Future Energy Networks

This Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) project investigated dew point management in hydrogen/natural gas blends, pure hydrogen and carbon dioxide transmission pipelines. In the National Transmission System (NTS), which is currently a natural gas network, the purity of the gas is carefully controlled via the network entry specification. Trace components, such as water, nitrogen oxides, sulphur containing compounds, oxygen and carbon dioxide have strict limits on their allowable levels in the network. This is done in part to ensure the gas delivered to end users meets the requirements of the customer, but also to protect transport and storage systems. Purity specifications are being developed for hydrogen, its blends with natural gas, and for carbon dioxide (CO₂). This project focused specifically on the water content within these gases, in what concentrations it is likely to be acceptable, the conditions at which it may condense in the network, its interactions with other trace components and contaminants and the potential detrimental effect on the network.

Limiting moisture content and ensuring gas dryness is important for several reasons:

• Safety & Efficiency: Hydrogen’s efficiency as a fuel can be compromised by moisture. Water in hydrogen can affect the combustion process, leading to a reduced efficiency for applications like gas turbines.
• Corrosion: If dew points aren’t controlled effectively, liquid can drop out of the gas phase, and this moisture can cause corrosion in pipelines and hydrogen embrittlement. For CO₂ pipelines this moisture can react to produce carbonic acid which can further corrode the pipelines.

The outcomes of the project should provide a clearer insight and strategy on how to effectively manage hydrogen and carbon dryness within the NTS, ensuring that the gas remains within the required specifications for current and future demands.

The project was split into three work packages (WP):

1. WP1 focused on hydrogen and its blends, initially reviewing the equations of state (EoS) that model the dew point temperature at varying water content and hydrogen/methane blend ratios. The impact on the network of liquid water formation in hydrogen was examined, including the interaction with other trace components such as CO₂ and H₂S, in particular the effect on welds and pipeline defects. Finally, a summary of international standards for hydrogen purity highlighted the likely water content limits that could be expected by hydrogen users and thus provided by producers.

2. WP2 focused on CO₂, its phase behaviour and the effect impurities have on this behaviour using the most appropriate equations of state. The detrimental effect of CO₂ and liquid water contained within it on pipelines, fittings and other parts of the network was reviewed.

3. WP3 focused on how the water content specifications could be managed on the network, from the point of view of monitoring and controlling water dew point in the gases. The water content expected from various production techniques were reviewed and a high-level costing for the dehydration process for both CO₂ and hydrogen was made.

Following the successful completion of Blending Implementation Plan (BIP) Phase 1 (Planning) in 2023 and BIP Phase 2A (Design) in 2025, the gas networks have engaged KPMG to proceed with the next phase of the programme, BIP Phase 2B (Delivery).

Running from February 2026 to November 2026, and focusing on Market Frameworks impacts, Phase 2B is required to build on the consensus achieved in Phase 2A and close out all implementation areas that require joint-decision making by the networks. These decisions pertain to detailed design of the application window and industry governance. The outcomes of Phase 2B will create a clear and consistent pathway for individual networks to support the application window and connections process, alongside addressing common areas of industry governance, based on collective decision making to meet timelines of future HAR.

This project has been initiated to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of direct hydrogen injection into the gas distribution network at 5% and 20% by volume. It supports the broader Market Frameworks appraisal by providing the evidence needed to evaluate whether both System Entry Models, direct injection and pre-blending are feasible under varying network conditions.

The need for this study was identified through the Hydrogen Blending Implementation Plan, which outlined two technical approaches for hydrogen connections: injecting hydrogen directly into the network or pre-blending it before entry, each with distinct technical and commercial implications. While National Gas has assessed both models for the transmission network, a gap analysis revealed that these findings are not directly transferable to the distribution network.

Evidence for pre-blending was previously completed as part of HyDeploy and the Hydrogen Blending Functional Specification project. It was shown that this approach provides more controlled mixing but may require more complex infrastructure, leading to higher costs for the producer. Although it is assumed Direct Injection may be achievable at lower cost, there are multiple key technical challenges associated with the technique such as the potential for inadequate hydrogen mixing, which could result in non-compliant gas, safety concerns including material integrity and operational constraints e.g. GSMR exclusion zones.

Through literature review, CFD modelling, engineering assessments, and commercial analysis, the study will evaluate the technical and safety, performance, risks, and cost implications of direct injection across a range of scenarios and configurations.

The Hydrogen Condition and Test Effect (HCATE) project will investigate the effect of moisture on fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) and the influence of loading rate on fracture toughness of API 5L X52 pipeline steel in hydrogen environments. The project will generate experimental data to improve understanding of how environmental conditions influence crack propagation behaviour and fracture resistance in pipeline steels.

Laboratory-scale testing will be conducted on representative pipeline material in air and pressurised gaseous hydrogen environments, including hydrogen saturated with water and hydrogen containing trace oxygen. These conditions are intended to simulate environmental conditions that may be present within pipeline systems.

Complementary fracture toughness testing will also be conducted at different loading rates to evaluate the influence of loading conditions on fracture resistance. The results will support the development of improved pipeline integrity assessments and contribute to the evidence base required for the safe repurposing of the UK Local Transmission System (LTS) for hydrogen transport.

The LTS Futures project aims to understand how the local transmission system (LTS) could be repurposed from Natural Gas to hydrogen. The project encompasses several elements which will feed into a blueprint methodology for repurposing the LTS to hydrogen. During one of the work elements, LTS Futures conducted full-scale testing of pipeline defects and small-bore connections exposed to hydrogen. Testing was conducted until failure to provide information for hydrogen pipeline design, standards, and operational procedures. This project will undertake further detailed analysis of the fracture surfaces to provide a visual confirmation of hydrogen diffusion into the pipeline microstructure and if this contributed to failure.

The key subject of HIRSA stage 2 projects is to understand if using hydrogen in the gas network will result in an increased likelihood of ignition from static discharge generated by particulates in flowing gas. Building on stage 2A, stage 2B will provide further experimental testing aimed at determining the absolute difference in electrostatic charge generated, identify whether any external factors impact one gas more than the other, and to control the factors affecting generation of the charge. The outputs of this work should provide the industry with a better understanding of the potential change in ignition risk when switching from Natural Gas to hydrogen and will also highlight relevant mitigations to manage this risk.

Laboratory and full-scale testing have demonstrated that hydrogen gas affects the fracture performance of pipeline steel welds. To avoid severe knockdown factors stipulated by existing hydrogen pipeline codes, mechanical property data from welds tested in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen is required to enable optimised operation of the NTS in hydrogen.

National Gas Transmission have conducted a series of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests on a wide selection of pipeline steels and welds representative of those used on the National Transmission System (NTS). A thorough review of the welds tested and how these compare to the wider population of welds in service on the NTS is required to provide further confidence to use this data in pipeline repurposing assessments and for new build design.

This project is looking to address uncertainties surrounding LTS pipeline materials by investigating the effect of the oxide layer on hydrogen permeation rate for steel pipelines. This project will also investigate the formation of an oxide layer inside the pipe at different temperatures, as well as how the microstructure of the pipeline steel and condition of the oxide layer affect permeation for different grades of steel. It is critical this relation is better understood as these uncertainties are currently hindering our ability to fully and accurately assess the repurposing of the LTS. The outcomes of this project have the potential to increase cost-savings and improve confidence in the existing network to carry hydrogen, including blends.

This project will help WWU to understand considerations for 100% Hydrogen Rollout at a town scale, to inform future activity on preparation for repurposing. Areas will be chosen which are representative of different networks, housing stock and demographics, which will require different approaches and engagement.

Hydrogen Transition Pathways for Industrial Clusters (HTPIC) is a six-month, evidence led research and decision support project developed in response to the EIC’s call for innovation on the energy transition of industrial clusters. The project addresses the challenge of determining where, how and under what conditions hydrogen should play a role in decarbonising industrial clusters and surrounding communities, alongside credible alternative pathways.

Across the GB energy system, existing hydrogen programmes and studies are typically undertaken on a cluster-by-cluster or project-specific basis, using differing assumptions, scenarios and decision criteria. This makes it difficult for networks and policymakers to compare options consistently, understand system level trade-offs, or prioritise investment in a transparent and auditable way. The absence of a common decision framework increases the risk of misaligned investment, stranded assets and inconsistent outcomes across regions.

HTPIC aims to close this gap by providing NGN, Future Energy Networks (FEN) and Xoserve with a structured, repeatable decision framework that enables consistent, evidence-based comparison of hydrogen pathways across industrial clusters. The project integrates technical, economic, social and deliverability considerations within a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework, allowing complex evidence to be translated into clear and practical insights rather than standalone studies or narrative recommendations.

The project will be delivered in three stages:

• Stage 1 establishes a robust evidence baseline, including a comprehensive literature and evidence review, documented assumptions register and confirmation of scope and clusters.
• Stage 2 generates robust, comparable evidence across clusters through four analytical workstreams covering hydrogen supply and demand, gas coexistence and system configuration, conversion practicality and costs, and just-transition considerations, while developing and calibrating the MCDM framework with stakeholders.
• Stage 3 applies the agreed framework to undertake structured optioneering and scenario analysis, resulting in prioritised pathways, cluster-specific conversion playbooks and decision-ready outputs.

Key outputs include:

• a literature and evidence review with a transparent assumption register;
• a defensible options-rationalisation matrix and MCDM framework;
• a comprehensive report addressing the four research questions set out in the EIC brief, supported by an executive summary and cluster-specific annexes;
• cluster-level conversion playbooks translating analysis into practical, location-specific insights;
• pathway roadmaps to 2050; and
• a final dissemination pack to support knowledge sharing across NGN, FEN, Xoserve and Ofgem audiences .

HTPIC will support improved strategic planning for hydrogen and alternative decarbonisation pathways, reduce the risk of misaligned investment and stranded assets through structured prioritisation, and strengthen alignment between industrial cluster ambitions and network development plans. By providing a transparent and consistent decision framework, the project enables clearer sequencing of pathways, more robust comparison of hydrogen and alternative options, and improved confidence in future investment appraisal.

The project will also enhance understanding of affordability, workforce implications and wider community impacts, ensuring that pathway selection considers both technical feasibility and socio-economic factors. Through its systematic assessment of coexistence, conversion practicality and deliverability, HTPIC supports safer and more coordinated progression into downstream engineering and delivery programmes.

HTPIC will generate new system-level learning on hydrogen coexistence, conversion practicality and community impacts, presented through a structured, scenario-based and weighted decision framework that enables transparent comparison across industrial clusters. This learning will strengthen evidence-based decision making across networks and provide a clearer foundation for future programme development, regulatory engagement and investment planning.

Learning will be disseminated through the dissemination event, final report, executive summary and EIC knowledge-sharing channels, supporting wider GB network benefit.

The project commences at TRL 2, where the structured assessment methodology and decision framework are defined conceptually. Over the course of delivery, the framework will be applied across multiple industrial clusters, tested against real-world scenarios and stakeholder calibration, and analytically validated through structured optioneering.

By project close, the solution will have progressed to TRL 3, with the methodology demonstrated and validated in a decision-support context, delivering robust prioritisation and clearly articulated pathways.

The project does not include detailed engineering design, trials or implementation. Early-stage engineering, validation or delivery programmes across industrial clusters are already underway or in development through separate governance, funding and procurement routes. HTPIC is designed to strengthen and rationalise those activities by providing a structured evidence base and decision framework to support confident downstream investment and engineering decisions.

In order to support UK ambitions for hydrogen blending and the development of a hydrogen economy, National Gas will need to install new gas chromatographs with the capability to measure hydrogen up to 20% in a natural gas blend. At present hydrogen is not measured anywhere on the National Transmission System (NTS), and therefore there are no proven in-use devices, and limited experience within the company to allow effective decision making in deploying these assets in the move towards net zero.

In order to make informed decisions ahead of chromatograph fleet upgrade, and to allow for a wide selection of reliable device choices when it comes to that upgrade, National Gas require the testing of available devices to analyse their performance, and thus suitability for NTS installation. This project will employ a trusted testing house to obtain (through loaning) blend-ready chromatographs from suppliers, and then to rigorously examine the performance of those devices. These devices could be tested at the testing house’s site, or at the instrument vendor’s site.

IGEM have received requests from operators to update the hydrogen TD1 / TD13 supplements to take account of outputs from research projects. The project will review and assess the updates required based on findings from completed hydrogen research projects. This will support the repurposing of existing pipelines and installations from Natural Gas to hydrogen and Natural Gas/hydrogen blends, with input and support from users/stakeholders and formal approval by IGEM.

The project will also develop a methodology for fracture and fatigue assessments for existing Natural Gas pipelines to be repurposed to hydrogen service. This methodology will assess the impact of blends of hydrogen up to and including 100% hydrogen to determine whether pipeline derating and/or deblending is required. The requirements for the application of this specification should be included in the updates to the IGEM/TD/1 and IGEM/TD/13 hydrogen supplements.

Climate change-related events are increasing in frequency and consequence across Great Britain. Changing weather patterns are disrupting gas network assets, supply chains, and infrastructure, altering the risksandvulnerabilities on the network. This project aims to anticipate evolving weather trends impacting gas networks to ultimately reduce operational disruption and support SGN’s Climate Resilience Strategy.

The Innovation Highway phase 2 project will utilise AI and machine-learning to optimise the full innovation value chain. The platform will develop a minimum commercial product to help facilitate collaboration amongst networks, and other sectors such as water companies so they can innovate together. AI-empowered algorithms will simplify the identification, mapping, assessment and selection of problems and ideas, reducing manual processing time and enhancing effective decision making; this will support identifying and prioritising projects that will deliver the highest benefits. The platform will also help networks automate the development of cost benefit analysis.

Existing defect assessments and repair methodologies are aligned with the P/11, P/20 and PM/DAM1 management procedures and are adopted to inspect, assess and repair the pipelines for defects and take suitable measures to reduce them. However, the scope and applicability of these assessment and repair methodologies in the presence of gaseous phase carbon dioxide remain uncertain. The key challenges which the project aims to address are:

• Will existing repair techniques such as epoxy shell, welded shells, composite wraps, gouge dressing etc. be suitable for transmission of gaseous phase carbon dioxide?
• What are the different defects we may encounter or consider hazardous in the presence of carbon dioxide? What are the impacts of carbon dioxide on each defect type? And how much does water/corrosion exacerbate this?
• Have the mechanisms of failure for each defect type changed after introducing carbon dioxide?
• Can we implement the assessment and repair methodologies safely? Are the techniques safe and suitable for the pipeline operations and maintenance teams?

The project seeks to answer the above in addition to understanding the types and extent of repairs across the NTS and review the impact of carbon dioxide on the effectiveness of these inspection, assessment and mitigation technologies.

Being able to repurpose transmission assets for use with hydrogen and hydrogen blends can create a reliable and affordable option for decarbonising the UK and achieving Net Zero by 2050. A reliable and affordable energy system is needed to create “a fair, affordable and inclusive transition to low carbon energy” (OFGEM) for all consumers (vulnerable or otherwise).

ISCC is potentially a major risk to the integrity of high-pressure pipelines repurposed for hydrogen blends. A means of assessing the risk is required as part of a pipeline integrity management system. This project aims to develop a clear risk assessment methodology which updates and enhances the methodology under NIA_NGGD0008. The methodology will then be deployed and tested across the Cadent LTS pipeline network with physical inspections being carried out on locations with high risk of ISCC.

The LISTEN (Local Insights Supporting Transparent Energy Networks) project aims to create a scalable, data-led approach to understanding and building social consent for the energy transition. LISTEN integrates AI-driven tools, place-based engagement, and co-designed dashboards to help energy networks plan with communities, not just for them.

The platform brings together four core elements:

• Regional Dashboards: Visualising insights by geography, topic, and demographics to inform planning and engagement strategies.
• Multi-Source Data Capture: Synthesising local news, social media, planning documents, and community events for a holistic view of local feeling.
• Voice-Enabled Surveys: Capturing authentic community sentiment in people’s own words, with AI sentiment analysis assessing tone, confidence, and emotion.
• Tailored Recommendations: Providing SGN and partners with actionable insights and engagement strategies aligned with Ofgem’s fairness and consumer-centric priorities.

Leveraging AI to drive the evolution of standards to optimise and enhance the safe operation of energy networks by automating the extraction of key technical evidence from an expanse of R&D documents for the purpose of engineering policymaking.

NGN currently operate a Lotus Notes application with a bespoke electronic Logbook system to capture all of the activity with day and planned ahead that occurs within our gas control centre. This system has been in operation since 1997 and has proven to be a highly reliable and flexible tool to manage planned works, faults, general site activity and wider issues.

The current technology is outdated and contains years’ worth of data causing it to be slow. There are no links between Lotus notes and other vital control room applications (SCADA etc.). Raising faults becomes a tedious task and the Logbook and other in-apps are not user friendly. There are no updates available to improve the existing system.

The current system needs to be replaced but to achieve that we need a full exploration of where technology can deliver to our requirements, and to fully explore the impact of net zero and what new functionality may be required to manage the transition to net zero.

This is an early stage feasibility project to understand all of the challenges, opportunities and risks that UK GDNs face with their systems, in order to help facilitate the transition to net zero energy systems.

The MASiP Phase 3 is developing a new pipeline system to serve as an alternative to conventional steel pipelines in the transmission network. The material used in this pipeline will render it capable of transporting natural gas, biogas, and up to 100% hydrogen. Building on Phases 1 and 2, this phase focuses on the technical assessment of tight radius bends, tees, and damage repair, as well as the integration of live monitoring systems in a prototype operational environment.

Comprehensive validation will include connectors, coatings, repair systems, hot-tapping solutions, ground movement tolerance, durability, and design life testing. All testing will be carried out in accordance with IGEM, API, and ASME standards.

The key deliverable is a validated, deployable hydrogen-ready pipeline system that is safe, compliant, and cost-effective, offering potential cost savings of up to 50% compared with steel. The project outcomes will support the UK’s RIIO-GD2 strategy and 2050 net-zero targets by enabling hydrogen-ready infrastructure, improving monitoring, installation efficiency, and long-term reliability, while also providing the evidence base required for regulatory, policy, and industry acceptance of alternative pipeline materials.

This project is a research and analysis desktop study to provide a clear evidence base for regulatory and strategic governance pathways related to multi-occupancy building (MOB) decarbonisation. By mapping legislation, standards, and regional constraints, SGN will develop the building blocks for a decision-making framework to justify future investment and planning choices across various low-carbon technologies.

This project constitutes a research study exploring innovative opportunities to repurpose decommissioned gas pipelines and associated assets to support future energy systems and critical infrastructure needs.

By exploring diverse repurposing options beyond hydrogen and carbon dioxide, it is hoped that it will be possible to identify potential growth areas for gas pipeline assets that in some areas may otherwise become stranded. The study will include a review of economic viability, technical feasibility, and regulatory considerations for any identified options.

Situation:

As National Grid ESO transitions to the NESO it will take on the role of Regional Energy Strategic Planners, which will bring a focus on the alignment of Local Area Energy Plans and distribution network planning.

Complication:

Current regional distribution network future energy scenarios are produced by electricity distribution networks. Gas distribution networks do not have an equivalent activity Accordingly, regional and local area energy planning in not informed by a balanced consideration of all energy vectors.

Solution:

An agile and easy to use Whole Energy Systems Pathway (WESP) tool, with detailed temporal and spatial investment planning capabilities, to enable a regional whole energy system planning capability which informs gas network planning, as well as inform national, regional and local planners, in an objective, evidence based. way

This project will help Cadent to understand considerations for a Net Zero Multi-Vector at a town scale, to inform future activity on preparation for repurposing. An area will be chosen which is representative of different networks, housing stock and demographics, which will require different approaches and engagement.

The Technical Blueprint Project forms a critical enabling phase of Cadent’s Hydrogen Blending Implementation Programme. Its purpose is to translate existing high level hydrogen blending evidence into a detailed, network specific, asset level and operationally deliverable blueprint that defines what is required for the gas network to safely and compliantly accommodate hydrogen blends of up to 20% by volume, once regulatory approval is granted.

While previous industry projects have established that hydrogen blending is feasible in principle, many technical, operational and cost decisions remain at an asset, process, system and people level. These gaps currently prevent informed investment decisions and cannot be addressed through business‑as‑usual activity. This project addresses that gap by undertaking structured technical validation, impact refinement and mitigation definition across Cadent’s network, with a particular focus on the North West and East Midlands as pilot regions.

The project will coordinate specialist technical suppliers to validate prior hydrogen impact assessments against the most up‑to‑date safety evidence, identify and close remaining evidence gaps, and determine clear, final mitigation positions for all affected assets and operational activities. Outputs will be consolidated into a single, integrated technical blueprint, providing a sequenced and costed set of actions required to achieve “blend readiness”. Areas confirmed as having no impact will also be explicitly documented to avoid unnecessary future intervention and cost.

The Technical Blueprint will provide Cadent and wider GB networks with a robust, evidence‑based foundation to support future regulatory submissions, funding reopeners, and implementation planning. Learning generated will be transferable across gas distribution networks, supporting a coordinated, cost‑effective and safe transition toward hydrogen blending, while reducing long‑term consumer risk and avoiding premature or inefficient investment.

The Retractable Probe directly tackles a critical constraint in biomethane integration: the disconnect between modelled and actual network capacity during low-demand periods. By enabling real-time, high-resolution flow data from retrofitted PRIs, this innovation unlocks latent capacity, allowing for more confident, dynamic flow commitments. With proven international precedents and a low-cost, scalable design, the probe offers a transformative step toward decarbonising the UK’s gas infrastructure—turning data scarcity into actionable intelligence and accelerating the transition to a greener, more resilient energy system.

Wales and West Utilities are partnering with HydroStar, Welsh Water and NGED to look at two demonstrator projects required from new electrolyser systems and the associated electrolyte that ensures resilience of hydrogen supply across the network, giving best value for money and energy security within WWU’s network, along with other UK wide Gas Distribution Network (GDN) customers.

Current electrolysers focus on stack-efficiency and hydrogen purity without considering real-world manufacturing and operational constraints, and the high costs associated. This project focusses on utilising impurified-water, e.g. rainwater, storm-overflow and industrial process wastewater as feedstock, which reduces operational constraints and costs for customers whilst enabling wide-scale uptake of low-carbon hydrogen.

View our Year One Annual Report here:

Future Energy Research & Insights | Wales & West Utilities

nextgen-electrolysis-beta_-y1-annual-report.pdf

The aim of this project is to study and recommend a a resilient solution for National Gas’ remote operations, considering also harsh operational environments from a communications perspective. A technical study will be undertaken on mobile, hybrid satellite-cellular terminals, compatible with use with batteries, targeting the National Gas operation teams deployed in locations where traditional connectivity options are limited or non-existent. There will be a focus on solutions that integrate cellular and satellite communication technologies suitable for its installation in the operation teams’ vehicles and that can also become a portable terminal for those areas that can only be reached by foot.

This project has enormous potential to benefit all customers in vulnerable situations as it will provide accurate assessment of communities and all interested parties to provide suitable support to the area. This will enable GDN, DNO, Electricity transmission, and Gas transmission partners such as community groups to specifically target areas with relevant support, this will allow project partners to accurately provide information which will be bespoke to the specific needs of the area such as Carbon Monoxide awareness, Priority Services Register messaging, increasing awareness and registrations.

It will allow GDN’s or other service providers to enlist support for VCMA, BAU or NIA projects directly addressing the needs of communities, rather than adopting a broad-brush approach which has been the traditional approach. This system will present itself as the very foundation for future years projects and investments, specifically as we progress through the energy system transition which will help address the very real and ever-changing needs of communities and vulnerable customers groups by putting data at the front and centre of future decision making for GDN’s and partners.

The PE Service Pipe disconnection development project aims to produce a product and technique which can safely, successfully and efficiently disconnect PE Service Pipes from an external Emergency Control Valve (ECV) following meter removal. This solution aims to prevent the inconvenience, risks, and additional costs associated with traditional excavation methods.

This project will update the Pathfinder tool, to improve functionality and reflect more current underlying data. Use of the tool developed in this project should result in better choices regarding investment in energy saving measures

The Unaccounted-for Gas (UAG) project aims to develop a predictive tool that identifies and quantifies UAG across the National Transmission System (NTS). Leveraging 12-18 months of SCADA data, the tool will simulate gas flow and metering behaviour to pinpoint anomalies and reduce losses. UAG currently represents significant financial cost to the consumer; even a 1% reduction could yield practical savings. The project aligns with RIIO-2 NIA criteria and supports regulatory compliance under Special Condition 5.6. It builds on prior research, and integrates learnings from international benchmarks. The initiative will enhance operational efficiency, improve data transparency, and support long-term decarbonisation goals through better system visibility and control.

Repurposing of natural gas pipelines made of carbon steel for use with hydrogen blends requires a fitness-for-service analysis as part of the hydrogen use safety case. Girth welds of an unknown quality exist in the Local Transmission System (LTS). In hydrogen service these welds would have a greater susceptibility to fracture failure due to material embrittlement caused by interaction of steel material with hydrogen.

Current inspection methods do not routinely inspect girth welds for defects. Deterministic defect assessment models require the use of conservative assumptions for defect sizes, material properties and loading. This can lead to overly pessimistic conclusions about the suitability of pipelines with girth welds for use with hydrogen.

More detailed probability-based assessments are required to reduce the inherent pessimism in deterministic calculation methods. This would provide confidence of the safety and allow for greater use of the LTS with hydrogen and contribute to a quicker and cheaper energy transition for the UK gas network.

Biomethane is key to decarbonising the UKs gas network. However, in comparison to Natural Gas, it has a lower energy density and requires enrichment before injection into the gas network. Currently Propane is used, a fossil fuel, undermining the environmental credentials of biomethane, increasing production cost and introducing bituminous elements causing down-time in biomethane plants. Project CLEAN GREEN will identify alternative green enrichment gases to fossil Propane, and consider how improved measurement technology can inform network intelligence to optimise Biomethane injection. This will lead to improvements in cost, carbon efficiency and injection volumes of Biomethane into the distribution networks.

In 2022 a consortium of Urenco, EDF, the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Bristol University were awarded £7.7m worth of funding from the UK Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to develop a hydrogen storage solution, HyDUS. This solution could help to alleviate storage across GB. Unlike conventional storage approaches that rely on salt caverns or depleted fields, HYDUS uses modular metal hydride technology, enabling above ground deployment in geologically constrained areas.

This project will evaluate the feasibility and value of deploying HyDUS, a modular above-ground hydrogen storage system, as a means of storage across GB. The project will use WWU’s proposed HyLine hydrogen transmission corridor in Wales and South West England as a case study.

As the UK attempts to decarbonise residential heat to meet net zero by 2050, electric heat pumps along with heat networks are expected to play a key role. However, it is generally accepted that no one technology will be able to meet the needs of all households. If we are to deliver affordable low- carbon heating in the residential sector, we shall need as wide a range of technology options as possible to overcome the economic and technical challenges facing every customer.

Project GaIN (Gathering Insights) will explore alternatives to heat pumps and heat networks which can utilise the robust gas network and benefit from its current upgrade programme, supporting the aims of DESNZ’s decarbonisation of heat roadmap. The project will discover and assess additional technology options where alternative solutions might be more costly or difficult to deliver; this will include LAEP system benefits as well as localised CAPEX and OPEX costs.

This project will undertake testing on technology for distributed production of low carbon hydrogen from natural gas, biogas or other short chain hydrocarbons from waste. Which uses 90% less electricity than electrolysis of water and with 68% lower total energy costs.

The project will support early movers and convert gas from our network into a low carbon hydrogen solution. The compact and modular deployment of the technology enables hydrogen production systems to be installed directly at the energy user's site. These systems convert grid-supplied natural gas to hydrogen on demand, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure or on-site hydrogen storage, and leaves the rest of the network unaffected

The UK gas networks are undergoing a major transition to support the integration of green gases, including biomethane and hydrogen. A significant challenge is the inability of the current design modelling. Cadent’s current modelling relies on outdated assumptions and lacks the granular, real-time demand insight needed for modern, decarbonising gas networks. Existing tools cannot capture intra-day demand variability, below-7-bar network complexity, or the growing impact of biomethane injections—creating risks in planning, operational decisions, and reinforcement strategy.

RTN addresses these challenges by delivering accurate, weather-adjusted, consumer-level demand modelling and integrated analysis across pressure tiers. This enhances forecasting, improves biomethane integration, and strengthens model validation and operational control. In the future state, RTN provides Cadent with a modern, data-rich, and automated modelling capability that reduces unnecessary reinforcement, improves customer outcomes, supports the energy transition, and lays the foundation for potential future use in peak-demand modelling and regulatory engagement.

This programme is leveraging the data and learning from historic projects to develop a range of novel network modelling tools that will enable biogas designs to be informed, consumer focused and optimised for localised conditions and demands.

This project will provide National Gas Transmission (NGT) with a clear technical understanding and strategy for the deployment of recompression solutions for Net Zero gas networks, including hydrogen blends, 100% hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide transmission.

The NIA Safe Venting & Recompression of Hydrogen innovation project explored the possibility of repurposing natural gas recompression units for hydrogen blends and 100% hydrogen and investigated new solutions for hydrogen pipeline recompression as part of routine maintenance activities.

This project will take further NGT’s knowledge of hydrogen recompression for different scales and applications on the NTS to reduce venting, and explore similar solutions for carbon dioxide pipelines.

The work will develop a pathway for the biomethane sector to monetise CO2 and identify the role the gas networks can play, reducing the long-term cost of gas decarbonisation.

This project evaluates the rapidly developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sector and assesses the technical, commercial, regulatory and safety feasibility of repurposing existing gas pipelines to transport liquid aviation fuels. The uptake of SAF is critical to decarbonising the UK aviation industry and achieving net zero targets. To support the scale-up of SAF production and use, the development of reliable, affordable and low-carbon infrastructure is essential. Pipelines offer a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and high-capacity transport solution. The study aims to enable scalable SAF infrastructure while providing a productive, long-term use for gas assets that are unlikely to be required for refurbishment or alternative repurposing.

Problem Digital exclusion remains a significant challenge across the UK, preventing many individuals—particularly those in vulnerable circumstances—from accessing critical information and services. As energy networks increasingly rely on digital channels for communication, those without internet access, digital skills, or confidence in using online tools face barriers in receiving important updates, such as emergency notifications and service disruptions. Current communication strategies, while effective for digitally engaged users, fail to reach those who are excluded due to economic, geographic, or personal barriers. This project seeks to bridge this gap by rethinking communication strategies to ensure all consumers, regardless of digital access, receive the information they need in a timely and accessible manner. Project Aims & Key Objectives Building upon the learnings from the previous Digital Exclusion project (NIA_CAD0088), this project aims to develop new, inclusive communication strategies that enhance engagement with digitally excluded individuals. The research project will determine what new approaches may be able to be adopted by energy networks to aid consumers who could otherwise be left vulnerable due to being digitally excluded. By adopting a human-centred approach, the project will:

• Understand how digitally excluded individuals currently access information and navigate daily life.
• Identify barriers in existing energy network communication strategies.
• Co-design and test new approaches that improve information delivery and engagement for those excluded from digital channels.
• Provide recommendations for scalable, long-term improvements in energy communication infrastructure. Project Outputs The project will deliver the following tangible outputs across the following stages: Stage 0 – Outreach
• Identification of priority demographics which are most affected by digital exclusion.
• Engagement with several digital inclusion hubs to identify and introduce stakeholders to the project.

Project Plan – Rethinking Communication for Digital Exclusion

Stage 1 - Insight

• A comprehensive research report detailing the lived experiences of digitally excluded individuals.
• Analysis of existing communication strategies used by energy networks, highlighting gaps and opportunities.

Stage 2 - Collaboration

• A series of co-design workshops engaging key stakeholders to generate and refine potential solutions.
• Prototype solutions tested in real-world settings, with iterative refinement based on feedback.

Stage 3 - Impact

• A strategic roadmap for scaling successful solutions across the energy sector.
• A final report consolidating research insights, prototype evaluations, and recommended implementation strategies. Expected Benefits
• For digitally excluded consumers: More effective, trusted, and accessible communication methods ensuring they receive vital energy-related information.
• For energy networks: Improved customer engagement, compliance with accessibility standards, and enhanced reputation for supporting vulnerable groups.
• For wider stakeholders: Development of scalable best practices that can be applied beyond the energy sector to improve communication with digitally excluded populations. TRL
• Start TRL: 2 (Technology concept formulated)
• End TRL: 5 (Technology validated in a relevant environment)

This project will assess the application of Rising Pressure Reformer (RiPR) technology to produce a tuneable blend of biogenic methane and hydrogen, supporting the decarbonisation of gas networks. The project will focus on the how control of the gas produced would fit with requirements for network injection, and assessing locations for connection.

Power outages are a regular occurrence in Great Britian with average annual customer minutes lost in Great Britain range between 31.57 minutes 51.4 minutes depending on the Distribution Network Operator License Area (Statista, 2021). This is of course not evenly distributed with outages varying from a few minutes up to more than a week in more extreme circumstances. Similarly, single outages can affect a single property or several thousand properties depending on the cause.

This project will aim to develop a low-cost, user-friendly solution, whereby customers in vulnerable situations will still be able to use their gas heated boiler, as well as LPG and oil heated boilers, in the event of a power outage.

This project will deliver a series of reports and presentations which reflect the need to minimise disruption during any conversion taking into account customer needs and the wider supply chain not just the needs of the GDN.

National Gas has seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries from biomethane developers for connections to the NTS.

There are currently circa 66 projects the connections team have identified as having NTS connection potential, with an associated volume of 5.9TWh per annum.

Developers are attracted to the NTS for numerous reasons, but the following are the main drivers:

• No injection of propane or odorant
• Capacity and capability

To speed up time to connect to a biomethane facility this project was developed to produce an innovative standardised design for a Minimum Offtake Connection (MOC) in a pit.

The Stopple technology is a flow stop tool essential for major projects and emergency works across the LTS and NTS gas network. Its capability was tested in 100% hydrogen within a helinite environment, in line with LTS Futures parameters as phase 1. This project focuses on validating flow-stopping technology as an additional deliverable with LTS Futures live hydrogen trial on the Granton to Grangemouth pipeline as a welded tee and hot-tapping operations is already being carried out. The trial will confirm the Stopple train’s effectiveness as a double-block and bleed solution for a 100% hydrogen system which will be available for the UK Gas Network. The findings will provide critical insights into the safe and efficient operation of the hydrogen networks supporting the transition from natural gas to hydrogen.

The Sustainable Vehicle Transport (SVT) feasibility study project will undertake a green gas refuelling study specific to SGN’s network areas in Scotland and Southern incorporating biomethane in the form of bio-CNG and the potential for a future hydrogen option. Along with heat, transport is a key sector to decarbonise on the journey to net zero. Battery electric vehicles are well suited to small vehicles but for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and larger commercial vehicles (LCV), like the type that make up the majority of SGN’s operational fleet, this may not be the most appropriate technology given the range and on-board power requirements.

This project will investigate the potential impacts of district heating on the gas network, whether its viable for the network to support district heating and what repurposing would be required.