Projects
Project COLLABORATE
Project Collaborate will develop a national digital solution that enables highway authorities and utilities to plan collaborative streetworks proactively. The Alpha phase will deliver a functional prototype that automates the identification and notification of overlapping works enhances data sharing and supports early cross-sector collaboration. By integrating common data standards scalable architecture and stakeholder-driven process design the project will establish the technical and organisational foundations for national rollout. Working with a wide stakeholder group the Alpha phase will demonstrate how digital innovation can embed collaborative streetworks as standard Business as Usual (BaU) practice across the UK’s infrastructure sector.
Project Remo2val
The use of greener gases such as biomethane are an important part of the UK’s transition to net zero. Underground storage sites for biomethane are critical for balancing seasonal supply and demands for energy. However increased levels of oxygen in biomethane can lead to corrosion of assets in wet gas conditions compromising the integrity of storage facilities. This project assesses in a comparative analysis the technical and economic viability of advanced catalytic and adsorption technologies to reduce oxygen levels in biomethane with corrosion inhibitors to ensure the integrity and longevity of critical storage infrastructure.
Project ARAIA
This project will produce reports that will compare the Asset Interventions Database vs their asset base to provide an estimated readiness rating and confidence level against the gas networks assets for the conversion to hydrogen both 100% and blended.
Navigator Project
Situation:
As National Grid ESO transitions to the NESO it will take on the role of Regional Energy Strategic Planners which will bring a focus on the alignment of Local Area Energy Plans and distribution network planning.
Complication:
Current regional distribution network future energy scenarios are produced by electricity distribution networks. Gas distribution networks do not have an equivalent activity Accordingly regional and local area energy planning in not informed by a balanced consideration of all energy vectors.
Solution:
An agile and easy to use Whole Energy Systems Pathway (WESP) tool with detailed temporal and spatial investment planning capabilities to enable a regional whole energy system planning capability which informs gas network planning as well as inform national regional and local planners in an objective evidence based. way
Project Evergreen
This project will develop understanding of how the GB gas network would operate in a system aligned to Future Energy Scenarios (FES) 2025 scenarios for 2050.
Project Capstone
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.
Project Volta
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
Project GaIN
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.
Project CLEAN GREEN
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.
Hybrid Heating | Project 10
The Cadent Hybrid Heating & Services Beyond the Meter (SBtM) project is a collaborative initiative between Cadent Gas and Guidehouse Europe aiming to trial a more integrated approach to delivering hybrid heating systems for vulnerable and fuel-poor households. The project seeks to bring together current approaches via schemes—such as Cadent’s own Services Beyond the Meter (SBtM) programme the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)—into a single customer-focused pathway that combines appliance upgrades insulation heating system installations and tailored advice. Through a phased residential trial the project will coordinate the installation of hybrid heating technologies monitor impacts on customer bills and emissions and gather feedback from both consumers and industry stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the benefits of a joined-up approach to decarbonising home heating inform national policy and support Cadent’s role in achieving low-carbon heating targets while ensuring robust governance risk management and stakeholder engagement throughout the process.
Hydrogen & Carbon Dryness Management
This Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) project investigated dew point management in hydrogen/natural gas blends pure hydrogen and carbon dioxide transmission pipelines. In the National Transmission System (NTS) which is currently a natural gas network the purity of the gas is carefully controlled via the network entry specification. Trace components such as water nitrogen oxides sulphur containing compounds oxygen and carbon dioxide have strict limits on their allowable levels in the network. This is done in part to ensure the gas delivered to end users meets the requirements of the customer but also to protect transport and storage systems. Purity specifications are being developed for hydrogen its blends with natural gas and for carbon dioxide (CO2). This project focused specifically on the water content within these gases in what concentrations it is likely to be acceptable the conditions at which it may condense in the network its interactions with other trace components and contaminants and the potential detrimental effect on the network.
Limiting moisture content and ensuring gas dryness is important for several reasons:
- Safety & Efficiency: Hydrogen’s efficiency as a fuel can be compromised by moisture. Water in hydrogen can affect the combustion process leading to a reduced efficiency for applications like gas turbines.
- Corrosion: If dew points aren’t controlled effectively liquid can drop out of the gas phase and this moisture can cause corrosion in pipelines and hydrogen embrittlement. For CO2 pipelines this moisture can react to produce carbonic acid which can further corrode the pipelines.
The outcomes of the project should provide a clearer insight and strategy on how to effectively manage hydrogen and carbon dryness within the NTS ensuring that the gas remains within the required specifications for current and future demands.
The project was split into three work packages (WP):
WP1 focused on hydrogen and its blends initially reviewing the equations of state (EoS) that model the dew point temperature at varying water content and hydrogen/methane blend ratios. The impact on the network of liquid water formation in hydrogen was examined including the interaction with other trace components such as CO2 and H2S in particular the effect on welds and pipeline defects. Finally a summary of international standards for hydrogen purity highlighted the likely water content limits that could be expected by hydrogen users and thus provided by producers.
WP2 focused on CO2 its phase behaviour and the effect impurities have on this behaviour using the most appropriate equations of state. The detrimental effect of CO2 and liquid water contained within it on pipelines fittings and other parts of the network was reviewed.
WP3 focused on how the water content specifications could be managed on the network from the point of view of monitoring and controlling water dew point in the gases. The water content expected from various production techniques were reviewed and a high-level costing for the dehydration process for both CO2 and hydrogen was made.
Augmented Reality Futures Close
Augmented Reality (AR) technology will be used at Futures Close to convey and inform various audiences including vulnerable consumers about various property archetypes their construction heat loss and the type of retrofit solutions (heating systems controls fabric improvements) available to improve the level of domestic energy efficiency. AR will be used to inform educate and engage audiences on-site at Futures Close as well as off-site at conferences and meetings avoiding the need to facilitate multiple visits on site. Live data feeds will also be visualised illustrating room-by-room temperature humidity as well as other metrics providing an engaging interactive and informative asset for Futures Close.
Network Policies and Procedures – Development Roadmap
UK gas networks are managed and maintained using an extensive suite of policies policies standards and procedures. These documents have been developed gradually over decades of gas network operation however the transition to hydrogen necessitates a wholesale review and update of all existing documents. There is much commonality between the networks’ documents and therefore it would be most efficient to update these documents in a coordinated way to avoid the unnecessary duplication of effort.
1 mol% Oxygen exemption for the NTS
This study builds on previous technical work undertaken to support the 1 mol% oxygen Gas Safety Management Regulations (GSMR) amendment up to 38 barg. The work plan was targeted to focus on aspects that are more pertinent to the National Transmission System (NTS) including information from the current developments for European standards and supporting information from published studies on the impact of oxygen. The scope covered:
- Integrity – focusing on changes to corrosion rates and developing the understanding that increased oxygen content may have on the different factors that impact on corrosion rates.
- Measurement – considering the effect of higher oxygen content on the ability of the different analysers and equipment to measure accurately.
- Gas quality – reviewing the impact on key gas quality parameters and considering the potential impact on trace components that may be present.
- Pipeline “dryness” – investigating the impact of water dew point and water content and the effect of increased oxygen.
- Gas mixing – recognising that the flow from biomethane injection will in most cases be lower than the main pipeline flow deduce if higher oxygen content gas could be transported long distances through the pipeline network.
- Gas storage – building on available information to assess if higher oxygen content impacts on gas storage.
- Gas utilisation – identifying if there are end users that could be significantly impacted by elevated oxygen limits.
- Intermediate limits – considering if an intermediate limit would be preferential.
The scope was developed to provide technical evidence to understand the implications for the NTS recognising that this introduces additional factors that were not considered in the previous studies.
Pre-heating Requirement for Hydrogen Transportation
Scaling Hydrogen with Nuclear Energy (SHyNE)
Significant efforts are required to support the transition of our energy systems moving away from carbon-intensive fuels such as coal diesel petrol and gas towards cleaner sources of power generation such as wind solar nuclear and hydrogen. There is a potential for hydrogen to play a hugely significant role in our energy system the extent of which will be driven by a range of factors including the ability to transport it to where it is needed. There have been recent positive decisions for hydrogen’s potential uses in blending transportation domestic heating and industry. To produce sufficient hydrogen to meet this potential need it will be important to increase and diversify hydrogen production methods.
As nuclear is a reliable and consistent source of clean energy that is unaffected by external factors such as the weather Northern Gas Networks and Wales and West Utilities would like to investigate the possible use of nuclear power as a method of delivering the future increased demand in hydrogen production. This project will explore the opportunity for hydrogen production from nuclear to support a net zero transition across the gas network.
Benefits of nuclear-enabled hydrogen (NEH) in the context of gas distribution networks (GDNs) will be explored building on the established benefits of nuclear energy production.
The overall project outcome is that NGN WWU and other stakeholders are sufficiently informed to determine whether further investment and integration of nuclear-enabled hydrogen to transition plans are justified and how a potential first project could take its next step to deployment through securing technology licences sites off takers and financing.
Alt Pipe
As the owner of the National Transmission System (NTS) National Gas is committed to responsibly managing our redundant assets in a manner that contributes to a sustainable lower-carbon future by decommissioning them responsibly refurbishing for re-use where viable and/or or changing their purpose where possible. This discovery project will identify decommissioned elements of redundant pipework on the transmission system which are unlikely to be used for refurbishment or part of any wider repurposing of the core network and explore the potential of repurposing these for alternative uses including the storage and/or transmission of electrical energy heat fuels water and data.
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.
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.
NextGen Electrolysis – Wastewater to Green Hydrogen Beta
Wales and West Utilities are partnering with HydroStar Welsh Water and NGED to look at two demonstrator projects required from new electrolyser systems and the associated electrolyte that ensures resilience of hydrogen supply across the network giving best value for money and energy security within WWU’s network along with other UK wide Gas Distribution Network (GDN) customers.
Current electrolysers focus on stack-efficiency and hydrogen purity without considering real-world manufacturing and operational constraints and the high costs associated. This project focusses on utilising impurified-water e.g. rainwater storm-overflow and industrial process wastewater as feedstock which reduces operational constraints and costs for customers whilst enabling wide-scale uptake of low-carbon hydrogen.
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Gas Network Evolution Simulator (Alpha)
GNES (Gas Network Evolution Simulator) uses Agent Based Modelling to simulate how people policies and infrastructure interact as the UK transitions away from natural gas. By reflecting real-world behaviours and decisions it helps energy networks policymakers and communities explore fair cost-effective pathways to decarbonisation. GNES reveals how transition choices impact different households and regions ensuring no one is left behind. Developed by the Centre for Energy Equality with industry and public partners GNES supports a whole-system approach to planning a just and resilient energy future that works for everyone not just those able to move first.
Hydrogen Ignition Risk from Static & Autoignition – Stage 2B
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 affecting generation of the charge. The outputs of this work should provide the industry with a better understanding of the potential change in ignition risk when switching from Natural Gas to hydrogen and will also highlight relevant mitigations to manage this risk.
Human Behaviours and automation
This project will produce valuable insights into understanding the relationship between human behaviours and the utilisation of safety devices with automated functionality. This follows the work done on hydrogen risk mitigations which included technology such as hydrogen detectors with automated functionality to remotely notify the emergency call centre to dispatch an engineer to the detected leak. In their review of this work HSE have asked if the assumption that consumers will continue to act the same knowing the device will be doing some automated will change the validity of the modelling assumptions. This project will address that query and build on our own understanding of consumer insights; something which could add a depth of value to other projects exploring automated safety systems.
Quantum optimisation for future gas network design
This project is a first of its kind exploration into the applicability of quantum-inspired optimisation to improve and accelerate modelling of future gas transmission configurations and whole-systems planning. It will assess use cases where these techniques can enhance scenario coverage integrate multiple additional energy vectors address current computational limitations in modelling hydrogen and CO2 networks and improve granularity of planning outputs. By engaging National Gas and supported by NESO the project will identify where quantum-inspired methods offer the greatest system-wide benefit culminating in a prioritised use case and roadmap for Alpha-phase development.
Asset Compatibility Assessment Tool for Transmission
Following completion of Phase 2 of the H21 Hydrogen Ready Components project this project will look to extend the methodology developed under this project to encompass the assessment of assets operating above 7 barg. The assessment tool will be incorporated into the LTS Futures blueprint methodology for repurposing existing Natural Gas transmission assets to hydrogen. The scope will include transmission assets above 7 barg and up to the maximum transmission pressure of 94 barg and will focus on the conversion to 100% hydrogen. Assets in scope will cover both above and below ground assets and include bends valves regulators slam shuts relief valves and pig traps. Assets excluded include pipelines compressors and cast iron components.
Renewable Energy Harvest (Discovery)
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.
Delocalised Hydrogen Storage
Historically decentralised low-pressure gas storage such as gas holders have been used to balance gas network supply and demand. This project will explore how a similar approach can support hydrogen rollout particularly in urban and industrial environments where pipeline line-pack alone may not provide sufficient flexibility.
Network Classifier
This project will develop a hydrogen‑specific risk‑based gas escape classification system for WWU by reviewing existing standards and methodologies modelling hydrogen leak behaviour conducting field trials and developing a final operational tool and updated procedures. The project adapts natural gas escape management processes for use on 100% hydrogen networks by analysing gaps in current practice validating real‑world behaviour through targeted trials and producing training documentation and decision‑support tools.
OptiStore
The OptiSTORE project seeks to address the challenge of supply and demand imbalance within Wales & West Utilities’ (WWU) network as means to mitigate the need for storage particularly in support of Net Zero ambitions including the planning for development of new hydrogen pipelines and WWU’s existing HyLine programme.. Current geological hydrogen storage methods such as salt caverns saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs are capital intensive often technically complex and reliant on specific geological conditions which are less present across WWU’s geography.
Whilst hydrogen can be stored as a liquid this process requires extremely low temperatures which is technically complex and costly due to the energy required to maintain such low temperatures. One promising alternative to this is Ammonia which is attractive due to its lower storage temperature (-33°C versus -253°C for hydrogen) higher volumetric energy density and existing infrastructure and regulatory familiarity.
This project will explore the feasibility of using ammonia as a means to provide supply-side flexibility of hydrogen to support industrial clusters and future hydrogen pipeline developments.
H2 Power – Whole System Implications
This project assesses the role of hydrogen‑to‑power (H2P) generation within WWU’s planned hydrogen network. It identifies maps and evaluates potential H2P assets; develops hydrogen demand scenarios; assesses commercial and policy risks; and prepares cost‑benefit analysis (CBA) case studies to inform decision‑making. The outcome will be a fully integrated whole‑system assessment enabling WWU to understand risks opportunities and required policy frameworks for incorporating H2P into regional hydrogen infrastructure.
Lined Rock Caverns for Flexible Hydrogen Storage – Phase 2
This project advances lined rock caverns (LRCs) as a flexible hydrogen storage solution in WWU’s area by moving from regional screening to site‑specific pre‑feasibility. It refines geology and site availability shortlists candidate sites in South Wales and South West England conducts a detailed pre‑feasibility study with borehole core analysis at a priority site and assesses commercial models and funding routes culminating in a final report to inform decisions on progressing to full feasibility.
Hydrogen Ignition Risk from Static and Autoignition (HIRSA) – Stage 3
The HIRSA programme is assessing ignition risks for the transition to hydrogen with Stage 3 focusing on high pressure risks including shockwave ignition and rapid adiabatic compression. This research supports the safe integration of hydrogen into gas networks.
Hydrogen Storage Feasibility Study – Phase 2
This assesses the suitability of WWU’s three high-pressure gas storage vessel sites (Weston-super-Mare Cheltenham and Bristol/Stapleton) as a case study where learning can be applied to relevant GB networks for hydrogen service. The work includes materials characterisation hydrogen embrittlement testing analysis of 100% hydrogen and 5%/20% hydrogen blends assessment of capacity and pressure requirements evaluation of the implications of removing the vessels entirely and down-selection of viable liner materials and application methods. The project will produce site-specific evidence a shortlist of feasible liner options and clear engineering recommendations to maintain required capacity and pressure envelopes under hydrogen scenarios.
Green Gas Gateway
Gas networks in Britain have connected 130 biomethane plants which together have capacity to produce over 11TWh of green gas – enough to meet the annual demand of around a million average homes.
As biomethane production tends to cluster in farming areas some parts of the country have higher connections and future potential. This can present challenges in relation to the capacity available for existing and new plants to inject biomethane especially when overall gas demand is lower in summer months.
The gas networks and their partners have mature systems and processes to assess capacity and work with producers and developers to identify capacity. More recently potential solutions to constraints have been developed and trialled notably through the Optinet project (NIA_CAD0061) and including Wales & West Utilities’ Smart Pressure Control roll out and Reverse Compression.
The Government is continuing to support new production through the Green Gas Support Scheme and is considering future policy for biomethane. This could significantly increase the volume of biomethane produced and connected which has been recognised in NESO’s FES 2025.
In its Draft Determination for RIIO-3 Ofgem has recognised the potential for future growth in biomethane connections. The regulator “encourage[s] the GDNs to collectively engage with the biomethane industry to streamline and align connection processes”.
In response to this and other feedback from biomethane developers and operators this project will explore the potential for more standardised approaches to support capacity for biomethane and overcome constraints.
Carbon Networks Phase 2
The UK Government has identified Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) as a critical enabler of industrial decarbonisation committing £20 billion to early deployment and targeting 20-30 MtCO₂ stored annually by 2030. Much of the UK’s industrial emissions are geographically concentrated opening the door to targeted CCUS clusters that can deliver outsized impact. GDNs are well positioned to play a meaningful role in this emerging ecosystem.
In Carbon Networks Phase 1 Blunomy assessed the strategic fit between CCUS and the GDN business model. The study identified a range of potential roles including local CO₂ collection participation in transport and storage networks and support for blue hydrogen and CO₂ utilisation initiatives – and it highlighted the importance of early positioning to shape regulatory and commercial pathways.
Phase 2 aims to build on this foundation and move from conceptual framing to actionable insight. Blunomy in the next stage will explore specific industrial opportunities within SGN’s and WWU’s footprint engage with project developers and clusters and outline potential pilot activities. Alongside this the work will assess how CCUS participation aligns with SGN’s broader priorities and the implications for regulatory engagement and investment planning.
Bio-LNG Horizon Scanning
This study will assess the current scale and maturity of Bio-LNG production across GB and Europe to understand the market’s readiness for wider deployment. This includes identifying the economic technical and regulatory barriers that could limit progress and evaluating where suitable biomethane is available for liquefaction along with cost benefit analysis.
SGN operate four remote mainland Statutory Independent Undertakings supplied by tankered LNG from the Isle of Grain. The role of Bio-LNG in supporting network resilience and influencing decarbonisation pathways will be examined. Finally the economic viability of different operating models to determine the most effective route for future Bio-LNG development. Ultimately this study will inform a strategic decision on SIU decarbonisation options and inform potential for future Bio-LNG ‘islands’ across GB networks as a means of decarbonising.
Standardising Grid Entry Unit
The UK’s biomethane sector faces challenges due to the diverse and non-standardized grid entry requirements across different Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). This variability leads to increased costs complexity and lead times for biomethane projects hindering the industry’s growth and efficiency.
Hydrogen Blending Implementation Programme Phase 2B
Following the successful completion of Blending Implementation Plan (BIP) Phase 1 (Planning) in 2023 and BIP Phase 2A (Design) in 2025 the gas networks have engaged KPMG to proceed with the next phase of the programme BIP Phase 2B (Delivery).
Running from February 2026 to November 2026 and focusing on Market Frameworks impacts Phase 2B is required to build on the consensus achieved in Phase 2A and close out all implementation areas that require joint-decision making by the networks. These decisions pertain to detailed design of the application window and industry governance. The outcomes of Phase 2B will create a clear and consistent pathway for individual networks to support the application window and connections process alongside addressing common areas of industry governance based on collective decision making to meet timelines of future HAR.
Hydrogen Blending Transformation Baselining
Following the successful completion of Blending Implementation Plan (BIP) Phase 2A (Design) in 2025 and multiple Asset Records and Compatibility projects valuable insights have been generated but remain fragmented. The project is required to consolidate findings from a range of work to date close gaps and provide more granular impacts and cost/time estimates. This will provide a blend-readiness baseline to inform the roadmap for the subsequent survey and assessment phase as well as development of a Transformation Planning Tool applicable for all GB network licensees.
B-linepack+
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.
Exploring the role of biomethane hybrids in the UK
The work will give relevant stakeholders a better understanding of the value of biomethane-powered hybrid heating systems as an important input into the debate over the UK’s future domestic heating landscape and the role biomethane can play in this system. This is a Green Gas Taskforce-related project being led by Cadent.
Reducing Green Gas Costs Through BioCO2 Sequestration
The work will develop a pathway for the biomethane sector to monetise CO2 and identify the role the gas networks can play reducing the long-term cost of gas decarbonisation.
Hydrogen Permeation through the Oxide Layer - Phase 2
This project aims to address major gaps identified in NIA2_SGN0078 which conducted a thorough literature review of the international scientific and industry knowledge base. The work will focus on characterising the hydrogen permeability rate of API Grades X52 and X60 vintage pipelines and welds by analysing the microstructure of each sample investigating the impact of internal corrosion layers and conducting mechanical testing post-exposure.
A correlation exercise will also be conducted to equate gaseous charging with electrochemical charging. The outcome of this work targets an improved industry best-practice for permeation and fracture toughness tests providing a validated benchmark framework with the potential to inform future updates of industry standards and procedures and saving costs on any future material and permeation testing work.
AI opportunities for consumer centric engagement
Our project tackles a key barrier to expanding the UK’s net zero gas and power networks: how to engage the public inclusively effectively at scale reducing opposition and construction delays. Traditional methods are too slow and resource-intensive. In this phase we will identify consumer needs and explore novel AI-driven engagement solutions such as multilingual chatbots gamified education and sentiment analysis. Based on these insights we will define a roadmap for adopting or developing AI solutions in case unavailable off-the-shelf tailored to strategic large-scale engagement. In partnership with communities we aim to build trust transparency and public support for future infrastructure.
Impact of Changing Weather Patterns
Climate change-related events are increasing in frequency and consequence across Great Britain. Changing weather patterns are disrupting gas network assets supply chains and infrastructure altering the risksandvulnerabilities on the network. This project aims to anticipate evolving weather trends impacting gas networks to ultimately reduce operational disruption and support SGN’s Climate Resilience Strategy.
BioCapMap
BioCapMap is a Strategic Innovation Fund Discovery project led by Cadent with Bohr Energy and Energy Systems Catapult. It will unlock the UK’s biomethane potential by developing a digital self-service tool that helps developers identify optimal gas network connection points being the first of kind to solve this gap in the connections planning process. By addressing outdated network data and inefficient connection processes the tool will streamline planning reduce costs and accelerate green gas deployment. BioCapMap supports rural growth and decarbonisation of the gas network by improving network visibility enabling smarter investment and enhancing coordination between developers and network operators.
The Potential of Biomethane to Accelerate the Decarbonisation of UK HGVs
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 emissions by over 84% over the next 15-20 years whilst zero tailpipe emission technologies are developed and the supporting infrastructure is deployed.
- An enabler to the transition to zero tailpipe emission vehicles by offering reduced carbon abatement costs that in turn can generate funds to invest in zero emissions infrastructure and vehicles.
It will serve as a reference document for discussions with industry stakeholders governments and regulators.
Weld Residual Stress Phase II - Testing
This project seeks to demonstrate the reductions in weld residual stress assumptions that have been suggested by the Phase I Literature Review project. A test programme will be conducted to measure residual stress in pipelines indicative of those on the gas network and subject them to hydrostatic pressures as seen in the period correct commissioning tests. These residual stress results will be fed into a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model to scale up to other sizes and grades representative of the gas network. Residual stress tests will also be performed on extracted ex-service pipework in order to validate the ‘fresh’ pipeline tests and the FEA modelling.
Decarbonising Transport with Vehicle Electrolyser
Northern Gas Networks is exploring innovative solutions to decarbonize its operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen fuel produced via electrolysis presents a promising alternative to conventional fuels for fleet vehicles. This project aims to assess the technical operations and economic feasibility of integrating electrolyser systems into a range of Northern Gas vehicles.
The overall project outcome is that NGN and other stakeholders are sufficiently informed to determine whether electrolyser integration is advised based on the technical operational economic and environmental impact.
Emissions Mitigations Techniques
SGN Innovation is exploring how to support its operational colleagues in implementing tools and practices to mitigate emissions coming from pipeline operations. This work is driven by SGN’s GD3 Environmental Action Plan which sets a target to reduce operational carbon emissions by 46% relative to the 2019 baseline with a long-term target of net zero by 2045.
Whilst the Environmental Action Plan and the Network Asset Management Strategy articulate what SGN will invest in there be an “operational pathway” in how these ambitions translate into day-to-day operational decision-making as well as ensuring that the competing requirements on operational staff (efficiency vs emissions reduction for example) are addressed and appropriate guidance and prioritisation given.
This project creates a pragmatic approach to bridge the identified operational gap by establishing a decision framework and playbook for commissioning and decommissioning pipelines that embeds gas drawdown as a default activity with the potential if successful to expand to other areas of implementing the Environmental Action Plan. The aim is to enable SGN’s and other Network workforce to deliver consistent efficient emissions reductions across GD3.