Project GaIN

It is anticipated that learnings from this project will be widely applicable across all networks. The challenges of finding a technology solution capable of fulfilling the requirement to replace gas boilers which currently provide over 80% of all household heating systems inevitably means that any learnings will be replicable to a large extent elsewhere.

Although arguably areas with lower penetration of mains gas will be relatively less able to exploit learnings, there is no franchise area where gas-connected homes are absent.

In terms of the specific learning opportunity, the review of relevant technologies, their potential applications and limitations will all be key points which will support understanding of advanced technologies gas networks and across the whole energy system.

The majority of the heating industry, policymakers and even gas networks themselves have little understanding or even awareness of the various advanced technologies we intend to explore in this project. If we are to develop relevant residential heating policy and make the necessary investments to deliver on those policies, it is essential that the learnings around the technologies become more widely available and understood as proposed in this project.

At the same time, the modelling of performance and network impacts will be crucial to building the case for the future role of gas networks within an integrated energy system which is affordable, secure and sustainable.