Future Energy Networks

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.

As the UK attempts to decarbonise residential heat to meet net zero by 2050, electric heat pumps along with heat networks are expected to play a key role. However, it is generally accepted that no one technology will be able to meet the needs of all households. If we are to deliver affordable low- carbon heating in the residential sector, we shall need as wide a range of technology options as possible to overcome the economic and technical challenges facing every customer.

Project GaIN (Gathering Insights) will explore alternatives to heat pumps and heat networks which can utilise the robust gas network and benefit from its current upgrade programme, supporting the aims of DESNZ’s decarbonisation of heat roadmap. The project will discover and assess additional technology options where alternative solutions might be more costly or difficult to deliver; this will include LAEP system benefits as well as localised CAPEX and OPEX costs.

This project will undertake testing on technology for distributed production of low carbon hydrogen from natural gas, biogas or other short chain hydrocarbons from waste. Which uses 90% less electricity than electrolysis of water and with 68% lower total energy costs.

The project will support early movers and convert gas from our network into a low carbon hydrogen solution. The compact and modular deployment of the technology enables hydrogen production systems to be installed directly at the energy user's site. These systems convert grid-supplied natural gas to hydrogen on demand, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure or on-site hydrogen storage, and leaves the rest of the network unaffected

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)

Renewable Energy Harvest unlocks the untapped power of Britain’s countryside by turning farm, food, and forestry residues into clean, flexible green gas. By combining biomethane and syngas production with advanced mapping and forecasting tools, the project will identify where rural resources can best connect into the gas network. This innovation supports a fair, low-carbon transition - cutting emissions, reducing costs, and keeping energy value in local communities. Backed by Northern Gas Networks and partners, Renewable Energy Harvest paves the way for smarter, more resilient infrastructure that helps Britain make better use of low-carbon gases for a decarbonised future energy system.

This project delivers an evidence-based assessment of resilient energy futures for NHS as the health service transitions toward its Net Zero target. The work combines national-level analysis with site-specific audits to develop replicable methodology for assessing healthcare estates provide NHS Boards and SGN with clear, prioritised roadmaps for maintaining clinical resilience while reducing carbon emissions.

Scottish NHS sites are used as a case studies as it operates 14 territorial Health Boards with complex estates that currently depend on gas for heating, hot water, and essential clinical services. The project addresses a critical planning challenge faced by all gas networks: healthcare estates currently depend on gas for heating, hot water, and essential clinical services, as electrification and alternative heating solutions are deployed unevenly, there is significant uncertainty around how quickly gas demand will decline, where it will remain critical, and how network resilience can be maintained during the transition. Working with Energy Systems Catapult, Jacobs, and Aiming for Zero, the project will deliver GIS mapping of priority sites, site-level audits, techno-economic modelling, and Board-specific implementation roadmaps, providing SGN, NHS Scotland and other networks with the evidence base required for coordinated, cost-effective decarbonisation planning.

This project will develop a data-led understanding of all MOBs,their characteristics and associated risks (e.g., riser failure likelihood, building age/type) to accurately forecast the complexity, duration, and cost of replacement works. This will support SGN with effective planning and delivery of the Tier 1 Replacement Programme and optimise REPEX spend. The MOB data platform that this project aims to produce will allow SGN to assess the long-term viability of gasin older MOBs and proactively explore buy-outs or alternative energy solutions where it makes more sense than costly infrastructure replacement.