Rob HH
@rlhh.bsky.social
Power systems, engineering, energy transition nerd. Wannabe chef.
As you were! Jenrick did appear after all - I thought for a moment he’d wandered off
January 15, 2026 at 4:46 PM
As you were! Jenrick did appear after all - I thought for a moment he’d wandered off
You might be a bit previous with it, though
January 15, 2026 at 4:43 PM
You might be a bit previous with it, though
It’s hilarious, whatever it is
January 15, 2026 at 4:41 PM
It’s hilarious, whatever it is
There have been lots of feasibility studies knocking around for decades but single-option design development has largely not happened and AFAIK no detailed design. A key problem on HS2 was that the construction started with designs 4% complete. Design need to be *much* further along.
January 14, 2026 at 9:10 AM
There have been lots of feasibility studies knocking around for decades but single-option design development has largely not happened and AFAIK no detailed design. A key problem on HS2 was that the construction started with designs 4% complete. Design need to be *much* further along.
TBF, if they do a proper design before committing construction spend that’ll be good. Key test is how the project is structured. *NR* must plan routes, equipment budget and then secure funding, *not* consultants (CoI) or govt officials (no expertise). Must also avoid ‘cost-plus’ mentality
January 14, 2026 at 8:05 AM
TBF, if they do a proper design before committing construction spend that’ll be good. Key test is how the project is structured. *NR* must plan routes, equipment budget and then secure funding, *not* consultants (CoI) or govt officials (no expertise). Must also avoid ‘cost-plus’ mentality
December 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Really good piece that leaves me with the abiding sense that nihilism is the new black for the American political class
December 2, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Really good piece that leaves me with the abiding sense that nihilism is the new black for the American political class
Free oysters (OK, marginal cost tending to zero) brings out the worst in you? What, have you stabbed someone with a shucker or something…?
November 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Free oysters (OK, marginal cost tending to zero) brings out the worst in you? What, have you stabbed someone with a shucker or something…?
It started in 2002 and expected to have >25-year duration. West Block is complete (after creating a temporary HoC chamber), East Block is halfway done, while Centre Block is still closed (until at least 2028, with Senate meeting in a convention centre). Forecast final cost c. CAD 3Bn.
October 23, 2025 at 8:19 AM
It started in 2002 and expected to have >25-year duration. West Block is complete (after creating a temporary HoC chamber), East Block is halfway done, while Centre Block is still closed (until at least 2028, with Senate meeting in a convention centre). Forecast final cost c. CAD 3Bn.
The core problem for the PLP is they don’t have a group with the powers of the 1922 cttee
September 13, 2025 at 9:46 AM
The core problem for the PLP is they don’t have a group with the powers of the 1922 cttee
Indeed, worth reminding them there’s a strand of left wing thought that still wants expropriations from the rich
September 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Indeed, worth reminding them there’s a strand of left wing thought that still wants expropriations from the rich
Forgive my ignorance, but will this bleed through to the ‘real’ economy or just burn the fingers of idiots?
August 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Forgive my ignorance, but will this bleed through to the ‘real’ economy or just burn the fingers of idiots?
There’s an explainer here: www.neso.energy/what-we-do/e...
Contracts for Difference (CfD) | National Energy System Operator
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is a key mechanism within the UK's energy strategy, aimed at incentivising investment in low-carbon electricity generation for consumers. Guidance and Webinar...
www.neso.energy
July 31, 2025 at 9:55 AM
There’s an explainer here: www.neso.energy/what-we-do/e...
It’s considerably more complicated than that, but - very simplistically - most renewable generation is subject to a CfD arrangement that means their price is capped at a strike price that is less than the current market price.
July 31, 2025 at 9:53 AM
It’s considerably more complicated than that, but - very simplistically - most renewable generation is subject to a CfD arrangement that means their price is capped at a strike price that is less than the current market price.
It is true that the LCOE of renewables is lower. However, the marginal pricing mechanism means all producers are paid the same as the most expensive producer, which is a gas generator 98% of the time
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 AM
It is true that the LCOE of renewables is lower. However, the marginal pricing mechanism means all producers are paid the same as the most expensive producer, which is a gas generator 98% of the time
Yes, me too, actually, especially when they come back into synchronicity before diverging again. Just very different to the original thesis
July 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Yes, me too, actually, especially when they come back into synchronicity before diverging again. Just very different to the original thesis
Individually, perhaps. I certainly find them rather stately on their own. A thicket of them is rather more chaotic, however; especially when their turbine blades are not quite synchronised
July 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Individually, perhaps. I certainly find them rather stately on their own. A thicket of them is rather more chaotic, however; especially when their turbine blades are not quite synchronised
This is as good as anything
July 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This is as good as anything
Gah! Extraordinary guesswork got me to 30/32 but I needn’t have bothered: I have a posh British accent so I’d’ve been straight in anyway
July 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Gah! Extraordinary guesswork got me to 30/32 but I needn’t have bothered: I have a posh British accent so I’d’ve been straight in anyway
I think you’re completely wrong. Here’s why https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/trump-is-so-angry-with-putin-he-delayed?triedRedirect=true
July 16, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I think you’re completely wrong. Here’s why https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/trump-is-so-angry-with-putin-he-delayed?triedRedirect=true
Sure, Bucholtz relays will operate too slowly (~100ms) for sudden faults. But the failure mode you postulate wld produce gassing over a longer period, which should lead to detection before catastrophic failure. Also, periodic DGA oil and PD testing should allow early diagnosis
June 24, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Sure, Bucholtz relays will operate too slowly (~100ms) for sudden faults. But the failure mode you postulate wld produce gassing over a longer period, which should lead to detection before catastrophic failure. Also, periodic DGA oil and PD testing should allow early diagnosis