Future Energy Networks

We The Curious is an educational charity and science centre with a vision for a future where everyone is included, curious, and inspired by science to build a better world. For 25 years, We The Curious have welcomed over 300,000 visitors annually and have engaged more than 65,000 school children through hands-on science experiences every year.

We The Curious is celebrating its 25^th birthday by developing a new sustainability themed area of its science centre. This project with WWU aims to inspire thousands of people of all ages to explore how different energy sources work in different contexts – sparking curiosity, building confidence, and empowering communities to take part in a fair, low-carbon transition.

The exhibit will help visitors of all ages discover the different renewable sources of energy, understand how they work, and explore why a balanced mix of energy solutions is essential to transition away from fossil fuels. Designed as a social and collaborative experience with multiple interaction points, the exhibit will highlight that shaping a sustainable energy future requires teamwork – across technologies, communities, and generations.

The UK Government recognised that domestic biomethane production can play a significant role in decarbonising energy supplies. However, biomethane production plants face technical and operational challenges. Currently the content of biomethane within biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion (AD) process is often only around 50%. This partial conversion results in lower yields for AD operators and an increase in costly gas scrubbing requirements. The increased presence of impurity gases also increases requirement for propanation to increase the calorific value, high in both cost and carbon footprint.

This project seeks to address these challenges through the injection of green hydrogen into the AD process in specific quantities and at specific times to achieve greater conversion of carbon dioxide to biomethane within the acetogenesis stage of the AD process, thereby increasing the yield whilst reducing the need for gas scrubbing and propanation.

This project will help to inform UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the long-term suitability of existing Excess Flow Valve (EFV) designs in a future where hydrogen is being distributed in network pipelines. A risk to normal EFV functionality exists in the event that an ignition occurs within the downstream gas installation pipework and this project will help to understand the effectiveness of existing EFV designs to manage this risk, identifying any necessary modifications to existing EFV designs where appropriate.

The Fairer Warmth Hub (FWH) connects stakeholders of the Net Zero Transition through place-based strategies, providing tools and guidance to facilitate local energy plans and enhance collaboration. The FWH integrates digital tools and community engagement to facilitate effective communication and planning among diverse stakeholders, including households, small businesses, schools, social healthcare and local authorities. FWH is designed to bridge the gap in the energy transition by providing tailored support to these stakeholders, ensuring that the transition is inclusive and just. The FWH integrates three core elements:

• Trained ‘Champions’ – Volunteers or staff, known as Champions, are recruited and trained to support community engagement, helping to build trust and reduce miscommunication in local energy initiatives.
• Digital Tools (Virtual Assets) – Innovative digital tools (App + Website) and resources are used to facilitate energy transition planning and community engagement, particularly assisting Customer In Vulnerable Situation (CIVS) and those who are digitally excluded.
• Community Centres (Non-Virtual Assets) – Physical community hubs serve as accessible locations for hands-on support, providing a space for CIVS and other stakeholders to engage directly in the energy transition.

This innovation project proposal is centred on trialling the development of a predictive model to identify customers in vulnerable situations whose heat comes from Cadent delivered gas that are missing out on the protections that the Priority Service Register (PSR) brings because they are “hidden” behind a non-domestic supply contract. The aim of the predictive model would be to aid Cadent to find these customers so that it can be ensured that they receive the support that they need in the event of an interruption to supply.

We’re developing a low-cost, easy-to-install solution to measure gas flow at regulator stations. The goal is to keep the equipment as simple and non-intrusive as possible.

To measure the flow, we’ll use two methods:

• One method checks how open the regulator is and the pressure difference across it to estimate the flow.
• The other uses a small sensor that creates a slight temperature change at the outlet, which also helps estimate the flow.

By combining these two methods with the regulator’s technical details, we aim to measure the flow with an accuracy of about ±10%.

Gas networks supply embedded power stations that support the electricity network. These embedded generators can fire up without any warning to GDNs and is causing significant challenges to gas networks.

GDNs are required to submit hourly gas demand nominations to National Gas for each offtake point within specified time deadlines.

Embedded generators are small. They are not included in the UNC’s requirements to notify their GDN of intended offtake activity due to their size being below the threshold for NExAs (network exit agreements). Despite this, GDNs must include the demand from these embedded generators in their nominations to ensure there is sufficient gas within their network. This causes numerous challenges for SGN and other GDNs.

GDNs’ current forecasting process does not specifically forecast embedded gas generation, and current models do not take inputs from the electricity market. Embedded generators act in a variety of electricity markets, yet GDNs don’t have visibility of this demand.

It is anticipated that additional embedded generators will connect in the coming months/years as the demand for electricity increases.The challenge of not having knowledge of embedded generator’s demand and its potential to contribute to a storage shortage has been acknowledged by both EGRIT (Electricity and Gas Resilience Task Group) and NESO (National Energy System Operator). The benefits of creating a notification platform supported by a ML engine are various. Namely to develop an ML-enabled forecasting tool to predict gas demand from embedded generators with increased accuracy as delivery time approaches. In addition to create a notification platform to improve real-time visibility of embedded generator activities within the electricity and gas networks.

This NIA project aims to progress the FEmGE forecasting tool from TRL 1 to TRL 7, delivering a fully functional MVP. NGN will be funding this project to the value of £92,333 and SGN to £184,666 of the total of £276,999.

The project will develop an integrated hierarchical network modelling framework for simulating the operation of future GB energy system scenarios with highly interconnected gas and power networks. The realistic modelling of power-to-gas and storage operators’ behaviour will be emphasised. The integrated models will be demonstrated on a simulation platform as real-time digital twins for future system scenarios.

Considerable novelty will lie in the combination of modelling scale and granularity; representation of many autonomous decentralised agents making sub-optimal decisions; and the optimal resolution of dilemmas arising from the finite energy budgets constraining primarily weather-driven low to zero carbon scenarios.

To reach our national net zero targets by 2050, we need to decarbonise approximately 25 million homes in England. Domestic heating accounts for approximately 14% of the UKs entire emissions and significant investment is required to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock. In addition, there are major challenges associated with domestic decarbonisation:

• England has the most diverse housing stock in the UK. with 35% built before the end of WWII.
• Sixty-four percent are owner-occupied, and these homeowners need to have a good, cost effective and efficient experience of home and heating upgrade as we move towards zero carbon homes.
• Implementing heating upgrades to this ageing housing stock requires a ‘whole house’ approach therefore, consideration must be given to the building fabric and heating system.

Retrofitting existing homes with electric heating systems or deployment of green hydrogen boilers offer potential solutions however, the intricacies of deployment and installation are complex, further research and development is required to learn more about installation, performance of various heating options. Doing so will inform future domestic decarbonisation strategies.

Novel green molecules have the potential to make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the UK’s gas network, while also reducing system costs. Synthetic and e-methane can play a significant role in meeting future industrial demand as well as decarbonising the power, transport and domestic heat sectors. This project investigates novel green gases in more depth to understand how they can be implemented effectively and quickly deployed to decarbonise the gas sector in the UK.

The Phase 3 project on gas inhibitors for hydrogen pipelines aims to translate lab-scale findings into practical applications for the UK’s National Transmission System. It focuses on validating the effectiveness of oxygen and alternative inhibitors in mitigating hydrogen embrittlement, addressing unresolved safety and integrity concerns from previous phases, and designing a plan for safe integration into existing infrastructure. The project includes physical demonstration planning, and network design to assess technology implementation.

The Gas Network Evolution Simulator (GNES) is an innovative project aimed at optimising the transition away from natural gas by using advanced Agent Based Modelling (ABM). GNES simulates the complex interactions between stakeholders such as Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), Electricity Networks, consumers, and policymakers. It analyses economic, social, and environmental impacts of gas network decommissioning and explores new infrastructure opportunities. By identifying challenges and benefits, GNES supports the development of cost-effective, equitable solutions that support vulnerable populations, ensuring a smooth transition to low-carbon energy sources while minimising consumer disruption and maximising network efficiency.

As the energy system transitions away from unabated natural gas and parts of the gas network are either decommissioned or repurposed to support the UK’s net zero goals, there is an increased risk of unintentional third-party damage to the network. Any supply interruptions to the transmission network would directly impact security of supply across the country and have a significant cost to customers including power generators, industry and domestic users. This project will investigate the benefits of moving from expensive, low frequency, manual network inspections to innovative AI assisted surveillance technologies in combination with satellite imagery and drones.

Green Gas Access will define tools to improve how green gas is managed across UK distribution networks, supporting net-zero goals. With fossil fuels still expected to dominate the energy mix by 2050, we must ensure resilient supply and avoid capacity loss as we integrate decentralised sources like biomethane. The solution is to enable real-time network operation, including dynamic supply modelling, scenario planning, and technology deployment. Key outcomes include: improved green gas injection control, better asset use, onboarding new suppliers efficiently, and supporting the transition to low-carbon systems through coordinated green gas, storage, and power-to-gas operation.

This project will focus on barholing operations conducted after an emergency gas escape within the H100 Fife Distribution Network Operations. The scope will consider H100 scenarios, specifically the establishment of a new distribution network to deliver Hydrogen to selected properties in the conversion area. The minimum pressure for the H100 Fife Distribution network is 27 mbar, and the maximum pressure is 75 mbar. The aim of this project is to provide further evidence to support SGN operations on the H100 distribution network during emergencies and any future trials or broader rollouts of Hydrogen.

Steer Energy has been identified as a suitable contractor for executing this project due to their extensive expertise in this field and their previous work on the Barhole Trials and ITL Haldane Drill Isolator project. Steer has a proven partnership with SGN and the wider gas industry, offering a variety of services, including experimental lab testing, training, and testing facilities.

This project assesses the role of hydrogen‑to‑power (H2P) generation within WWU’s planned hydrogen network. It identifies, maps and evaluates potential H2P assets; develops hydrogen demand scenarios; assesses commercial and policy risks; and prepares cost‑benefit analysis (CBA) case studies to inform decision‑making. The outcome will be a fully integrated whole‑system assessment, enabling WWU to understand risks, opportunities and required policy frameworks for incorporating H2P into regional hydrogen infrastructure.

This project will examine the suitability of existing Fire and Gas (F&G) detection and suppression systems for use with hydrogen blends of up to 20%. These systems comprise: fire detection, fire suppression, gas detection, and associated control systems. They are found in compressor cabs and at network terminals.

Through CFD modelling three representative F&G systems will be individually assessed for compatibility with blends, and will then be used as examples to make comments on the suitability of other F&G systems on the network. Where assets or control systems are not suitable, this project will not design a new system, but recommend where changes should be made and demonstrate how those changes safely manage risk – including cost estimation for upgrade or retrofit.

National Gas Transmission (NGT) own and operate the UK’s National Transmission System (NTS), transporting natural gas from terminals to end users. NGT have ambitions to repurpose the existing to transport hydrogen and hydrogen blends. Understanding the impact of hydrogen on our existing assets is a key enabler for this.

This project will conduct design of flare for hydrogen and its blends and vent system for hydrogen, its blends and carbon dioxide and offline physical testing to provide evidence that hydrogen / hydrogen blends could be flared and vented safely and environmentally in for NTS.

This project will produce valuable insights into understanding the relationship between human behaviours and the utilisation of safety devices with automated functionality. This follows the work done on hydrogen risk mitigations which included technology such as hydrogen detectors with automated functionality to remotely notify the emergency call centre to dispatch an engineer to the detected leak. In their review of this work, HSE have asked if the assumption that consumers will continue to act the same, knowing the device will be doing some automated, will change the validity of the modelling assumptions. This project will address that query and build on our own understanding of consumer insights; something which could add a depth of value to other projects exploring automated safety systems.

The National Transmission System (NTS) pipelines employ a number of external corrosion barrier coatings, primarily coal tar enamel and fusion bonded epoxy (FBE). Cathodic protection is deployed on the network to mitigate for coating failure. Additionally, there are a range of pipeline steels that are used in both above ground buried pipework, both stainless and carbon steels of various grades.

Following the previous NIA project: Research the Impact of Hydrogen on CP & Degradation of Coatings (NIA NGGT0191), the HSE have recommended follow-on testing to fully explore the impact of hydrogen permeation through steel pipelines on corrosion protection systems.

Additionally, the impact of hydrogen on all credible pipeline corrosion mechanisms is to be considered to understand whether current assumptions with regards corrosion rates are valid for hydrogen pipelines.

The National Transmission System (NTS) uses dry scrubbers, filters and strainers to remove contaminants in the gas stream. Introducing hydrogen raises new challenges due to its distinct properties, which could affect the performance and efficiency of these existing cleaning assets. We completed a project that investigated the compatibility of these assets with hydrogen and hydrogen blends to ensure gas quality without compromising the safety or efficiency. An outcome was to get a deeper understanding of the fracture and fatigue behaviours of these equipment to better understand whether hydrogen will impact the material properties. This assessment will undertake a targeted CTR analysis to inform a future potential physical test programme.

Project will deliver strategic analysis and recommendations to support the accelerated adoption of Hybrid Heat Systems (HHS) in GB. This includes assessing technology options, commercial models, stakeholder perspectives, and system integration pathways. The work will result in actionable insights, clear positioning of HHS within the wider decarbonisation strategy.

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.