liked the idea, as Rolls was very much a promoter of motoring and aviation and opened one of the first car dealerships in the UK, according to his Wikipedia entry.

The Wikipedia entry for his business partner; Sir Henry Royce starts with this sentence.

Sir Frederick Henry Royce, 1st Baronet, OBE (27 March 1863 – 22 April 1933) was an English engineer famous for his designs of car and aeroplane engines with a reputation for reliability and longevity.

He is also described as a perfectionist.

This sentence from the Wikipedia entry, describes how he started the design of the legendary “R” engine.

In October 1928, he began design of the “R” engine while walking with some of his leading engineers on the beach at West Wittering, sketching ideas in the sand. Less than a year later, the “R” engine, designed in his studio in the village, set a new world air speed record of 357.7 miles per hour and won the Schneider Trophy of 1929.

Later with help from the maddest person my father ever met (his words, not mine!) ; Lady Houston, the Supermarine S.6B won the trophy in 1931 and then broke the world speed record at over 400 mph. Not bad for a seaplane. Take the floats off an S.6B and you almost have a Spitfire.

The Wikipedia entry also describes how the “R” engine was developed into what many engineers believe was the finest internal combustion engine of all time; the Rolls-Royce Merlin.

Following the success of the “R” engine, it was clear that they had an engine that would be of use to the Royal Air Force. As no Government assistance was forthcoming at first, in the national interest they went ahead with development of what was called the “PV-12” engine (standing for Private Venture, 12-cylinder). The idea was to produce an engine of about the same performance as the “R”, albeit with a much longer life. Rolls-Royce launched the PV-12 in October 1933 and the engine completed its first test in 1934, the year after Royce died. The PV-12 became the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.

Where would we have been in the Battle of Britain without the Merlin engine?

Since 1969, the engineers at Rolls-Royce have followed Sir Henry’s example of perfection and developed the revolutionary RB-211 into the modern day Trent, which is now about to take a big leap into a low-carbon future with the UltraFan.

If the quality of Rolls-Royce mtu’s Battery Energy Storage System matches the levels of perfection Rolls-Royce achieved with the Merlin and the Trent, then I suspect that Sir Henry would have given his approval.

This picture is shown on the web page for the Battery Energy Storage System.

These two paragraphs introduce, what Rolls-Royce mtu are calling the mtuEnergyPack.

In today’s world of economic growth and increasing populations, the demand for electricity is soaring. Governments and industries globally shift to distributed renewable energy, challenging centralized grids. To adapt to this changing energy landscape, the mtuEnergyPack offers an ideal solution.

It integrates renewable sources like solar and wind power, paving the way for future-ready sustainable power systems. The mtu EnergyPack is a scalable, all-in-one solution for autonomous off-grid facilities. It ensures reliable power through peak shaving, load-shifting, and grid stabilization, making it suitable for various applications.

These are my thoughts.

What Is The Output And The Storage Capacity?

This paragraph on this page gives this answer.

It efficiently stores electricity from distributed sources and delivers on demand. The mtu EnergyPack is available in different sizes: The QS and the QL, ranging from 200 kVA to 2,000 kVA, and from 312 kWh to 2,084 kWh, and the QG for grid scale storage needs, ranging from 4,400 kVA and 4,470 kWh to virtually any size.

It seems that you specify your requirements and Rolls-Royce mtu should be able to satisfy it.

What Devices Can Be Connected?

This paragraph on this page gives this answer.

The mtu EnergyPack serves as a key component in enhancing the reliability and profitability of microgrids and energy systems. It stores electricity generated by distributed power sources, including gensets, wind turbines, or solar panels, and delivers it when needed.

In the 1970s, when I was working at ICI, others in the section were working on a system called MEDIA, where every sensor on a chemical plant was connected to the central computer, through its own analog-to-digital computer. It would now be called plug-and-play by some.

I believe that Rolls-Royce mtu are using similar ideas to connect equipment to the control computer.

These are my thoughts about connecting various equipment.

I don’t see why every device can’t work to the same protocol.

What Is The Power Density Like?

This paragraph on this page gives this answer.

The mtu EnergyPack’s compact battery system designs suit projects with limited space and logistical restrictions.

In ‘Spirit of Innovation’ Stakes Claim To Be The World’s Fastest All-Electric Vehicle, I talked about Rolls-Royce’s record-breaking electric plane called Spirit of Innovation.

Has what has been learned about energy storage in the confined spaces of an aeroplane been applied to a Battery Energy Storage System?

What Do Rolls-Royce mtu Consider To Be Important Features?

On this page, they list these features.

  • Power Density
  • Digitally Connected
  • Multilevel Safety
  • Black Start Capability
  • Scalability
  • Ultra-Fast Response
  • Flexible Use
  • Plug-And-Play Installation

The design seems to have everything covered.

Can Similar Systems Be Designed By Others?

I would expect that similar systems can be designed, as technology like batteries is available to all and the operation is only as good as the software controlling the various components of the system.

But similar systems will be without the famous Rolls-Royce logo.

Could One Of These Systems Decarbonise A Village?

I once lived in a village with about fifty houses and perhaps a hundred inhabitants.

I suspect an mtuEnergyPack could control all these inputs and provide the village with the following.

  • Enough electricity to power all the needs of the inhabitants, businesses and their vehicles.
  • If an electrolyser were to be provided, it could probably produce enough hydrogen to power every boiler and hydrogen-powered vehicle.

Note.

  1. Farmers would like the local availability of hydrogen, as it will be ideal for tractors and agricultural machinery.
  2. I actually believe that if a village had a reliable and affordable hydrogen supply, that a large proportion of the inhabitants would switch to hydrogen-powered vehicles.

There would still be the National Grid there for backup.

Conclusion

If I needed an mtuEnergyPack, I’d certainly give one a close look.

December 22, 2023 Posted by | Computing, Design, Energy, Energy Storage, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Major Boost For Hydrogen As UK Unlocks New Investment And Jobs

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

These three bullet points, act as sub-headings.

  • Eleven new production projects will invest around £400 million up front over the next 3 years, growing the UK’s green economy

  • More than 700 jobs to be created, representing the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe

  • New certainty for industry as government sets out hydrogen ambitions, including future production, transport and storage rounds

These two paragraphs outline the investment.

Over 700 jobs will be created across the UK in a world-leading hydrogen industry from the South West of England to the Highlands of Scotland, backed by £2 billion in government funding over the next 15 years.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho today (Thursday 14 December) announced backing for 11 major projects to produce green hydrogen – through a process known as electrolysis – and confirmed suppliers will receive a guaranteed price from the government for the clean energy they supply.

Note.

  1. This represents the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe.
  2. It is green hydrogen produced by electrolysis.
  3. The projects appear to be distributed around the UK.
  4. 125 MW of new hydrogen for businesses will be delivered.

I detailed the shortlist in Hydrogen Business Model / Net Zero Hydrogen Fund: Shortlisted Projects Allocation Round 2022, which used this press release from the Government as source.

Projects And Topics

This notice from the Government lists the eleven successful projects.

Projects and topics mentioned in the notice include.

Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen

I was very impressed, when I went to see the public exhibition of this project.

  • One of the reasons for building the electrolyser, is that Bradford has too many steep hills for electric buses, so will have to use more powerful hydrogen buses.
  • I also got talking to a Bradford councillor, who said that they were going to use hydrogen to attract businesses to the city.
  • It’s also rather large with a capacity of 24.5 MW.

The press release also gives this comment from Gareth Mills, Managing Director at N-Gen who said.

This is an important and exciting project, not just for Bradford, but also for the wider area and the community that lives here, so we are delighted to now have financial backing from government to allow us to start work on the site.

Bradford Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and we believe this facility will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions.

We know hydrogen can support decarbonising all energy types including transport, and producing green hydrogen is central to this, so we’re really excited to work with Hygen to deliver this development.

I very much feel that other large towns and cities will follow Bradford’s example.

Carlton Power

Carlton Power is a developer, who have been successful with bids for three hydrogen production projects.

The links go to the respective web sites.

The press release also gives this comment from Eric Adams, Carlton Power’s Hydrogen Projects Director who said.

We are delighted with today’s announcement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).  Securing contracts for each project – totalling 55MW of capacity and an investment of c£100 million, and each with planning consent – is a major achievement and places Carlton Power among the leading British companies that are helping to build the hydrogen economy in the UK.

The press release also gives this comment from Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power who said.

We are supporting UK industry to decarbonise their operations, supporting the UK’s efforts to reach net zero and we are a catalyst for green investment and jobs into the UK regions.  Working with our financial partners, Schroders Greencoat, we can now work towards Final Investment Decisions for each scheme in the early part of next year and thereafter work to have the 3 enter commercial operation within 2 years.

Carlton Power seem pleased, they got all the projects, they wanted.

Cromarty Hydrogen Project

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project has a web site, where this is said about the background of the project.

This Proposed Development would form part of the North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme recognised in the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan1 The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme is a strategic programme in line with the Scottish Government’s resolve to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045 and the UK Government’s ambition by 2050. The programme is aimed at developing hydrogen production hubs across the North of Scotland to supply hydrogen, initially to meet industrial and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) transport demand in the near term and then expand to cater to additional hydrogen demands in the future.

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project is the first project in the Scotland Hydrogen Programme. It originated from a collaboration between the Port of Cromarty Firth, ScottishPower, Glenmorangie, Whyte & Mackay and Diageo and the project originator, Storegga during the feasibility stage. This project is looking to develop a green hydrogen production hub in the Cromarty Firth region and revolves around the local distilleries forming the baseload demand for early phases of the project, which would enable them to decarbonise in line with their own ambitions and sector targets.

Note.

  1. In Cromarty Firth And Forth To Host First Green Freeports, I talk about how Cromarty Firth is going to be a green freeport.
  2. The electrolyser is a medium-sized one at 10.6 MW.
  3. Initially HGVs will take a large part of the output.

The distillers seem to be playing a large part. I assume it it’s because distilling needs a lot of heat to boil off all the water from a spirit.

The press release also gives this comment from Sarah Potts, Storegga’s Hydrogen Managing Director, who said.

After a lot of hard work by the integrated Storegga and ScottishPower project team, particularly over the past 18 months since the UK government launch of HAR1, I’m delighted that Cromarty has been selected by the UK government Department of Energy Security and Net Zero as one of 11 projects to be awarded a funding support contract. As an SME originating from North East Scotland, I believe Storegga is able to bring a unique perspective and ambition to deliver decarbonisation solutions for Scottish industry. We look forward to now being able to take the project forward to a final investment decision in 2024, with first production in 2026 and continuing to grow our hydrogen investments in the region.

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project appears to be a local project developed to satisfy a local need, but within Government policy.

Green Hydrogen 3

I wrote about this project in Government Hydrogen Boost To Help Power Kimberly-Clark Towards 100% Green Energy Target.

It is being developed by HYRO at Northfleet for Kimberly-Clark.

The press release also gives this comment from Alex Brierley, co-head of Octopus Energy Generation’s fund management team, who said.

This is a major milestone as this funding will enable HYRO to roll out green hydrogen projects at scale in hard-to-electrify industrial processes. Our first project will be working with Kimberly-Clark to flush away fossil fuels when manufacturing Andrex and Kleenex. We’ve got a big pipeline of projects to help even more industrial businesses decarbonise – and we’re on track to invest billions in this sector.

Note.

  1. Will Andrex become the bog-roll of choice for the supporters of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil?
  2. Octopus Energy seem to be getting their fingers into lots of projects.
  3. I suspect that Octopus Energy will need billions.

I very much like the way that Kimberly-Clark are going and it will be interesting, if they bring out a sales philosophy based on low-carbon manufacture.

Hydrogen Blending

The press release talks of hydrogen blending.

Ministers have also announced their decision to support hydrogen blending in certain scenarios – subject to an assessment of safety evidence and final agreement.

Currently, less than 1% of the gas in distribution networks is hydrogen. Under proposals, hydrogen could be blended with other gases in the network as an offtaker of last resort, working to reduce costs in the hydrogen sector by helping producers, and to support the wider energy system.

Hydrogen blending may help achieve the UK’s net zero ambitions, but would have a limited and temporary role as the UK moves away from the use of natural gas.

When I was a wet-behind-the-ears young engineer working on ICI’s hydrogen plant at Runcorn in the 1960s, one of the topics over coffee was how can ICI find more markets for the hydrogen they produce. I suspect a lot of the excess hydrogen went to raise steam in ICI’s power station. That wasn’t very efficient or profitable.

But suppose it is deemed safe to have up to 5 % of hydrogen in the natural gas supply. Then an electrolyser operator, would know they have an offtaker of last resort, which would in effect set a minimum price for the hydrogen.

  • I believe this could help their sales of hydrogen to heavy gas users, within easy reach by pipeline or truck of the electrolyser.
  • It might also attract businesses with a heavy energy usage or large carbon emissions to relocate close to an electrolyser.

Allowing hydrogen blending will also mean that no expensive hydrogen is wasted.

The government’s proposal on hydrogen blending is very sensible.

Hydrogen In Home Heating

The press release says this about using hydrogen for home heating.

Ministers have decided not to proceed with a hydrogen trial in Redcar, as the main source of hydrogen will not be available. The government recognises the potential role of hydrogen in home heating and will assess evidence from the neighbourhood trial in Fife, as well as similar schemes across Europe, to decide in 2026 whether and how hydrogen could help households in the journey to net zero.

I believe the ideal way to heat homes and other buildings depends on what is available at the building’s location.

Promising ideas are coming through, but I haven’t seen one that will suit my circumstances.

But something will come through and my engineering instinct says it will be powered by natural gas and the carbon will be captured. The system would probably work on a district-wide basis.

HyMarnham

HyMarnham is probably the most unusual of the projects.

It is a collaboration between J G Pears and GeoPura.

J G Pears describe themselves like this on their web site.

JG Pears is one of the UK’s leading processors of animal by-products and food waste. Pioneering environmentally-aware practices since we started out in 1972, we play a vital role in the agricultural and food industries.

GeoPura has this mission statement on their web site.

GeoPura has a totally zero-emissions answer to how we’re going to generate, store and distribute the vast amount of energy required to decarbonise our global economies. Clean fuels. Green fuels. We believe that renewable energy is the future.

It appears that a 9.3 MW electrolyser will be built on the site of the demolished High Marnham coal-fired power station, which is shown on this Google Map.

Note.

  1. The River Trent runs North-South across the map.
  2. There are two villages of High and Low Marnham in the middle of the map.
  3. The circles at the top of the map indicate the cooling towers of the demolished High Marnham power station.
  4. The High Marnham power station site is now owned by J G Pears.
  5. J G Pears Newark site is to the West of Low Marnham village.
  6. In the North-East corner of the map is the Fledborough viaduct, which crosses the River Trent.
  7. Network Rail’s High Marnham Test Track runs East-West across the map and uses the Fledborough viaduct to cross the Trent.

This second Google Map shows a close up of the former power station site.

Note.

  1. Network Rail’s High Marnham Test Track runs East-West across the map at the top.
  2. The remains of High Marnham power station can be clearly seen.
  3. The sub-stations that connected the power station to the grid are still in place.

This article on Energy-Pedia is entitled UK: HyMarnham Power’s Green Hydrogen Project Shortlisted for UK’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and contains this paragraph.

Harnessing the expertise of GeoPura and JG Pears, the site will be powered by 43 MW of new solar energy and utilises 8MW of electrolysers; establishing a long-term supply of low carbon hydrogen in the region.

Note that the electrolysers are now sized at 9.3 MW.

It looks to me like one or both companies wanted an electrolyser and J G Pears had the site, so engineers and executives of the two companies got together in a decent real ale pub, started thinking and the result is HyMarnham.

  • Electricity can come from the solar panels or the National Grid.
  • Excess solar electricity can be exported through the National Grid.
  • There is plenty of space on the site for a hydrogen filling station for vehicles.
  • There could even be a filling point for refueling hydrogen-powered trains on the High Marnham Test Track.

The Energy-Pedia article indicates that GeoPura and JG Pears would like to get started this year.

Could the partners install a small electrolyser linked to the National Grid, initially, so that Network Rail has the ability to test hydrogen trains?

InchDairnie Distillery In Scotland

I have just looked at the InchDairnie Distillery web site.

  • It looks a high class product.
  • The company is best described as Scotch Whisky Reimagined.
  • The company is based in Fife near Glenrothes.
  • They appear to have just launched a rye whisky, which they are aiming to export to Canada, Japan and Taiwan.

The press release says this about InchDairnie.

InchDairnie Distillery in Scotland, who plan to run a boiler on 100% hydrogen for use in their distilling process.

That would fit nicely with the image of the distillery.

I suspect the hydrogen will be brought in by truck.

But would a zero-carbon whisky be a hit at Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil parties?

PD Ports In Teesside

The press release says this about PD Ports.

PD Ports in Teesside, who will use hydrogen to replace diesel in their vehicle fleet, decarbonising port operations from 2026

I’ve felt for some time, that ports and freight interchanges, where you have lots of cranes, trucks and other diesel-powered equipment running hither and thither, is a good application for hydrogen, as not only does it cut carbon-emissions, but it also provides cleaner air for the workforce.

PD Ports have a Wikipedia entry, where this is said about their operations.

As of 2013 PD Ports owns and operates the Ports of Tees and Hartlepool under the name Teesport. The company also operates the Hull Container Terminal at the Port of Hull, and provides stevedoring and warehousing services at the Port of Immingham; logistics and warehousing at the Port of Felixstowe, Scunthorpe, and Billingham; and operates a wharf on the Isle of Wight. The company also owns the short sea ports in Scunthorpe (Groveport), Howden (Howdendyke, River Ouse, Yorkshire), and Keadby (River Trent).

The company appears to be bigger, than just Teesport and this project could grow.

The hydrogen for this project in Teesport appears to come from Tees Green Hydrogen, which will be a 5.2 MW facility developed by EDF Renewables Hydrogen.

The press release also gives this comment from Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer Hydrogen RWE Generation, who said.

Today’s announcements on the first 2 hydrogen allocation rounds mark a significant milestone in the development of the UK hydrogen economy. They represent a shift from policy development to project delivery, giving industry more clarity on the route to final investment decisions. Alongside the wider policy publications, this demonstrates that the UK wants to be a leader in delivering the clean energy transition.

These early projects are vital not only in driving the production of electrolytic hydrogen but also in signalling the need to build-out the T&S infrastructure for its wider distribution.

As a company with ambitions to develop approximately 2 gigawatts of green hydrogen projects across all our markets, and to invest around 8 billion euros net in green technologies in the UK between 2024-2030, RWE looks forward to being part of building a thriving hydrogen ecosystem in the UK.

These are positive words from the German energy company; RWE.

Sofidel In South Wales

The press release says this about Sofidel.

Sofidel in South Wales, who will replace 50% of their current gas boiler consumption with hydrogen at their Port Talbot paper mill.

The Wikipedia entry for the Sofidel Group has this first paragraph.

Sofidel is an Italian multinational producer of tissue paper for sanitary and domestic use. The Sofidel Group was founded in 1966. It is one of the world leaders in the tissue paper market and the second largest producer in Europe behind Essity. The privately held company is owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, has subsidiaries in 13 countries and more than 6,600 employees.

Note.

  1. From the Wikipedia entry, it looks like the company has a good record on sustainability and has set itself good objectives.
  2. Sofidel are nor far from Tata Steel, who could be another large hydrogen user.
  3. Port Talbot will be a support port for the wind farms in the Celtic Sea.
  4. This is a typical hydrogen application, which reduces emission of carbon dioxide.
  5. But like me, have the Italian owners of the company been impressed with some of the Italian food, I’ve eaten in South Wales?
  6. Are British sweeteners better than Italian ones?
  7. The hydrogen for this project appears to come from HyBont Bridgend, which will be a 5.2 MW facility developed by Marubeni Europower.

The press release also gives this comment from Mr Tomoki Nishino, President and CEO of Marubeni Europower Ltd, who said.

Marubeni team is very honoured to be selected as a recipient of Hydrogen Allocation Round 1. Recently in October 2023, Marubeni signed an MoU with the UK government whereby we have shown our plan to invest £10 billion (along with our partners) into UK green business. We truly hope that a combination of HAR1 funding and Marubeni’s investment help decarbonize UK through HyBont, especially in the South Wales region.

It all seems to be happening in Port Talbot.

Tees Green Hydrogen

Tees Green Hydrogen is a 5.2 MW project being developed by EDF Renewables on Teesside.

The project has a web site, which has this project description on the home page.

Tees Green Hydrogen, will be a pioneering project, using the green electricity from nearby Teesside Offshore Wind Farm along with a new solar farm, which EDF Renewables UK intends to construct near Redcar, to power its hydrogen electrolyser.

The press release also gives this comment from Tristan Zipfel, Director of Strategy and Analysis at EDF Renewables UK, who said.

Today’s announcement is a huge leap forward for green hydrogen innovation which has the capacity to guarantee the long-term sustainability of industry in the North East. We are delighted that the government has given this vote of confidence in both EDF Renewables UK, Hynamics and the capacity of the region to be a world-leader in green technology and innovation.

The press release also gives this comment from Pierre de Raphelis-Soissan, CEO at Hynamics UK, who said.

This is a very important step towards realising the potential of Tees Green Hydrogen and making a ground breaking contribution to decarbonisation in the Tees Valley. The project is uniquely placed to be scalable in order that future demand can be met as hydrogen-based technology becomes the industrial norm.

Note.

  1. The project will be powered by both wind and solar.
  2. Hynamics is a subsidiary of EDF.
  3. I suspect that this project will supply PD Ports with hydrogen.

This project looks like it could be just a starter for 5.2 MW.

West Wales Hydrogen

West Wales Hydrogen is a 14.2 MW project being developed by H2 Energy and Trafigura in West Wales.

The best source of information is this must-watch Youtube video.

  • The company appears to be able to lease you a hydrogen truck on a pay per mile basis, at the same price as a diesel truck.
  • Get the finance right for your customers and yourself and everybody will be happy.

I know it will work, as I used to own half a company that leased a lot of trucks in Ipswich.

  • My experience, also says the model would work with taxis, Transit-sized vans, company cars and vehicles like Defenders.
  • It would also work very well around Ipswich, like my company did.

The press release also gives this comment from Julien Rolland, CEO of H2 Energy Europe, who said.

We are very grateful for the support that the UK government has announced for our 20MW electrolytic hydrogen production facility, marking a significant milestone in our journey to develop South Wales’s first large-scale green hydrogen production plant. The facility will enable industry in South Wales to transition to using green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.

The green hydrogen produced at Milford Haven will be used to displace natural gas and other fossil fuels in industrial and chemical processes and contribute to the decarbonisation of the local industry. The interest that we’ve already received from local industry means we are already reviewing the opportunity to scale up the facility.

I can see this model being applied all over the UK.

Whitelee Green Hydrogen

Whitelee Green Hydrogen is a 7.1 MW project being developed by Scottish Power close to the Whitelee Wind Farm.

The Whitelee Wind Farm has a comprehensive Wikipedia entry, where this is said about the future of the wind farm.

In May 2009, the Scottish Government granted permission for an extension to the wind farm to produce up to a further 130 megawatts of power, which would increase the total generating capacity of Whitelee to 452 MW.

In 2010 a 75 turbine extension commenced, adding an additional 217 MW of capacity, enough to power the equivalent of over 124,000 homes. This brought the total generating capacity of the wind farm up to 539 MW. Additionally, the extension added a further 44 km of trails to the site. John Sisk and Son Limited and Roadbridge were jointly appointed as Principal Contractors for the site during construction with Alstom Limited erecting and commissioning the wind turbines. 

In August 2012 Scottish Power announced that it was applying for a further small extension of five turbines on the west of the existing site, adding 12 MW of capacity. This was refused by the DPEA on 19 Oct 2016.

A £21 million (US$29.35 million) 50MW/50MWh grid battery is being added to improve resource utilization, with plans for a 40 MW solar farm and a 20 MW hydrogen electrolyzer.

The press release also gives this comment from Peter Jones, Director of ScottishPower Green Hydrogen Business, who said.

The first wave of production facilities like Whitelee and Cromarty will demonstrate that zero-emission hydrogen can be delivered at commercial scale and drive the development of a viable market for the green fuel. 

It will also create highly skilled green jobs across the UK and quickly support a world leading supply chain.

It’s early days for this burgeoning market and government support is to be welcomed to help deliver a future green hydrogen economy.

With 539 MW of wind, 40 MW of solar and a 50MW/50MWh grid battery to drive a 7.1 MW electrolyser, this should prove to be a reliable source of green hydrogen.

My Thoughts

I have a few extra thoughts.

Coverage Is Rather Patchy

Some areas of the UK don’t seem to be well-served with green hydrogen from this funding.

  • East Suffolk with all those trucks going to and from the Port of Felixstowe. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
  • Humberside with all its energy-hungry industries. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
  • Hampshire with all those trucks going to and from the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. But there is a lack of renewable energy.
  • Lincolnshire with all those trucks going to and from Immingham. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
  • London with all those local trucks delivering building materials to sites all over the capital. But then the current Mayor doesn’t have a hydrogen policy.

I would assume, that some of these areas will be funded for hydrogen in the second round.

 

December 20, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Finance, Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Floating Solar Not Yet Up to Par To Be Brought Into Offshore Wind Tenders, Says BP’s Benelux Head Of Offshore Wind

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

This is the sub-heading.

System integration is what is needed for the next leap in offshore wind, however, not all technologies that can integrate with offshore wind farms have the same starting point. Floating solar still has some way to go in becoming more resilient to harsh offshore conditions. On the other hand, hydrogen is a more ready option with plenty of support from the industry, but it needs to be included and clearly defined in offshore wind tenders.

These two paragraphs describe the views of Frank Oomen, Head of Offshore Wind Benelux at BP.

This is according to Frank Oomen, Head of Offshore Wind Benelux at BP, who discussed financial and qualitative criteria in offshore wind auctions during the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2023 (OEEC 2023).

Speaking about recently joining BP from the renewables industry, Oomen pointed out that, with offshore wind becoming larger scale, it needs to move in the direction of system integration and become an integrated energy business itself.

I had a lot of my engineering education, in ICI’s world of integrated chemical plants and I believe that Frank Oomen’s views are heading in the right direction.

If we take Frank Oomen’s views to their logical conclusion, we will see the following.

  • Clusters of wind farms far from land in productive wind power areas.
  • A nearby electrolyser will be producing hydrogen.
  • The hydrogen will be taken to the shore by pipeline or tanker.
  • BP with their oil and gas heritage, have been doing this for decades.

BP might even have some redundant gas infrastructure they can repurpose.

December 14, 2023 Posted by | Energy, Hydrogen | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Phantom’ Power Projects Are Holding Back The UK’s Energy Security – Centrica Report

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

These are the three bullet points.

  • New report shows queue for new energy projects is blocked by developers that may not even have land rights and haven’t applied for planning consents
  • Estimated size of these power projects in the queue is 62GW, roughly one fifth of all power in the queue
  • Centrica CEO argues such ‘phantom’ projects should have Construction Agreements terminated if developers miss key milestones – and urges Ofgem to give National Grid ESO the power to remove projects from the existing grid queue

This is the first two paragraphs.

A new independent report, commissioned by Centrica, has revealed the extent of the power projects holding back the UK’s energy security and creating risk around hitting net zero.

The report examined the UK’s existing queue for Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) – the queue for connecting new projects to the transmission grid – and discovered that it is up to four times oversubscribed. Not only that, but this oversubscription has become significantly worse in the last few years.

The report found these three totals.

  • There are currently 371GW of projects in the queue, enough to significantly improve the UK’s energy security.
  • Around 114GW worth of projects have listed their connection date as before 2029.
  • But around 62GW of these projects are only in the scoping phase and developers may not even have secured land rights or applied for planning consent.

This is both good and bad news!

Here Is The Good News!

Currently, the UK is using 37 GW of electricity, of which 32 GW are generated in the UK, 5 GW is being imported through interconnectors and around 6 GW are coming from renewables.

So this means that when we build all the 371 GW in the queue, we’ll have around eleven times the electricity we are using today.

Of the 114 GW of projects listed for connection before 2029, it looks like 62 GW won’t be delivered, as they haven’t secured land rights or applied for planning consent.

But that still means that as much as 52 GW could be delivered by 2029.

Even this reduced level of new projects still increases the amount of electricity that can be generated by nearly 150 %.

If I’m being ultra pessimistic, I would say that the average capacity factor of the extra capacity was 50 %, so we’d only be adding 26 GW, so the electricity, that can be generated would only rise by around 70 %.

I suspect all in the UK can live with these paltry increases.

Here Is The Bad News!

This is a paragraph from the report.

The report suggests that the oversubscribed queue, and longer wait for connections. has a damaging effect on the investments that could drive the UK’s energy transition and energy security.

Developers and investors will decamp to countries, where they be sure of getting a return on their time and money.

Think of having two supermarkets close to you live, where one is professional and one is chaotic. Where would you shop?

The congestion caused by phantom projects must be solved.

Ofgem’s Solution

This is the solution in the press release.

Ofgem is exploring rule changes (CMP376) to address queue issues and is expected to decide these before 10 November. These rule changes would grant the ESO the ability to remove projects from the queue if they miss key milestones. Ofgem is currently considering whether to apply this rule change to just new projects entering the queue, or whether the rule change should also be applied to projects already in the queue.

They can probably come up with a solution.

An Alternative Method From My Past

In 1969, I worked for ICI, where one of my jobs was building specialist instruments for chemical plants.

Most instruments, that were designed by the group I belonged to, included a chassis on which the components and electronics were mounted. So we had a workshop and about seven or eight staff at our disposal to build the chassis and the parts outside of our skills. As they were used by several groups in the building, where we were all based, the workshop was very busy and everything was delivered late.

Eventually, a manager decided to get a grip on the situation.

He insisted, that the workshop would not do what you wanted if your delivery date was as soon as possible, rather than a date agreed by both parties.

The results were amazing and everything was delivered on the agreed date.

With the renewable energy connection queue, I am sure, that if a procedure was developed, that only allowed fully-planned projects with an agreed completion date to enter the queue, then the problems of phantom projects would be solved.

It might also reduce the cost of developing these renewable projects.

 

 

 

October 25, 2023 Posted by | Energy | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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