Enter The Dragon
Look at this map of UK offshore wind farms. clipped from Wikipedia.
It is only a crude map, but it does show the lack of offshore wind farms around the coasts of Wales and South-West England.
This article on the Engineer is entitled Unlocking The Renewables Potential Of The Celtic Sea.
The article starts with these two paragraphs.
Over the last decade, the UK has become a global leader in renewable marine energy, tapping into the vast resources its coastal geography offers. Offshore wind, in particular, has flourished, with gigawatt-scale projects being deployed off the east coast of England and Scotland, at Hornsea, Dogger Bank and Moray.
However, looking at a map of existing and proposed wind farms, what’s perhaps most striking is the complete absence of projects in the southwest of Britain, off the rugged shores of Wales, Devon and Cornwall, shaped by the fierce North Atlantic. The Celtic Sea – which extends south off Wales and Ireland down past Cornwall and Brittany to the edge of the continental shelf – is estimated to have around 50GW of wind generating capacity alone. What’s more, it also delivers some of the highest tidal ranges in the world, alongside some of the best waters in Europe for generating wave energy. In a country blessed with renewable resources, the Celtic Sea may well be its biggest prize.
The article then discusses how the challenge of developing renewable energy around Wales is being met.
- It describes the relevance of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW).
- It quotes someone who says. “Eighty per cent of the world’s wind resources are in waters deeper than you would traditionally go with fixed offshore wind.”
- It talks about Blue Gem Wind and their Erebus and Valorous wind farm projects, that I wrote about in Blue Gem Wind.
- It talks of how expertise from offshore oil and gas is being used to develop floating offshore wind.
The article then goes on to talk about tidal power.
The Welsh Government Tidal Lagoon Challenge is mentioned.
- The article notes “The IP for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon has been purchased by a consortium led by Bridgend’s DST Innovations and has been reborn as Blue Eden.”
- Blue Eden is described on this page of the DST Innovations web site. The project is not in the least bit timid or small.
- The article also introduces to the Morlais Tidal Energy Scheme, which has its own web site.
The article then finishes with a few paragraphs about how wind, wave and tidal power can be combined in a single scheme.
Conclusion
The article finishes with this paragraph.
For now, Wales may be lagging slightly behind its Celtic cousin to the north, but if the true potential of the Celtic Sea can be unleashed – FLOW, tidal stream, lagoon and wave – it looks set to play an even more prominent role in the net zero pursuit.
The Red Dragon is entering the battle to replace Vlad the Mad’s tainted energy.
Blue Gem Wind
Principle Power are the designers of the WindFloat.
The Projects page of the Principle Power web site led me to a project called Erebus. This is Principle Power’s description of the project.
The Celtic Sea, located between the United Kingdom and Ireland, holds an estimated 50 GW of offshore wind resource. The 96 MW Erebus project, located offshore Pembrokeshire, Wales, is a flagship project planned by Blue Gem Wind, a joint venture between Total and Simply Blue Energy, to unlock the potential of this region.
The project will feature between 7 and 10 turbines on WindFloat® floating platforms located approximately 44 km southwest of the Pembrokeshire coastline.
The Erebus project will see the deployment of a fully industrialized WindFloat® and represents a stepping stone that will allow the local supply chain to build capabilities for the delivery of larger projects under development in the Celtic sea region.
Note.
- Developing 50 GW of offshore wind in the Celtic Sea is not a small amount of wind power.
- The 96 MW Erebus project would appear to be the first project in the Celtic Sea.
- The turbines would be between 9.5 and 14 MW.
- The Principle Power website states that the water depth of the Erebus wind farm is seventy metres.
- The deployment of a fully industrialized WindFloat.
- The Erebus wind farm is being developed by Blue Gem Wind.
It would be larger than the current world’s largest floating wind farm, which is the Kincardine Wind Farm.
Who Are Blue Gem Wind?
Blue Gem Wind have a web site, with a picture of three turbines riding on WindFloats and a couple of support boats and this mission statement.
Floating Offshore Wind
A new generation of energy in the Celtic Sea
The Our Projects page shows a good picture and says this.
Floating wind is set to become a key technology in the fight against climate change with over 80% of the worlds wind resource in water deeper than 60 metres. Independent studies have suggested there could be as much as 50GW of electricity capacity available in the Celtic Sea waters of the UK and Ireland. This renewable energy resource could play a key role in the UK meeting the 2050 Net-Zero target required to mitigate climate change. Floating wind will provide new low carbon supply chain opportunities, support coastal communities and create long-term benefits for the region.
A header indicates a stepping-stones approach to assist the local supply chain and says this.
We believe that a stepping stone approach to the development of floating wind in the Celtic Sea brings a number of benefits. Starting with smaller demonstration and early-commercial projects, increasing in size, will help to capture the highest local supply chain content. It will also maximise knowledge transfer and facilitate a sustainable transfer to a low carbon economy.
Because of this focus on stepping stone projects we have proposed Erebus, a 96MW test and demonstration project followed by Valorous, a 300MW early-commercial project.
These links give more details of the two projects.
- Erebus – 100MW Test & Demonstration project in the Celtic Sea
- Valorous – A 300MW Early Commercial project in the Celtic Sea
It appears that the company is taking a sensible approach.
- They are starting small and building up deployment.
- They are using proven WindFloat technology.
- They are developing a local supply chain.
This Google Map shows the area of the two wind farms.
Note.
- Pembroke in the middle at the top of the map.
- Barnstaple and Bideford in Devon in the South-East corner of the map.
- Lundy Island off the Devon coast.
I estimate that the two wind farms will be about the Western edge of this map, with Erebus to the North of Valorous. They wouldn’t want to be too far to the West, as that would put them in the shipping lanes between Ireland and France.
Will The Turbines Be Assembled In The Milford Haven Waterway?
This Google Map shows the Milford Haven Waterway.
Note.
- Pembroke Dock, where Blue Gem Wind has its offices, is at the Eastern end of the map.
- The oil refineries and LNG terminals.
- Milford Haven on the North side of the waterway.
- The 2.2 GW gas-fired Pembroke power station on the South side of the waterway.
- The ferry route between Rosslare and Pembroke Dock.
But as the waterway is one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, I wouldn’t be surprised to find, that the turbines will be lifted on to the WindFloats in this waterway.
The turbines would be brought in by sea and the WindFloats would be towed in from their manufacturing site.
Where Will The WindFloats And Turbines Be Built?
There could be enough space to build the WindFloats in the Milford Haven Waterway, but I suspect they will be built in a shipyard, which is close to a supply of steel. South Wales is an obvious possibility.
I estimate that for the two wind farms between twenty-eight and forty turbines would be needed and these would probably be brought in by sea and then lifted onto the WindFloats somewhere in the Milford Haven Waterway.
It could be a very efficient process.
Will Pembroke Power Station Have A Future Role?
Consider.
- Pembroke power station is the largest gas-fired power station in Europe.
- It has a capacity of 2.2 GW.
- It was only completed in 2012, so it has many years of life yet!
- It is also probably young enough, to be able to be converted to run on hydrogen.
- It obviously will have a very good connection to the National Grid.
I would suspect that initially, the power cable from Erebus and Valorous, would use the same grid connection as the power station.
But in the future there must be some interesting ways that the wind farms and the power station can work together.
- A large electrolyser could be built to create hydrogen for heavy transport and industrial uses, from excess electricity.
- Could the oxygen from the electrolyser be used for steelmaking in South Wales?
- As natural gas is phased out the power station could be converted to hydrogen power.
- In times of low wind, the power station could make up the shortfall.
- The wind farms could be used as the primary electricity source, with the power station adding the extra power needed to meet demand.
There are certainly ways, the wind farms and the power station can work together.
Conclusion
These two related wind farms seems a good way to start wind developments between the UK and the island of Ireland.
Plan For New Nuclear Reactors At Wylfa And Trawsfynydd A Step Closer As Natural Resource Wales Looks At Designs
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on nation.cymru.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Plans for new nuclear power stations at Trawsfynydd and Wylfa have taken a step closer after the UK Government asked government regulators to assess designs for the reactors.
Natural Resources Wales will be among those assessing the designs by Rolls-Royce, with both Wylfa and Trawsfynydd have been named as potential sites for housing them within the UK.
These are points about the reactors.
- They will cost £1.8 billion each.
- They are capable of powering a city the size of Cardiff, which has a population of about half-a-million.
- I’ve read elsewhere that the reactors are planned to have a nameplate capacity of 470 MW.
The article did mention, that the Nimbys were lining up.
The Wylfa Site
The original Wylfa power station was a Magnox nuclear station generating 980 MW, that was decommissioned in 2015.
This Google Map shows the location of the site on Anglesey.
This second Google Map shows the site in more detail.
The power station doesn’t appear to have had a rail link, but there is a railway line a few miles away, with sidings that might have been used to handle fuel flasks.
There has been a proposal for a hybrid plant consisting of a wind farm and small modular nuclear reactors, which is described in this Wikipedia section, where this is said.
In January 2021, Shearwater Energy presented plans for a hybrid plant, to consist of a wind farm and small modular reactors (SMRs), to be installed adjacent to the existing Wylfa power station but separate from the proposed Wylfa Newydd site. Shearwater has signed a memorandum of understanding with NuScale Power for the SMRs. The plant could start generation as early as 2027 and would ultimately produce up to 3 GW of electricity and power a hydrogen generation unit producing up to 3 million kg of hydrogen per year.
Note.
- Wylfa Newydd was a proposal by Hitachi to build a nuclear station on the site.
- Shearwater Energy is a UK developer of energy opportunities.
- NuScale Power is an American company with its own design of small modular nuclear reactor.
In Holyhead Hydrogen Hub Planned For Wales, I talked about hydrogen and the port of Holyhead.
The Trawsfynydd Site
The original Trawsfynydd power station was a Magnox nuclear station generating 470 MW, that was decommissioned in 1991.
This Google Map shows the location of the site in North Wales.
This second Google Map shows the site in more detail.
Note.
- The power station was built on the Northern shore of Llyn Trawsfynydd.
- Llyn Trawsfynydd is a man-made lake, that was built in the 1920s to supply water to the 24 MW Maentwrog hydro electric power station.
- There is a railway from near the site, that connects to the Conwy Valley Line at Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The Trawsfynydd site is a lot more than just a decommissioned Magnox power station.
Pumped Energy Storage In Snowdonia
Currently, there are two existing pumped storage in Snowdonia.
- Dinorwig power station, which is often called Electric Mountain, which has a capacity of 9.1 GWh.
- Ffestiniog power station, which has a capacity of around 1 GWh. If anybody has a better figure let me know!
A third scheme is under development at Glyn Rhonwy, which could have a capacity of 700 MWh.
Looking at the size of Llyn Trawsfynydd, I do wonder, if it could be the top lake of a future pumped storage scheme.
- Llyn Trawsfynydd, contains 40 million tonnes of water.
- There is a head of 190 metres.
That could give energy storage of 20 GWh. That sounds a lot of GWhs! But with two possible small modular nuclear reactors at possibly 500 MW each nearby and some help from windfarms, it could be filled within a day, if there is a suitable low-level reservoir.
Rolls-Royce And The Duisburg Container Terminal
In Rolls-Royce Makes Duisburg Container Terminal Climate Neutral With MTU Hydrogen Technology, I showed how Rolls-Royce and its subsidiary were providing an innovative climate neutral solution for Duisburg Container Terminal in Germany.
A North West Wales Powerhouse
Could Rolls-Royce be planning a Duisburg-style solution for North West Wales.
- Small modular nuclear reactors at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd.
- Hydrogen electrolysers to create hydrogen for the Port of Holyhead and heavy transport.
- Adequate pumped hydro storage for surplus energy.
But there could be little serious above-ground construction.
Conclusion
Something is awakening in North West Wales.
Young Break For The Border To Ring In The New Year
The title of this post, is the same as that on this article on The Times.
This a subtitle to the report, above a picture of five Scots girls enjoying themselves in Newcastle.
Revellers from Scotland and Wales dodging Covid restrictions at home flocked to clubs and bars in England
It will be interesting to see how the Scottish and Welsh Covid statistics pan out in the next few days.
As a trained Control Engineer, I am totally against lockdowns, except as a very last resort.
It’s like trying to ride a bike only turning the handlebars full left and full right.
Try it and you will soon fall off.
Covid in Wales: Groups Of Six Allowed To Meet In Pubs
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the first paragraph.
Groups of no more than six people will be allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants in Wales from 26 December, the first minister has said.
I’m glad I don’t live in a nanny socialist state like Wales.
We should be treated like adults and allowed to develop our own rules.
- I am doubly-vaccinated with AstraZeneca
- I have recently had a booster Pfizer vaccine.
- I generally wear a mask, when I’m outside my house.
- I avoid crowded places when I’m outside my house.
- I only invite a selected group of people into my house.
- I obey social distancing rules.
But my biggest protection comes from being coeliac on a long-term gluten free diet, which gives me an immune system, which is immensely strong.
I’ve yet to meet or hear of any coeliac on a long-term gluten-free diet, who has had a serious dose of the Covids.
Could The Morocco-UK Power Project Be Developed Into A Western Europe And Africa Interconnector?
This page on the Xlinks web site, describes the Morocco-UK Power Project, which is proposed to generate solar and wind power in Morocco and deliver it to the UK.
- The plan envisages 10.5 GW of electricity being generated.
- There will be a 5GW/20GWh battery in Morocco.
- They will export 3.6 GW of electricity to the UK for at least twenty hours per day.
- The electricity will be exported to the UK by an Interconnector that skirts to the West of Spain, Portugal and France.
- The interconnector will be 3,800 kilometres long.
I described the project in detail in Moroccan Solar-Plus-Wind To Be Linked To GB In ‘Ground-Breaking’ Xlinks Project.
This Google Map shows Western Europe And North Africa.
Note.
- The light blue of the Continental Shelf
- The darker blue of deeper water.
- The Southern end of the Morocco and the UK interconnector will at Guelmim Oued Noun in the South of Morocco, which is indicated by the red arrow.
- The UK end of the cable will be at Alverdiscott between Barnstaple and Bideford in North Devon.
- Southern Morocco and Algeria look to be mainly in the Sahara Desert.
If we look at the route of the cable, it connects a lot of possible renewable energy sources.
- Morocco – Solar and wind
- Spain – Solar and wind
- Portugal – Solar and wind
- France – Nuclear, tidal and wind
- UK – Nuclear and wind.
Could the UK and Morocco interconnector be developed into a bigger power project?
- Solar and wind power from Algeria could be added.
- Tidal power from a Severn Barrage could be added.
- Connections could be added to Gibraltar, the Irish Republic and Wales.
I believe that there could be a large amount of electricity developed on the Western costs of Europe and Africa.
An interconnector would move it to where it is needed.
Denmark Hill Station – 4th September 2021
The article on Rail Technology Magazine is entitled Denmark Hill Station First To Use Innovative Solar Technology In Europe.
The first two paragraphs describe the technology.
Denmark Hill station has become the first train station in Europe to have BIPVco’s Flextron thin film technology installed, on top of other upgrades, following a £7.5m extension.
The sophisticated and flexible solar panels are different from traditional ‘glass like’ panels, requiring no additional weight support, and will be used across other stations going forward.
Note.
- In the application of the technology at Denmark Hill station, a surplus of electricity is returned to the grid.
- BIPVco is a company based in South Wales, that evolved from research by Tata Steel and Swansea University, with the backing of the Welsh Government.
- The panels are lightweight, flexible, durable and self-cleaning.
Many years ago, I put up a barn based on timber beams, which had a sheet steel roof. These panels would be ideal for many agricultural buildings, like the one I commissioned.
These are pictures I took at Denmark Hill station, this morning.
Note.
- The original station was designed by Charles Henry Driver.
- The new entrance displays a high degree of craftsmanship, especially in the brickwork.
- The coffee and gluten-free cake I had in FCB Coffee were excellent.
- The station has its own pub; The Phoenix.
According to Network Rail, it has already been nominated for two architectural awards.
What Will Wales’ Proposed World-Class Rail Testing Centre Deliver?
This question is answered in this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
As yet, there is no Wikipedia entry.
Did Gareth Bale Learn A Few Tricks From Tommy Harmer?
Tommy Harmer wasn’t a famous footballer to many, but to those, like me, who saw him play for Spurs in the 1950s, he was recognised as one of the most skilful ball-players of the time.
The second goal scored by Wales yesterday, was certainly a repeat of quite a few, I saw scored by Spurs in the 1950s, with Gareth Bale standing in for Harmer.
Harmer would accept a very short corner and with the ball glued to his feet, he’d advance slowly up the line towards the goal.
There was usually one of three outcomes.
- Harmer was able to pull the ball back to someone like Bobby Smith, who hit it first time towards goal from just outside the six-yard box. Last night Connor Roberts played Smith to perfection to score from Bale’s pullback.
- Harmer was tackled and he got another corner, from which he sometimes repeated the dose.
- In some cases, the inevitable happened and Harmer was fouled inside the penalty area. And who scored from the penalty spot? – Harmer of course!
He was one of the best penalty takers I’ve ever seen, Wikipedia says this of his penalties.
Sublime unstoppable penalties, tucked into the side netting behind an upright.
Some would probably be illegal these days, as he sometimes waited until the goalkeeper moved. More fool the keeper!
Did Bale And Harmer Ever Meet?
Tommy Harmer sadly died in 2017, but on Radio 5, it was said around 2014, that he was working as a meeter-and-greeter at White Hart Lane and had been for some time.
So I suspect that someone at the club could have introduced the two players to each other, during Bale’s first spell at the club between 2007 and 2013. They would have made an odd pair, with a height difference of seven inches.
And of course, I suspect Spurs have a few videos of Harmer.
In many years of watching football, I haven’t seen this method of taking a corner used since those days in the 1950s, by Harmer.
I suspect Gareth Bale has changed all that! Wales got a goal, but Bale was also using it as a way to run down the clock!
800009 – John Charles
On my way to Wales on Tuesday, I travelled in the Class 800 train, that is numbered 800009 and named after the great Welsh footballer; John Charles at one end.
I actually saw him play for Leeds in a match against Spurs at White Hart Lane. Leeds played in a blue kit in those days and I am fairly sure John Charles played up front.
I suspect, it likely, that it must have been the 1956-57 season as it would be the only season where Leeds were in the First Division, before John Charles left in 1957 to go to Juventus.
I wonder how many people, who saw John Charles play, have actually ridden in the train named after him?
It was good to see that Great Western Railway have also put his Italian nickname; Il Gigante Buono on the train.
The Anonymous Widower 