Future Energy Networks
161 - 165 of 165 results
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Variable Blends Operational
More LessBlending hydrogen and natural gas into the NTS has some clear benefits for supporting the transition of the energy industry in the UK to net zero in 2050 and is seen as an important intermediary step towards that goal.
It is expected that initially a low percentage hydrogen blend will be accepted onto the National Transmission System with this potentially increasing up to 20% hydrogen blends being accepted. However, whether a hydrogen producer has to put in a specific blend percentage has not been determined and is unlikely. Therefore, NGT need to develop the system to be able to effectively manage variable blends in addition to 2%, 5% and 20% hydrogen blends.
This project will look into 4 key areas that might be directly impacted by hydrogen blend variability and require impact and risk assessments followed by investigations resulting in solution mapping and mitigation strategies being proposed. The key topics include, establishing permissible limits for variability, investigating how to manage interconnection from NTS to other countries, understanding the effects of variability on stratification potential in the network and investigating the effects of variability on combustor/compression modelling.
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WWU Intermediate Scale Hydrogen Storage Evaluation (HyWISE)
More LessAs the hydrogen economy grows, the need for flexible, decentralised intermediate-scale hydrogen storage is becoming increasingly evident. While large-scale underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns and depleted gas fields will play a crucial role in long-term energy security, distributed intermediate scale storage solutions are essential to bridge the gap between production and end-use, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and resilience in hydrogen supply chains during the scale-up of the hydrogen economy. Decentralised storage facilities allow for hydrogen hubs to emerge in urban and industrial areas, reducing reliance on long-distance transport infrastructure and supporting regional hydrogen economies.
A key unknown is whether the land use and geology of Wales and South West England can support intermediate-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) technologies. This project aims to map and assess potential storage sites within the WWU region, aligning with broader energy infrastructure plans—including hydrogen and gas pipelines, electricity networks, industrial demand, and renewable energy integration. The project will use WWU’s geology and geography as a case study, and demonstrate how UHS options can support wider energy infrastructure in the region and beyond, as well as future project plans. For this reason, the outputs are expected to be of value to all networks.
To evaluate the feasibility of these storage solutions, the University of Edinburgh will analyse rock property and strength data from publicly accessible British Geological Survey (BGS) datasets, developing new insights into the engineering suitability of the region’s subsurface for hydrogen storage.
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Weld Residual Stress Phase II - Testing
More LessThis project seeks to demonstrate the reductions in weld residual stress assumptions that have been suggested by the Phase I Literature Review project. A test programme will be conducted to measure residual stress in pipelines indicative of those on the gas network, and subject them to hydrostatic pressures as seen in the period correct commissioning tests. These residual stress results will be fed into a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model to scale up to other sizes and grades representative of the gas network. Residual stress tests will also be performed on extracted ex-service pipework in order to validate the ‘fresh’ pipeline tests and the FEA modelling.
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Welding Residual Stress Measurements and Analysis for Gas Pipelines
More LessThis project concerns the research into welding residual stress values and the effect that they have on the overall pipework repurposing assessment route described in relevant hydrogen standards. Currently, overly conservative values need to be applied for welding residual stresses in any repurposing assessment. This project aims to build evidence on actual and modelled residual stresses seen within the pipelines industries, with a focus on natural gas pipelines. As the welding residual stress is a critical aspect of the fracture mechanics assessment, any improvements which can be gained would have an overall positive impact on the assessment results.
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Wireless Methane Odorant Detector
More LessThis project aims to improve natural gas leak detection for over 3.5 million people with acute smell disorders e.g. anosmia. Traditional methane sensors require high power, limiting placement. The legally required odorant (80% tert-butyl mercaptan and 20% dimethyl sulphide) will continue as the UK transitions to hydrogen or blends, necessitating re-calibration of detectors.
Our solution is an odorant-based gas detector using a custom ultra-low power electrochemical sensor to measure TBM. These sensors operate for over 10 years on a sealed lithium-ion battery, detecting TBM from 20-30ppb (below our smell threshold) up to 1,500ppb (20% of the Lower Explosion Level), ensuring early warning of gas leaks.
With no natural sources of TBM, false positives are eliminated. The Sensor is ‘hydrogen ready,’ maintaining consistent odorant levels during the transition to hydrogen or blends, accurately notifying of gas leakage without reconfiguration.
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