Rhine-Alpine News
23.11.2023
Urban Nodes: Analysis of cycling plans in European cities
Symbolic picture by DaveMeier on Pixabay
The study “Pursuing cycling equity? A mixed-methods analysis of cycling plans in European cities” by Isabel Cunha, Cecilia Silvia, Benjamin Büttner and Tuuli Toivonen shines a spotlight on cycling plans in Helsinki, Lisbon and Munich by adopting a mixed-methods approach to investigate the equality consequences of cycling plans and infrastructure distribution.
Some key points:
The study conducted an inductive content analysis of each plan to determine the extent to which equity issues are addressed and prioritised in planning practise.
By correlating these findings with past research on cycling behaviour in various environments, it was emphasises that simply establishing a bicycle network is insufficient to drive strong cycling uptake.
As a result, initiatives for promoting urban compactness, multimodality, land-use diversity, housing affordability, and proximity to everyday amenities should be prioritised in planning and policy consideration.
Furthermore, by identifying the primary planning aims, tactics, and expected outcomes, this research aimed to develop a bridge between cities with varied cycling cultures in order to promote policy exchanges, support measure transferability, and build bicycle planning capacities.
A step forward towards a hydrogen corridor
Symbolic picture Patricksommer on Pixabay
The Ports of Duisport, Amsterdam and Bilbao, have joined together to build a renewable hydrogen corridor linking Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany.In line with EU goals, the programme uses the Port of Amsterdam as a gateway to the German market, particularly the highly industrialised Rhine-Ruhr region. To ensure a secure hydrogen supply, the collaboration will work on production, demand identification, and logistics.The memorandum of understanding, signed by high-level executives at the H2 Connecting Event and seen by dignitaries including the Dutch King and authorities from Germany and the Netherlands, represents a commitment to decarbonisation and strengthening Europe’s renewable energy supply chains.
A collaborative research agreement was also formed to investigate the development of a resilient hydrogen supply chain between Amsterdam and the Rhine-Ruhr region.
Markus Bangen, CEO of duisport, stated: “By expanding this trusting cooperation, we are sending an important signal for cross-border collaboration: only by working together we can master global challenges such as the energy transition and quickly develop a Europe-wide hydrogen network. The aim is to work at full speed to make the transport chains.”
Dorine Bosman, Chief Investment Officer at Port of Amsterdam, said: “As a partner, Port of Amsterdam is committed to contribute to the decarbonisation of industries within Europe. We believe that the development of these intra-European hydrogen corridors is essential. The port of Amsterdam has a key role to play as a conduit for hydrogen and e-fuels to the Rhine-Ruhr area.”
Andima Ormaetxe, Director Operations, Commercial and Logistics of Port of Bilbao, remarked: “It is our aim to become carbon neutral by 2050 and therefore green corridors between Bilbao, the Netherlands and Germany are of importance to help decarbonise, not only the Basque Country Industry, but also other industrial regions within Europe.”
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Port of Rotterdam: fully electric inland Vessel to sail in 2024
Symbolic picture by Ellen26 on Pixabay
The first inland vessel powered entirely by ZES technology is scheduled to travel with zero emissions in April 2024.
It will travel between Den Bosch, the Maasvlakte, and Moerdijk (The Netherlands).
A fixed battery package will be installed for electric sailing with standard 20 foot modular energy containers (ZESpacks). The Den Bosch Max Groen is a 90-metre-long ship that was built with electric sailing in mind.
Inland Terminals Group (ITG), Nedcargo, and Zero Emission Services (ZES) announced the addition of four craft in the future.
ZES’ latest charging stations will charge with renewable energy. ZESpacks may be charged in 3 hours using these charging stations’ 1MW Megawatt Charging System (MCS) connectors. Dutch Guarantee of Origin certificates will offer green energy, and ZESpacks will use a novel pay-per-use invoicing approach.
Den Bosch Max Groen electrification is anticipated to cut annual CO2 and NOx emissions by 715 and 13 tonnes, respectively. After the fleet grows to five zero-emission vessels, reduction will correspondingly increase. The latest ZES charging stations will be placed strategically to power the Den Bosch Max Groen, Blauw, Nijmegen Max, Venray Max, and Roermond Max. First charging station will be built at BCTN port in Alblasserdam in Q1 2024. Soon after, Den Bosch (BCTN terminal), Moerdijk, and Rotterdam’s Prins Johan Friso Port will have charging stations.
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