News on China's scientific and technological development.

BBC News - World's fastest train unveiled in China

bladerunner said:

On the [other hand], if one wanted the very best and latest on offer, [wouldn't] the European [train makers] be better?. After all they've got a train that can reach a speed of 580kph. [That's] pretty much the cruising speed of most airlines, and if they can [tweak] it a bit more for speed, one could possibly get from SF to LA faster than a plane, from doorstep to doorstep.

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China has the world's best proven technology for high-speed-rail (i.e. HSR) trains at the current world-record of 350 km per hour (see BBC news article below). China is also in the process of deploying her latest and even faster 380A trains that travel at 380 km per hour.

Your claim of 580 kph trains is not suitable for commercial use and therefore irrelevant in a comparison to commercially-operated HSR trains (see Wikipedia article below).

I remember watching a test of a specially-modified train for a super-speed test. One trick is to remove as much weight as possible (e.g. remove all seats, tables, handle bars, anything that is not bolted down and necessary, etc.) and also substitute with lighter materials (e.g. replace anything that is steel with aluminum if possible) beyond what is safely acceptable to commercial regulators.

Another trick is to install extra engines or batteries to generate far greater power. Once again, this is almost unacceptable in commercial use. There would be insufficient room to carry passengers.

A third trick/consequence is the replacement of the oil and wheels after the test. Neither the engine oil nor wheels were designed to handle excessive speeds. It is not practical to change the oil, wheels, and other parts after a short run of 580 kph. Commercial trains have to run multiple times a day and for long distances to carry passengers from city to city.

In conclusion, a publicity stunt for a 580 kph "specially-modified" train on a short-segment of rail is completely useless and unrelated to commercial HSR trains, which California is seeking.



"World's fastest train unveiled in China
Page last updated at 17:46 GMT, Thursday, 10 December 2009

As China's economy and population expand, so do its transport needs. Although car ownership is on the increase, the Government is investing more in the railways.

China now has the fastest train in the world. It runs from the central city of Wuhan down to the south coast, at a speed of more than 380km/h.

Jenny Wivell reports."



"A one time specially modified system and trainset record (see land speed record for railed vehicles) was set by the manned TGV's 574.8 km/h run. This run was for proof of concept and not for normal passenger service.
...
The maximum speed an unmodified train is capable of running was set by the non-wheeled 581 km/h JR-Maglev MLX01 run in 2003. However, even this is not necessarily suitable for passenger operation as there can be concerns such as noise, cost, deceleration time in an emergency, etc.

The Shanghai Maglev Train reaches 431 km/h during its daily service between Longyang Road and Pudong International Airport, holds the speed record of any commercial train services. Besides maglev, the fastest maximum operating speed (MOR) of any segment of any high speed rail line is currently 350 km/h (217 mph), a record held by multiple lines in China, first achieved by the Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Rail in August 2008. The trains have shown an unmodified capability of running 394 km/h in tests, and thus have been set to run 350 km/h in normal operation.[17]"

If Arnie wants a value for money with plenty of financing offer, than the Chinese bid would be the obvious choice

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Yes i'm sure California like most of the US is broke so if they wanted to build new freeways ,then they would need someone like China to finance it. If they wanted new ports,again they would need to find the money.Railroads on the other hand are different.They have almost exclusive private owners and investors and they have plenty of current investment going on.A big player is Warren Buffet,probably the world's most successful investor and he has a passion for railways. This claim is reinforced by his $44billion investment so far.He owns the 2nd biggest railroad company in the US (BNSF) and his friends own the rest.Together they recognise the importance of railways in the present and future and there is no doubt we will see big improvements.
I'm still confident China will win the contract even if Arnie doesn't need their financing.I base this on the huge experience China has gained in large rail projects,the new technologies they have learned, IPR and Patents they own and the versatility of the Chinese HSR.

China offers the best tech and best chance for California to make a profit from this investment.
But given the anti-Chinese political atmosphere in US now, won't they deport the Terminator back to Austria if he dares to choose China ?

I wouldn't count on California for any bullet trains. There's opposition to it and that could delay it for a decade. The US doesn't have anyone making bullet trains. They're going to have to import them anyway.

China Wind Turbine Manufacturing Facility on USA Soil

Schumacher said:

China offers the best tech and best chance for California to make a profit from this investment.
But given the anti-Chinese political atmosphere in US now, won't they deport the Terminator back to Austria if he dares to choose China ?

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China has the best technology because she invested billions of dollars into HSR research and development. China is $2.4 trillion-dollar cash-rich in forex reserves and can offer financing on attractive terms. The real negotiations will center around the number of American jobs and manufacturing facilities that China is willing to commit on this project.

We have seen this Sino-American dance on a prior occasion. The article shown below is a likely outcome of the Sino-American negotiations for 380 km per hour Chinese 380A HSR in America.



"China Wind Turbine Manufacturing Facility on USA Soil
Author: skibare

16 Aug

in the GREEN Double Dip Recession, the WORLD is after JOBS, JOBS, and more JOBS! Harry Reid has the chance to land a 1000 new workers in Wind Energy to Las Vegas and given that Harry REID can and will STAND UP and SPEAK LOUDLY to President Obama ((no Mosque on Ground Zero)) , lets let Harry bring Vegas some 1000 wind jobs!!

The U.S. Renewable Energy Group and A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. Launch Final Development Phase of Jointly Owned 600 MW Wind Farm

Wednesday, April 28 2010

Las Vegas, NV – The U.S. Renewable Energy Group (US-REG) and A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. (NASDAQ: APWR) today celebrated the launch of the final development phase of its jointly owned 600MW wind farm with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism in Las Vegas, NV.

In October of last year, US-REG, in partnership with A-Power and Cielo Wind Power, announced the largest-ever Chinese and American joint investment in renewable energy with the construction of a 600 megawatt wind farm in Texas. In part as a result of that project, A-Power set forth plans to build a major wind turbine production and assembly plant in Nevada. American Nevada Company executives were also in attendance at the celebration with respect to the planning for the proposed Nevada facility.

Major executives and public officials participating in the ceremony hosted by US-REG Managing Partner Cappy McGarr included U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Party Secretary Zeng of the People’s Municipal Government of Shenyang, Vice Mayor Yang Yazhou of the People’s Municipal Government of Shenyang, Chief of Staff to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, David Krone, US-REG Managing Partner Ed Cunningham, A-Power Chief Operating Officer John Lin, Cielo Wind Power CEO Walt Hornaday, and American Nevada Company Chairman Brian Greenspun.

“Secretary Salazar is a leader in the development of America’s renewable energy industry, and we are grateful to have his support as we embark on one of the largest wind energy projects ever developed in the United States. We are inspired by Secretary Salazar’s dedication to steering our nation toward a new energy economy that will create thousands of jobs and improve America’s energy security,” said Cappy McGarr, US-REG Managing Partner. “Each of the executives and public officials here today share the common goal of creating a clean energy future for the people they represent. China and the U.S. must and will work together to tackle the issues facing future generations.”

The planned assembly and production facility would be expected to employ approximately 1,000 Nevada workers and create hundreds of additional jobs during construction. On completion, the plant would act as A-Power’s primary wind turbine hub in the United States, supplying equipment for a number of projects in North and South America, including the 600 megawatt joint venture wind project in Texas that will bring clean electricity to approximately 180,000 American families.

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was instrumental in advocating for the state of Nevada and its renewable energy workforce,” said Ed Cunningham, US-REG Managing Partner. “Leader Reid’s strong commitment to clean, renewable energy has put Nevada at the forefront of America’s renewable energy sector, and the strength and sophistication of its renewable energy workforce made Nevada the ideal location to construct the wind energy production and assembly plant."

Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway put into operation



Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway put into operation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-21 10:22


A train travels on the high-speed railway linking Nanchang, capital of East China's Jiangxi province, with Jiujiang, a city also in Jiangxi, on Sept. 20, 2010. The train's maximum speed is 180 kilometers per hour. [Photo/Xinhua]


A railway staff member stands beside a train waiting to leave the Jiujiang Railway Station in Jiujiang, a city in East China's Jiangxi province, for Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi, on Sept. 20, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]


The 135-kilometer Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway was put into operation on Sept. 20, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway put into operation

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This is said to be a particularly important connection according to >


From Jiangxi’s Nanchang to Jiujiang, the Changjiu high-speed railway connects to the north with Jiangguang railway, which runs from Beijing to Guangzhou, and Wuguang high-speed railway, from Wuhan to Guangzhou. To the south, it connects with Jingjiu railway, or the Beijing-Jiujiang-Kowloon Railway, and Hukun railway, which runs from Shanghai to Kunming. It will be one of the most important parts of central China's high-speed railway network.

Dacheng PFL opens for CRH service

Dacheng PFL opens for CRH service
September 20, 2010

The Dacheng PFL (i.e. passenger & freight HSR line) opened with CRH service on the Dazhou-Chengdu route. The whole line is now in service as a high-speed rail. Previously, CRH service was only available on the Chengdu-Suining route; part of the Chengdu-Chongqing CRG service, which became operational last year.

BTW, happy mid-autumn festival to all and moon cakes to all!


A CRH1A at Dazhou Station





[Note: Thank you to "greenlion" for the post and "gpit" for the mid-autumn festival greeting.]

Beijing-Tianjin HSR has caused 30% decrease in intercity bus transport


Beijing-Tianjin HSR



"Beijing-Tianjin high-speed train has caused 30% decrease in intercity bus transport
2010-02-09 15:29 BJT

The high-speed railway's impact on intercity bus transport is beginning to manifest itself. Reporters learned from the Zhaogongkou Long-distance Bus Station that the operation of high-speed trains between Beijing-Tianjin has led to a 36.8 percent decrease in bus transport between these two cities since July 2008.


Beijing-Tianjin high-speed train

"The number of passengers taking long-distance buses during the Spring Festival period is far less than expected; factors such as the financial crisis, a decrease in the number of migrant workers and severe weather conditions are all secondary reasons for this low number, the major reason is the competition from high-speed trains," said Lu Hui, Vice-Chief of The Zhaogongkou Long-Distance Bus Station.

Although it is close to the peak travel time before Spring Festival, the station only receives around 5000 passengers per day, down by 20 percent from the previous year. According to Lu, the sharpest decline in the number of passengers is on the Beijing-Tianjin and the Beijing-Jinan lines, which used to be major routes for the station, but over 1000 bus passengers have decided to take the train per day since the high-speed passenger-dedicated-line (PDL) began operation.

Statistics show that in 2007, one year before the operation of Beijing-Tianjin intercity railway, the total number of passengers leaving from this station for Tianjin was 523,400 on 27,012 vehicles, while last year, the number of passengers stood at 330,600 and 22,097 vehicles, down by 36.8 percent and 18 percent respectively. The number of passengers decreased more sharply than that of shuttle buses, thus the profit margin was further squeezed. For the Beijing-Jinan line, the number of passengers fell to 69,100 in 2008 from 98,700 in 2007, down by 30 percent while the number of shuttle buses was cut to 3,838 from 4,854, a decrease of 20 percent.

"With a speed of 350Kmh, the high-speed trains are safe and always arrive on schedule, besides, their operation is often immune to bad weather conditions, all these features make it more appealing to passengers than intercity buses," said Yang Chunzhi, Vice General Manager of the National Express (Beijing) Company. All major lines of the company in Beijing, such as the Beijing-Tianjin, Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Jinan lines, are currently facing fierce competition from railways, the number of passengers taking long-distance buses in Beijing is expected to see a sharper decrease with the operation of other PDL such as the Beijing-Shijiazhuang, Beijing-Tangshan, and Beijing-Harbin lines, as well as the high-speed line linking Beijing and Shanghai.

Yang suggests that it is an advisable choice for the long-distance bus transport system to avoid direct competition with the "powerful railway transport system." "According to the plan for future development, the long-distance bus transport system will turn to small counties instead of big cities, which are already heavily covered by railway networks. Those small counties might not be the strongest economically, but the travel demands of the people there will be strong enough to support the profitable operation of long-distance buses, meanwhile, it will also be a boon to the local residents who will have access to convenient bus trips and save themselves the trouble of having to buy train tickets in big cities hundreds of kilometers away," said Yang.

Yang goes on to point out that for the bus lines that are already in operation, applying for an extension might be a way to expand their reach. For example, buses from Beijing to Tianjin are allowed to stop at only one station in Tianjin, these buses can apply to stop at more stations so that they can be more appealing to passengers of different destinations.

One practitioner in this industry suggests that, Beijing should pay more attention to the connection between railways, public transit system and the long-distance buses with reasonable planning with regards to the location of stations in order to confront the impact of high-speed railways; and this will also be an effective way of relieving transport pressures by introducing a more convenient transfer network.

Editor: Shi Taoyang | Source: CCTV.com"

China starts up first fourth-generation nuclear reactor


China Experimental Fast Reactor


China Experimental Fast Reactor control room
(Photo credits: China Institute of Atomic Energy)



"China starts up first fourth generation nuclear reactor
English.news.cn 2010-07-22 07:22:44

BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have succeeded in testing the country's first experimental fourth generation nuclear reactor, an expert said here on Wednesday.

The successful start up of the China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) marked a breakthrough in China's fourth generation nuclear technology, and made China the eighth country in the world to own the technology, Zhang Donghui, general manager of the CEFR project, told Xinhua over phone.

China's existing 11 nuclear power generating units all use second generation of nuclear power generation technology. The country started the construction of its first third-generation pressurized water reactors using AP1000 technologies developed by U.S.-based Westinghouse in 2009.

Compared with the third generation reactors which have an utility rate of uranium of just one percent, CEFR boasts an utility rate of more than 60 percent.

A new recycling technology called pyroprocessing is also used to close the fuel cycle by separating the unused fuel from most of the radioactive waste.

"The CEFR is safer, more environment-friendly, and more economic than its predecessors," Zhang said."



"The Chinese Experimental Fast Reactor is so-named because the neutrons produced in its core are not ‘moderated’ with water like those that generate heat in nearly all commercial nuclear reactors. The faster neutrons can burn down nuclear waste and even generate new fuel, promising a solution to the thorny problem of waste storage as well as energy independence.

Fast reactors have proven difficult to operate because most rely on highly flammable liquid sodium to cool the reactor, but their promised benefits keep the hope alive."



"China's Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) Program

原子能快堆研究中心

China began research on fast neutron breeder reactors in the mid- and late-1960s. During its basic research period from 1965 to 1987, China's research focused on fast reactor technology such as fast reactor physics, thermodynamics, sodium technology and small sodium facility. During this initial period about 12 experimental setups were established, and one sodium loop was constructed. This included a 50 kg 235U zero-power neutron setup. On June 28 June 1970, this device reached criticality. The engineering goal for the applied basic research phase of China's FBR program (1987-1993) was to successfully construct a 65 MWt (25 MWe) experimental fast reactor. Further developments were made in sodium technology, fuel and materials, fast reactor safety, and reactor design. A preliminary foundation for a fast reactor design was established, and approximately 20 experimental setups and sodium loops were built."



"Nine years after construction began on the China Experimental Fast Reactor near Beijing, the reactor is close to start up. First criticality is expected before the end of 2009 and the reactor is due to be connected to the grid in June of 2010.
...
Ordering of components for CEFR began in 1997. The components were imported mainly from Russia, France, USA and UK, with imports from abroad sharing about 30% of the total systems and components budget."



"Following the start of operations for CEFR in June, the next milestone will be the commissioning of the so-called China Demonstration Fast Reactor (CDFR), planned for 2018, though initial work on the design was approved back in 2007.

The CDFR will be located in Fujian province on China’s busy and economically active eastern seaboard, opposite Taiwan.

Following CDFR, the plan is move towards a Chinese developed commercial fast reactor (CCFR), though no preliminary dates have been released for this final stage of the programme as yet – dates including 2028 and 2035 have been [mooted] but not confirmed.

Despite this, the press has reported (unconfirmed by the central government in Beijing but suggested by sources at the government-linked China Institute of Atomic Energy) that several CDFR plants should be in operation by 2030 and that China’s nuclear capacity will rise to 240-250GWe by 2050 with most of this produced by fast breeder reactors that will be introduced to replace China’s current stock of highly polluting, inefficient and costly coal fired power plants.

New record for nuclear, for China

If China does deliver the CEFR in June then it will be the only third power-generating fast reactor in operation globally."

[Note: This is an updated post with new high-resolution pictures from "ANR."]