Application of artificial intelligence for modelling and optimisation of maintenance policies for Hydrogen assets

Application of artificial intelligence for modelling and optimisation of maintenance policies for Hydrogen assets

Status: Live
Reference: NIA_CAD0160
Lead Network: Cadent
Start Date: 01 March 2026
End Date: 01 December 2026
Budget: £285,000
Funding Mechanism: Network Innovation Allowance
Technology: Asset Management, Condition Monitoring, Gas Distribution Networks, Maintenance Inspections
Strategy Theme: Optimised assets and practices
Collaborating Networks: Cadent
Project Partners: Supplier: Frazer Nash Consultancy

Abstract

Development of an artificial intelligence powered application for the purpose of modelling and optimising equipment maintenance policy according to asset reliability, predicted performance and the defined desirable maintenance strategy. With projects to transport 100% Hydrogen in industrial settings gaining increasing traction, this project will serve as a pilot to implement smarter, more intelligent ways of maintaining these assets to increase reliability, reduce operational costs and ultimately prove the credibility of hydrogen as an alternative energy source.

Potential Opportunities

Modernisation of practices - The project enables a shift from fixed-frequency maintenance to intelligent, data-driven, targeted strategies, aligning with industry digital transformation goals and enabling the gas distribution industry to remain viable.

Foundation for new standards – This project will evolve the understanding of what the asset data requirements are for hydrogen transporting assets ahead of the upcoming task of developing and implementing the relevant standards for current and future hydrogen major. Furthermore, this project comes at a point which will enable the industry to future-proof these standards, ensuring we establish now in what detail and granularity equipment reliability and criticality data is to be collected as to ensure the seamless adoption of this AI tool or a similar intelligent technology in the future.

Scalability - The tool has the capacity to be scaled up to support maintenance policymaking across an expanding number of hydrogen infrastructure initiatives by streamlining the documents-generation process. The proof of concept would have the potential for further development to include a wider range of asset types, such as for compression or storage, and could provide a springboard to optimise our natural gas asset maintenance policies in the same way.

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