Future Energy Networks

This project will identify and evaluate current technology available for pipes suitable for use in natural gas, blended gas, and hydrogen gas networks operating above 7 bar.

This project will see QEM Solutions conduct a comprehensive literature review of market reports on pipes used in high-pressure gas systems, as well as of existing options for transportation of high-pressure gas in industrial uses with transferrable learnings. QEMS will develop a matrix comparing pros and cons of each solution and consolidate the findings into a final project report.

The project will facilitate the energy system transition by investigating the available and most optimal pipeline materials for natural gas, blended gas, and hydrogen gas networks above 7 bar, considering all operational, capex requirements, and full lifecycle costs. This work is important for informing investment decisions in pipeline replacement materials, addressing a gap in current knowledge.

This project assembles a multi-laboratory team to address high-priority research topics identified by industry related to the blending of hydrogen into the U.S. natural gas pipeline network. PRCI has been contracted by DOE to provide contract and invoicing support which allows additional members to join after project start.

There were four main activities being performed in Phase 1 of the CRADA project that fell under two categories: materials research and analysis. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) led the materials research on metals, which is primarily used for natural gas transmission, while Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) headed the research on polymeric materials, which comprise the natural gas distribution network. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) was responsible for life-cycle analysis while the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) performed techno-economic analysis on hydrogen blending scenarios, the work on these subjects will be extended in Phase 2.

This project aims to assess and enhance the hydrogen readiness of ball valves within the (NTS) by conducting maintenance strategy evaluation with material performance analysis. It involves reviewing current valve operations, diagnostics, and OEM maintenance guidance, alongside a literature review of commonly used valve materials to understand their behaviour under hydrogen exposure. The project valve performance testing and finite element analysis of existing valve designs to evaluate structural integrity. Findings from these activities will provide actionable recommendations for updating NGT’s valves maintenance strategies, diagnostic tools, and design standards to support safe and efficient hydrogen service deployment

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.

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.

Previous testing carried out under NIA has outstanding gaps that require further testing to close. Completing the additional testing will confirm actual fracture toughness values to be used and the corresponding J value from the crack growth resistance curve. The project outputs are required and will be used to progress design, specification and procurement processes for hydrogen major projects. The results can also be applied for repurposing assessments.

To maintain their above ground and underground pipework assets, all Gas Distribution Networks (GDN) operate substantial fleets of commercial vehicles (primarily vans, but also HGVs), together with mobile plant and powered equipment. Presently, there is a complete reliance on hydrocarbon fuels, primarily diesel and petrol. Both fuel types are usually sourced via the public retail forecourt network. Similar issues exist for other utility providers that operate underground and overground infrastructure.

Wales & West Utilities is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a hydrogen-ready, Net Zero gas network. Our distribution network iron mains replacement programme (Repex) requires significant excavation and pipe replacement activity, laying long-life, hydrogen-ready polyethylene pipe by a variety of means.

The project endeavours to identify a suite of suitable zero-emission mobile plant assets, tools and equipment for carrying out Repex work that WWU could hire or purchase for operational trials, and to identify opportunities for changing equipment items to simplify recharging/refuelling requirements in the future.

The objectives of this project are:

1. To analyse current energy demands, sound pressure and vibration levels associated with existing ICE powered mobile plant assets, ICE-powered tools and equipment and electrical equipment used for carrying out planned iron mains replacement work on the gas distribution network.
2. To estimate the future electrical energy demands (and sound pressure and vibration levels) placed by future zero-emission powered tools and equipment on a zero-emission site-based power generation facility.
3. To identify opportunities for changing equipment items to simplify recharging/refuelling requirements in future.
4. To identify a suite of suitable zero-emission mobile plant assets, tools and equipment that WWU could hire (or purchase) and utilise for operational trials, short and longer term. This will include the energy source and the means of recharging and/or refuelling on site and/or at regional depot locations.

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.

This project aims to address major gaps identified in NIA2_SGN0078, which conducted a thorough literature review of the international scientific and industry knowledge base. The work will focus on characterising the hydrogen permeability rate of API Grades X52 and X60 vintage pipelines and welds by analysing the microstructure of each sample, investigating the impact of internal corrosion layers, and conducting mechanical testing post-exposure.

A correlation exercise will also be conducted to equate gaseous charging with electrochemical charging. The outcome of this work targets an improved industry best-practice for permeation and fracture toughness tests, providing a validated benchmark framework with the potential to inform future updates of industry standards and procedures, and saving costs on any future material and permeation testing work.