Molten Salt And Human Sweat: The Weird Batteries That Could Store Renewable Energy
The title of this post is the same as that of this article in The Guardian.
This is the sub-heading.
From Nevada to Manchester, developers are trialling innovative solutions to clean energy’s biggest challenge
These first three paragraphs give a taste of what is to come.
In the deserts of the United Arab Emirates a sprawling clean energy project, stretching across an area roughly the size of 12,600 football fields, will play host to a breakthrough allowing solar energy to power the equivalent of half a million homes through the night.
The Gulf state has been steadily combining 5.2GW of solar power capacity with 19GWh of battery storage to create the largest battery scheme in the world.
Meanwhile, about 7,500 miles away, at the US’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory facility in Colorado, researchers and engineers are making some of the smallest batteries the world has ever seen. A fraction of the size of the grid-scale lithium-ion batteries used to store renewable energy, they have been designed to power electronic tags that will track the 3in-long (about 7.5cm) young from salmon and eel species.
And seeing, that they used to be the Manchester Guardian and that Andy Burnham is surely the man-of-the-day for other reasons, Highview Power’s 50 MW/300 MWh at Carrington in Manchester gets a big mention under a section heading of Liquid Air, with Burnham in hi-vis jacket and hard hat.
The article is very much a must read, that features projects from the United Arab Emirates, Colorado, Finland, Manchester, Nevada and Japan.
India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train Notified: Know Route, Launch Date & What Makes It Special
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Times of India.
These two paragraphs add some detail.
India’s first hydrogen train has been notified by Indian Railways. The new hydrogen-powered train is expected to be flagged off by PM Narendra Modi on July 17. He will also unveil a series of other infrastructure projectsacross Haryana, state minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said on Thursday.
The government says that project underscores Indian Railways’ wider focus on technological innovation, improved energy efficiency, and environmentally sustainable transportation, while supporting India’s national objectives on clean energy and achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
The route will be between Jind and Sonipat, which are both shown on this OpenRailwayMap.
Note.
- Jind, which has two stations Jind City and Jind Junction is in the North-West corner of the map.
- The blue arrow indicates Jind City station.
- Jind Junction station has a Wikipedia entry, which indicates that Jind Junction station has a hydrogen refilling station.
- Sonipat Junction station is in the South-East corner of the map.
- Jind and Sonipat are about fifty miles apart by train.
- OpenRailwayMap shows that most, if not all of the rail lines shown in this map are electrified using 25 KVAC overhead.
It looks to me, that Indian Railways are following similar rules to Network Rail, when they tested the battery-electric Class 379 train on the Mayflower Line.
- Test new technology on a line with spare capacity.
- Test new technology with a train, that can still run using current electrification.
- Test new technology on an electrified line.
From talking to some of those, who used the Harwich train every day, there were no problems during the test.
Visiting The Hydrogen Train
I feel that if you were passing through New Delhi, it would be feasible, if you had time to spare to visit the hydrogen train.
Google AI says this about the New Delhi and Sonipat service.
Trains to Sonipat Station run directly from New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS). Several long-distance, express, and local EMU/MEMU trains connect the two stations daily, making the journey in approximately 30 to 50 minutes.
The Ghostly Drone That Spins Almost Too Fast To See
The title of this post, is the same as this article on The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
The ‘Phantom Twist’ prototype rotates about 25 times a second while its body moves in the opposite direction — appearing as a faint haze
These two initial paragraphs add some more details.
Engineers have created a drone that almost vanishes in flight by spinning so quickly the human eye sees only a faint, translucent haze.
The body of the drone, called the Phantom Twist, rotates about 25 times a second, while its propeller spins in the opposite direction. Its inventors describe it as “morphing into a ghostly smudge that seamlessly blends into the background”.
This technology obviously works and was developed at North Western University in the United States.
This paragraph speculates on a few civilian uses.
It is, they say, intended for civilian uses. The researchers believe less conspicuous aircraft could be useful for monitoring nesting birds, surveying wilderness areas or inspecting bridges and other infrastructure without causing wildlife to scatter or prompting people to alter their behaviour.
The article then details how drones have transformed the war in Ukraine.
TerraLithium, BHE Renewables Announce Key Milestones For Geothermal Lithium Project In California
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on ThinkGeoEnergy.
This is the sub-heading.
TerraLithium and BHE Renewables have announced key milestones towards advancing technology for lithium extraction from geothermal brines in Imperial Valley, California.
This is the important paragraph in the article.
The business model of coupling lithium and critical minerals extraction with geothermal energy production is gaining increasing attention, both in the United States and in countries like Germany, France, and the UK. As demonstrated in the United Downs geothermal power project in Cornwall, lithium extraction provides additional revenue generation that can significantly improve the economics of deep geothermal projects.
So here we have little Cornwall showing Big California how to get power and lithium out of hot rocks.
In Cornish Plant Produces Geothermal Power, I described the progress at the Cornish plant in March.
Has Andy Burnham Ever Said Anything On Geothermal Energy?
Given that there is an election or coronation under way, I just had to ask Google AI, the question in the title of this section.
This is the answer I received.
Yes, Andy Burnham has occasionally engaged with topics involving geothermal energy, particularly in the context of tapping natural underground heat and mine water for green energy
His notable references to the technology include:
Supporting Manchester’s Geothermal Potential: He has voiced support for localized renewable heat projects, such as exploratory borehole plans in Manchester city centre intended to tap into thermal springs for community heating.
I think we can put that down as a favourable view.
This excellent article on the BBC is entitled Plan To Heat Manchester Homes With A Geothermal Spring, is worth a full read.
Is The UK Developing Sea-Drones To Protect Wind Farms?
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, the UK is actively developing and utilizing sea-drones (and autonomous boats) for its offshore wind farms. This technology is being used to protect the farms by patrolling subsea infrastructure, inspecting underwater turbine foundations, and delivering heavy equipment to mitigate human risk.
Here is a look at how sea drones and autonomous systems are being developed and used for the UK’s offshore energy sector:
Subsea Security and Patrolling: The UK and NATO are highly focused on protecting critical subsea cables and wind networks from adversarial interference. Firms like Aberdeen-based Honuworx have been contracted to develop autonomous underwater vehicles capable of prolonged remote operation for defense and infrastructure surveillance.
Underwater Structure Inspection: Projects like the UNITE program (led by Heriot-Watt University and supported by the National Robotarium) are testing AI-controlled underwater robots to operate in turbulent seas and maintain offshore wind infrastructure. Meanwhile, Beam (an offshore wind services company) successfully deployed the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater drone at Scotland’s Seagreen wind farm, cutting inspection times in half.
Sailing Drones & Remote Operations: Energy companies like Vattenfall are controlling uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and sailing drones from remote operation centers in Aberdeen to patrol and keep North Sea wind farms safe and efficient.
Heavy-Lift Cargo Drones: Beyond sea drones, energy giant Ørsted has utilized giant autonomous drones to deliver heavy equipment—like 70kg boxes of safety gear—directly to the tops of offshore wind turbines in the UK, removing the need for ships and cranes in rough seas
We should fight fire with innovation.
Can A ‘Secret Sauce’ Help Store Renewable Energy?
The title of this post, is the same as that as this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
The US-Israel war with Iran has led to higher electricity bills and put the issue of energy security back in the spotlight.
These two paragraphs add more detail to the story.
Now a pilot project inspired by a 100-year-old idea aims to store renewable energy.
Those behind the high density hydro demonstrator scheme near Plymouth say the technology can “turn small hills into giant batteries”, as part of the transition away from fossil fuels.
This is one of those stories, that could only emerge in the UK.
If you have the time, click on the link to the BBC article and read it in full.
I have a feeling, that the world will be hearing a lot about RheEnergise.
I asked Google AI, “How Much Energy Can A RheEnergise Battery Store”, and received this reply.
A RheEnergise system acts like pumped-storage hydro, using a dense fluid instead of water to store energy.
Planned commercial facilities are designed to store 2 to 16 hours of energy capacity, offering between 10 MW and 50 MW of power generation.
The exact energy storage figures for their deployments scale depending on the site requirements.
The breakdown of how these installations store and yield energy includes:
Commercial-Scale Capacity: A standard commercial site ranging from 10 MW to 50 MW will yield between 20 MWh and 800 MWh of total energy output (based on operating at full capacity for 2 to 16 hours).
The “Secret Sauce”: The system uses a proprietary fluid called R-19, which is 2.5 times denser than water.
This density allows the system to generate 2.5× more power and energy from the same physical footprint and vertical drop compared to traditional water-based facilities.
Real-World Pilot: The company operates a 500 kW demonstrator project at Cornwood near Plymouth, UK. This smaller test-bed, if run continually, generates energy equivalent to powering about 400 homes for an entire year.
Zero Seasonal Losses: Unlike chemical batteries (like lithium-ion) that degrade and lose charge over time, pumped hydro setups suffer virtually zero energy loss while the fluid sits idle.
Record Public Transport Growth To The Lake District As Keswick Added To National Rail Network
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
This is the sub-heading.
Record numbers of visitors are travelling to the Lake District by public transport after Avanti West Coast introduced a “virtual railway station” at Keswick, according to newly released figures.
These two paragraphs add more detail.
By adding Keswick to national rail journey planners, passengers can now purchase a single, fully integrated ticket covering both train and bus travel. From today (27 April), the ticket will be available year‑round following a successful two‑summer trial.
The initiative allows passengers to travel on Avanti West Coast or TransPennine Express services to Penrith – the gateway to the North Lakes – before continuing to Keswick on Stagecoach’s X4 and X5 bus services, all using one ticket.
This paragraph describes the impact of the initiative.
The impact has been significant. Over the past year, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Stagecoach have all reported record-breaking passenger growth, underlining growing demand for seamless, car‑free travel to one of the UK’s most popular visitor destinations.
That looks like a good result all round.
I have some thoughts.
Buying A Ticket
I have just tried to book a ticket between Euston and Keswick for tomorrow, using my normal ticket retailer.
- The destination was Keswick Bus.
- It was just like buying a ticket between Euston and Liverpool Lime Street.
- I could have entered my Senior Railcard.
- The only thing that is needed would be to ask if you have a bus pass and adjust the ticket price accordingly.
I think one day in the summer, if I’m at a loss for something to do, I might visit Keswick.
I also found Keswick Bus on this ticket machine at Kings Cross.
Someone is getting the Ticketing Act together.
Getting To Events
In 2011 I visited all 92 English League Clubs in alphabetical order and some were difficult to get to from the nearest station.
Perhaps if a club has a bus between the local station and the ground, a virtual station could be added, which might be called say York Football.
There would be details instructions at the exit to the station about where to catch the bus or how to walk there if it were close.
It would obviously work for other sports and what about events like Glastonbury, Glyndebourne, The Suffolk Show and racing of both horses and horsepower.
Testing The Viability Of Possible Stations
It is very difficult to test the viability of a new station before a large sum of money can be allocated to build the station.
But supposing Merseyrail wanted to test the viability of a new station at Skelmersdale.
- Skelmersdale Bus would be added to the Rail Ticketing System.
- A bus route would be created probably between the new station at Headbolt Lane and Skelmersdale.
Done properly, it could give a reasonable estimate of the viability of the new route.
Conclusion
I can see this being a very popular and successful development.
Lumo Targets Drivers With ‘Pump-Primed’ Campaign Showing How To Travel To London For Less
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Business Daily.
These three paragraphs outline the story.
Motorists driving to London are being shown how taking the train could save up to half the cost of their journey – as they fill-up at the fuel pumps.
Lumo has launched digital screens at a filling station to display real-time travel information and ticket prices.
Lumo believes the bold new trial, a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Smart Outdoor digital advertising firm, will give motorists a timely reminder of a greener and often more affordable alternative to driving between Scotland and England.
Note.
- Displaying real-time travel information is done regularly all over the transport network, for buses and trains.
- Adding ticket prices would not be difficult.
- All filling stations must have good enough broadband.
- I suspect, it could work best, where the train operator sells good value walk-up tickets. This is done at LNER stations on the East Coast Main Line and in An Affordable Trip To Doncaster, I told how I went to Doncaster for the day for £46.45 with a Senior Railcard, buying the tickets on a walk-up basis.
But who knows, where this technology will lead?
As a non-driver, if anybody sees the system in action, I’d love a comment and a photo.
A Ticket Buying App
I also think, I could specify a ticket buying app for trips someone needs to make.
The app would keep a list of train journeys you want to make.
Every day, it would look up the best prices available and if you wanted to go somewhere, you could buy a ticket.
The Anonymous Widower 