Projects

The key subject of HIRSA stage 2 projects is to understand if using hydrogen in the gas network will result in an increased likelihood of ignition from static discharge generated by particulates in flowing gas. Building on stage 2A stage 2B will provide further experimental testing aimed at determining the absolute difference in electrostatic charge generated identify whether any external factors impact one gas more than the other and to control the factors Read More

This project will help WWU to understand considerations for 100% Hydrogen Rollout at a town scale to inform future activity on preparation for repurposing. Areas will be chosen which are representative of different networks housing stock and demographics which will require different approaches and engagement.

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 d Read More

The following is a proposed outline for a report on the decarbonisation benefits and potential of biomethane in the UK Road Haulage sector.The report will position biomethane as: A complimentary technology to zero tailpipe emission vehicles that offers faster decarbonisation potential due to the near-term infrastructure scalability of the technology and the suitability for long distance and non-fixed route logistics. A cost-effective way to reduce Carbon Read More

Develop a flexible and adaptable toolset for the rapid analysis of Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs). This will convert qualitative statements to quantified metrics and identify key network specific planning parameters.

Following the work completed on the policies and procedures project by QEMS WWU have identified the requirement to update and re-vamp the existing Safe control of operations (SCO) procedures used by the network to support delivery of upcoming projects.

Wales & West Utilities has developed a Regional Decarbonisation Pathway to provide an overarching strategic plan for the network in Wales and the South West of England. To deliver that pathway more detailed assessment and planning is required to facilitate the progression of opportunities in particular areas.In 2023 WWU supported Cadent as the lead partner in the development and delivery of a Functional Blending Specification (FBS) which has Read More

This project seeks to improve the accuracy of CV measurement in gas networks which distribute blended gas streams. Element Digital Engineering will address this by first studying the physics of gas blending in the gas network using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). A wide range of simulations will enable the effects of different designs and mixing technologies to be understood in relation to the various gases under consideration. The predicti Read More

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

This project will explore the feasibility of integrating hydrogen train refuelling infrastructure to support the development of a hydrogen rail network. This has particular relevance to our network as some of the UK’s hardest to electrify rail routes are situated in Wales and South West England. The project will focus on these hard to electrify routes exploring H2’s potential role in enabling their decarbonisation. If successful this project can help the WWU networ Read More