Future Energy Networks

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

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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.