Hydrogen blend trial with HyDeploy and Pilkington UK

LEADERS gathered at Pilkington UK, in St Helens, Merseyside, to drive the conversation around hydrogen marking the North West 'stop' on the Decarbonised Glass Alliance's (DGA) Hydrogen Roadshow. The event brought together HyNet and HyDeploy project team members with industry and local stakeholders to discuss the Region's innovative hydrogen activities and development. Home to glass-making since 1826, Pilkington UK's Greengate site in St Helens has recently undertaken 2 ground breaking demonstrations of using hydrogen to replace natural gas. This announced was the exciting news that Pilkington has just completed a pioneering project using a blend of hydrogen with natural gas in the furnace, running for a full 5 day period.

The successful demonstration proved that the full furnace could be run safely on the hydrogen blend, without compromising on quality standards or operational performance. Each day during the trial, 2 tonnes of hydrogen were consumed; which could have provided an equivalent hydrogen blend to approximately 30,000 average sized homes. This new demonstration follows on from the news that, back in August, Pilkington achieved a global 1st by firing 100% hydrogen in part of the furnace.

The event marked the latest leg of a UK wide roadshow, demonstrating the role that hydrogen will play in helping meet the UK's target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It was launched in Westminster, on 18 October 2021, the ambitious national tour, led by the DGA, will run until 27 October, ending the weekend before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

The DGA's goal; with the support of members, Hydrogen Now, the UKHFCA and BEIS; is:- #GettingNetZeroDone. Speaking about the Roadshow, DGA Chair Chris Barron said:- "Hydrogen can help us meet the UK's ever pressing need for net zero carbon emissions, safely, at low cost, with minimal disruption, and while creating thousands of sustainable jobs across the country. It has a particularly valuable role to play in the hard to decarbonise sectors; transport, industry and heat. As a nation, we rely heavily on these industries, but they account for 40% of UK greenhouse gases. We must work together to create a deliverable pathway to a net zero energy infrastructure."

Elaborating on the hydrogen innovation being demonstrated in the North West, HyNet's Project Director David Parkinsaid:- "For industry to play its part in the UK's drive to Net Zero, we must tackle our carbon emissions from gas. HyNet is working across the North West and North Wales Regions to provide our vital industries with low carbon hydrogen, enabling them to flourish through our energy transformation. These demonstrations are proving to industry that the switch to hydrogenis not only possible, but just around the corner. HyNet will bring employment and economic growth to the North West Region, kick starting a low carbon hydrogen economy. We are focused on reducing emissions and protecting the North West's existing 340,000 manufacturing jobs and creating over 6,000 new, permanent jobs, setting the Region on course to be the world leader in clean energy innovation."

Matt Buckley, UK Managing Directorof PilkingtonUK Ltd, part of the NSG Group, said:- "We are proud to sit at the forefront of hydrogen innovation in the glass industry. Our team's collaborations with HyNet and HyDeploy are enabling huge steps forward to be taken, as we work towards the decarbonisation of our activities. "Both trials have successfully demonstrated that it is possible to use hydrogen to safely and effectively fire a float glass plant. We now look forward to HyNet being fully up and running from 2025 in order to turn these demonstrations into reality."

Cllr Andy Bowen,Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, St Helens Council, said:- "I'm delighted to be here today to join the DGA roadshow. It's a real opportunity for the DGA to see what's happening here in the borough and for us to learn from them about the benefits of hydrogen and the decarbonisation of the gas supply sector."

The roadshow, which uses a hydrogen car to travel between stops, is currently making its way around the country, visiting multiple ground breaking projects along its route, to drive greater sustainable energy conversations among the local community, Regional industries and political stakeholders.
 

Merseyrail celebrates 50 years of serving the Liverpool City Region

MERSEYRAIL this month are celebrating 50 years of the Merseyrail brand this month as the brand was 1st seen on trains, back in October 1971. It was then that the name:- 'Merseyrail' started to be applied to the Wirral line trains, with the Northern line roll out following the year, after along with Station entrance signage, timetables, posters and more. Pupils from Schools across the Liverpool City Region have celebrated this anniversary by designing birthday cards for the rail operator, congratulating them on 50 years of service to local people and visitors alike. The name:- 'Merseyrail' was created by the British Rail Liverpool Division following the creation of The Mersey Railways Extensions Act, and it was decided that a new name was needed due to the local nature of how our rail systems were operated. The network was divided into 4 separate segments:- Exchange, Central Low-Level, Central and Lime Street; and it was decided that the routes would be renamed Northern, Wirral and City lines. It was not just the name that changed, however, as the development of the brand involved a series of initiatives including service improvements, fares simplification and publicity and advertising.

A lot has happened over the last 50 years on the Network, including:-

► The opening of the Loop line underground Stations in 1977.

► New Class 507 trains entering into service in 1978.

► Opening of Bache, Bromborough Rake and Eastham Rake Stations in 1984, 1985 and 1995.

► Opening of Overpool Station in 1988.

► Opening of Brunswick and Conway Park Stations in 1998.

► Opening of Liverpool South Parkway Station in 2006.

► Opening of Maghull North Station in 2018.

Andy Heath, Managing Director for Merseyrail, said:- "Over the last 50 years the Merseyrail brand has gone from strength to strength; from creation to the upcoming roll out of the new fleet of trains/ Also, on the horizon we have the potential new Stations at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby and the reopening of the old St James Station. It is a privilege to serve the people of the Liverpool City Region and our performance is a result of the hard work and dedication shown by our staff day in, day out. Being recognised for our punctuality and winning multiple awards is an honour and I'm sure the best is yet to come."

We would love to hear from our readers about your best and funniest memories of the Network that as and still is severing our Region. Email them to our newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.