Future Energy Networks

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 is 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

To ensure ongoing safety, compliance, and operational efficiency, WWU uses in-line inspection tools (commonly known as PIGs) to monitor the internal condition of these pipelines. These tools are critical for detecting corrosion, cracking, deformation, and other defects.

A significant challenge within the existing P18 pipeline network is the uncertainty surrounding weld integrity. For many legacy sections, the original inspection records are incomplete or unavailable; without reliable weld data, it is difficult to determine whether these joints remain structurally sound or if deterioration may be developing below detection thresholds.

The project endeavours to determine whether advanced sensing can effectively assess the condition of target pipeline welding and other features, defects, or degradation, and whether advanced sensors can be applied to existing or new PIGs to perform the weld inspection required.

The technology will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the condition of the existing network and its overall integrity and longevity, beyond what is achievable through current testing methods. This enhanced insight will enable Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) to reclassify pipelines where appropriate, thereby avoiding significant capital expenditure associated with uncovering welds of unknown quality during capital projects or damage assessments. Furthermore, as reliance on natural gas declines, this capability will enable the repurposing of existing assets, rather than leaving them redundant or decommissioned.

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 the Gas Transporter Licence Part J of Special Condition 5.6 (System operator external incentives, revenues, and costs) requiring National Gas to undertake work to investigate the causes of UAG. 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.

Project GRID (Green Renewable Infrastructure Demand) will investigate how biomethane can support the decarbonisation of two strategically important sectors: heavy goods vehicle (HGV) transport and data centres. The project will assess the technical, commercial and operational feasibility of using biomethane as a low-carbon fuel for freight transport and as a primary or backup energy source for data centres.

The project will undertake a detailed review of previous work, stakeholder engagement programme and spatial analysis to understand future demand, available biomethane supply and opportunities for deployment. Detailed assessments will then be completed for Somerset Council’s fleet and for current and future data centre developments within the Wales & West Utilities (WWU) network area.

The outputs will provide evidence on how biomethane can support economic growth, facilitate decarbonisation, make greater use of indigenous renewable gas resources and potentially unlock additional biomethane injection opportunities across gas distribution networks.

The use of greener gases such as biomethane are an important part of the UK’s transition to net zero. Underground storage sites for biomethane are critical for balancing seasonal supply and demands for energy. However, increased levels of oxygen in biomethane can lead to corrosion of assets in wet gas conditions, compromising the integrity of storage facilities. This project assesses in a comparative analysis the technical and economic viability of advanced catalytic and adsorption technologies to reduce oxygen levels in biomethane with corrosion inhibitors to ensure the integrity and longevity of critical storage infrastructure.

This project is a first of its kind exploration into the applicability of quantum-inspired optimisation to improve and accelerate modelling of future gas transmission configurations and whole-systems planning. It will assess use cases where these techniques can enhance scenario coverage, integrate multiple additional energy vectors, address current computational limitations in modelling hydrogen and CO₂ networks, and improve granularity of planning outputs. By engaging National Gas and supported by NESO, the project will identify where quantum-inspired methods offer the greatest system-wide benefit, culminating in a prioritised use case and roadmap for Alpha-phase development.

A technical review study assessing the design and operational performance of a novel renewable natural gas process, including its integration with variable renewable energy sources, to inform suitability for grid injection and support future deployment and strategic decision-making within a low carbon energy system.

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 bio gas designs to be informed, consumer focused and optimised for localised conditions and demands.

Based on previous work, ROSEN Engineers believe the quantity of natural gas vented during commissioning operations can safely be reduced, by up to 80%, through targeted changes to direct purging procedures.

For Gas Distribution Networks’ (GDNs), gas venting remains a necessary part of normal operations for maintenance or safety purposes. Previous research work undertaken by ROSEN(UK) Limited for the EIC, with project partners Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and Wales and West Utilities (WWU), identified activities where venting of natural gas to atmosphere occurs (Gas Venting Research Project, NIA reference number NIA_NGN_282)

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.