Latest news with #GeorgeSmith
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Scotland makes 'revolutionary' underwater discovery that could change the world
Scotland boasts a rich variety of natural resources, including significant deposits of oil and gas and renewable energy potential. But a recent discovery of hidden underwater treasure could change the game entirely. Glasgow-based Oasis Marine has developed a system that could bring an end to diesel fuel shipping and change global economy as well as the future of the shipping industry. It could also play a big part in preserving our planet. The green technology company has come up with an industrial solution for offshore hydrogen bunkering and electric charging that is "revolutionary". The Oasis Marine technology makes it easier for marine vessels to switch from emissions -producing diesel systems to green hydrogen if refuelling infrastructure is easier to access. The Oasis Hydrogen Buoy and Oasis Power Bouy provides offshore bunkering for hydrogen refuelling and electrical charging for marine vessels in technology - pipped to be ground-breaking for the shipping and hydrogen industries. The idea is that the hydrogen fuel will be stored at an offshore location before being transferred via the Oasis Hydrogen Buoy to ships for either transporting to other supply destinations or use as their own fuel source. The network could also potentially be expanded into an offshore "hydrogen highway," according to eldiaro24. George Smith, Managing Director of Oasis Marine, said the hydrogen buoy and the charging buoy could well bring down emissions in the marine industry. "These buoys will have a tangible impact in our shift from hydrocarbons towards a green energy future," he said. "Currently, windfarm maintenance vessels rely on fossil fuels and make up the largest component of an operational windfarm's carbon footprint. "While that will be our initial focus, the technology could be applied to other vessels across the maritime industry." He went on to describe the new adventure as multi-layered: "The maritime energy mix of the future won't be a single solution but will be made up of different renewable sources. "Our Oasis buoys deliver two of those through hydrogen and electric charging, both of which come from renewable, low-cost energy generated by wind farms." Oasis Marine also shared its expectation that "all new vessels being ordered for use in the UK waters be designed with zero emission propulsion capability by 2025" in an effort to slash maritime emissions by at least half. The Scottish Government has thrown its weight behind the new buoy and bunkering technology. The Oasis tech performed well under test conditions and projections are positive. The emission-free system was tested at the Kelvin Hydrodynamic Laboratory in Glasgow and showed that the mooring buoy is able to successfully connect to ocean-going vessels. Benefits of offshore hydrogen systems include decarbonisation. This means green hydrogen systems can be used instead of more damaging diesel systems which pump out carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Refuelling will be more sustainable, easier, and accessible, and the hydrogen will be produced using seawater, which is a resource that cannot be depleted. The Oasis Marine buoys will also offer electrical charging facilities.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Community in turmoil over Ladywood regeneration plans'
People living in a Birmingham estate said they remained "confused" and "isolated" over its £2.2bn regeneration after confirmation that a developer has been of Ladywood, told the BBC they were "profoundly concerned" the process had been without "genuine consultation or collaboration" with the project is thought by the council to be the largest urban development being planned anywhere in the UK. Work to potentially demolish hundreds of homes and redevelop tower blocks could begin in City Council promised to set up an independent steering group to ensure residents' views form part of a masterplan. It is believed more than 7,000 new homes would be built, though no official figure has been itself is situated close to Birmingham's city centre. The area for redevelopment is mostly inside the city's inner ring road (the A450 Ladywood Middleway) and goes as far as Spring Hill and the Utilita Smith spoke to the BBC on behalf of Ladywood Unite, a group set up by tenants and homeowners in the area. He said the proposed demolition of homes raises serious questions about the social and emotional impact on families."As someone who owns a freehold property, we were not informed about regeneration affecting our properties until 2023 when we found out from local press and a later cabinet report."What's going on in the process of communication between residents of Ladywood and Birmingham City Council is truly shocking and it's left the whole community in turmoil."Hillary Richards, 86, has lived in Ladywood for 55 years. Her first job on the estate was cleaning local owns her property with her husband, and they have adapted it to support his disability but said she felt in the dark about whether they will have to move out."We have the doctors here, friends, a community. We just don't want to leave, a lot of people feel like that at our age. We are happy here."Her concerns were echoed by Jackie Falconer, who has lived on the Ladywood estate for 33 years."My kids have grown up here and this is our community. So just to move me somewhere else and downsize me or tell me that I have to buy a property that's 50% owned by somebody else, I think it's unfair." The council said it wanted to keep to a minimum the number of properties being compulsory purchased - but residents were cynical, believing a large number of privately-owned homes would have to be demolished if they were adjoining council St Joseph, part of the Berkeley Group, has signed a development agreement with the council in which they will ensure at least 70% of existing homes will be "refurbished or re-provided with new homes in a single move on the estate".They were also committing to 20% of all new homes being "affordable" though the residents group said at current market value, homes would still remain financially inaccessible to Thompson, the council's deputy leader, said the development would deliver 1,000 apprenticeships and 10,000 full-time jobs."I want to reassure the community that this is the beginning of the master planning process, and all residents will be given the opportunity to be fully involved.''The investment being made is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regeneration of the Ladywood Estate to make it more sustainable, provide better facilities, better transport links, walking routes, and green spaces." The Ladywood regeneration, which could take 20 years to deliver, is thought by the council to be the largest urban development being planned anywhere in the UK but it comes with a hefty price tag, considering the authority is going through a massive financial shakedown to save hundreds of millions of pounds."£2.2bn is a huge amount of money and that money is coming through the developer St Joseph and Berkeley Housing," Thompson said."We are going to make sure that also we have those conversations with the West Midlands Combined Authority and talk to Government to see if there's anything else that can be done to add value to the project."The developer St Joseph has thrown the community an olive branch – helping to provide office and events space for the Ladywood Community Project within a new hub in the former neighbourhood Hallahan, from Ladywood Community Project, said it meant they could continue their work after a worrying period."It was important to us to remain in the centre of Ladywood and be a constant, visible presence for anyone who needs help."Being based at Botany Walk means we will be here when people need us."A series of residents forums will be held in Ladywood in the coming weeks as the council develops a masterplan. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
