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FutureGrid CO2
FutureGrid CO2 is the final phase of a suite of Carbon Dioxide projects looking at how National Gas can repurpose parts of its network to transport gaseous-phase Carbon Dioxide safely. What started out as literature reviews and feasibility studies will turn into physical testing and demonstration. National Gas will be using its world-leading FutureGrid facility to demonstrate how Carbon Dioxide will flow through its pipes delivering on its promise to further use this facility after our successful FutureGrid SIF Beta projects. We will also be completing carbon dioxide venting ruptures and real-time impurity corrosion tests- all of which are underexplored.
Lotus Notes Logbook Upgrade
NGN currently operate a Lotus Notes application with a bespoke electronic Logbook system to capture all of the activity with day and planned ahead that occurs within our gas control centre. This system has been in operation since 1997 and has proven to be a highly reliable and flexible tool to manage planned works faults general site activity and wider issues.
The current technology is outdated and contains years’ worth of data causing it to be slow. There are no links between Lotus notes and other vital control room applications (SCADA etc.). Raising faults becomes a tedious task and the Logbook and other in-apps are not user friendly. There are no updates available to improve the existing system.
The current system needs to be replaced but to achieve that we need a full exploration of where technology can deliver to our requirements and to fully explore the impact of net zero and what new functionality may be required to manage the transition to net zero.
This is an early stage feasibility project to understand all of the challenges opportunities and risks that UK GDNs face with their systems in order to help facilitate the transition to net zero energy systems.
B-Linepack+ Alpha
Linepack flexibility is key for Gas Transmission to provide system resilience by management of swings within operational limits. In a hydrogen world we know our energy content per km of linepack will decrease by up to 76%. Therefore embedded resilience systems in the form of lined rock shafts are being investigated to supplement loss in linepack capability. We envision systems if implemented for hydrogen transmission to act similar to how now decommissioned natural gas holders were utilised for operational flexibility pressure regulation supply/demand mismatch management load balancing emergency backup and production buffering.
Future Operability of Gas for System Integration (FOGSI) Alpha
The project will develop an integrated hierarchical network modelling framework for simulating the operation of future GB energy system scenarios with highly interconnected gas and power networks. The realistic modelling of power-to-gas and storage operators’ behaviour will be emphasised. The integrated models will be demonstrated on a simulation platform as real-time digital twins for future system scenarios.
Considerable novelty will lie in the combination of modelling scale and granularity; representation of many autonomous decentralised agents making sub-optimal decisions; and the optimal resolution of dilemmas arising from the finite energy budgets constraining primarily weather-driven low to zero carbon scenarios.
Hydrogen Fracture Surfaces Assessment
The LTS Futures project aims to understand how the local transmission system (LTS) could be repurposed from Natural Gas to hydrogen. The project encompasses several elements which will feed into a blueprint methodology for repurposing the LTS to hydrogen. During one of the work elements LTS Futures conducted full-scale testing of pipeline defects and small-bore connections exposed to hydrogen. Testing was conducted until failure to provide information for hydrogen pipeline design standards and operational procedures. This project will undertake further detailed analysis of the fracture surfaces to provide a visual confirmation of hydrogen diffusion into the pipeline microstructure and if this contributed to failure.
Net Zero Multi-Vector Assessment
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.
Air Ingress in Multi Occupancy Buildings (MOBs)
This project will help to inform UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the impact of the potential for air ingress into gas-conveying pipework in MOBs. The mechanisms for air ingress into gas-conveying pipework have been shown to be gas agnostic though this project will focus on impacts specific to future hydrogen distribution to MOBs.
Equations of State for Net Zero Gases
In metering applications Equations of State (EoS) are mathematical models that are used to convert measured volumes to standard units. This enables transfer from volume to mass allowing customers to be billed and for the networked to be balanced in energy. Metering and network balancing cannot be performed in volume as it doesn’t account for relative varying gas component concentrations – and therefore CV.
The EoS currently used (AGA8) is acceptable for up to 5% hydrogen but after this point it’s uncertainty is unknown – meaning the network may be unable to maintain accurate billing or system balancing. This project will obtain experimental data for a range of net zero gases and compare the output of several EoS for accuracy against real measured NTS-representative conditions.
H100 Barhole Trials for Hydrogen Network Operations
This project will focus on barholing operations conducted after an emergency gas escape within the H100 Fife Distribution Network Operations. The scope will consider H100 scenarios specifically the establishment of a new distribution network to deliver Hydrogen to selected properties in the conversion area. The minimum pressure for the H100 Fife Distribution network is 27 mbar and the maximum pressure is 75 mbar. The aim of this project is to provide further evidence to support SGN operations on the H100 distribution network during emergencies and any future trials or broader rollouts of Hydrogen.
Steer Energy has been identified as a suitable contractor for executing this project due to their extensive expertise in this field and their previous work on the Barhole Trials and ITL Haldane Drill Isolator project. Steer has a proven partnership with SGN and the wider gas industry offering a variety of services including experimental lab testing training and testing facilities.
Domestic Air Ingress Mitigations
This project will help to provide assurance to UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the safe design of domestic gas appliances in a future where hydrogen is being distributed in network pipelines. A risk to the normal safe operation of appliances under 100% hydrogen operation exists where a flammable hydrogen/air mixture is supplied to the appliance creating the potential for flashback to occur within the gas installation pipework. This work will provide assurance that domestic appliances designed to operate on 100% hydrogen are designed in a way which do not enable flashback to occur.
The project will also investigate the long-term feasibility of installing an auto-locking Emergency Control Valve (ECV) at the end of 100% hydrogen networks to ensure that any reinstatement of supply after a period of isolation can only be undertaken by a competent gas engineer.
Effects of Water Ingress in a Hydrogen Network
Wales & West Utilities is undertaking a major programme of change to support decarbonisation and deliver a Net Zero gas network. The primary objective of this project is to investigate the effects of water ingress within a 100% hydrogen network and a blended hydrogen/natural gas network. The goal is to determine whether the introduction of hydrogen into the gas network could cause any additional impacts when water ingress occurs and to compare these effects to those observed in the current natural gas network.
Flexible Gas Transition Plant – Phase 1 Feasibility Study
Analysis of the distribution networks undertaken in the H2 Caledonia and H2 Connect projects has identified sectorisation isolation as the optimal approach for conversion. Sectorisation isolation allows for a sector-by-sector approach ensuring the gradual conversion of existing Natural Gas connections over to hydrogen or managing the disconnection process should customers opt for alternative heating solutions. This project will aim to develop an understanding of the technical and financial feasibility of a Flexible Gas Transition Plant (FGTP) through primary project outputs such as: outline of design options development of a list of transition use cases a cost benefit analysis (CBA) for each transition scenario and a roadmap for future phases including prototype design and trials.
Net Zero Multi-Vector Assessment
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.
Air Ingress in Multi Occupancy Buildings (MOBs)
This project will help to inform UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the impact of the potential for air ingress into gas-conveying pipework in MOBs. The mechanisms for air ingress into gas-conveying pipework have been shown to be gas agnostic though this project will focus on impacts specific to future hydrogen distribution to MOBs.
Sector Size Assessment
This project will deliver a series of reports and presentations which reflect the need to minimise disruption during any conversion taking into account customer needs and the wider supply chain not just the needs of the GDN.
NTS Pipeline Assessments Phase 2
This project will build upon previous work to inform decisions relating to the repurposing of National Transmission System pipelines for 100% hydrogen and hydrogen-natural gas blends. New input data will be generated and collated the assessment methodology will be refined and an alternative assessment method probabilistic will be utilised and the resulting network impact will be considered.
This project will generate the following benefits:
- More accurate assessment of the capability of the NTS to transport 100% hydrogen and hydrogen-natural gas blends.
- Data on the impact of low percentage blend hydrogen on pipeline materials.
- Standardised document for Engineering Critical Assessments (ECA) of hydrogen and hydrogen-natural gas blend pipelines and pipework.
Greater understanding on the effect of hydrogen on the design and operation of pipeline systems.
Net Zero Safety & Ignition Risk
National Gas are investigating the use of the National Transmission System to transport hydrogen and hydrogen blends. To support this research and testing is required to understand the risks of high pressure hydrogen transmission including ignition. This project will identify for 100% hydrogen and blends of hydrogen up to 20% the sources of ignition including how the distance of ignition sources affects the likelihood of ignition. It will also investigate the frequency and the different types of ignition events e.g. jet fires. Lastly it will look at the probability of ignition on sites and in pipework.
Excess Flow Valve (EFV) Durability
This project will help to inform UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the long-term suitability of existing Excess Flow Valve (EFV) designs in a future where hydrogen is being distributed in network pipelines. A risk to normal EFV functionality exists in the event that an ignition occurs within the downstream gas installation pipework and this project will help to understand the effectiveness of existing EFV designs to manage this risk identifying any necessary modifications to existing EFV designs where appropriate.
Simplifying Low Carbon Heat
The study will identify the significant technical fiscal and political challenges current heat decarbonisation strategy faces and outline an alternative approach involving greater use of hybrid devices that offers both lower consumer costs and greater potential to cut carbon emissions than projected based on current policy and consumer behaviour. Arguments will be presented through four linked pieces of analysis:
- An examination of the costs of the Government’s Clean Heat Market Mechanism (a key policy intervention to promote heat pumps in the appliance market).
- An approximation of the additional network upgrade requirement early transfers to heat pumps represent in comparison to hybrids.
- A view on what extending the Green Gas Levy beyond its current cut-off date could do to the emissions intensity of the gas distribution network (by encouraging more biomethane production).
- Voter polling that analyses their view on different approaches to heat decarbonisation.
The paper will include a series of policy recommendations for government to take forward in order to enhance progress on decarbonisation of domestic heat.
Gas transmission asset resilience through network transitions Discovery
As the energy system transitions away from unabated natural gas and parts of the gas network are either decommissioned or repurposed to support the UK’s net zero goals there is an increased risk of unintentional third-party damage to the network. Any supply interruptions to the transmission network would directly impact security of supply across the country and have a significant cost to customers including power generators industry and domestic users. This project will investigate the benefits of moving from expensive low frequency manual network inspections to innovative AI assisted surveillance technologies in combination with satellite imagery and drones.